We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica McDevitt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My love language is 100% words of affirmation. I’ve been known to write quotes on sticky notes all over my mirror and desk.
The process of journaling and repeating mantras is really important to center myself daily.

Over the pandemic, I came to resonate with a lyric from Hamilton the Musical. As Aaron Burr awaits his time to shine against Hamilton, he says “I am the one thing in life I can control. I am imitable. I am an original.”
One of the most important lessons we all gained from the pandemic is knowing the only thing in this world we have control over is ourselves. As a young woman in music, it is easy to get caught up in imposter syndrome, comparison, and doubt. I try to remind myself, especially with this lyric, that my biggest strength is that there’s only one of me – imitable, original. My individual voice deserves to be heard. How I show up as myself and what I bring to the table is all I can control. In fact, this lyric now hangs on my mirror and I repeat it to myself every morning as I take on a new day.

I could talk about this for hours, but I’ll end with this. If you’re reading this, there is only one of you in this world and you are uniquely, beautifully, wonderfully made with the power to move mountains. Your individuality is your power.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Nothing worth it comes easy. The music industry gets a bad rep for being a tough, gritty place (which it is) but it can also be the most magical and rewarding environments to thrive in. What a blessing it is to unleash your creativity, empower talented musicians, and spark initiatives that could change the world.

I started interning in music when I was a freshmen in college, and the rest is history. All I wanted was to be a sponge and soak up as much information as I could. I dabbled in PR, labels, management, radio, touring- you name it, I probably tried it.

I spent a lot of time learning and observing leaders, colleagues, and peers to fully understand both the industry landscape and where I would excel best. I often struggled to fit myself, or label myself into one area, or one sector of the industry as I felt my skills were multi-faceted.

Over quarantine, I jumped into unknown territory and started a podcast, More or Less (with Jess) to chat with artists and industry executives about mental wellness. This was the ‘lightbulb moment’ where I felt a sense of direction and career development – amplifying advocacy.

The path to entrepreneurship has now led to the launch of my own consultancy, amplify services where we connect artists and businesses to social impact movements. Through our work, we work with clients to identify, develop, and take action towards their philanthropic passions.

Outside of my work in music, I have a strong background in non-profits, particularly in the mental health sector, and I’m thrilled to use my expertise to connect the dots. This is arguably, the scariest thing I’ve done, to take a risk like this, but 2022 is the year I bet on myself – the best is yet to come!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
NYC is the BEST city in the world. When friends visit, the first stop is my favorite hidden gem (and also one of my side hustles!), a dog-friendly cafe, Boris and Horton in the East Village. It’s a coffee shop where owners can bring their dogs, and patrons without dogs, can come together and enjoy good coffee, free wi-fi, and sweet pups. Absolutely a must for work-for-home locations.

Recently, my friends and I went to an amazing candle-making class in Chinatown. Lanterne Lab, a AAPI women-owned business allows you to pick out your own scents, hand pour the candles, and customize to your preference! It’s such a fun experience, and something fun to do with friends or date night. I’ll also add if you’re looking for a good sip=n-paint experience, Paint n’ Pour in Lower East Side is incredible – bottomless drinks and great food while you paint!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to shout-out my friends and family who have believed in me during the times I could not believe in myself. Without the support of my loved ones, I would not be nearly as resilient as I am today.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. —Maya Angelou””

Website: www.jessicamcdevitt.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicaamcd

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mcdevitt

Other: www.letsamplify.net

Image Credits
Jonas Brothers Image Credit – Daniel Zuchnik

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