Today we’d like to introduce you to Darcy Jackson.
Darcy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Creativity is the birth of my story. I started off at a Christian private school in California, where we were taught to love God and pursue our passions. Throughout my six-year stay at that private school, I developed a thirst for knowledge and creative expression. I was in every school play, wrote short stories that I asked my English teachers for feedback on, and loved music class. That same childlike love for expression followed me to Texas throughout elementary school, middle school, and currently high school.
In elementary school, I began to use poetry and short stories as an outlet when adversity crept in.
In middle school, my passion for poetry led me to be a 3rd place in my school’s writing competition. Middle school is also where my love for theatre and all things performance-based began as well.
High school was where my love for theatre, writing, and performance blossomed. Every day after school, theatre was my main extra-curricular priority, regardless of which role I played (actor, stage manager, or technician), I was there. At the end of May, theatre would have a core passion of mine for seven years, and I would not have it any other way. Last year, I re-visited one of my previous middle school passions writing and performing when I joined and excelled in Speech and Debate.
Through years of boldly exploring my creative passions, I never realized it would equip me with skills for the desired profession. Currently and in the future, I am able to utilize my creativity in a new medium – social media. Being a social media influencer, content creator for brands, and an entrepreneur combines all of my earliest childhood endeavors and allows me to incorporate them in new ways.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been in the slightest. My rose-colored glasses and childlike attitude were stolen from me when my parents divorce in elementary school. This turning point exposed me to what growing up with a single mother is like, the struggles of only being able to see your father part-time, and how nothing lasts forever.
Elementary school was also a rough time for me socially, since I was not only adjusting going to a new school but a new state. One that was unfamiliar and I did not really learn how to fit into until much later. I was bullied relentlessly, in various ways about my appearance all throughout elementary school, and even a little bit in middle school. This was when I was first introduced to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Over time, I was able to learn how to cope with them and overcome that darkness.
In high school, I dealt with two new issues- comparison and jealousy. For a period of time, they robbed me of my happiness and self-worth. The only things that seemed to matter were grade and class ranks. At the time, it felt like whatever I did was never enough to get to the top. After a while, I realized I was doing the best I could, and I couldn’t fault myself for that. Thankfully, I was able to overcome every obstacle I faced, so I could be where I am today. I was able to find my rose-colored glasses from my youth, and now they have a prescription.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
My advice for young women is to know yourself and what you want. Once you figure that out, never let anyone deter you from your path and who you are meant to be. People will always try to tell you that you aren’t smart enough, attractive enough, skinny enough, cool enough, and etc. However, you have to develop unshakable confidence in yourself and your purpose. Love yourself and be sure to do something, that is going to make YOU happy. The only person’s validation you need is yours!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a fashion and lifestyle social media influencer on Instagram and YouTube, a content creator for hospitality brands at LAM Mkt Group, and an entrepreneur of various endeavors. I specialize in helping and connecting with people. As an influencer, I try to radiate confidence, acceptance, and positivity in every piece of content I create.Whether that’s through, illustrating my unique sense of style, spreading the message of veganism, showing my life, growing from my experiences, and so much more.
Being a content creator for hospitality brands allows me to help food bloggers and businesses put out the best content, in order to be able to attract potential clients through Instagram. Our methods at LAM Mkt group allows them to grow their business or brand.
As an entrepreneur, I am able to make my rules by taking freelance work and consult with business, and brands about social media marketing. Eventually, I desire to start my own business.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
In order to find a mentor or network with people, you have to put yourself out there! You will never find like-minded individuals that can assist you on your journey or someone to guide you if you don’t mingle. In this day and age, we live in, there’s virtually no excuse not to have some online presence. It doesn’t matter if you’re an influencer, entrepreneur, fitness coach, photographer, model, singer, actor, musician, business, brand, or etc. If you don’t have an active social media account on at least one platform and/or a website, you are doing yourself a HUGE disservice. It has never been easier to find a community, an audience, customers, or a mentor. So, what are you waiting for?
I found what is best is searching for Facebook groups filled with people with similar passions, finding people that live in your city who do what you do or what you want to do, and looking for courses on Skillshare, Udemy, or through Facebook and Instagram ads that are tailored for you.
Contact Info:
- Email: darcykayjackson@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/darcyjackjack
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/darcybear45
- Other: www.youtube.com/Randomcomedy45
Image Credit:
My sister- Kyley Jackson Instagram: www.instagram.com/kyleyjoy_
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
