Meet Jessica La’Nae | Mental Health Advocate & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica La’Nae and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I wouldn’t be here in this space with you if I never took risks. When I think of risk for my brand I get excited, which to most the word “risk” sounds uneasy, not promising or harmful. Taking risk means growth, means even if the outcome isn’t what I envisioned, the process to get there was something I learned new. I know in order to gain as a mother, model, advocate and influencer taking risks are key in every position I play. In 2017 my life would change forever and in that moment I took the biggest risk of my life. I just purchased a new car was working as a manager for a retail store so life was good in my 20s. Just a few months later I found out I was pregnant and then lost my job just within 3 weeks of each other. I had a huge decision to make. I found myself packing up my car found a friend to storage the rest and I moved to a whole different state I knew nothing about! I moved to only find my mother in Nashville, TN to support with the pregnancy. Here I was a small suburb gal who knew just about everyone in my hometown to moving to a whole new culture shock, tourist life, with no friends and only knowing my mother. Thoughts started to occur; would I be able to push through my pregnancy and become a great single mother or will this new city devour me?. Taking this risk would change everything. It allowed me to finally learn me for me & putting myself first. This risk wasn’t my first decision. I tend to overthink, overanalyze and I believe in this moment I had to move forward in this decision. I would say through the verbal abuse and other things that occurred caused me to finally say ‘F’ it and put myself first. Finding what I needed to be happy for my daughter and self, instead of those around me. Moving changed everything; I love the woman I have become and continuing to grow into. I always envisioned being this social butterfly and being able to be free and happy with who I truly am, and being fearlessly authentic. This move did just that. I now am a signed curve model with Tribe Talent Mgmt, a content creator for YouTube and social platforms, Mental Health Advocate but above all I’m a bad ass mom to a beautiful princess Logan.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my journey over ten years ago that has developed into becoming an influencer and advocate for mental health within the last five years. I became a cosmetologist over ten years ago and through this learned much about fashion and learning how to sell products. Through my own journey of becoming a single mother I learned much about my mental health and the life of truly being a single mother and not just seeing through others eyes. It was not easy facing my own battles and learning how to put them on paper or on camera to expose the harsh reality of this. I experienced many nights crying, writing out my emotions and learning how to truly channel my inner demons with depression, anxiety and PTSD. I learned to overcome these challenges by truly learning myself and using resources. I took a huge step to seek a therapist and proud of this journey ever since. Along this journey I also have learned other ways to become more successful as an influencer through the city of Nashville. If I could give one piece of advice or let the world know one thing it would be to be consistent and never let the closet ones to you affect your journey to where you truly want to go. So many people will try to detour you out of what is truly your destiny and those people can be just as close to you as such a family member. I just celebrated my thirtieth birthday and though some may say “I’m late to the game” I know Gods got me and this journey has just begun.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am here for the out of town trips. Let’s say someone comes in town Friday- Sunday this is what I would have lined up for them:

Friday- Bar Hoppin’ during the day on Broadway is a must! Once hitting up if not majority, all of broadway head over to Clyde’s whether you’re with the group of ladies/guys or just a few friends to eat, highly recommend their nachos and they always have 2for1s! Now late night vibes heres a couple to try out Vibes & TinRoof on Demonbraun, Fifth&Broadway for more upper scale bar, as well as Minerva.

Saturday- Lets brunch, head to HopSmith where bottles are 2for1 and their food is to never be disappointed. After a much needed shopping at Kittenish, Abednego, and Fifth&Broadway for multiple locations. Saturday night heading to dinner at EG&MC where I recommend getting their yam Mac&cheese and lamb meatballs. After dinner we’re headed to W, The Westin for rooftop bar vibes to end the night.

Sunday- We brunch all day, no really! Heading this time to Hampton Social where all photos will be taken the entire time of indulging in adult beverages. After brunch I’m all for a nap and relaxing because brunch doesn’t end until 4pm, lol.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Theres a quote that I have now totally understand ” It takes a village to raise a child”, I believe this whole heartedly. My mother comes first, from letting me move in while pregnant to cutting the umbilical cord to being the greatest MeMe to my daughter. To my sisters who are the best TT’s a sister could ask for. And lastly my friends, yall have supported my journey through many tears, laughs, and encouraging me along the way love yall!

Website: www.jessicalanae.shop/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicalanae_

Youtube: www.youtube.com/JessicaLanae2