Today we’d like to introduce you to Arica Jay.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The truth is, I have been on this journey for a while. However, the most relevant piece of this story begins in 2015 when I started freelance writing on a regular basis. I pretty much got all of my leads from the internet and from doing writing projects for my friends. A major turning point was when I got my certification in Business Writing. Although I already had a degree in Journalism and Minor in Public Relation (needless to say I had a lot of writing experience) that certification opened my world up to the fundamentals of business. Now I was writing business plans, standard operating procedures and reading contracts on a regular basis. As my business acumen was climbing, I was able to develop accurate and successful opinions when friends asked me about their business beyond writing objectives. As I found myself around more entrepreneurs, I realized I had a skill set many people in business need; organization, planning, execution and high-level communication. These things came naturally to me, and low and behold, they were valuable to someone else. Soon after that realization, I began to identify which of my skills could actually be monetized. After doing A LOT of free work and giving away many hours to businesses and organizations, I knew I was ready to start Arica J. Enterprises. That was in 2019, and it has been a pretty steady trend upward since.
I have worked with some of the most amazing people along the way. My clients have each helped me get to the next step. They all had confidence in my capabilities, and that really gave me the space to be my best self with the knowledge we both had at that moment. The last few years of my growth as an entrepreneur have come with some of the best experiences of my life, both professionally and personally. I have worked with CEO’s and managed projects in industries, like cannabis and fashion, where I would have never thought my career would have led me. These people have shaped and molded, not only me, but how I run my business. I have built a foundation of love, honesty, hard work, service, authenticity, respect and commonality that my business will continue to build on top of.
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?
From what I have learned, heard and garnered, there is no “smooth road” to greatness or excellence. It takes extremely hard work, desire, willpower, passion and a hefty amount of faith to become successful. Finances are typically always the biggest struggle along the way. Capital. And for me that was no different. Self-growth. Discovering your need for self-growth and then pursuing that growth comes with its own struggles. Leaving behind who you once were (and loved for the most part) so you can grow and become the person destined to carry the success and the blessings of your dreams and desires can very much be a struggle. An example for me was struggling to express to people to pay me what I am worth through raising my prices and actually charging people at all. I struggled to raise my prices even though I knew my value had increased, I offered something so many did not, and all my training and my mentor were saying, “increase your prices”. I was struggling. The struggle was overcoming self-doubt, acceptance of worthiness, the fear of losing a client. Eventually, I did raise my prices and when no there was no pushback from new clients, I knew a HUGE challenge had been overcome on multiple levels. Another challenge has been the people I’ve loved and lost along the way as my business grew and as I was going to the next level. They didn’t pass to the next life, but they are no longer with me. I struggled with letting go, but we succeed because we overcome. I believe if we keep that in mind, we will inevitably be successful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Arica J. Enterprises works with entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small businesses to grow and scale their company’s by providing virtual administrative services, project management, business strategy, and content creation with a hands-on approach. We are the solution to your vision. We help companies create organizational and operational plans, project timelines, digital and social media marketing strategies, develop communication strategies, community engagement programs, and promote company growth. This all helps to facilitate the execution and manifestation of a CEO’s vision. The overall benefit is company’s learn how to better connect with their audience, expand their reach, and ultimately increase their revenue streams. Basically, we are behind the scenes of your business. I specialize in, as they say, “the back of the house.” I understand that it can look good, but if it isn’t built and backed by something solid, it won’t last. It will have only looked good for a little while. So, we identify and help implement strategies to ensure your business is running at the most optimal level possible.
We work across multiple industries. Our clients have come from the non-profit space, the fashion industry, politics, the cannabis industry, the entertainment industry, real estate, health and wellness and the film and television industry. I love learning about new spaces and revenue streams. I have found that although the industries are different the needs are quite similar.
I am most proud of what Arica J. Enterprises stands for. Passion. Hard work. Service. Authenticity. Black excellence. Originality. Community. I am most proud of these elements because these elements most represent me, my work ethic and my business. In my eyes, that is something to be proud of, and I am.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
ABSOLUTELY! Life changing!
Books:
The Four Agreements- Don Miguel Ruiz
The Richest Man in Babylon – George Samuel Clason
The Power of Positive Thinking -Norman Vincent Peale
The Power of the Subconscious Mind – Joseph Murphy
Podcast/ Resources
Recession Proof
Social Proof Podcast
Earn Your Leisure
All things Iyanla Vanzant
Contact Info:
- Email: info@aricaj.com
- Website: https://aricajenterprises.wixsite.com/ajes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aricajenterprises/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AricaJEnterprises
