We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cortni’ Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cortni’, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
That’s easy… GOD and my family! My faith and trust in Him keeps from crumbling cause I know if He brings me to it… He will bring me through it and He never puts more on me than I can bear. The bond I have with my family is irreplaceable. They are my safe haven.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Born and raised on the Westside of Los Angeles, CA, with my parents and younger sister, music has been a staple in my life since I can remember. My father has a musical background (from bands to vocal lessons), and both my mother and sister also have beautiful voices. My father converted our garage into a studio in my elementary school days where I would have vocal lessons after school and on weekends. I also sang in the Church and school choirs.
I’m a social butterfly and as outgoing as I am, I have always been very shy when it came to actually singing in front of people – as crazy as it sounds. In my room, house, shower or with groups, I was perfectly fine. The spotlight of the stage was just so intense in my eyes. Nonetheless, my passion for music is something I could never shake.
I spent most of my youth and young adult years ‘chasing the dream’ (girl groups, as a solo artist, doing showcases, writing songs for other artist, singing background and ad-libs for artists, demos, etc.). I started networking and meeting the right people and making the right connections and I was flourishing as both a singer and songwriter and it felt amazing! I even ventured out into reality show singing competitions (American Idol, TLC’s R U The Girl and Diddy’s Making the Band). Those were experiences I will never forget and am grateful for.
Eventually, I realized it was never the celebrity of it all that I wanted. It was my love for music itself. Being able to express myself and connect with others is so therapeutic and inspiring. There’s something about hearing an empty track, fully immersing yourself and creating something so amazing that people can relate to in some aspect that gives me joy. Storytelling, the melodies and harmonies… bringing it all together just sooths my soul.
Later down the line, responsibilities of adulthood set in and I took a step back from music. I got so settled in ‘adulting’ that I let go of creating music completely – although my passion for it never ceased.
When Covid hit in 2020, while working from home, I was sitting on the sofa and felt like, ‘this can’t be it.’ There has to be more – I felt like I was wasting away. I yearned for purpose! I jotted down several ideas with great potential and the one I kept circling back to – that stood out the most, of course was the one that influenced my first love and passion… MUSIC! Jingles and it felt right! Although singing and song writing come naturally, I had never touched the areas of production or building a brand (and all that comes with it) for that matter. I just knew music was my passion/gift and I felt like for once, I was actually not only ‘seeing the signs,’ but following them!
My main focus is to bring Jingles back… helping customers build their brand by connecting them to Clients through music – the universal language. Considering we are in a digital era, it makes perfect sense. Jingles are fun, catchy and easy to remember. Jingles are also great for reels, radio spots, podcasts, fashion shows, etc. Most people are using trending sounds, and that’s great – it gets you noticed, but…. what is making them remember YOU… YOUR BRAND? Think about it… how often do you catch yourself singing along to a commercial, theme song, etc.? When you can’t remember the company name in ‘that ad’ you saw the other day, but… they had a catchy Jingle or phrase that stuck. THAT is the power of Jingles.
Although Jingles are the main focus, it’s not all we do. Special Occasions have also been a hit – proposals, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthdays, Holidays, etc. We also do meditation tracks – which I’ve found, I also really enjoy. Basically, if it’s music related and you can dream it – we can achieve it. We believe in our clients… their brands, love, vision, etc. We listen and work to bring your brand to life.
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?
Faith, confidence and passion.
Our Faith keeps us going and keeps us humble – knowing that the detours on the way, are only stepping stones to our greatness.
Confidence gives you the courage to just BE! Confidence leaves no room for jealousy therefore does not compete, rather uplifts and allows you to be open.
Passion is that fire that no matter how hard anyone tries, cannot be put out and is what keeps us focused.
These are just three of the staples for me. Even in keeping with my Faith, confidence and passion, I have to remain humble, open and focused.
I would advise others to find their faith and stand strong in it. Obstacles will come – persevere. Be confident, but not cocky – maintain your humility cause it can all be cancelled at the drop of a dime. When you are passionate, it shows and is felt… and when you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. The end goal to live the life we dream.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Life gets overwhelming at times for sure… a feeling I don’t find comfort in – it’s almost a feeling of claustrophobia. When I get to that point, I take a step back… walk away and regroup. Whatever my soul says it needs in that moment, I try to do just that! No matter if it’s a day later or two weeks later. I come back refreshed, re-focused and on fire!
I’ve learned that, when I’m overwhelmed, I feel uneasy, jumbled and stuck in a box. Sometimes, you have to quiet the world, in order to hear God clearly.
Everyone deals with things and emotions differently. I would say, whatever works for you – do that! Don’t look at someone else and think, “that worked for them, maybe it will work for me.” If that something is ‘not your thing,’ and it doesn’t work for you like it did for so-and-so, don’t be mad. What’s for you is for you – find what works for YOU!
Some people pray, some go for a walk/run, some meditate, some cry, some box/exercise, some dance, some shop, some write… there are so many outlets, don’t get boxed in from one person’s story. Write your own!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jinglelingo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jingle_lingo
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thatjinglelingo
Image Credits
Tiarra Mejia
