Meet Jennifer Messina | Singer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Messina and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jennifer, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Everyone asks, how do you perform music, run a beauty business, finance company, model, act, serve as a unit Commander in the Army Reserves and still make time to sleep and have a healthy routine? It’s very simple. Create a calendar and stick to it. When I was 17 years old, I joined the Army and immediately had a rigid schedule. What time do I have to be where? How long is chow? How long will it take to get to A to Z location and what?? I still have to be 10mins early?
I started to apply that to my entertainment career.
Every morning, regardless of the timezone, I wake up at the crack of dawn, make hot coffee (black) I sit on my couch and stare out the window. I begin to reflect on my day and my goals. After a couple of sips and a sense of relief, I’ll go for a walk and start to create a list in my mind of what I need to do to achieve the goals I earlier reflected on. Then I jot it down on my phone and create it into calendar events by prioritizing it. I remember to give myself breaks especially when I get frustrated, and kinetic activities to switch my frame of thinking. When I’m stuck, I take a long shower, aimless drive, or walk. It’s all about tricking the brain to think differently.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Your goals don’t have to be so complicated to achieve. Wrote everything down. Something about planning through pen and paper. Also color coding, makes the brain think and process in so many kinetic ways to achieve your goals. When goal setting, acceptance of failure it important in practice. You might get frustrated but you must pick up and try again. Could you imagine if I sat at home and cried for weeks on being a failure? This may not come off as a humble brag, but I wouldn’t have as many successful ventures if I didn’t bounce back every time I failed.
Nothing for me happened overnight, but I never gave up.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Go to the top of the Hollywood hills, (there’s a spot I like that’s hidden off Nichols Canyon) at sunset, find a nice rock and just take it all in. Point out all of the buildings you know, look at all of the houses you wish you lived in, and say to yourself. I am here. Why? Because believing will motivate you to achieve being at the top of your industry.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to recognize my great friend Pep Williams. Fine Art Photographer – Video Director – 3rd Generation DogTown Skateboarder- Pep Williams.
Pep Williams has traveled around the world shooting spreads for numerous magazines and also featured in magazines in countries such as Brazil, Germany, Australia, Canada, UK, Japan, and the USA. His latest work The Perfect Storm” collaborating with graffiti artist RISK is currently on the market at $1.4 million and shown privately at the Art Of Elysium in Los Angeles. Pep Williams series “Behind Bars” is currently on permanent display at The Autry Museum in Los Angeles. A series shot in the California prisons. Pep Williams is a very respected in the skateboard industry and has been skateboarding since 1975. A 3rd generation DogTown Skater who currently still tours on several skate tours around the world.
His photographs can only be described as the”Freshest Kind Of Raw”.
Pep, motivates me. He always has a new angle (no pun intended since he’s a photographer). He’s always extremely honest with me, whether I like it or not, but at the end of the day, Pep has always been right. He’s got the biggest heart and always has believed in helping the underdog as long as they are hungry to learn. Pep’s work is as honest and raw as his soul, but he’s no chill. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Pep’s friendship.
Website: Jennifercmessina.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/jennifercmessina
Twitter: Twitter.com/jennifercmessin
Facebook: Facebook.com/jennifercmessina
Youtube: YouTube.com/@jennifercmessina
Other: TikTok.com/@jennifercmessina
Image Credits
@kylahvisuals photographer @darkchocolatebittersweet creative director and MUA @quitahairdiva Hair
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
