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

Hi Jessika, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Over the last two years of being focused on growing my business one habit that helped me succeed was taking breaks. Consistent ones. I know that is very unconventional considered we live in a “chasing the bag”, “no days off” social society. I want to be successful just as much as the next person however I have found that the times when I take a break away from creating, posting and being chief of everything are the times when I come back with the next best thing for my business. My breaks varry in duration-sometimes its 3 days or 3 weeks but each time I recharge in the way I need to.

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?
Workin Girl is a women’s empowerment brand focused on building community through the topics of God, Career, and Self Love, all things that I struggle with. I often find myself telling stories about my past to explain my current thought process. I believe that our experiences and backgrounds set us up for the purpose we are destined to carry out. If you experienced heavy grief or trauma in your younger years, there is a platform for you to help others through that very thing. That is where Workin Girl was birthed from. Reverence to God for reminding me that I am not defined by my past struggles however they can be used to empower others. My authenticity is what sets me apart. Because I am a storyteller by nature, I am not afraid to talk about the lows just as much as I want to speak about the highs. It’s hard to be vulnerable to a bunch of strangers over the internet but I do it. I talk about the struggled relationship with my father, my frustrations with God during certain seasons, or even my internal fight with finding my calling. Heavy topics but needed to push the agenda forward. Business-wise I have honestly gone with the flow. A few youtube videos here and a couple of books there but overall I am trusting God throughout this process. When I come out with new items on my store or posting content it really is in the moment with little strategy but a whole lotta faith. Crazy in nature but still faith.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
With anyone coming to visit me in Atlanta the very first place I will take them would be the gates of Spelman College. Spelman College is my Alma Mater that I am forever indebted to. Back in 2015, I came to Georgia for the first time to move onto campus and embark on the most life-changing journey ever. With little expectations but a whole lotta heart, I dove in headfirst to all Spelman had to offer. Aside from the rigor of academics, I found community. Something that I didn’t have prior to but was a huge thing I was missing. From the many life-long friends turned sisters and memories I have to bring it back to the root of it all. Where the Jessika of today took the Jessika of 2015 and gave her a run for her money. After a tour of Spelman and giving someone a motivational speech, I would then take them to grab a bite to eat at BJT wings in the West End. When you speak of Atlanta you have to talk about the wings. I’ll recommend the lemon pepper wet and honey teriakyi with fries and a peach tea lemonade mix for a drink. I can’t count how many times this iconic combo has brought me through. You may have a little bit of a sweet tooth, after all, that savory goodness so I would head over to Jeni’s to give someone a taste of artisan ice cream. My favorite flavor is the brown butter almond brittle and during the summer months, Frose is a nice treat. At this point of the day, it will be getting close to sun down and I would conclude the day with a calm stroll in centinnial Olympic park. Atlanta has many chill spots where you can sit and take in the breeze.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to God. For what I do is for the Glory of his Kingdom and to impact his people. I often think about where God has brought me. From being afraid to type out the words I was thinking of actually publishing them on a public website. It was his grace that has sustained me throughout this process.

Website: www.workingirlblog.com

Instagram: workingirlblog

Facebook: Workin Girl Blog

Image Credits
Ross Gordan and Jordan Mateos

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