Jessica Wilson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jessica , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recent moments that have made me feel proud include the steady growth of my beauty and lifestyle content, and my ability to balance college with creating. When I first started posting, I didn’t have much strategy—just a love for sharing—but I decided to treat my page like a small brand. I set clear content pillars, committed to a consistent schedule, and made building a community my top priority by responding to every comment and turning messages into content ideas. Seeing my engagement rise and opportunities, like this interview, land in my inbox has been incredibly rewarding. At the same time, I’ve learned to balance my studies and content by batch filming on weekends, planning captions in advance, and keeping an idea bank from everyday life. That discipline allows me to be present in school, excel at work, and still show up consistently for my audience—without burning out. Both achievements remind me that you don’t need perfect circumstances to chase your goals; you just need consistency, boundaries, and a genuine passion for what you do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve always believed that beauty is about more than products—it’s about connection. I’m Jessica, better known as Jesstheprettymess on Instagram, but my journey started in 2019 with a beauty and lifestyle blog. Back then, I spent hours writing about my favorite makeup and skincare products, giving honest reviews, and sharing tips I actually used myself. Fast forward to today, and I’ve taken that love for sharing into full-on content creation. The leap to Instagram was scary at first—I was putting my face and my voice out there for everyone to see—but it’s been the most rewarding decision I’ve made. In just the past month, I’ve grown my audience by 1,000 followers, but more importantly, I’ve built a community that trusts me. What sets me apart is that I’m not just showing products—I’m showing the person behind them, the real-life routines, the imperfect moments, and the beauty in all of it. I’m also exploring collaborations with beauty and fashion brands that align with my aesthetic and values, while staying true to my authentic voice. My goal is to create content that feels relatable yet elevated—whether that’s a makeup tutorial, a skincare breakdown, or a glimpse into my day as a college student balancing classes, work, and content creation.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with myself. Over the years, I’ve had to unlearn the habit of being my own biggest critic and learn how to be my own biggest supporter instead. I’ve worked on speaking to myself with the same kindness I give to others, celebrating my wins instead of downplaying them, and giving myself grace when I fall short. That relationship—between me and me—sets the tone for everything else in my life. The more I invest in it, the more confident and grounded I become, both in my personal life and in my work as a creato
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I realized that being kinder to myself mattered more than getting everything right. Now I let myself try, learn, and grow without expecting perfection at every step. That shift has freed me to enjoy what I’m doing, whether it’s creating content, being present with friends and family, or just showing up for myself. Failure taught me that grace is more powerful than perfection.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
An important truth that few people agree with me on is that slowing down can actually move you forward. We live in a world that glorifies nonstop hustle—always doing more, posting more, achieving more. But I’ve learned that real growth happens when you give yourself space to breathe, reflect, and reset. When I slow down, I create better, I think clearer, and I show up more authentically. Some people see rest as laziness, but I see it as a strategy. It’s the pause that keeps me from burning out and allows me to keep building in a way that lasts.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply that most people don’t is that confidence isn’t something you just wake up with one day—it’s something you build. For a long time, I thought certain people were just naturally confident and I wasn’t one of them. But through my own journey, I’ve realized confidence comes from showing up for yourself consistently, even when you’re scared, and proving to yourself that you can. It’s built in the small moments—speaking up when your voice shakes, posting the photo even when you second-guess it, or choosing to love yourself on the days it feels hardest. Most people see confidence as the outcome, but I’ve learned it’s really the process.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Jesstheprettymess
Image Credits
Jessica Wilson
