Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Johnson.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It’s crazy I recently came across a scholarship essay I wrote back in college and it gave me chills thinking about where I am today. Here’s a snipped it of what I wrote in 2011 in my sophomore year of college “My future plans are to start off as a college intern at a company that involves using my skills of business administration. I desire to graduate from Tuskegee University either cum lade or Magna cum lade. I then would like to work for a management firm and eventually set out on an entrepreneurial path of my own. Ultimately, I plan to start a Girl Youth Empowerment foundation that focuses on less fortunate girls that need encouragement in finding their self-worth. I would like to also help girls develop some Christian values to help them become strong God-fearing women of power and determination”. Looking back, I guess I always had a passion for mentorship; being that mentorship has impacted my life as a young girl. You see my story is an open book, during my adolescent years I struggled with self-confidence and peer pressure that caused me to make some poor decisions and risky behaviors. It wasn’t until years later when I found my voice and confidence to share how I was able to overcome my inner battles with other young people within my community.
In October 2017, I launched my social media ministry called Listen Up with Jess, where I started off making videos of me sharing my testimonies of my life and my relationship with God; while motivating young people to Listen Up to what God has called them to do. I started to receive amazing feedback from my supporters on Facebook, averaging 1k views every episode. The outcome of the feedback blessed me to be invited to speak at youth conferences and start mentoring adolescent girls within my hometown Huntsville, Alabama. Fast forwarded to February 2019, I relocated to Georgia and decided to relaunch Listen Up with Jess into Christian Culture Podcast for young adults. I now use my platform to reach thousands of young people across social media & the podcasting space for an audience that desires to learn more about becoming the best version of themselves. Recently, The Listen Up with Jess Podcast has opened many doors for me to become a motivational speaker and connect with several young people in the Greater Atlanta Area.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Has the road been smooth? of course not. I still struggle with doubt and fear of really stepping out on faith to pursue my dreams full time. One of my favorite quotes always pushes me to keep pressing forward “If there is NO struggle there is no progress”- Frederick Douglass. Building a brand is hard, staying consistent is hard, creating space for your voice to be heard is hard, and mentoring authentically is hard. There are days I feel like I’m killing it and then there are days I feel like wow, there’s so much more I want to accomplish. Today, I’m learning to pace myself, find a healthy balance in creating long term goals, and be thankful for the progress I have made so far.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Listen Up with Jess story. Tell us more about the business.
Listen Up with Jess has a variety of services, my specialties are motivational speaking, podcast hosting, mentoring, and creating inspirational clothing. I think I’m known to be very open and transparent about the struggles I had to overcome. In fall 2019, I had the amazing opportunity to go on a Listen Up with Jess speaking tour, in the Atlanta Public Schools system. During my speaking tour, I connected with hundreds of students who were predominately young female students. I was able to talk to them about the real struggles of not knowing your self-worth and the consequences of peer pressure. Shout out to the awesome students of Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, South Atlanta High School, Westlake High School, and Campbell High School. This by far, was one of my proudest moments. Every auditorium stage and classroom I step foot in, I made sure to keep it real with the students and challenged them to become better versions of themselves. After my encounters with several students, I realized there is a desperate need for more positive mentorship programs for our Public-School Systems.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I mean, I wouldn’t call it luck more like blessed. I’ve been blessed to have a strong support system that I can always count on. I’m a product of a good educational background that has taught me how to successfully network with a diverse group of people. I’ve lived in 3 different states since graduating from college and I’ve made some awesome connections over time. It’s been through those connections, I’ve been blessed with some amazing speaking engagement opportunities for the past three years of me launching Listen Up with Jess.
Pricing:
- Grace Drip – Tee Shirts $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.listenupwithjess.com/
- Phone: 678-509-5486
- Email: listenupwithjess@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listenupwithjess/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ListenupwithJess/
Image Credit:
Alexis Moore Photography
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