We were lucky to catch up with Pamela Jean recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Pamela, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My parent’s raised me to work hard. As young kids, we always had chores to do in the house and the yard. We were expected to keep things in their place and keep them clean. I was babysitting all of the neighborhood kids at a very young age because everyone around us knew I was responsible. My very 1st job was working with my mom at an eye doctor. After learning a receptionist position at 15, she tossed me over to my dad at the lumber yard he worked at. I was 16 and learning a lot about a challenging industry. My father took me under his wing and taught me everything I needed to know so I wouldn’t be treated like an idiot at 16 years old, being a female, working in a mostly ‘man’s’ industry. Times obviously have changed over the past 3 decades, but it wasn’t common seeing a young girl working at the main counter of a lumber yard, filling contractor’s lumber orders. My parents taught me all of the basics that I needed in life to become a successful human, business owner and a great employee at the majority of the jobs I’ve held across the U.S. Thank you both for building the backbone of Pamela Jean Unlimited!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Pamela Jean, a self-employed artist. I run 3 small businesses as a touring Singer/Songwriter, Photographer and running my merchandise line. It features custom designs by Lady Purl’s Art of all Media. My song and tour titles and are hand painted designs that get added to shirts, hats, drink cups, koozies and more. Primarily, my latest creation, the Rockstar Jewelry Collection, is what has taken off for my merch. It started with river rocks and hemp string and has grown into much more elaborate pieces, with custom orders coming in on the regular. Running 3 small businesses is challenging and a lot of hard work, but the rewards are fantastic!
What is exciting in my line of work is that it’s completely different every day. Today for example, I’m playing a solo gig in Spokane Valley for a happy hour and dinner crowd. Last weekend, my band played at Deutchesfest, a German festival, in Odessa, WA. Tomorrow, I have a family and maternity photo shoot at sunset by a river. Custom jewelry pieces are in the works too that will be mailed off for October birthdays. Each day I find time to create, advertise and post on social media. Mostly, I have the freedom to pick and choose when and how I do things in my life, every day. I have the time to walk with my dog, do yoga, make healthy food, eat while sitting, (a luxury I didn’t have in my 20+ years in the service industry!) and spend each moment of each day in the present moment.
In August, I released my 2nd Nashville recorded EP, “Utopia”, featuring 3 of my original songs. I set out on another self-booked, self-funded tour, called the Road Home Tour. With my one-eyed dog as head of security, I played 5 states and 7 cities. I performed most of my original songs at each venue, sold jewelry, cd’s and merch, and that paid for my trip across the northern states. My art allows me to get paid to travel, see new places, meet new people and get home to see my family. I wouldn’t trade all of these years of hard work for anything! And let me tell you, it took a LONG time to get here and it’s worth the constant hustle and dedication!
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 truly believe that the most important skills or qualities you can possess to fulfill your dreams in life are this…. dedication, faith and perseverance. I have known what I wanted to do with my life since I was a child. At 4, I wanted to be a rockstar. At 6, I had my 1st camera and wanted to do photography. As an adult, I totally forgot that my sister and I used to create jewelry as kids and had a very extensive bead collection! At 42, I revisited that craft and have made a great side hustle with my suitcase full of beads and jewelry line.
My best advice is NEVER give up on your dream. My greatest fear in life was singing in front of people. When I overcame that fear at 18, it became my mission to be an entertainer. I was diagnosed with vocal nodules at 19 and that has been a constant battle and challenge for me. There have been times I’ve over-done things and had to give up my music career for months to a year at a time just to be able to get my voice back to sing. None of these challenges have ever made me quit.
If you want to improve on your craft, PRACTICE and put yourself out there! No one will ever see you if wait for things to be perfect. NOTHING will ever be PERFECT in this world! Even if it’s perfect to YOU, someone else will see it, hear it or use it and put it down in one way or another. You have to be ready for this and be prepared to keep moving forward, no matter what anyone says. Brush off the negativity and just KEEP GOING! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve cried over the cruel things people have said to me. I’ve never QUIT.
One more thing I find very important is image. Not your personal image, but your business image. Whatever industry you are in or creating, you need to look and act like you are already a success. I run into extremely talented musicians and artists quite often that don’t have the basics, like a business card, website or decent photo to market themselves. In our world of technology, these things are extremely affordable and a must have tool. If you think of yourself as not ‘good enough’ or not ‘ready enough’ or not ‘talented enough’, the world will perceive you as just that. If you walk out into the world bearing your soul, your heart and your burning desire to show off your craft (whatever that may be), you will be welcomed in with open arms. TRUST THE PROCESS! Walk YOUR path, never someone else’s. We all have a purpose on Earth, but too many people get wrapped up living someone else’s dream.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Secret. I read this book and watched the movie. I believe it’s currently running on Netflix. It’s a powerful insight into the power behind positive thoughts. Whatever you think, you throw to the universe. The universe reacts. If you wake up every day and think the world is always out to get you, the world will always be out to get you. If you wake up every day with a heart full of gratitude, a smile on your face and think of all the possibilities and positive things around you, the world will show you that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pamelajeanunlimited.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pamelajeanunlimited
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pamelajeanunlimited
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/pamelajeanunlimited
- Other: www.facebook.com/pjunlimitedmerch Direct link to my Rockstar Jewelry
Image Credits
Jermiah Phillipe, Pamela Jean, Melinda McCormick
