Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Burton.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Just do it, just go. Are you thinking about starting something new? Do you dream of living somewhere else or doing something different with your life? What’s holding you back?… Don’t answer that. The thought alone is a reason to go or do it. The world is too big and full of too many opportunities and adventures to keeping thinking about it or holding off until your ready. Just do it, just go.
These are the thoughts that went through my mind as I debated quitting my job, leaving my family and a place I knew for so long and moving 3,000 miles away to fulfill a dream I had.
I grew up on Cape Cod, MA and went to school in Philadelphia, PA for Interior Design. After college, I worked and lived in Newport, RI as a store designer for a local jewelry company. Living in Newport was amazing, but there was always something missing. I had always dreamed of living on the West Coast and the idea of traveling was always so attractive to me. At the end of 2015, I decided to pack up and move to San Diego, one of the scariest, most exciting decisions I ever made. I’ll never forget packing up my black beetle convertible and saying goodbye to my family and never looking back, only forward at the open road and endless opportunities in front of me.
I’m not sure what came over me, I’m not sure what made me so sure that I needed to do this for myself but once I got the idea in my head it was like a drug, I couldn’t get rid of it. I had never visited San Diego before I moved, only Los Angeles once. It took me 11 days to drive across the country, hitting most of the larger cities along the way. I had an apartment when I arrived, but I didn’t have a job lined up. I started working in retail as a sales associate and marketing manager at various shops throughout San Diego. There, I grew a love for content creating and was able to capitalize on my love for photography in a creative way. In addition, I worked as a freelance designer for several Interior Designers around San Diego. Now, I work full time as an Interior Design/Marketing Manager for a small company in Encinitas called Design 4 Corners.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would say everything that happened and led me to where I am today happened for a reason. No, it definitely hasn’t been smooth or easy, but I made the best of everything, good and bad. When I couldn’t get the job I wanted, I kept pressing on and eventually my persistence and determination to find happiness led to bigger and better things. It’s all perspective. If you’re just starting your journey, I would say don’t think about the end result. Don’t focus on what it could be a year from now or even two months from now. Take it step by step. If you think too much about what it could be, you’ll feel overwhelmed and anxious that your “plan” isn’t turning out the way you wanted. In addition, I would say writing things down really helps. We are always on the go, always moving, always thinking… there’s a lot going on in our minds, especially mine! I find it really helpful when I have a thought or ambition to write it down and checking things off as I do them. There’s a reason they say “good things take time”. You WILL get there, stay positive and make your happiness priority.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am an Interior Designer by trade, but I am also a freelance Content Creator, Photographer and Graphic Designer. I’m undoubtedly a creative at heart, it’s hard for me to walk by something inspiring and not think, “what a fun photo spot” or “what could I do with that?”. I grew up knowing I wanted to be an Interior Designer, however, creating content in several different forms has been a great outlet for me and has brought me a lot of joy and happiness! I enjoy helping other people fulfill a dream or a vision and I find happiness in other people’s success knowing I helped in a small way. There are a number of companies I have worked with and a few I am currently working for that I can say I am very proud to be a part of their success.
I think what sets me apart is my creativity, being true to myself is something that I’ve come to realize is my greatest strength. It’s easy and okay to be inspired by others, but don’t forget to be true to who you are. That’s what people are drawn to and what people will love you for.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I’m big into Podcasts right now. I have a long commute to work and I enjoy starting my day with an inspiring Podcast. One of my favorites is “How I Built This” with Guy Raz. It’s a podcast about the world’s most well-known companies, such as Instagram and Squarespace, and how they got to where they are today. It’s uber inspiring and a great way to start my day! By the time I get into the office I’m motivated and ready to take on the world!
Other Podcasts I love: What We Said (Lifestyle), It’s Not What It Seems (Lifestyle), Crime Junkie (True Crime)…
I use a lot of apps for work including Lightroom, by Adobe. I use this app to edit most of the photos I post to social media. I use the desktop version as well for work. I use the app Unfold for most of the stories I post to both my personal and work accounts on Instagram. I use Spotify on the daily to get me through the work day and my workouts. And I use the app Relax and Headspace to fall asleep to.
Other Apps I love: Tezza (Photo Editing), Mixtures (Photo Editing), 8mm (Photo Editing), Airbnb (Travel)…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://xxjessmarie.squarespace.com
- Email: jessburton137@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_burtonn/
Image Credit:
Stephen Kelley
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