Meet jen iadevaia, the resilient and determined founder of Blujjae Creative Consulting, a venture born out of a desire for autonomy and stability after experiencing multiple layoffs in the media and creative industries. Frustrated by the lack of true stability in traditional employment, they embarked on a journey to create a business that would provide both financial security and the freedom to pursue their passions. As a nonbinary/queer entrepreneur, they navigate the business world with unique perspectives, striving to create a supportive community for marginalized groups while challenging discrimination. Despite facing significant hurdles, their unwavering determination and commitment to their vision drive them forward, fueling their pursuit of success and fulfillment. Join us as we delve into their inspiring story of resilience, empowerment, and entrepreneurial spirit.
What inspired you to start Blujjae Creative Consulting? Can you share a bit about your personal journey leading up to its inception?
For a long time I wanted to be an entrepreneur. What set the ball in motion was after experiencing 4 layoffs in about the span of 4 years. It frustrated me that as I worked hard to leave the service industry as a barista and work toward a career in the film industry, I just kept finding myself in setback after setback working in media and creative agencies. I fought so hard to go after what was advertised to me as stability – 9-5s get health insurance, work M-F with weekends off, are salaried and the company contributes to your 401k. But no one ever tells you that a layoff disrupts all of that, and after 4 can leave you reeling with PTSD and no financial stability.
I started blujjae with the intention that I want to have time freedom as well as money freedom and the ability to take care of myself, work wherever I chose, and be able to work less and spend more time with loved ones and go after things I wanted.
You mentioned experiencing layoffs before starting your own business. How did those experiences shape your decision to become an entrepreneur?
Being an entrepreneur is no joke, and it’s hard in a different way than working for someone else is. Both are challenging, it’s just looking at it from the perspective of, “which challenge do I want to pursue?” I chose to pursue entrepreneurship because I felt that the stability of a 9-5 wasn’t true for me, and it will likely never be true for me again, even if I choose to get a full time job with a company. The fear of – will they lay me off after 3, 6, 12 months? I will always be fearful that I could likely lose that job, so I’d like to have another stabilizing option for myself – and that is blujjae.
As a nonbinary/queer business owner, what unique perspectives or challenges do you encounter in the business world, and how do you navigate them?
I wonder all the time, have I been discriminated against? Will I ever know if I have? Is that why I’ve experienced 4 layoffs? The same goes for working for myself – will potential clients or other businesses only want to work with white, cismales because they “trust” them more? I’m nervous about encountering that, but also I feel like I want my target audience and clients to include women, nonbinary people, people of the global majority, LGBTQIA+ – people on the margins who are creating and succeeding in their own businesses and endeavors – I want to focus on people like that so we can keep the money in our community and support one another.
My business partner got me a mug that says “carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man” and I truly have to remind myself that I’m struggling so much because, while I have privilege in many other ways, I do not have privilege of being a cisman and I have a lot to offer and I know what I’m doing – and even if I don’t, I know I can find the answers. I’m constantly needing to remind myself of that all the time, like “I got this!”
Building a business often involves overcoming obstacles. What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced, and how have you addressed them?
Biggest challenge I’ve faced so far is being laid off so frequently and not having the ability to create the consistency of being financially stable. When someone is able to be in a job for 2+ years or jump around to different jobs with higher salaries and stay there, you have the opportunity to possibly build a savings, and have a financial plan. But when you get laid off about every year, it’s pretty impossible to do that successfully, because even if you’re able to get a raise, you don’t actually get it if you’re laid off before the year ends.
That’s a big hurdle – I wanted to have some clients in my business while I worked full time – but that’s not what happened. Instead I’m unemployed and working in and on my business, building a clientele base, making content for social media, networking and cold emailing. It’s so hard, but I know that if I just keep showing up – I will reach the financial stability I so long for and need. I just keep telling myself that this is my only option and I have to make it work.
Can you share a particularly rewarding moment or success story from your journey with Blujjae Creative Consulting?
A rewarding moment has been meeting people in person, connecting, and then in turn they connect me with people in their circles after meeting me and learning what I do and offer. It’s super rewarding to build community with other entrepreneurs who understand your struggles and want to help you be successful as well. I also think that having the mindset of collaboration versus competition has been impactful for me – it changes the way I pursue opportunities and reach out to people.
You can learn more about Jen – https://www.blujjae.com
