Meet Jordan Parrish | Model, Creative, & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Jordan, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Integrity. This firm adherence is something that I find many people are often afraid of, but I’ve found it to be immensely freeing in both opening up and expanding my moral and creative values. I’m quite an open-minded person, always looking for opportunities to learn from other people and experiences. In knowing what I believe and why I believe it, I then feel that I’m afforded the chance to tailor and alter my view(s) and beliefs. It sounds like a dichotomy but it’s served me well and has greatly increased my worldview while protecting what means most to me.

This value has also given me immense peace as I regularly navigate a multitude of diverse environments and people. Knowing that I’ve exercised integrity allows me to rest in knowing that I showed up, that I was honest. I’m certainly not a perfect guy, but at the end of the day I’m not divided. Peace is beyond value and the honesty I choose to share with others is simply an extension of honoring myself first and exercising integrity. Not to mention the fact that my work and the partnerships formed within these spaces flourish largely due to this.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career up to this point has been diverse and varied, and in all honesty I love my current trajectory. I like that my work is multifaceted and I thrive in being a connector. I admit it can be challenging to explain exactly what my work entails due to my straddling the lines of at least three different industries, but I believe that exciting work should replace the energy it consumes and I’m happy… hungry for more, but happy. I’ve had the pleasure of working with incredible professionals, serving a broad range of orgs, and also cutting my own path in regards to career and calling. It’s one thing to work for others, but in wanting to place focus on my own ideas and dreams, becoming my own boss… well, that requires not only discipline but an extreme amount of self-belief. I’ve been blessed to step into many successes by simply showing up, but I’ve worked hard for the ground that I stand on today and I’m proud of that.

Most of my experience as a professional has been within the entertainment industry; I began modeling in my early twenties which turned into commercial work and eventually larger projects with bigger companies. It’s an interesting industry because it can so often be fickle and in our desire for success, I’ve seen people sacrifice the better parts of who they are. However, I’ve also seen how redemptive the industry can be. It’s intoxicating to be on set, working with a group of people, some of whom like family, who join together momentarily in order to execute a master plan. This intoxication is what spurred my decision to mature into other creative roles. I love working in front of the camera but crafting the story and color beforehand, finding the DNA of a project, ignites a different type of fire in me. I’m artistic but analytical, enjoying strategy and pattern. I see these attributes as simply being different creative muscles that allow me to produce the micro details while maintaining focus of the macro story being told. There’s always more to learn but I’m fascinated with this work and I never tire of finding the ‘why’ behind projects or initiatives.

This obsession with finding the ‘why’ and the discipline learned from modeling only helped as I started Pass The Pup. It’s still quite young but I couldn’t be more proud and we’re now approaching PTP’s first birthday! I’ve always loved animals, ask anyone. I’m utterly smitten and fascinated by them, having shared my life with countless dogs and horses. After the pandemic, I took a step back from riding to focus on academia and in that time have also devoted myself to helping the many ‘pandemic puppies’ and thousands of others find homes, cue Pass The Pup. It’s odd because all that I’ve done is put branding and extra communication on what I was already doing, but the response from the public has been great. In short, we partner with shelters, locally and nationally, to campaign for dogs in need of homes, passing along stories and photos. I’ve found that so often the public and rescue orgs simply need a third party to help communicate, and since our inception we’ve formed great relationships with both sides, helping a number of dogs and puppies get adopted. We’re in the process of designing merch, tees and hats first, but I’m completely open to whatever happens next. I envision community events like adopt a dog block parties, running clubs, even silent discos… anything to help pups find homes and bring people together. Dogs have a way of giving us life and in establishing Pass The Pup, I want to honor that by helping dogs find homes and by connecting people with one another.

The third aspect of my career worth mentioning is my work within peacebuilding. I know, it may seem random but if there’s one thing that I’ve learned from this industry, it’s that most things are connected. Before accepting a role with the org that I currently represent I wouldn’t have qualified myself as a peacebuilder, let alone have been able to properly define one for you. But that’s just the point, peace doesn’t look like any one thing and therefore a peacebuilder can’t be any one specific type of person. As I mentioned before, I’ve always reveled in being a connector, so when the opportunity to accept a position like this arose, I jumped. Each day I learn something new, each week I meet interesting people who either want or are practically changing the world. This offers not only accountability to bring my best but throws opportunity at me every day, to believe that I can actually help people. My team is dynamic and I’m always astounded by the fact that by operating from our diversity, we accomplish more. We work with unique partners across the globe, have held space at the UN, and while I have no formal peacebuilding or diplomatic training, I’ve discovered that no matter the size of the room or title of the person in front of you, people are people. We want to be seen, we want to be heard, and we want to connect. It’s simply a matter of showing up and humbling our power so that we can work together, crafting a better tomorrow. Now tell me that’s not intoxicating work to play part in.

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?
Oh, I love this question! I’m a huge fan of sweets, so a trip to Mashti Malone’s is a must. I respect the story behind the business and the ice cream is wildly delicious, using Persian spices and flavors that I go wild for. I recommend pairing the vanilla with the saffron rosewater.

We also have to visit Gigi’s Cafe Cubano and you’re ordering the Cuban plate with the sweet plantain option… you’re welcome.

As far as drinks go, LA is full of talented mixologists, but I favor Death & Co. No one enjoys a bad drink and I’ve not had one here, plus the lighting makes me feel like I’m in a Bond film.

Majordomo is a great spot for dinner as it provides both elevated and humble dishes. Plus the unpretentious nature of the place is a balm amongst the ‘flash’ of LA cuisine; you can arrive in a suit or not, no one really cares.

I never tire of the Griffith Observatory, so if you’re at all interested in how our universe operates, then this is another must-see destination. I like the fact that this was one of the first observatories created for the public, offering people a chance to see the grand world that they’re part of. Plus, who doesn’t like to stare at the stars?

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’ve always said that the story of my life is the story of the people in it and I’ve had the privilege of holding space with some true superheroes. My parents for one not only gave me life but taught me how to live, modeling how to operate from the heart, pulling on values passed down, while constantly exploring the new and unknown. My parents are two of the most selfless, authentic individuals I’ve ever met and also two of my best friends; they’re like North stars.

I wouldn’t have chased nearly any of my dreams had it not also been for my sister. She and I are almost polar opposites, but her unique perspective, tenacity, and wild creativity have served as challenges and inspirations. She’s a hero to me, and also one of the funniest people I know.

I keep a tight circle of friends; these incredibles are everything. They see me, push me, and some of them I’ve known almost my entire life. The person I am is in part because of how we’ve chosen authenticity and vulnerability within our relationship. I’ll never cease to be grateful to and for them. True friendship is hard work, but the return is beyond explanation and I’d do anything for this group of amazing individuals. You know who you are.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrishjordanc/?hl=en

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

Image Credits
Personal photo shot by Tony Moux