We recently connected with Jess Clark Garcia and have shared our conversation below.
Jess, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
From a very young age, I’ve always known that I have two callings in life – to be an artist and to be a mother. Being a creative has always been such a huge part of my identity, but even more so, I would say I’ve always been a natural nurturer. Along with pursuing singing and acting, I also studied child development and worked for a few years as a preschool teacher and also as a nanny. Growing up, I was fortunate to have had some of the best teachers. I always knew that teaching was something I was interested in. Also, I happen to have the best mom in the entire world – so, with all of the positive influences and examples I had growing up of how to nurture, guide and love children, beyond anything else, I always knew being a mother was going to become my true purpose in life. And, I was right. I had my daughter this past March, and she is the light of my life. Although I love fulfilling my creative passions and making music, etc… no project I’ve ever worked on has come close to bringing me the joy that being my daughter’s mother has. It is something so far beyond myself – it is something truly magical.
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 primarily a singer/songwriter – although, I feel as though I wear many different hats. I am also an actress, host, wife, mom and wine-enthusiast. I’ve been singing and writing music professionally for the last 10 years or so, and am extremely grateful to have worked with some of the most talented artists, writers, producers and creatives in the business. In 2015, I had the amazing opportunity to audition for American Idol. I ended up making it through to Hollywood and was fortunate enough to have made the Top 50 on Season 15. After being on the show, I really started to think about who I wanted to be as a solo artist. I currently have an EP, and three singles on all streaming platforms. I’ve had multiple song placements for TV and film, and that’s also been one of the coolest things I’ve experienced during my journey. Since then, I’ve continued to learn more about who I am not just as an artist, but as a person, and as a result of that, I feel as though I’ve been able to put out quality music that truly represents who I am.
Aside from my music, I’m currently developing my own podcast set to launch in 2024, called The Mess. This is a something I’ve wanted to do for such a long time, so I’m very excited to finally see it come to life.
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?
Three qualities that I think are extremely important, not only in your career, but in life and personal relationships as well, are communication, loyalty and vulnerability. I believe having these qualities has helped me navigate through some of life’s toughest challenges thus far.
The ability to communicate openly and easily with others is so important. A lot of the time, people hear the word “communication” and they think about voicing what they want to say. However, I’d say listening plays an even bigger role when it comes to communication. If you can truly learn how to listen, you can have successful relationships. Similarly, I believe loyalty is extremely important. Not just to others, but to yourself. Learn how to be loyal to yourself and have your own back – because at the end of the day, no one will have it like you do. Lastly, learning to be vulnerable can be a super power. It’s one that I still have to actively work on, but I find that it’s in the moments where I allow myself to open up and be vulnerable, that I usually end up with the results I want.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Becoming a mom has influenced me and changed me so much – for the better. I would say my biggest area of growth and improvement has been learning how to take care of another human being, learning what truly matters in life and prioritizing my family over everything else. I am so proud of who my daughter has made me. All I want to do is make her proud of me too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/jessclarkgarcia
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/jessclarkgarcia
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/jessclarkgarcia
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/jessclarkmusic
- Other: http://tiktok.com/@jessclarkgarcia
http://instagram.com/messpod
Image Credits
Phillip Garcia
