Jade Harper shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jade, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts with clocking in and reviewing my project dashboard, which helps me outline my priorities and identify any pain points for the day. From there, I create a to-do list and organize it around scheduled meetings or any location visits I need to attend. My day typically consists of project and timeline management, strategy and campaign planning meetings, and, of course, designing materials for upcoming projects. Once the workday wraps up, I usually head to the gym for a workout to clear my mind, grab a high-protein snack, and then spend the rest of the evening working on coursework for my master’s degree, client work, or stuff for the merchandise business depending on the need for the evening.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My journey in graphic design began as a student at Prairie View A&M University, where I pursued a degree in Digital Media Arts with a minor in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Throughout my college years, I honed my skills, often taking on unpaid graphic design projects and freelancing for various organizations. This period laid the groundwork and fueled my ambition to launch my own graphic design small business post-graduation.
Upon completing my studies, I ventured to Atlanta, GA, where I joined a company as a Production Artist. Working alongside a dynamic team of designers, photographers, and videographers, I contributed to diverse projects including catalogs, event flyers, and product pages. A few months into my Atlanta journey, I took the leap of faith to establish Jade Monya Design Services LLC., extending my creative talents beyond the confines of my day job. Balancing both roles, I continued to serve existing clients while actively pursuing new projects each month. Additionally, I embarked on the obtaining a license to sell PV Merchandise, crafting accessories and merchandise that paid homage to my Alma Mater, Prairie View A&M University.
I later returned to Houston, Texas, to work as a full-time graphic designer for a department within the City of Houston. Wanting to expand my merchandise business, I believe it was through faith that I was led to a position close to my alma mater. Today, I hold contracts with several companies and a university, while continuing to provide design services for small businesses across the Houston area. As I pursue my Master’s degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Digital Strategy, I remain dedicated to serving my community.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has shaped how I see myself the most is the one I have with my niece and nephew. My niece was born when I was entering my senior year of high school, and my nephew came along after I graduated from college. They’ve shown me the depth of unconditional love and that I’m capable of giving and receiving, and just how selfless I truly am. Anyone who knows me would say that being around my family is my safe space, a place where all my worries fade away. My niece and nephew give me that pure, unwavering love where I can do no wrong in their eyes. Every time “auntie” walks in the room, their faces light up, and that feeling is unmatched. Everyone deserves to experience that kind of love at least once in their life. I’d do absolutely anything for them whether it’s driving three and a half hours or taking a day off just to make sure they’re okay. Because of them, I’ve learned that love can be both unconditional and limitless.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think the biggest fear that has held me back the most, especially when it comes to selling merchandise or offering new services, is the fear of failure. I often find myself questioning what if a product doesn’t sell well, or isn’t received positively by the public? What if someone doesn’t like the design or feels the price is too high? Those thoughts replay in my mind each time I prepare to launch something new or consider expanding my store.
As a business owner, I’ve learned that these moments of doubt are part of the process. We often fear the worst but still hope for the best. From the outside, people may think I go after everything I want with confidence, constantly pushing myself to new levels—but even those who seem successful experience moments of uncertainty. We’re all human, and sometimes our fears try to overpower our faith in simply taking the leap and doing it.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think the public version of me highlights some of my favorite parts of life. Of course, for privacy reasons, I don’t share everything, but what I do show reflects pieces of who I truly am. The public version of me shows how much I love my job—the community outreach, the creativity, and the impact my graphic design work has on others. My social media also reflects how much I enjoy spending time with friends, getting dressed up, and exploring new restaurants or retreat spots.
Most importantly, it shows how deeply I value family. It captures how much I adore my niece and nephew, how my parents are truly my best friends, and how I’ll always stand by my siblings no matter what. So yes, the public version of me is real—it’s just a curated reflection of the parts of my life that bring me the most joy and peace.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Over the past few years, I’ve said goodbye to people who meant the world to me—souls who left behind legacies that still echo through time. When I’m gone, I hope the story people tell about me is that I loved deeply and cared endlessly, often placing others before myself. That even in moments of exhaustion, I gave what I could, because my love for the people around me was greater than any weariness I felt.
I hope they say my friendship knew no limits—that I showed up without hesitation, offered support without question, and loved without condition. For my family, I hope they remember the warmth of my hugs, the laughter that filled our gatherings, and the way I always wanted to make every moment together special.
I hope my niece and nephew know that I would have moved mountains to stand by their side, that my parents always felt my gratitude and admiration, and that my siblings remember me as their biggest cheerleader—the one who planned the best celebrations, shed tears when parting ways, and found joy in seeing them thrive. Above all, I hope the story told about me is one of love, faith, and a heart that never stopped giving.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jademonya.com/
- Instagram: Jademonya_designservices
- Linkedin: Jade Harper
- Other: https://www.merchco.store/
Image Credits
Quentin Washington
Samantha Paige
