Meet Jasmine Bacon | Digital Marketer & Founder of OM & Essence

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine Bacon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I was purposeful in pursuing my “why”. My “why” for this app is to pair Black women with Black yoga instructors because Black women deserve to thrive too. I was frustrated with the insensitivity to the difference in my body type compared to the predominately White women participants in the yoga studios that I visited. Because of this, I became purposeful in seeking out Black-owned yoga studios. Once I created my own database I began working on an app to share with other women who had experienced the same insensitivities as me and who wanted to practice yoga in a community that resembled them. Through the creation of the app, it lead me to become purposeful with highlighting Black-owned studios. If it was difficult for me to find them then I’m sure it was difficult for other Black women to find them as well. This simple idea continues to garner positive feedback because it speaks to Black women, who are oftentimes the most marginalized and disrespected, and provides solutions that leave them with joy.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
OM & Essence is a yoga directory app that focuses on pairing Black women with Black-owned yoga studios. This concept is important to me because as a Black woman I would personally get frustrated with the lack of diversity that I found in yoga studios. In Western culture, the yoga industry had become whitewashed and it infuriated me. I’m excited that this app gives Black women options to practice yoga, a form of mental health that provides peace and joy, with other women who look like them. Black women have to endure so much at the expense of others. Black women deserve to thrive and this app provides them with the resources to start curating their own joy. While I was purposeful in the creation of my app there were times when doubt almost took me out. I had tried to launch businesses before with little to no success. Because of this, I began to question if I should keep moving with my app in the early stage because I didn’t want to pour money into yet another failed venture. However, this business was different. I was building it with purpose and there was a noticeable difference. I had no app experience yet I was able to build my infrastructure with ease. I’ve been able to experience growth because of the relatability of my story. Discovering my “why” is key to me continuing to push when I feel defeated and it is the key to my success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would start the morning off by going to Stellar Power Yoga to indulge in a nice hot yoga flow. After yoga, we would go to 9 Mile Station at Ponce City Market for a nice hearty brunch, my favorite meal of the day! The mimosas at brunch will definitely lead to engaging conversations so we’ll keep the party going by going downstairs and taking a stroll on the eastside trail of the Atlanta Beltline. After our stroll, it’ll be time for dinner so then we would go to Chris’ Caribbean Bistro for some tasty Caribbean food. Lastly, we would go back to my place and enjoy some nice cocktails.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother, father, brother, and sister have always been my cheerleaders even when they didn’t quite understand what I was up to. Their constant support and interest in my latest endeavors always help to propel me further. Pair that with friends who are my personal mastermind group and I always have someone pushing me further. One of my closest friends, who I call my business bae, Dr. Keisha Brown who is a professor at Tennessee State University, has been a soundboard to me for nearly 20 years! I also have an immensely talented group of friends who I met in college; Ashley Nsonwu, Sustainable Lifestyle & Plant-Based Health Expert; Ashley Clark, founder of ADM Events; and Sharina Harris, a 5x published author, are all an integral part of me maintaining my sanity while always pushing me to go further. These ladies each have their own successful businesses and continue to inspire me with the work that they do. I used to always look at other friend groups and wish that I was part of a successful group that was constantly making a change. Then one day I looked up and I realized I had that and more!

Website: www.omandessence.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omandessence

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omandessence