Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Joy Gebresilassie.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Greetings! My story starts with my incredible parents. They came to the U.S. as Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees in the 80s. They showed me what happens when faith, passion and hard work intersect. Their sacrifices play a huge role in how I got to where I am today.
I was born in southern California and raised in Metro Atlanta (Dekalb and Gwinnett County). Since I was a kid, I had a passion to connect with people. That carried on through my college days at Georgia State and Georgia Tech. I worked in the sports industry with organizations including the Atlanta Falcons and the Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball Team where I started to fall in love with storytelling and its ability to inspire people. I wanted to refine my craft of telling meaningful stories, so I went back to school for my Masters in journalism at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. From there, I had the opportunity to work as a News Trainee at FOX 5 Atlanta which set me up for a position as a TV Reporter at a local ABC station in southern Illinois. During my first year as a TV Reporter, I hosted and produced a segment called “Going Global,” where we highlighted people coming from all corners of the earth who were making a difference within the local community. During my time there, I proudly anchored an entire newscast in a traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean dress and anchored another news segment wearing traditional braids, which then became my on-air look. Despite some pushback and negative comments from viewers, I kept it going and am thankful for the platform that allowed me to do that. Some of those news moments went viral and folks around the globe reached out to share what it meant to see a representation of themselves broadcast on the news, highlighting how much representation truly matters. I soon grew inspired to leap into the entrepreneurial world and left my job to start an independent media platform, HannahJoyTV, along with the Promote Positivity Movement. Today, I’m living and working in Metro Atlanta on a mission to share uplifting content and promote positivity worldwide through my company.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not, but it’s certainly been worth the ride. When I left my full-time job in summer 2018, I left opportunities, I left a steady paycheck, I left my healthcare benefits, I left my cozy apartment, etc., etc. It’s not the easiest place to be but I know the sacrifices will pay off. I remember driving down to Georgia from Illinois in a moving truck second-guessing myself. As the saying goes, sometimes the greatest things in life are on the other side of fear.
With any big risk in life, you have to be ready and willing to adjust. I moved back in with my mom and learned to be transparent with my friends and family about my financial situation as a new entrepreneur, which meant skipping out on fun trips and outings. People always ask how I make money as an entrepreneur and I tell them the truth: My business isn’t generating enough income for me to live off of, YET, so I picked up part-time gigs in order to invest in my business, including freelance photography, washing dishes at restaurants, taking acting jobs as an extra and nannying. I took on jobs that I knew wouldn’t be too emotionally and mentally taxing on me, so I could save that energy for building the company. It was the best strategy for me, but different strategies work for different people.
Entrepreneurship requires many skills, so learning how to manage everything has been a process. The to-do list never seems to get shorter so you have to be motivated to get tasks done in a timely fashion. You become your own boss so accountability is super important, but so is forgiving yourself when things don’t go well. I’m certainly a work in progress but I feel like I have a greater grasp now than I did when I first launched in November 2018. It truly takes time, dedication and patience, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and build along this journey.
What should we know about HannahJoyTV/Promote Positivity Movement? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
HannahJoyTV is a media platform created to share uplifting content and promote positivity worldwide. I host and produce a segment called “Journey Time,” where I interview guests about their journeys and they open up about the ups, downs and everything in between. Along with the platform, I started the “Promote Positivity Movement” which is all about staying positive through the highs and lows we all experience in life. Promoting positivity doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means we choose to stay up and hold onto the light at the end of the tunnel while choosing to spread love over hate.
I’m most proud of the way the movement has been able to spread, reaching people across the United States and worldwide. So far, the merchandise line has reached 7 countries and 15 states in the U.S. We donate 10 percent of profits from the merchandise line to groups serving the youth, so it’s been rewarding to support other groups promoting positivity. Additionally, I hosted a Promote Positivity Pop-up tour during summer 2019 and reached 8 states in the U.S. from the East Coast to the West Coast. Throughout this journey, I’ve been able to serve as a keynote speaker at various functions and partner with awesome groups to host a variety of events from inspirational panel discussions to networking mixers and brunches.
Qualities I’m proud to claim are my transparency and candidness, both in person and on social media. I’m as human and as flawed as they come and I’m ok with that. I believe my authenticity and genuine desire to connect with people allows me to create fruitful moments and rewarding experiences.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Know that you deserve everything you’ve worked hard for. Know that it will not be an easy journey, but it will be rewarding and you’ll continue to evolve with every chapter you write. It’s normal to make mistakes, but do your best not to repeat them. We are ALL a work in progress so give yourself grace when necessary. Don’t get caught up comparing yourself to others on social media because we’re all dealing with something, even though you don’t always see it. Your journey will be full of highs and lows and know that you are never alone through any of it. Take care of yourself and take care of your physical and mental health. Enjoy life while we’re here and make sure to carve some time out for loved ones no matter how busy you get. Appreciate the little things. Stay humble. Be grateful. Finally, break barriers and shine your light in everything you do. You are a queen and always remember that.
Contact Info:
- Website: hannahjoytv.com (https://hannahjoytv.com/)
- Email: hannah@hannahjoytv.com
- Instagram: @hannahjoytv (https://www.instagram.com/hannahjoytv/)
- Facebook: @hannahjoytv (https://www.facebook.com/HannahJoyTV/)
- Twitter: @hannahjoytv (https://www.twitter.com/hannahjoytv)
- Other: @hannahjoytv (https://www.youtube.com/hannahjoytv)
Image Credit:
Photos provided by Hannah Gebresilassie
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