Meet Jessica Abbey

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Abbey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jessica, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My purpose found me way before I found it. Back in the day, at an Amber Lounge in Mexico City, a very talented Polish artist/painter told me that she saw so much potential in me as an Art Dealer and Manager. We spoke for hours, she encouraged me to even try to sell her art and represent international artists/painters alike in other markets. At the time, I was about to be 21 years old, little did I know about the art world and my career goal was to become a Diplomat. Four years later, those words that I was once told completely resonated with my purpose.

I moved to New York with no plan but intrinsically knowing that I needed to be there in order to find my purpose. I really did not know what this “purpose” was all about but I had this gut feeling that I was not going to find it in Florida. On February 2022, I remember driving up-north from New York to Connecticut, I started crying without a real reason and I asked God: why am I doing this? I just felt that I needed to follow my instinct and that I was going to find my real purpose that way: moving to another state and embracing the uncomfortable, the unknown. At least I kept on telling that to myself: “Jess, in order to succeed one needs to embrace uncertainty.” When I moved to New York was when I started finding the puzzle pieces of what was the purpose of my professional life.

Months later, after gathering many of these-once-lost puzzle pieces, it all just started to make sense. On July 17th, 2022 I opened my own Public Relations (PR) firm for emerging talents in both the fashion and art industries. Wait, some people don’t even know what Public Relations really is!

But before we explain the concept of PR I have to go way back in my purpose story! During the pandemic, I had 45 days of solitude in a room, with fever that seemed to not want to go away. At this time, COVID was at its peek and you were not considered to be fully recovered until you didn’t experience any symptoms. Thanks to this time by myself (and for myself,) I had the opportunity to explore my creative side. I started designing accessories such as embroidered earrings and decided to sell them afterwards and donate a percentage to a non-profit located in Perote, Mexico. Months later, after creating my designer brand, I felt there was close-to-no support in the fashion world. This issue is not only experienced in the fashion industry but also in the art world. I will go ahead and say that this happens among any industry really. Especially when you are starting out. Many artists and fashion designers feel they’re all alone submerged in an eternal competition. I felt that way, I felt like no one from the industry with years of trajectory was rooting for me, nor uplifting me.

So Public Relations is what connects, supports, promotes, and gives both international and national presence to many fields. I wanted to provide such services to fashion designers and artists/painters because I wanted to avoid other creative minds to struggle the way I did, I wanted to provide a shortcut to success in these industries without me even being successful in them yet. But at least, I wanted to create a platform that would help others attain a bit more recognition and exposure of their talents through my own connections/relationships.

Well, “fake it until you make it” applied very well and it opened many doors for me. Thing is that the most important part of my business is not what I know but who I know. The vast majority of my contacts are successful and because of having these relationships with them, I have been able to make many people’s dreams a reality and helping others attain them have become such a big part of my own dream, purpose, and life’s goal!

However, it wasn’t in fashion where I found my passion and don’t get me wrong, I love to design because I do feel I materialize my dreams through my creations. Nowadays, I personally believe that the fashion industry has lost its true essence, real passion, the ability to connect to the senses through compelling storytellings. What has happened? Fast fashion, this ridiculous ongoing competition between fashion designers, overall, how frivolous and fake the industry is. How can you appreciate a fashion collection in a few-minutes runway? After so much effort, time, resources, and dedication the fashion industry tends to be quite ungrateful.

It was on December of 2022, where I organized my best and worst event ever. My worst because nothing went according to plan, even after exhaustedly working for five months, many things out of my control went wrong. It also was my best event because of how much I learned that day, I am so grateful for all the mishaps; due to them it shaped the professional I became and it contributed to the person that I am today! This was my second event solely produced by my PR agency. A huge piece of the purpose puzzle was discovered that day. I decided to fusion art & fashion under the same space. This is when I began to unveil my real purpose, my truest passion, and my deep connection to the art world. It was at that event that I realized that the fashion industry was not fulfilling me and that working with art was everything I wanted to focus my life on. During this event, I had to learn about the artists’ stories, I started to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation to their art pieces: which are magical energy portals that evoke a myriad of feelings. So you asked, how is it that I found my purpose? My sensorial journey began at the end of 2022 and my purpose was finally found when I sold my first art piece. An emotional sale. A sale that not only made me happy, but made the buyer and the artist feel whole. It wasn’t because of the money for me, it was because of the feeling that I had when I explained the work of art, the way I connected with my client, and the way I connected with both the artist’s story and the story behind the art piece. The emotional bond I am able to create through my artists’ narratives, the feelings that I grasp from their art: all of these are what truly fulfills me. Working with visual and/or mixed media artists has been and continues to be life changing for me. How can I not dedicate my life to help blooming artists stand out? How can I not advocate for the emerging art?

Grateful for my process, grateful that my purpose found me first and that it continues to remind me that my puzzle is not finished yet.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Abbey International Enterprises (AIE) is a Public Relations firm that specializes in the promotion, interconnection, and recognition of culture through the arts. Providing artistic representation and sales enhancement services internationally, AIE serves as a platform to showcase underrecognized talent in the art and fashion industries.

AIE aims to promote not only Latin American culture but also any other heritages seeking to pursue a career in these industries, yet lacking the opportunities and connections to gain recognition, thereby empowering their market presence around the world.

Jessica Abbey @jessicaabbeyofficial is the founder of this venture, offering international representation to a diverse range of emerging artists and designers, as well as established creative minds in their respective industries. Providing them with the opportunity to showcase their work at elite events, connecting them with high-end collectors and buyers, with the ultimate goal of establishing their reputation & presence in the international markets.

The young CEO of Abbey International Enterprises shares with us: “I created this platform for underrecognized talents with the ultimate goal of connecting and supporting them. There are countless unique and talented artists worldwide who desire recognition and growth, but unfortunately, in these industries, it’s challenging to find that unconditional support network, which is precisely what we offer at AIE.”

Excited to exclusively share the news with our magazine for this new year of 2025, Ms. Abbey tells us all about her latest project: The Abbey International Foundation and its Mission is to support and empower artists across all disciplines, providing resources and opportunities to develop their careers and share their talents around the world.

Ms. Abbey states: “Art and creativity are essential to the human soul, now there will exist an international organization dedicated to supporting and promoting talented underrepresented artists of our time. Welcome to the Abbey International Foundation, we believe that art and creativity have the power to transform lives.”

The Abbey International Foundation’s Objectives include:

– Award grants and scholarships to emerging and established artists to support their artistic and professional development.
– Sponsor visas and exchange programs for international artists wishing to come to the United States.
– Create affordable and accessible spaces for artists, including buildings to live in, studios, exhibitions, galleries, and venues.
– Foster collaboration and exchange between artists from diverse disciplines and cultures.
– Promote art education and international appreciation.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

To succeed as an entrepreneur, one must possess a unique combination of qualities. Personally, I will choose these three: focus, discipline, and impetus. These are pivotal components for the dream formula! A focused entrepreneur is able to prioritize tasks, allocate resources efficiently, and maintain a clear vision for their business. Discipline is the backbone of entrepreneurial success. It involves adhering to a strict schedule, meeting deadlines, and persevering through challenges. A disciplined entrepreneur is able to regulate their emotions, manage stress, and stay committed to their objectives. One of the best advices that I was once told was: “Never let emotions take the rudder of your life.” Impetus refers to the driving force behind an entrepreneur’s actions. It is the passion, motivation, and energy that propels them forward, even in the face of adversity. Who does not face adversity when opening a business? An entrepreneur with impetus is able to inspire others, build momentum, and achieve remarkable results. Impetus is the passion, is the fuel that keeps many of us entrepreneurs moving forward! By cultivating these three qualities, entrepreneurs can overcome any obstacles, achieve their goals, and create a lasting impact on the world.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My deepest gratitude goes to my parents, who have provided me with unconditional support and encouragement throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Their trust and belief in what I am building have been instrumental in my growth and development as a business owner.

From the beginning, they have provided me with the resources, comprehension, and advices necessary to develop my passions and purpose. Beyond that, they have offered me unconditional love and support, which has allowed me to take many risks and face countless challenges. They have taught me that life is a process of growth and learning, and that mistakes and failures are a natural part of the path to success.

I have been able to follow my passion to help and advocate for others and this has led me to become the person that I am today, all thanks to them. If I have to choose the one most impactful thing they have done is that they never have doubted my potential. They both continue to believe in me even when I have stopped believing in myself. I am eternally grateful for their presence in my life and for the impact they have had on my entrepreneurial journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aie-pr.com
• Instagram: jessicaabbeyofficial

Image Credits

Sofia Sardi