India-Jewel Jackson: From Beauty to Branded Content and Social Media Plus Working Abroad

07/16/20 • 32 min

On this episode of Start Right Here, digital and editorial strategist India-Jewel Jackson talks about her journey from print editorial to digital in its early years, how she was able to take the lessons learned there, and transition to branded content and social media. She shares the value of internships as well as choosing the right university and offers advice for those studying on communication and journalism tracks. Jackson also tells us how she landed a job abroad and the critical differences between working at a company in the U.S. and Europe. She offers tips and a timeline for searching for a job in another country, and the elements of your resume that may have to be adjusted.

Previous Episode

Karen Chambers Executive Vice President Iman Cosmetics

In the premiere episode of the podcast, host Corynne L. Corbett chats with Karen Chambers, executive director of Iman Cosmetics about her career journey. Chambers will share how she went from being a communication major to beauty retail and how she combined ambition and passion to learn brand and product development. She will share the invaluable lessons she learned along the way including the importance of showing up on time and flexibility in the ever-changing beauty landscape.

Next Episode

Jazmin Alvarez: Founder and Chief Curator, Pretty Well Beauty

Jazmin Alvarez talks to host Corynne L. Corbett about her winding path to becoming a beauty entrepreneur. She came to NYC after graduating from college with two suitcases and $300, determined to be a model agent. Her first opportunity came from Ford Model Management on the men's board and she turned it down in favor of an internship at another agency. When that opportunity didn't pan out as hoped, Alvarez went back to Ford and asked if they would consider her for the men's board again. This is just one example of how Alvarez took on the challenges in front of her without fear. She shares how she transitioned to casting and later photo production. She points out how her time at Art + Commerce set a standard of excellence that she still refers to today. And what it was like to produce ads for Rolex, cast NY Fashion Week shows and cast the models for the social campaign for the Fenty Beauty launch.

She shares how her interest in clean beauty was strictly personal at first and how Pretty Well Beauty went from an Instagram account to an e-commerce business showcasing a carefully curated collection of beauty and wellness brands that she spends a minimum of 4 weeks, and a maximum of a year, vetting. She and Corbett discuss why clean beauty should not be strictly reserved for white women (aka the Goop effect) and how Black and Brown women have been creating clean products for eons.

She shares some of the clean beauty and wellness products that have her attention right now. They include Ilera Apothecary, Element Apothic, and Taza Ayurvedic. And Alvarez also reveals how she plans to expand the Pretty Well Beauty footprint in the future.

CORRECTION: EleVen Sunscreen was created by Venus William, not Serena.