Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica (Jess Marie) Martinez.
Hi Jess Marie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hey y’all, I’m Jess Marie… come Tap In & “Share My World” for a few minutes… I wasn’t raised much by my biological parents. My mother was young & my dad was in prison before my brother & I were even 5, he was in prison for 27 years or so I believe. I was born & raised in North Houston, from DeSoto to Antoine to Hollyview. I graduated from Eisenhower H.S. (Big Ike) so if you know Houston, then you know. My granny was my mama. The first thing someone that knew her would say about her is that she was MEAN! Second, she was little. And yes, she was both but HEY, not too much on MY baby! God rest her beautiful soul. I was kicked out of middle school in 8th grade & went to an alternative school & eventually had to have my records sealed & expunged. I’m the only girl. Both of my younger brothers are currently in prison/jail facilities. Come to think of it, my older brothers are too. I said all this to say, coming from where I come from, my current position COULD be oh so different.
I’ve been working jobs, without interruption (come on God), since I was 15 & I became a mother 2 days before my 18th birthday. Despite my upbringing, I was the first one in my family to graduate high school & go to college. I’ve obtained multiple college degrees, licenses & certifications & I’ve owned & operated a Beauty Bar all while always working a full-time job. Yet, no matter the achievements, I still never felt fulfilled when it came to my career. It wasn’t until I started doing the things that did not pay me, at least not at that time it didn’t, that I started to feel some sense of knowing what my true purpose is.
Let’s backtrack a little bit… I have always been known as a talkative person. My first year in high school one of my male teachers used to put my desk outside of the classroom often because I talked so much. I remember one day he had enough of me & he dragged the desk out the door & then said, “Babygirl, one day that mouth of yours is going to get you through some doors where even a degree can’t get you INTO. Oh, but today it’s getting you to put OUT of MY door!” Lol. That was the last day I was put out of his class. Prior to that day, I thought he was always picking on me but that day what he said hit different & by the end of the school year, it was clear to me how powerful our words truly are. That man spoke life into me & 20+ years later, I still remember his words.
I went down memory lane to say, he was absolutely right. My mouth & talking has taken me places & has opened doors I never even asked to go through. I’ve mentored & spoke in prisons & have mentored the youth in multiple settings, prison being the most memorable. I would do that for free any day. I have met & linked with several businesses, business owners, Entrepreneurs & like-minded individuals that no job has ever linked for me.
I have a lot on my plate currently, but I’m managing it well while also raising the 3 children that God allowed me to borrow. With all that I currently do, I try my best not to get overwhelmed. I’m grateful more so because I know I haven’t even tapped the surface of where God is taking me.
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?
We’re already getting personal, might as well keep rolling, huh?
It has definitely not been a smooth ride. Of course, it’s family over business always. As mighty as I am, I wasn’t raising my children & running a business alone the entire time. I was married & with my children’s father for 18 years before we divorced. Managing a family, relationship, trying to maintain a work-life balance, school & Entrepreneurship all at the same time can definitely get rough. As much as we think we can do it all at the same time, and I’m not saying that we can’t, many times we slack in multiple areas trying to spread ourselves too thin. One moment family & business can be thriving & then the next can feel like it’s all going downhill. Life definitely can hit you fast & things can spiral so quickly then you look up one day asking how did it get here.
Life hasn’t always been so great but it definitely hasn’t been all bad. There are lessons in everything & in every season. I have learned so much about myself & business over the years. I have also learned how to deal with people & have realized that every single person in my life has to be dealt with uniquely. This has been pivotal for all relationships that I establish, build & maintain.
I used to pride myself on not asking for help or needing anyone for anything. Even when I was married & that was a big issue. I was raised in an environment that conditioned me to figure everything out on my own. I had been that way since I was a child because that’s all I ever knew. Oooh but the closer I walk with God I have realized how we are all more connected & how we need each other more than we have the slightest clue that we do.
Leaning on other people & asking for help comes way easier to me now. What is hard for me may be a walk in the park for someone else. Where I hit roadblocks in business before, people have come in to help me in ways that seem effortless for them. On the other hand, what I can do for some people that seems so easy for me has been so hard for them. Saying that to say, we all have strengths & weaknesses. Acknowledging that doesn’t make you a weak person, it actually makes you strong. And smart I might add. When I put my pride to the side & began to open myself up to asking, I started to receive in so many ways. The more I open my heart & genuinely connect with people & allow myself to be vulnerable & own the fact that I don’t have to know or do everything by myself, it seems the easier life gets.
Ever since I have let the pride fly & changed my approach & perspective, the day-to-day & relationships have been much easier. Work-life balance has also been well maintained.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As stated earlier, I have several Degrees, Licenses & Certifications. I have Business Management, Management & Criminal Justice Degrees. I have a Real Estate License, Cosmetology License, & I’m TABC Certified as a Bartender. I just established another LLC & I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting something but I’ve definitely been down a few different paths when it comes to careers & business while also remaining at the United States Postal Service as a Mail Carrier.
I knew I was destined to be an Entrepreneur. I just didn’t know in which lane it would be. Honestly, I’m not all the way clear to this day. However, I have been working at USPS for over 10 years. Even though I no longer own a Beauty Bar, I am still a Licensed Esthetician & still do lashes for several loyal clients that have been rocking with me since I was in Cosmetology School.
I am a Radio Personality for 953Jamz & my segment is on the Tune In & Waze Apps on Sunday nights from 9-11 p.m.
I am an Event & Mobile Bartender for corporate & private events.
I recently re-established my business, Jess A Girl Boss, LLC. I have collaborated with some super dope women & am now a co-owner of Girlboss Suites, a co-working space for women in business & is also a venue rental located in North Houston. I always wanted to own a venue & this opportunity came at the right time for me.
I would say right now, I have my hands in a little bit of everything. One main focus for me is Girlboss Suites & helping the other co-owners to build up this business here in Houston as they have already done so in Atlanta & are currently pushing for growth in other cities.
Before covid, I was mentoring & speaking to youth with a group called reVision Houston in the TDCJ facilities in Huntsville. This is something that I absolutely love to do & I just recently re-screened & re-trained for Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. If God says the same, I will be mentoring & speaking to the youth with a group called the Youth Exchange in the Juvenile Detention Center in Downtown Houston & in Katy & also at the Harris County Youth Village in Seabrook.
Another main focus for me is the volunteer work around the city that I’ve been doing low-key for a while now. A lot of people don’t like to talk much about what they do as a volunteer because it sometimes seems so many people criticize people that talk about how they serve in the community. I’m at a point now where I know I’m here to do God’s work & what I do is not for the recognition from people, it’s about doing what God has brought me here to do. Therefore, whatever I’m doing in the community will be seen & talked about more often because it brings awareness & the assistance needed to help more people in need. 2 Fridays a month a group of us feed & pray with the homeless in Downtown Houston. Stuff like this is what I would like to do more of & bring more awareness to.
What sets me apart from others is at this point of my life, I have learned to own everything in my world. By that, I mean I don’t consider myself a victim in any situation I have faced. Instead, I’m rolling with the river enjoying this journey called life. I truly believe & accept that everything has worked out for me & is working together for my good & leading me to exactly where I’m called to be & go. Instead of getting upset when things don’t go my way, I accept the redirection & roll with it. Since I have changed my perspective on life, life hasn’t just been smoother but it’s been easier to accept that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be at all times.
BIG Plug: What I’m most proud of are my children. My youngest Josiah (12) is a beast in any sport he touches. My older two Janiyah (17) & Jahleil (19) are Entrepreneurs just like their parents & making a name for themselves. They both currently customize shoes. Make sure to follow & support my babies on social media IG: @jahgotkustoms & IG: @daflyestevaa I’m grateful for everyone that already shows them so much love. My village is the best & I love y’all for loving & supporting me & mine, real spill! The support I get from people that don’t even know me too, man y’all are live & I love y’all too! Big Love Energy to you all.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Fun fact: I love shoes & tattoos. But if you follow me on social media you may have already peeped that. Lol Honestly, I’m not too sure how to answer this. I’ve been an open book for a long time now so there’s not much about me I would say is a surprise. After you deal with & make it on the other side of shame, disappointments, failures, judgment, etc. There’s not really much else to hide. I’m a big advocate of “owning your sh*t.” Excuse my choice of words but that’s what I stand on. I’ve experienced a lot in public that many have experienced in private that they wouldn’t dare want people to see. Even what I’ve experienced in private I share to allow others to see just how much alike we are & also to give somebody hope that no matter what they’re facing, they can get through it. There’s not really much that’s a secret or that can embarrass me these days because I own everything. Everything just is what it is. And every single thing that was meant to harm, hurt or derail me has been a stepping stone to the next level & place where God intended to take me. I forgive everyone, have no hard feelings & still have so much love for everyone that has been in & contributed to my life in some kind of way, even if the story didn’t go how it was intended or planned. It was all necessary to get me to where God wanted me to go.
Special shout out to my mama. I love you always!
Contact Info:
- Website: Jessmariethatsme.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/jessmarie.thatsme
- Facebook: Facebook.com/jessmarie.thatsme
- Other: girlbosssuites.com
Image Credits
Jason Bowie
