We were lucky to catch up with Jolie Davenport recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jolie , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was waiting to pursue my music journey as an artist. Music has always been a passion of mine, but I made the conscious decision to focus on building my company first. My goal was to create financial stability and establish a foundation that would allow me to enter the music industry on my terms. I wanted to have the resources to work with talented producers, secure collaborations, and present myself as a serious artist ready to grow in the industry.

It wasn’t an easy decision, and there were moments of doubt. The music industry moves fast, and part of me worried I might miss my chance. But I trusted my instincts and stayed the course. As a result, I was able to build a successful business that not only supported me financially but also taught me valuable lessons about perseverance and strategy—skills that I’ve carried into my music career.

Now, looking back, I’m glad I waited. Because of the foundation my company provided, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible talents. I’ve collaborated with some of Austin’s top artists, landed a feature with the legendary Howard Johnson, known for his iconic funk sound of the 80s, and even worked with an artist who won NPR’s Tiny Desk competition . Also I was honored to have a small EP produced by one of Europeans Top Producers JAFUNK, in which it starts its debut later this spring. These opportunities have validated my journey and made me appreciate every step that led me here.

This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Everyone’s path is different, and timing is everything. Trust your gut, listen to your soul, and don’t be afraid to take the path that feels right for you.

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.

For those who may not know me yet, my journey into both music and my business started at a young age. Music has always been a part of my life; I began singing and performing in church, where I first discovered my love for connecting with others through song. At the same time, I developed a passion for working with dogs, starting at just 13 years old. Both paths came to me naturally, and over the years, I’ve worked hard to develop these talents into thriving careers. Today, I’m proud to be able to pursue both.

In my dog grooming business, what sets me apart is the unique style and comfort I bring to my clients and their pets. I pride myself on creating a calm, welcoming environment that puts dogs at ease and ensures they leave looking and feeling their best. One of my proudest moments was when I unknowingly groomed a well-known music artist’s dog. They were so impressed with my work that they shared their experience with friends, and that sparked a domino effect of referrals. To this day, word of mouth and personal recommendations remain the foundation of my business growth.

In my music career, my goal is to create songs that resonate with everyone, from the young to the old. My lyrics are heartfelt and relatable, and my sound is all about bringing joy and movement to people’s lives. Whether it’s a beat that makes you want to dance or a melody that speaks to your soul, my music is here to connect and inspire. Similar to my business, my growth in music has come from networking, fans sharing my work, and collaborations with producers and other artists.

As a brand, my dog grooming business provides the tools and expertise that groomers need—whether it’s brushes or scissors for styling. My music, on the other hand, gives you the rhythm and energy to dance everything away, offering a space to let go and enjoy the moment, TO BE YOU

What I want people to know most about me is that I’m passionate about what I do—whether it’s caring for dogs or creating music. Both are driven by a desire to connect, uplift, and leave a lasting impact. My journey is proof that with passion, perseverance, and the willingness to trust the process, you can carve out a unique and fulfilling path.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience has been a core part of my journey, both in my music career and in building my dog grooming business. One story that stands out is from the early days of my company. When I first started, I couldn’t afford advertising. I had to rely entirely on word of mouth and the quality of my work to get noticed. I vividly remember grooming a dog for a client who turned out to be a well-known music artist, though I had no idea who they were at the time. They loved the results so much that they shared my name with their network, and suddenly, I was getting calls from people I’d never expected. That moment taught me the importance of consistency, hard work, and delivering excellence—even when you don’t see immediate results. It was a tough period, but staying resilient paid off.

In music, resilience has played a similar role. There were times when I questioned whether I’d waited too long to start my journey as an artist, but I stayed focused on my vision. I leaned on the lessons I’d learned from my business—networking, building relationships, and putting in the work behind the scenes. This persistence led me to collaborate with some of Austin’s top artists, feature with legendary names like Howard Johnson, and even connect with artists who’ve won prestigious competitions. None of this happened overnight, but it’s proof that staying the course and pushing through challenges can open doors you never imagined.

In both industries, resilience means trusting the process, adapting when things don’t go as planned, and believing in your vision even when the path isn’t clear. Whether it’s growing my business without traditional advertising or building my music career from scratch, these experiences have taught me that setbacks are just setups for comebacks.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A pivotal moment in my journey came when I had to decide whether to focus solely on my dog grooming business or finally take the leap into my music career. For years, I had poured all my energy into building my company from the ground up. Starting with no budget for advertising, I relied on word of mouth and referrals, grooming every dog with the utmost care and dedication. My hard work paid off, and my business grew steadily.

But music had always been a passion, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was putting that dream on hold for too long. The turning point came when I realized that the stability I had built through my company could serve as the foundation I needed to pursue music seriously. I pivoted by setting up systems in my business that allowed me to step back a bit while still maintaining the quality my clients relied on. This freed up time and resources for me to focus on creating music, networking, and collaborating with producers and other artists.

That decision to pivot was life-changing. , secured features with legends like Howard Johnson, and having my music played on TIMBO LIVE and seeing Tiberland dance and jam to my music . Meanwhile, my business continues to thrive, still driven by the quality and care I established from the start.

This experience taught me that pivoting doesn’t mean abandoning one dream for another—it’s about finding balance and being willing to adapt when the time is right. By listening to my gut and trusting the process, I’ve been able to pursue both of my passions and create a path that’s uniquely my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://swaggatx.com
• Instagram: @thejoliedavenport and @swaggatx
• Facebook: Jolie Davenport
• Yelp: dont have
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/joliedavenport

Image Credits

@IMASHOOTS
@MAMADUKE
@XBVALINTINE