We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaèlaun Moses a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jaèlaun with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Honestly, I would have to say my parents. My parents raised some go getters; grinders. We seen our parents hustle all of our lives whether it was working long hours or working multiple jobs, they knew how to make it happen, while creating a good life for us. Yes, we were spoiled in a sense but we were also taught the value of a dollar, strong work ethic, professionalism, and hearing “No”. Another thing we were exposed to were black entrepreneurs at a young age. Although there weren’t many, we were able to see, be around them, and support them.
When I started working I experienced working multiple jobs and I realized, this is not what I want. I want to work smarter not harder! I didn’t see burnout in my parents until I gotten a little older (college) and was able to understand what that looks like. So for me it was about finding my passion and purpose so that I was doing something that I love without sacrificing who I was or allowing someone to have control over me, my creativity, and sense of peace.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an online boutique owner, fashion influencer & wardrobe stylist.
I do work full time at Drexel University in the Department of Health Management & Policy, creating and facilitating trainings (Training Academy) for young adults who suffer from violence/trauma and have barriers that usually keeps them from employment, become state certified CHW/CPS and trauma informed so that they can help others work through their recovery journey. Just to sum it up because a lot more goes into my role.
I am currently in school for my second Masters degree in Human Resource Development. Once completed, I am hoping to start my own Human Resource Consulting Firm.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would have to say
Being Passionate
Networking/being involved
Being teachable.
You will always be a student and will never stop learning. If you aren’t teachable or coachable, you don’t grow. We don’t know it all, if we did, we would have it all.
My advice would be to do it scared. You’re never fully ready, and if you wait until you are, you’ll forever be waiting.
If it doesn’t make sense, don’t do it or force it. Don’t do things because you think it sounds good or because everyone else is doing it. Do it because you can’t picture yourself doing anything else.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I would have to say, let me be me. My parents didn’t force anything onto my siblings and I when it came to hobbies, extra curricular activities. If we showed or expressed interest in it, they supported it. I’ve always been a creative person and they allowed me to tap into that creativity in various ways whether it was drama, arts & crafts, photography, or fashion.
The only thing I can say that wasn’t debatable was college and I am glad that I did decide to go because that is where I THRIVED. I found myself, my passion and my purpose during my time at a PWI. Through the trials, challenges, obstacles and barriers, I allowed myself to get involved in so many different things and it allowed me to grow in different areas.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jaetaj.com
- Instagram: tajana_jae
- Facebook: Jaè Moses
- Other: Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/tajana_jae
