Daily Inspiration: Meet Jessica Carter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Carter.

Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I never had all the answers but one thing is for sure, I knew I had a passion for inspiring women; helping them see their value for themselves and not for what others have told them. I knew I wanted every woman to feel their best, no matter the circumstances.

I have been through many forms of abuse in my past. Although I have overcome those seasons of pain, the memories of verbal abuse, especially, stayed with me. So it became very difficult to believe in myself or even see my worth. I felt as though my brokenness was a handicap to my confidence and success; that I could never be more than what was in front of me. Through much trial and error and fighting my internal battles, I discovered passions that made me forget the things that broke me because they never defined me to begin with: Fashion and content creation.

In 2017, I launched an online women’s boutique called Jess Mi Boutique. Nothing made me feel more alive at the time than playing dress-up in my closet or stepping out looking my best! So I wanted to create a market that reflected the styles I personally loved to other women. They say when you look good, you feel good; and that cannot be more true! I can be having a bad day, but one good outfit was all I needed to uplift myself.

It was during some of those moments that helped me believe that I am truly worthy and my brokenness does not define my destiny. I wanted all women to feel the way I felt. So I released clothing that I knew was not common in other places, unique clothing that would fit a woman’s curves just right. Over time my business continued to grow and I started receiving testimonies about how amazing women were feeling in a Jess Mi look. Reading the excitement and confidence through their words confirmed my boutique’s mission was being fulfilled.

However, the brand that I had been building started to expand further than just Jess Mi Boutique. I used to be a mentor of a young girls’ youth program at my past church known as Purple Roses. One Friday evening we hosted a game night and the girls were teaching us what I thought to be a difficult TikTok dance. Nevertheless, I was curious as to what TikTok was really about. Once the pandemic started, I had nothing but time. So in March of 2020, I started becoming active on TikTok and before I knew it, my videos were going viral. August of 2020, I got offered to be in TikTok’s national commercial.

All of this was completely unexpected. I originally started doing TikTok because I was really intrigued with the app and had fun making content. I often made trending skits, dances, and fashion videos to promote Jess Mi Boutique. It was simply a joy to do while being stuck in the house every day. But little did I know, my following was growing at a rapid speed. From there, I began partnering with numerous brands to create content for their ads. Social media became a full-time job. Nevertheless, I was not blinded by the influx of followers. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity.

Because although my life had changed, the mission was still the same: to inspire women. So in the midst of promoting brands, my boutique, and making silly TikTok’s, I began using my platform to inspire. The content I produced became more positive and filled with a light of love. I used my platform to be transparent in my story and vulnerable in my truth, while still being my bubbly, quirky, and witty self. I meshed all of the elements that made me who I am, including wearing my own clothes, to inspire! One of the main things that people said about me was that I had a “glow.” It was not based on how I looked, but more so my energy.

People often watched my videos and would say how much it changed their life or helped pick them up when they were down. They noticed this light that was within me. Internally, I knew that the “glow” they saw, came from none other than my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. I had fought so hard to get to a secure place in myself and have this confidence. And I knew having God by my side is what allowed me to thrive in the midst of trying to survive. So I was only exhilarating the same energy I was feeling.

Over time, I began to realize that what was being cultivated was bigger than my boutique and TikTok; I was cultivating a MOVEMENT. That was when I found my non-profit organization, Share the GLOW fall of 2021. It stands for Share the Growth, Love, Opportunities, and Wins. I envision Share the GLOW being a community of women, sharing their light, love, and even pain with one another to encourage and inspire. I envision retreats, workshops, resources to help women in need, and so much more.

I am currently building the organization and the official launch date is in the works as well. But in the meantime, I host a podcast known as Share the GLOW and it is currently available on all listening platforms. I spend the hour every week highlighting great women, sharing my story, having other guests share their stories, and being the connection to opportunities in the world today.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road to what I have built and still building is far from smooth. My boutique was launched while still at the height of my abuse. Therefore, remaining consistent was a challenge. My boutique meant more to me than some clothing store; it represented a triumph. Even in the midst of trying to survive a painful season, I knew my boutique was the one thing I could not let go. An early challenge was when I was outsourcing my clothes.

Having a boutique is different from being a fashion designer. A fashion designer creates their own clothes, a boutique owner selects clothing that is already produced through manufacturers such as wholesaling or drop shipping. So I experienced a few wholesalers that charged a ridiculous amount to ship my items with cheaply made material. In return, I received feedback from customers that some items were not lasting as long as they should; this was after I first launched in 2017. Manufacturers need proof that you are a legitimate business. So a lot of them wanted order forms from other manufacturers you have collaborated with.

As a new business owner, that was nearly impossible; I had just started. So I was forced to build my logistics credit by working with not-so-good manufacturers for the first few months. From there, I was able to access a better wholesale market and completely ditch the manufacturer who was making cheap material clothing. I knew that quality was important to me, and I did not want a bad reputation from something I knew didn’t represent me. Looking back, I recognize that it is not necessary to go through bad manufacturers to gain access to high-quality clothing. However, being a new woman in business, there was a lot I did not understand, so I learned along the way.

As far as social media is concerned, I have acquired more male followers than female followers. So that was a challenge and still continues to be a challenge at times, because my mission is geared towards women. Nevertheless, the number of women who have been impacted by my content has increased so I have learned to exercise good stewardship over what I have been given. And it turns out, many men have been positively impacted by my platform as well, so it challenged me to develop a new perspective and show them just as much love and grace.

As I have mentioned before, Share the GLOW has not officially launched yet. There are background logistics that are currently getting set in place. So the only challenge with my businesses overall is learning to manage so much as a single individual. However, I am enjoying the journey.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work involves a multitude of things: I am a social media coach and strategist, consultant, philanthropist, fashion buyer, content creator, and founder of the nonprofit, Share the GLOW.

I specialize in social media content creation for brands as well as helping others optimize their brands through a content strategy. Nevertheless, I am most widely known for my energetic, viral TikTok videos and for being in the national TikTok commercial. There is always a “method to the madness,” as they say when it comes to growing your social media organically. So as I continue to build my own, I also help others do the same.

I am most proud of the liberty I have to be myself. In the midst of trial and tribulation, being authentically me through the camera did so much good for me.

I am also most proud of Share the GLOW. Although there are background elements currently being worked out, I recognize that it took the hardships of my life, the boldness of being authentically me on TikTok, and hearing the impact of so many people to birth what I am truly here to pioneer in the earth.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, I learned that there is beauty in the shaking. I witnessed how it impacted so many people close to me, including myself. Whether it was physically, emotionally, mentally, or financially, I knew this was something that had to be figured out along the way because none of us had experienced a crisis like this before. So looking back in hindsight, I learned that what you have is all you need.

When there is a disruption in the earth, especially one on that level, it is an opportunity to slow down and focus on what really matters in this life. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine. But when you are home 24/7, you are forced to sit with yourself and evaluate everything. And you discover all the things you needed to thrive were in plain sight, right where you are. I learned to stop being just busy, but purposefully busy. I became intentional with what I did on a daily basis. At the time, I was working at a corporate job as a Risk Adjustment Auditor.

After my shift, it was TikTok videos and boutique orders. But this crisis made me slow down and look at holes in my business that were actually going to hurt me more in the long run than help. It allowed me to go back into strategizing mode in order to rebrand better than ever. Nevertheless, some weeks, being intentional meant doing absolutely nothing and I had to be okay with that because I needed to rest.

I knew that without rest, I could not be my best self and if I’m no good to myself, I’m no good to others. So I no longer stressed myself out trying to upload a video every single day. It is the cracks of disruption where I learned the true meaning of thriving: REST and HONING. In return, it birth so much that I am currently thankful for.

Pricing:

• Boutique: Ranges $20 – $100
• Social Media Scrub: $150
• Social Media Coaching: $1000/mo
• Social Media Ad Promo: $200 – $1000
• Consultation – $50 for 30min

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@officialjessmichelle.com
• Website: https://www.officialjessmichelle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official_jessmichelle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xojessmichelle/
• Other: https://jessmiboutique.com

Image Credits
Creative Look Visuals https://www.instagram.com/klookvis/ Website – https://www.klookvis.com/, Essence of Glam by Jazmyn https://www.instagram.com/essenceofglam.jaz/ and Gray Segments https://www.instagram.com/graysegments/ Website – https://www.graysegments.com/