We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Je’Vel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Je’Vel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Luckily I’ve been able to create sustainability off of my creative endeavors and have been operating as an individual freelancer since 17 years old. I think I can sum up my journey in a few steps.

Step 1. Decide on the product/service/area, i.e. music, fashion, writing etc. Earlier on, I chose fashion as the umbrella, unsure of which definitive direction.

Step 2. Be okay with starting from the bottom up and learn as much as possible. I took information and intel as an intern/assistant in every sector from styling to beauty to creative direction to fashion production and more from a plethora of companies. I learned the terms/language and the ins and outs of each sector plus how they were connected as a whole. In this stage your networks should expand, don’t shy away from speaking with anyone, but again start with those at your level and expand as your reputation solidifies. Your reputation is everything.

Step 3. Set a definitive goal and attack it with all you’ve got. Once you’ve understood the terrain you will get a clearer picture of what you want. My goal at 21 was to manage the Met Gala by 30. I was consistent as a production assistant, slowly proving myself and my worth to the production team. This sometimes meant over-extending myself in-between college classes to show my commitment to the process. Remember no task is too small or beneath you, for example in my case working in warehouses far away from the Met itself at some points.

Step 4. Make clear demands in line with the goal. When the time was right, and I had shown all I could show, I simply demanded that if I were to continue it would need to be with more involvement in the event. Thus I was promoted and accomplished managing the prestigious event at 27 and 28.

Now, is where things get interesting.

Step 5. Be unafraid to pivot and start all over with the tools you’ve acquired. Though this position was lucrative and a literal dream it no longer aligned with my desires and at 29 I walked away. My eyes are now set on carving my way as a musician/author. Since I have proof that my system has worked once before I trust it can again. But be warned the transition period takes mental grit. So be sure to prioritize mental health. I do this with exercise, meditation, prayer, and listening to podcasts like The Diary of a CEO and The Art of Letting Go.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I immigrated to New York City from St. Lucia at 7 years old and later studied music at LaGuardia High School which brought the world Nicki Minaj, Azealia Banks, and more. Though by the time I graduated, I had already sung on the famed Carnegie Hall stage three times (starting at 15) and soloed a piece by Grammy Award Winning Musician, Arturo O’Farrill, at 17, I was convinced that this wasn’t enough of a footing in the music world to continue.

I turned to fashion and event production instead and found myself climbing the ranks of many brands, the peak thus far, being one of the managers of the Met Gala at 27 and 28 years old. I left that position in search of something more in line with my passion for music and creating with other artists. A coming home of sorts, I’m back to building within that realm, creating music for myself and other artists like RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 Miss Congeniality, Xunami Muse, and Grammy-Nominated singer/songwriter YawnyBlew.

With my experience, I can see multi-media creative projects from the mind to fruition which is what I am most proud of. If you can think of it, I’ll find a way to produce it. A one-stop creative shop, there is rarely a skill I haven’t mastered to some degree, and in the slight chance that I haven’t, I’m trained to find excellent assistance.

What I want from potential clients, followers, and fans is for them to dare to dream and face the fears that come with creation. Also if there is no heart or passion there then I’m probably not the right fit as both are important to me personally and artistically.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Two things drive my creative journey, the first is being a walking example of dreams coming true. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon; my father often reminds me that our town got streetlights the year before I was born and there weren’t many either. My favorite memory of my life is of my grandmother; she was blind but would still find inventive ways to bond with me as a child. She would manage to work her way around the kitchen, find a plastic bowl, put water and dish soap in it, and then the two of us would sit side by side on the step blowing bubbles through straws. I say all this to say that we didn’t have much but made it work. I want to be a symbol globally that everyone is capable of unimaginable feets despite where they start off, who they are, and where they’ve been. The second mission is to shift consciousness forward, and move it from the heavy self-focused area it has been in for generations to a more healthy collaborative one. We are all one people and through my work, I hope to bridge gaps and help people realize this.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative for me is when my work helps to heal, inform or move someone forward. Life is difficult enough and I think art is one of the few things we have to take the edge off safely.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jevel.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/je.vel/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oddtY8DR0oOQAs1k3zjD0

Image Credits

Underwater shots by Joyce Mcfarland, Eros is Falling shot by Adeos Yeboah, Red Ribbon shots by Kizer Xyz, Trio Image by Kathleen Sheehan.