We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Harold-DeShields and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Like the old saying, high risks can equal great rewards; I subscribe to that same notion. Working in entertainment, you take nothing but risks, hoping that one day, it will all come together. In my early thirties, I took a risk, leaving a stable job as an Executive Assistant at MTV (Paramount) to become a freelance PA because I needed to be creative. During the height of Covid, my dreams told me to move to Los Angeles. My husband and two-year-old daughter (at the time) believed in me, and we moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles. I think my whole career has been about taking risks, I believe in having no regrets. I told everyone when I moved to LA that even if it doesn’t work out, I never want to regret or think, “what if.” I’d rather fail at trying than live in regret of not trying.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am proud of my endurance and drive to never give up and find a way when it feels like there is no way. I am where I am today because of the support of loved ones and having incredible women bosses. It wasn’t easy, and it still isn’t easy. I’ve been unemployed more than employed and have had setbacks and successes. I overcome the challenges by believing in myself, believing in my talent, and my dreams. I want the world to know that I have stories to tell. I want my legacy to be that she changed things for the better. I wrote a story and created content that made someone feel something, feel acknowledged, and feel seen. Everyone has a story, and everyone should be represented. When people remember me, I want them to say she said what I couldn’t; she told a story that made me feel real.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Steven, has always believed in me and my dreams. When I wanted to leave my secure job as an Executive Assistant and start over as a Production assistant so I could be creative and live my dreams, he said to do it. When I told him I wanted to move from New York to Los Angeles during Covid to follow my dreams, he said, let’s go. If it wasn’t for his support and his real partnership as a husband and father, I don’t know what life would look like today.

Website: https://jenniferharolddeshields.com/

Instagram: jenntvqueen

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferharolddeshields/

Other: TikTok: JennTvQueen

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