Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Glasheen
Hi Jasmine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got my start writing retail content after graduating with my Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Of course, my ability to find work with the degree was a concern, but I was reading a lot about manifestation at the time and decided that I couldn’t go wrong pursuing what I love. About a year after graduation, I got my mid-sized break when I became Publishing Editor of Offprice Retailing Magazine. After two years cutting my teeth on retail content in the trade show world, I became Content Lead for RetailMinded and a Contributing Editor at RetailWire. I began speaking about the retail industry, particularly generational purchasing behavior, at trade shows, sales conferences, and other industry gatherings. This enabled me to travel nationally and meet a lot of amazing people with similar passions. From there, I started my own content and speaking business, Jasmine Glasheen & Associates, where I got to work with clients like Perry Ellis International, IBM, and began regularly being quoted in publications like Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, and Bloomberg.
However, when Covid hit the speaking industry and freelance writing opportunities began to dry up, I began to pivot my career towards SaaS writing, as one could still make a decent living in that vertical. I became Senior copywriter for Other World Computing, then Content Marketing Manager at a retail technology startup. After a few years focused on SaaS, the AI revolution hit the content industry. Suddenly tech clients wanted to generate their own content and much of it was devoid of human thought leadership. I signed on at a hybrid content agency, but began to feel like I was moving further away from my passion in so doing: writing innovative content and providing companies with actionable guidance, as well as consumer facing thought leadership based on research and experience. Suddenly, content professionals were expected to be graphic designers, PR professionals, marketers, SEO experts, AI-generated content aficionados, Google Ads experts, and more. The jobs that were available offered little in terms of creative thought leadership opportunities.
After two years of seeking full time work that would enable me to utilize my niche skillset in retail thought leadership gleaned from eleven years working in the retail content industry, it was once again time for a pivot. I began thinking about teaching and decided to pursue my MFA in Fiction at SDSU. I’m now working with First Year Students, teaching them the skills to thrive in academia and in their respective careers. In so doing, I’ve discovered an opportunity: Most advanced degree programs only give writers information about two types of careers––teaching at the college level and publishing. I’ve discovered an opportunity to bridge the gap between the creative-only realm of the academic world and the (better paying) realm of online content. At this juncture, I’m considering pursuing an MBA in tandem with my MFA in hopes of creating courses that give aspiring writers access to a broader range of business-facing skillsets, like SEO, AI-generated content, and Google Ads.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The advent of AI in the content industry in the past three years has been the biggest struggle of my career. Suddenly, retail SaaS companies that once fervently sought out my industry insights and content expertise are generating their own (subpar, if I do say so myself) content––uninformed by human thought leadership. However, in every challenge lies an opportunity. Going back to school and teaching first year students was a lifeline for me, reminding me of why I got into this industry in the first place. I’ve continued writing for The Robin Report throughout this process and sharing my real world professional expertise with the next generation of professionals has been incredibly rewarding, if not lucrative. The truth is that life has surprises in store for all of us, but those that can go back to the drawing board and use their existing skillset in innovative ways are best positioned to survive life’s uncertainties. I encourage students to discover the sweet spot where their passions and the current state of their industries meet, so they’re ready to pivot as necessary, whatever the our rapidly evolving, tech-heavy world may have in store for us next.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m known for my thought leadership on generational purchasing behavior and my work with first year students, as well as hosting a comedy show at the local Kava bars called Misfits Amateur Hour. I know, it spans the gamut, but as a creative that enjoys deep research, it’s the right juxtaposition for me. When I first began writing about the retail industry, most of the people writing about millennials were Boomers or older and a lot of inaccurate information was being dispelled. When I came on the scene, I wrote about millennial purchasing behavior and subcultures from the perspective of being a millennial “hipster” myself. I explained the value-based shopping that my generation spearheaded and has become ubiquitous since Gen Z and now Alphas took center stage.
As I worked in retail cosmetics for many years and saw companies like Macys lay off their most loyal, oldest employees to hire people right out of highschool they’d only have to pay $9 an hour, I came out swinging with a lot of strong opinions about why millennials weren’t shopping at these stores. The fourth wall between retailers and their customers had to come down, and it has. Next gens aren’t just looking for a great product, they want a product that’s aligned with their values, which means a diverse C-suite, liveable wages, a sustainable supply chain, and total transparency are now table stakes for brands to have staying power. I’m incredibly proud of the next generation of consumers, as they’re carrying the yoke of sustainable consumption and ethical business practices that my generation brought to the forefront. Hearing that my students want to grow vertical gardens and champion diversity at their future employers? You can’t buy that kind of internal satisfaction.
As a neurodiverse, vegan lesbian, inclusivity and sustainability have always been a priority for me. But seeing Gen Z and Alphas take these priorities to the next level in what they buy and the employers they seek out fills my cup in a way that chasing money at SaaS companies never did. This geriatric millennial is just honored to be a part of this evolution.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Alan Watts is my favorite philosopher, teaching me to bring a sense of fun and frivolity to everything I do, no matter how serious. “This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play,” — Alan Watts. While I do read Alan Watts, I love listening to chillstep recording mashups of Alan Watts on Youtube.
The meaning of the word yoga is “Union” and my daily yoga practice keeps me centered in my body as I navigate the ups and downs of late stage capitalism. I also love yoga nidra, a guided relaxation and embodiment technique, for the same reason. Life is a process of interfacing with the world and then coming back to ourselves, time and again, and getting on my mat every day is how I do so.
Pricing:
- Cost Per Word: .35
- Speaking Rate: $5,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jasmineglasheen.biz/
- Instagram: @jazzledazzleem
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/jasmineglasheen
