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Jessica, Brand Strategist + Business Consultant at JessKimia Consulting: Advize Career Interview
A high school passion for writing blossomed into a dynamic career for Jessica, a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant.
Starting with early journalism internships, a mass communications degree, and an MBA from UCLA, the journey included experience at Mattel and a decade-long freelance career built upon strong communication skills and empathetic listening.
JessKimia Consulting, their own firm, showcases a diverse portfolio spanning tech, wellness, and fashion. Daily life balances client meetings and creative writing with a flexible schedule prioritizing work-life integration.
The most significant career lesson learned? Asking for what one wants.
The interview reveals a path marked by navigating cultural nuances, embracing career transitions, and ultimately leveraging unique experiences to achieve both professional success and personal fulfillment, offering valuable insights for aspiring brand strategists and consultants.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jessica Hekmat
Brand Strategist + Business Consultant
JessKimia Consulting
Boston University
MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management
Communications
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
None Applicable
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Career Path of a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant at JessKimia Consulting
Jessica's career journey, beginning with a high school passion for writing and internships at a local newspaper at age 14, led to a mass communication degree, PR agency experience ("super fun super grueling"), an MBA from UCLA, and roles at Mattel. This path ultimately culminated in a successful decade-long freelance career, starting with a dating app client and expanding to encompass diverse sectors like tech, wellness, and fashion, all under their own consulting firm, JessKimia Consulting.
Main Responsibilities of a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant at JessKimia Consulting
Jessica's main responsibilities at JessKimia Consulting encompass brand strategy, "articulating and defining the purpose" of entrepreneurial ventures and translating that into messaging and marketing. Beyond brand work, Jessica also provides business coaching, encompassing areas like organizational development, operational improvements, and even career coaching for individuals seeking "their next chapter."
A Day In The Life Of A Brand Strategist And Business Consultant At JessKimia Consulting
Jessica's day-to-day work as a brand strategist and business consultant prioritizes "work life integration," balancing family time with client meetings, creative writing ("so much of what I do is stories"), and networking, all while maintaining a flexible schedule that allows for self-care. The work is highly varied, with "one to three hours of Zoom meetings" interspersed with focused writing blocks and smaller networking opportunities.
Most Important Skills for a Brand Strategy Consultant at JessKimia Consulting
Jessica, a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant, emphasizes strong communication skills—both written and verbal—as paramount, along with "empathetic listening" to understand client needs and "strategic and analytical skills" to assess marketing ROI despite not specializing in finance. This blend of creative storytelling and data-driven decision-making reflects the evolving marketing landscape and is key to their success.
Favorite Parts of Being a Brand Strategy Consultant at JessKimia Consulting
Jessica enjoys the "freedom and autonomy" of being a Brand Strategist + Business Consultant, while collaborating with diverse entrepreneurs and tackling varied projects across industries. The creative process, particularly "storytelling and writing" mission statements and brand values, combined with seeing tangible results like website launches, provides immense gratification.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Brand Strategist And Business Consultant At JessKimia Consulting
Jessica's biggest challenge as a Brand Strategist + Business Consultant is the inherent inconsistency of freelance work, balancing "freedom and autonomy" with fluctuating income and limited time. This leads to a current focus on exploring "other revenue streams" to achieve scalability without sacrificing personal time, a common struggle for solopreneurs selling their own time.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Communication Industry as a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant
Jessica, a Brand Strategist + Business Consultant, most enjoys "meeting people and hearing their stories," particularly entrepreneurs who possess compelling offerings but struggle to articulate their value proposition. The most rewarding aspect of Jessica's work is helping these individuals "package that as something that's digestible," resulting in moments of shared understanding and excitement.
What type of person thrives in the Communication industry, according to a Brand Strategist at JessKimia Consulting
Jessica Kimia, a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant, notes that while the communication industry constantly evolves, a "sense of confidence and being comfortable with being outgoing" is generally helpful. However, Jessica also emphasizes the ability to "create" one's niche, highlighting that introverted individuals can still thrive by focusing on meaningful connections and asking for what they want.
What A Brand Strategist And Business Consultant At JessKimia Consulting Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Consulting
Jessica, a brand strategist and business consultant, learned that "brand strategy" is far more diverse than initially perceived, varying significantly between companies. The most valuable lesson Jessica gained was the inevitability of career transitions and the importance of continuously reevaluating one's path to ensure it aligns with personal fulfillment and evolving goals, emphasizing that "transitions are just like the most normal consistent part of life."
Entry-level positions for aspiring Brand Strategists and Business Consultants
Entry-level brand strategy and business consulting roles often begin with internships at marketing or branding agencies— "amazing training grounds" offering diverse client experiences and skill development in areas such as "managing clients and their expectations." Beyond traditional internships, exploring LinkedIn and personal networks can uncover less conventional opportunities, enabling individuals to potentially "create a role for yourself that maybe didn't exist."
Career Lesson From A Brand Strategist Consultant At JessKimia Consulting
Jessica's most significant career lesson, applicable to both professional and personal life, is "asking for what you want." This involves clarifying one's desires and leveraging skills to find the right opportunities, a process that has consistently led to successful outcomes in their experience, proving that "you'd be surprised by what people are willing to say yes to."
College Experiences That Helped a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant at JessKimia Consulting Succeed
Jessica, a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant, reflects that "being completely out of [their] element" in college, with diverse friends and experiences away from home, fostered significant personal growth and a new perspective crucial to their career. The internships, "key" to their development, provided valuable on-the-job learning and helped solidify their love for writing, leading to a successful career path.
How Identity Has Influenced a Brand Consultant's Career at JessKimia Consulting
Jessica's Iranian-American heritage significantly shaped career navigation, creating a tension between family values and American business culture, a struggle Jessica describes as "going back and forth between...my values and what's been a social construct." Despite facing microaggressions and implicit bias, Jessica leveraged their unique background and "incredible amount of privilege and freedom" to build a successful career as a Brand Strategist and Business Consultant, ultimately allowing their background to "lift rather than limit."
Advizer Personal Links
jesskimia.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakimiabakhsh
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