
Photos by Kelly Raye
Our generation is often referred to as the multi tab, multihyphenate and slashie generation; we all do a million things at once. Careers used to be singletrack, single focus. Lawyer, doctor, musician. But you no longer have to be ONE thing, and more women are showcasing their blend of talents, dedication to causes, and ability to pivot like never before. They are the modern millennials. The new renaissance women.
1. The role of women has been evolving over time and even more rapidly as of late can you describe what being a modern millennial woman means to you, or has meant over time?
Being a modern millennial woman to me means being in control of your own destiny and being your own gatekeeper.
When I started in the music industry (before social media) I was signed to two major record labels and I had absolutely no control over my sound, my direction or my career. It didn’t matter how hard I worked, there was always someone else in control that could either give me success or not.
Now with the power of social media, we are our own keepers, we can create our own careers and success by sharing it directly to our audiences. It’s all in your control.
I’m so inspired by the women in this business who have achieved success on their own, who have built something out of nothing. They’ve built huge audiences and businesses all while balancing their personal lives. That is what I strive for every day and that to me is the modern millennial woman.
2. I want to talk a little bit about growth, both personally and professionally, what were some key milestones, moments and lessons that shaped who you are as business women?
The moment that changed my life and career most was when I decided to negotiate out of my recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. Growing up, all I wanted was to be signed and made a career of my music and passion for performing. Unfortunately, my time while signed to WBR wasn’t the greatest. The music industry is dominated by males who often act as gate keepers between the artist and success. I used to have to deal with really tough stuff at a very young age (14-22) being propositioned by producers, label executives, dj’s, you name it. I was brought into board meetings and told that I had no style and that I should dress more like Lady Gaga or Nicki Minaj, that I was too fat, that my hairstyle needed to change, etc.
It was those experiences that made me want to take matters into my own hands. I started a production company with my best friend and also started recording and releasing music independently. It was during this time that I also started blogging.
This was the most rewarding yet daunting time of my life…It was the first time I had been completely on my own and in control. While that was very exciting, it was also the scary because I had no one else to blame but myself for my success or failures. Taking accountability for what I did empowered me, helped me grow into who I am today, and prepared for the industry we’re in now.
3. You started working at a young age and have navigated the entertainment world as a teen. What are some industry lessons you learned early on? And have you pivoted or iterated on your career as you have gotten older?
2 things I definitely built into my bones during my early years in the entertainment industry are a strong work ethic and self discipline. Life on the road on tour was brutal. You have to wake up at 4 in the morning, head to 5 different radio stations to do interviews and drops, head to the next venue for sound check and rehearsal, rehearse more off stage to fix whatever glitches there were on stage during tech, then do your hair and makeup on a bench in the tour bus crowded with 4 other girls, some of their parents, a stylist, a bodyguard, and manager. Then you hit the stage. Those 45mins of on stage bliss is what you live for. Post show, we used to head out front for what would sometimes be a 4 hour meet and greet where we would stand there and sign autographs and graciously chat with thousands of little girls that had come to our show. After that, around midnight, we would all pile back in the bus, no shower (disgusting because we were touring in the dead of summer, where it was very humid, and we would leave the stage dripping because we danced the whole time) and drive all night long to the next city. Somewhere along the way around 2 in the morning, we’d stop at a truck stop and pick up a hot plate for dinner…We all gained a lot of weight on tour from those truck stops. Then we’d check into a hotel for an hour of sleep in a bed (but mostly slept on the bunks in the bus), and then would do it all over again. Brutal to do this day after day, month after month, but the best preparation for any job that requires your full dedication and commitment.
Something else I learned early on was to take a step outside of myself, and look at myself as a brand and business. This helped me to not take critiques personally, something vital in the industry we are working in now and in dealing with social media.
4. Despite early successes and touring the world you still decided to attend UCLA. What tempered that decision?
After spending my entire life focused on one vision, one goal, and spending all of my time singing and dancing, I realized I was actually not a well-rounded person. I wanted to discover what was out there, to expand my interests and knowledge of other things outside of the entertainment industry. UCLA allowed me to do that. I started taking classes on everything from psychology, to sociology, to statistics and marketing, all of which played huge parts in the way I now formulate content, how I address my audience, and even to what kind of colors I use on my IG feed! Mind trip.. lol
5. Let’s talk about monetizing digital influence. What are your deal breakers? What is your biggest revenue stream currently and what are new avenues you are looking toward?
Currently, my greatest revenue stream is brand collaborations. I’m very grateful to now have the opportunity to to work with so many brands I grew up loving and admiring (I’ll talk a little bit about how to start scoring brand deals in my next episode of The Happiest Hour). New avenues I’m looking to are creative direction work (designing and executing influencer and official campaigns for major brands), designing my own product lines (thinking of starting with a white tee), and becoming a resource for aspiring influencers and small business owners through by building out The Happiest Hour.
6. Let’s talk content. Shooting, editing, and putting up video all in one day. For someone who is just launching a YouTube channel what is your advice? Quantity over quality?
Until maybe about 6months ago, I would’ve told you quality over quantity, hands down. While I still think it’s absolutely imperative to master a certain level of quality and consistency for your content, I think frequency and timing has actually surpassed its importance. Because of the way people are used to digesting new content (thanks a lot Snapchat) they like to see raw, unedited, up to the second content from their favorite influencers.
7. Let’s chat content hacks, there are obviously a ton of affiliate networks, like Amazon Fashion and rewardstyle, and tons of apps, like Planoly and Statogram, etc. What tools are you using to help make your content great and make your lives easier?
RewardStyle! Love Rewardstyle because I think it’s an amazing concept to be able to curate and sell product, without having to actually carry any product. For IG edits on the go, I always use Facetune, Snapseed, and VSCO (in that order). New post on that process, coming soon!
8. You all deliver content for your hundreds of thousands of millions of fans every day, it’s obviously impossible to respond to every comment or critique what are your tips to community management?
I really try as much as I can to reply to every single comment (as you babes know). I was so happy to hear from so many of you girls at the conference that you appreciated my replies!
9. You are a singer & content creator. How does one inform the other and vice versa?
For me, it’s all one. When I’m making a music video I design costumes and collaborate on the glam, etc. And when I’m creating content I constantly incorporate my music. My love for fashion and knowledge of glam all stemmed from my music and performing career, and now I’m working on bringing more brand collaborations into my music projects and videos.
10. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Women are competitive both friendly and competitive and cutthroat and competitive, how do you deal with competition and comparing yourselves to others?
At the end of the day, I have to remind myself- we’re just posting photos here guys. Yes it’s serious. But it’s not that serious. It doesn’t matter if someone else got a job and you didn’t. If you’re confident in what you’re creating, there’s room for everyone. You shouldn’t be threatened. At the end of the day, we’re all here to inspire each other.
Two things that are important:
1)Staying grounded with your family and friends outside of the industry to remind you of what’s relevant or irrelevant.
2) finding a core group of friends within the business
11. Let’s talk 5 year plans, what is the works? How do you envision your career in 5 years?
I love what I’m doing and I want to continue building and growing in the next 5 years. I want to reach new audiences. I want to do more creative direction work for brands. I want to build out my show The Happiest Hour to become a main resource for women entering this industry, much like Create + Cultivate. I want to continue bringing my two works of music and fashion even closer together and start bringing more brand collabs into my music videos. And most importantly, my real goal in life…… is to become a mommy blogger! Having kids and starting a family.
La Bijoux Bella | by mia
Beautifully said! Couldn’t say it any better! A beautiful post! :)
La Bijoux Bella | by mia
Jessi Malay
Thank you for reading babe!! Glad you enjoyed the post :)
Docdivatraveller
It was lovely knowing you more! I salute you for the person you are! Very inspiring!
http://www.docdivatraveller.com.
Jessi Malay
Thank you love <3 So happy you were inspired by this :)
Siffat Haider
You are such an inspiration, and you look absolutely beautiful!
xo
Siffat
http://icingandglitter.com
Jessi Malay
Thank you for reading babe!! Hope you were inspired <3
Amy
Once again… you are such an inspiration!!! Your warmth and passion shines through the screen and is what makes you stand out in the crowd! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and journey with all of us, so many good things are to come xox
xx, Amy
http://www.theluxilook.com
Jessi Malay
Awww you’re too sweet love <3 You seriously inspired me this past weekend and I'm so happy I got to meet you!! Hope to see you again soon Xx
Julie
Oh hey! There I am sitting next to you LOL! Loved meeting you this weekend and hopefully we can connect again soon!
xo,
Gem+Elli
Jessi Malay
haha yesss!! So happy I got to meet you guys and hope you enjoyed the sessions as much as I did!! Xo
Taylor
Loved the interview, you gave such great insight!
Gorgeous photos as always!
xo.
http://www.itswhatsin.com
Jessi Malay
Thanks for reading hun!! Glad this post was helpful to you :)
portiastylebook
You have such a great future ahead of you and love seeing your journey! very beautiful and so happy for your success!
http://www.portiastylebook.com
Jessi Malay
Aw thank you for your kind words and always supporting babe <3 Hope you're having an amazing week!!
Millie
Love love love this post Jessi!! Well said!x
Millie x
queenmillie.blogspot.com
Jessi Malay
Thank you Millie!! So glad you enjoyed this post Xx
Laura
Such insightful info!! So happy to hear this from you because you have so much experience in blogging!!
Jessi Malay
Thanks love <3 Stay tuned for more posts like this in the future!! Xx
Sharon Wu
Another amazing post! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with blogging and more. Loving all the photos you got too :) xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com/lifestyle/why-its-important-to-dream-big/
Jessi Malay
Thank you for stopping in Sharon!! Glad you enjoyed the post <3
Rachel
So great reading all this about you love <3 Especially your growth personally and professionally ..more posts like this please!!
Jessi Malay
Yayyy amazing!! SO happy you loved reading this girl!! More posts like this coming soon Xx
Candace
Hope to read more posts like this in the future! I really enjoyed reading this. So fun to learn where you started and see where you are now :)
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
Jessi Malay
Thank you for stopping in Candace :) That makes me so happy :)
Jasmine K
You are truly an inspiration Jessi! I love how real you are and easy to connect with. I admire your commitment and passion for what you do. It would be an honor to meet you someday and learn from you!
– Jasmine K
http://www.myeunoia.com
Jessi Malay
Aw that’s so sweet babe!! I hope to meet you one day too :) I love following your blog and all that you do as well …keep it up!! Xx
Jalisa
This was such a great read, girlie, it was great getting to know you more through the responses to the questions. The one that really stud out to me the most was viewing yourself from the outside, from the perspective of a business or company. I think this is something everyone can apply in their approach to success, regardless of their field or career path. Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you’re having a great week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Jessi Malay
Thanks so much for reading babe!! So happy you enjoyed the post and took away something you can relate to :)
sasha
Awesome blog post! I am actually working on my five year plan. I am trying not to stress so much. I have to tackle one thing at a time and not everything at once or else I’d drive myself nuts. I really enjoyed reading this post! I wish you the best in your future endeavors.
xoSE
http://www.sashaelizabeth.com/2016/10/six-ways-to-style-jumpsuit.html
Jessi Malay
Aw thank you hun :) Best of luck with your five year plan!! Definitely try to handle your goals one by one and remember to reward yourself for your accomplishments!! <3
Carmen
This was such an inspiring post dear! And I absolutely looove those trousers – all thumbs up for those stripes!
xx, Carmen – http://www.carmitive.com
Jessi Malay
Thanks girl!! Hope you’re having a great week :)
Nicole
Loved reading all of this about you babe!! I didn’t know about Create & Cultivate before, but it seems like something I would definitely purchase tickets to in the future! xo
Jessi Malay
Thanks hun!! And yes you would love Create & Cultivate!! Hope you can make it out next time Xx
emily
Such an inspirational read! Thanks for sharing your experiences babe, great to get a little insight into more about you and your life!
x Emily
http://shedoes.com.au
Jessi Malay
SO happy you were inspired by this post love <3 Thank you for reading :) Xx
alya
Great read! Thanks for sharing :) xx
moorizZLA
Jessi Malay
Of course babe <3 Hope you have a great weekend!!
Mia
Loved reading this post girl!! Really inspired me to keep doing what I’m doing xo
Jessi Malay
Thanks love <3 Glad you enjoyed reading!! Xx
Bernice
This was an incredibly insightful post. I love reading posts like this that discuss ones struggles they endured to reach their current goals, and the endurance of women when pursuing their passion!
http://www.bunnybernice.com/single-post/2016/10/21/Fake-it-til-you-make-it
Jessi Malay
Aw thank you babe <3 So glad you enjoyed reading :) More posts like this coming soon Xx
lyrics
i have to agree. Beautifully said!
Jessi Malay
Thanks for reading hun!!
BSBP
wow, great post, love it :) you are amazing
Jessi Malay
Aw thank you!! So glad you enjoyed the post :)
Vi Vian
Jessi! You are wonderful!! So inspiring!
love,
http://www.vivixoxo.com
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