Daily Inspiration: Meet Jess Jaimes

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

Hi Jess, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been shaped by service, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. I served in the U.S. Army from 2012 to 2016, an experience that taught me discipline, leadership, and the importance of showing up for others—especially during difficult moments. Like many veterans, the transition out of the military came with its own challenges, but it also pushed me to reconnect with my purpose beyond the uniform.

After my service, I found myself drawn to work rooted in advocacy and impact. I began working in veteran outreach and public awareness, helping build partnerships across the country and engaging in conversations around mental health, resilience, and support. That work eventually led me into community-focused business development, where I could combine relationship-building with education and outreach.

Today, I serve as a Business Development Manager for an immigration and criminal defense law firm in Atlanta, where my focus is on community education, outreach initiatives, and partnerships that help protect immigrant families and keep them informed of their rights. Alongside my professional work, I host Resilient & Rowdy, a podcast centered on honest conversations about growth, healing, and navigating life after adversity.

Every step of my path—from the military to advocacy, media, and community leadership—has reinforced the same mission: to create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Much of my journey has been shaped by trial and error—learning in real time, often in spaces where I didn’t yet fully understand the culture, dynamics, or intentions of the people around me. Early on, that lack of clarity was challenging and, at times, discouraging.

Over the years, those experiences forced me to develop a high level of emotional intelligence. I learned to slow down, observe, ask better questions, and understand not just what was happening, but why. That perspective taught me that many of the issues we face—especially in community work and advocacy—are deeply complex, and that complexity is often why meaningful change can feel slow or difficult.

Rather than deterring me, those challenges strengthened my resolve. They reinforced my intention to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose, and to make a positive difference wherever I am. Each obstacle became a lesson, sharpening both my awareness and my commitment to creating spaces that are more honest, inclusive, and impactful.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work at the intersection of community advocacy, education, and storytelling. Professionally, I am a Business Development Manager for an immigration and criminal defense law firm, where I focus on community outreach, partnerships, and educating individuals and families about their rights. I truly enjoy connecting with people and helping them understand that there are options and hope, even in situations that feel overwhelming.

As an immigrant myself, I understand how difficult and intimidating the legal journey can be. Being able to provide clear information and practical tools that help people see a path forward is something I’m deeply proud of.

Creatively, I am the creator and host of Resilient & Rowdy, a podcast that highlights stories of perseverance and growth. What sets the show apart is its emphasis on resilience. While many conversations center on trauma, I focus on how people move through adversity—finding meaning, strength, and light despite what they’ve faced.

What sets me apart overall is my ability to blend lived experience, empathy, and action, whether through community work or storytelling, with the goal of empowering others to move forward with confidence.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There have been many lessons along the way, but the most meaningful one has been learning to stay true to myself, despite everything. When you commit to authenticity, growth follows in ways you don’t always expect.

I’ve experienced a lot of personal blossoming through that process, and it’s been incredibly fulfilling not only to grow myself, but to witness that same growth in others. Staying rooted in who you are allows you to move forward with clarity, integrity, and purpose.

We each bring something unique to the table, and there is someone out there who truly needs what only you can offer. Embracing that uniqueness, protecting it, and sharing it with the world is one of the most powerful things you can do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.resilientandrowdy.com/
• Instagram: Resilientandrowdy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KEQwmfJZZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessjaimes?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@resilientandrowdy?si=eaivVBjcKHMXx7FJ

Image Credits
Photography by Gregory Blackshear, GB Visuals