Meet Jen Malavé

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jen Malavé. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jen below.

Jen, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I’m always looking for inspiration, to be inspired in the little things. It could be the colors in the new leaves on the trees or the way a dish is decorated and served at dinner. I could be inspired by a quote I saw on a Tshirt or a baby crying in the line at checkout, not having their way but so sure the world is set up to work in their favor. I’m inspired by that notion. Anything that gets my creative juices flowing and I can find a new path to explore. New ideas to achieve the same goals. Inspiration is what drives me to keep going.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a Visual Artist. 2021 Emmy Nominated Hair and Special Effects Makeup Artist, Muralist and Body Painter. My brand is Genisis Fresh. I’ve been in business since 2013 I started out as a Master Cosmetologist earning my diploma from The Paul Mitchell School. I’ve worked as a Platform Artist, Multi-Cultural Stylist, Colorist and Makeup Artist. I currently free lance in television and film as well as provide services for every day clients and photographers and their clients. I am the former Assistant Makeup Supervisor of The Phantom of the Opera where is revived training for prosthetic makeup application and currently use those skills on set. My brand represents natural and organic products. My kit is always cruelty free including plant based hair color and services as well as non toxic paint used for my mural work and body art.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I would say determination first. To be great at something you always have to be willing to learn new things and stay current in whatever field you want to exceed in. I’m forever a student of life and the good or bad is just part of character building. Resilience is also an important factor. Things change and you have to be able to adjust and pivot even if that means shifting perspective at times. You might start your journey with one intention and as time changes so do your goals and the road to achieve them. Patience is the biggest factor in my opinion. You’ll go nowhere fast without it. Stay focused and steadfast in your dreams and watch the universe provide.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My Mother. I’ve watched her live an extraordinary life and she has always been my source of inspiration and determination. Everyone needs someone to believe in them and to guide them even when you can’t find your own motivation and challenged to rise to the level you desire. To have someone see you fully, and support you through out your life is a blessing. She has shown me what perseverance looks like and I’ve been lucky to have her in my corner. The many ups and downs of being a creative and making a living off your talents can be hard at times. Vision for yourself and the willingness to keep going regardless of the odds is the first sign of greatness. To know that, to have examples of that creates the space in your mind to be relentless. I get all my magic from her.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://genisisfresh.com
• Instagram: @genisisfresh