Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Debra Jason of Boulder, CO

Debra Jason shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Debra, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I LOVE to dance. Summer brings great opportunities to dance with many free outdoor concerts in and around Boulder (where I reside).

Back in the good ‘ol disco days, I was a DJ in a disco & a disco dance instructor at a local discotheque.
I attend a dance/exercise class weekly and every year around my birthday the instructor plays a disco routine for us to dance to – everyone LOVES the energy.

And, when I hit a “landmark” birthday at the end of last year, I threw myself a disco dance party. Family & friends danced the night away. It’s hard not to have fun and feel joy when you’re dancing, especially with those you hold near and dear to your heart.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Since 1989, I’ve had a business (The Write Direction) as a copywriter and speaker. “Marketing and writing with heart, not hype” has been my tag line.

The Write Direction has been an amazing journey – one that connected me with wonderful clients, created collaborations with colleagues who became friends, had me speaking professionally (fulfilling some of the childhood dreams I had of being an actress – in a way), and allowed me to chart my own path as a solopreneur.

After 36 years of helping clients communicate their marketing messages, speaking about and coaching them in optimizing their LinkedIn® profiles, and writing a book about cost-effective marketing tips (something that was never on my bucket list – until it happened), I decided it was time to shift gears – from the art of writing copy to the art of painting.

Since 2017, I’ve been nurturing my inner artist – painting with alcohol inks. When someone asked to buy one of my paintings and then, another, I dove deeper into the art form and also started to add a variety of products to my repertoire – from note cards and journals to pendants and silk scarves. Hence, Creative Whispers of the Heart was born. In the last year, I also began exploring watercolors. Now, while I don’t turn away copywriting and/or speaking requests, I am focusing on pursuing this artistic passion with CreativeWhispersoftheHeart.com

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
This is an interesting question. At first, I didn’t think I had an answer for it, but as I look back I think that, as a child, I believed I needed validation from others.

In elementary school, it was so important to be voted “Class President.” That meant others liked you and you were popular. I remember the first time I didn’t win the election for Class President (after successfully being elected in previous grades) and my heart sank.

In high school, validation (for me) meant being selected for the cheerleading squad. I was deeply saddened when I didn’t make the cut on the first try. I remember crying when I got home from school that day as I took it personally. I did get accepted the next year so I didn’t let the first rejection stop me from trying again.

Today, while I still welcome positive feedback from family and friends, I don’t beat myself up when they do not validate my life choices. Does it hurt when they don’t agree? Sometimes, but depending on the situation, I’ll plunge forward. Your attitude and your visible confidence are two qualities that attract people to you (a quote of mine from my book “Millionaire Marketing on a Shoestring Budget™”). I am grateful that I have a very supportive network.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I am not sure it would qualify as failing “hard,” but when I was young, I wanted to be an actress. I performed in school plays (playing Amaryllis in “The Music Man” was one of my most memorable experiences) and then I auditioned for The High School of Performing Arts in New York City. However, when they turned me down, I tucked that dream away.

Then, I wanted to be a model. However, NY modeling agencies said I was “too short.” Once again, I tucked those dreams away.

In my young adult life, I may have considered it a “fail” to have studied for six years (undergrad & graduate degrees) to become a speech and language pathologist. Why? Well, after a few years in the field, I discovered that it didn’t fuel my passion. I’ve changed my mind about it being a “fail” as it started me down a different path to finding myself – an ongoing life journey.

Fast forward to the 1980s, after two different careers, I decided I wanted to be a copywriter. Luckily, I was working at a catalog company at the time and my bosses gave me the opportunity to write copy for products in the catalog. That was the beginning of my career as a copywriter.

However, years later, when I went looking for a J-O-B as a copywriter in an advertising agency, I was turned away. While frustrating, I didn’t see it as a failure. Because Colorado was in a recession at the time I was told, “We’re not hiring. We’re laying people off, but if you were to freelance, we could use your help.” I may have failed at finding a J-O-B, but I turned the rejection into my business – that is when The Write Direction was born.

Now, after 36 years running my own marketing business, I’m shifting gears and pursuing a new path as an artist. I had started college as a Fine Arts major, but changed my major because, in my mind, I couldn’t draw a portrait or a still life, etc. I was (and am) an abstract artist so I thought I wouldn’t be taken seriously when I got into art class. Interesting how life’s journey twists and turns.

As I wrote in my book, “Millionaire Marketing on a Shoestring Budget™,” “It’s not always easy, but when you follow your heart’s calling, it is definitely worth the ride.”

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
The answer to this question is easy. I think my closest friends (and family) know that relationships matter to me. Many of them have called me “the glue that holds them together” because I am the person who most often reaches out to connect and gather them together. My family and friends are top priorities in my life.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was kind, a good listener, and a loving friend/sister/daughter. One friend has said that she admires how I’ve been able to make several life changes throughout my life, despite challenges, and still come out shining on the other side.
I’d like people to remember me with joy and love in their hearts.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Personal photo taken by Pam Thayer. All other images: (c) Debra A. Jason. Boulder, CO. All rights reserved.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than