Conversations with Jess Cappa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Cappa.

Hi Jess, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hiya! Thanks so much for having me. This is such a lovely experience, and I’m always down for a good conversation with new friends.
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and creating experiences that make people react positively or simply feel something.
I’m a South Floridian, originally from Puerto Rico, and I’ve always carried this mix of creativity, hospitality, and curiosity that naturally pulled me toward events, design, and visual storytelling. I love cocktails (you can usually find me at a local tiki bar… 26 tiki bars worldwide and counting), being outdoors, and building experiences that bring people together. I love hosting, and honestly, all of those things inspire the way I think creatively.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I moved to the States as a kid, I had to relearn quite a few things: language, culture, even how to connect with people socially. At the time, it felt overwhelming, but looking back, I think that’s where my love for communication and creative expression really came from. Drawing became my way of connecting with people. I used to sketch little portraits of classmates during lunch and hand them out before the school day ended. It was kind of my way of saying, “Hey, I wanna to be your friend.”
I still remember one classmate being so excited about her portrait, that her mom made cupcakes inspired by my drawing with little flowers and stars; just like my classmates’ dress sketch. That small moment really stayed with me because it made me realize that sketches and ideas can become something tangible that people share and experience together. Here we were, connecting over cupcakes because I made something that made someone feel seen!

One thing that has still been a challenge for me is balancing identity and heritage. There’s a saying in Spanish: “ni de aquí, ni de allá,” which basically means you’re not fully from here or there. Sometimes in Latin-American countries I felt “too American,” and in the States I felt “too Hispanic.” For a while that felt confusing. But now I really value that perspective – it has shaped how I tell stories and connect with people creatively. Even at a local level, it has made me more empathetic, observant, and collaborative.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Professionally, I work in experiential advertising, curating immersive brand experiences, takeovers, and pop-ups as a Senior Art Director at Factory360. It’s been really rewarding to once again collaborate with creatives not just in New York City, but across the country. The team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, which honestly feels refreshing at an agency level. We have a lot of exciting events and pop-ups coming up, including activations tied to the World Cup here in Atlanta; I’m excited to see all of that hard work come to life!

As for my personal creative work, I’m still exploring photo and mixed media-based themes around human production versus nature (I’m an active outdoorist!), or the effects of mass consumption due lifestyle influences. I’m actually headed to the UK soon on a creative journey to explore the coexistence of rolling green landscapes, vernacular architecture, and urban planning. I’m really excited to experience this firsthand and see how it compares to other metropolitan areas like Atlanta.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love how Atlanta is truly a melting pot of people, niche activities, and creative communities. On any given Sunday, you can catch a kickball game at one of the city’s many local parks. By Tuesday, you might find yourself learning a new skill, like mastering the art of Southern cuisine, alongside complete strangers who quickly become friends. Fridays feel made for old-school film screenings or wandering through local bookstores, where you’ll overhear people planning their next art project, sharing ideas, or convincing each other to try a hole-in-the-wall spot that’s built not just a loyal following, but a real sense of community and pride throughout the city.

The one thing I would absolutely change in our City, if I may… the traffic. I’m convinced a “just 15-minute drive” in Atlanta is just a myth we all collectively agreed to believe in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yesjesscappa.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yesjesscappa/