Meet JuliaDawn

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

Hi JuliaDawn, so what do you think about risk, and what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
Personally, I believe taking risks is absolutely necessary to achieve any kind of growth or expansion in life. Whether it’s personal development or career-driven growth, if you’re afraid to take that leap into the unknown, how could you ever discover what you’re truly capable of achieving? I think the word ‘risk’ itself is often intertwined with fear, but I hope more people begin to see fear as a guiding factor. For me, fear can act like a road map. Whatever seems scary in your mind but doesn’t unsettle your gut, that’s the path you should follow. No matter what doubts your mind brings up, trust your instincts. Keep moving forward—and when you come across an unfamiliar yet intriguing opportunity, take it. You can always find your way back if needed.

It’s important to pursue your passions and highest excitements while staying true to yourself, being honest with others, and holding on to faith—even in dark times. For anyone who feels they are meant for something beyond the ordinary, who knows they can make an impact, taking those risks is crucial to reaching your highest potential. It won’t always be easy, and at times, it will be scary. But I always say, the bigger the struggle, the bigger the purpose. Life isn’t linear, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Risk-taking has played a significant role in my life. From a young age, I struggled with the idea of playing it safe or staying stagnant. Rules never made much sense to me, and being under someone else’s authority didn’t sit well. I was constantly questioning everything, and the answers I received never satisfied me. I knew I wanted more. Growing up in a small town just outside Manhattan, the ‘city that never sleeps’ drew me in like a moth to a flame. That desire for ‘more’ was real. I became fascinated with choice, risk, and adventure. As a teenager, I took plenty of risks that led me down the wrong paths at times. But as I grew, so did my dreams. The lessons I learned from those wrong turns eventually gave me the insight to navigate toward the right ones.

I’ve moved to new cities multiple times, sometimes with just a day’s notice and a negative bank account balance. I’ve left my home and family to relocate to places where I knew no one and knew nothing about the environment. In the pursuit of my passions, I’ve lost some of the closest people in my life. Like many others, I’ve faced significant loss, struggled with insecurities and addictions, and dealt with a tremendous amount of trauma. But that word ‘risk’ always kept my fire lit.

For me, the key is to never give up, no matter the circumstance. Just keep moving forward and keep taking those leaps. Every risk, no matter how daunting, has helped shape who I am today, and I believe that staying committed to your journey—even through adversity—will lead you to where you’re meant to be.

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others. How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? Most importantly, what do you want the world to know about you or your brand?
Well, I just want to start out by saying I’m here to be me, unapologetically and authentically. It was not an easy journey professionally or personally to get to where I am today. And to be honest, I’m still navigating both aspects and gauging where I’d like to go from here. I have multiple talents and interests, and I plan on exploring every single one. I’ve faced many challenges, most of which started before my career in the music industry.

In my past, I’ve dealt with a lot of self-doubt, depression, addiction, and traumas of all shapes and sizes. This caused a major setback in my career growth. I overcame these challenges over time through a lot of self-reflection, trial and error, getting real with myself, discipline, and realizing that every experience I’ve been through has purpose and meaning. It’s all part of the plot, as I like to say. I had to really sit with myself for a while. I am, and always will be, on a relentless journey of self-improvement. Today, I’m proud to say that I love who I am. Not every day is full of rainbows, but that’s just life. There was a pivotal day when I woke up, looked in the mirror, and said to myself, “This is not who I am anymore.” My change happened when the pain of staying the same was greater than the pain of change. I was absolutely fed up with how I’d been living. I realized I have purpose.

I believe the meaning of life, put simply, is creation and love. I want to live my life creating and helping others. I’m a fighter, always have been, and always will be. It’s to the point now where, if I experience any kind of setback or issue, I welcome it with open arms as another challenge I’m able to overcome. I’m most proud of the work I’ve done on myself to get to the mental space I have today, which has inevitably impacted my professional life.

As I started my professional journey in artist management, I’m extremely proud of my clients for their successes and accolades. I’m grateful to have had the opportunities to be alongside them, helping support them in any way I can to ensure they reach their goals and elevate their own journeys.
My passions for management, creative direction, and events will never fade. I still plan to continue along these roads. However, I think it’s time to take my passion for developing other artists, and develop myself. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’ve struggled with insecurities. Those insecurities impacted my ability to make music of my own. So with that, I’m extremely excited to start this new journey of opening up a new route for myself to share my voice, my story, and who I am through my own music.

I’ve learned many lessons so far. I think the most important would be; to show up. Be on time. Work hard. Even if others aren’t doing so. Have integrity in what you do. Don’t take anything personally, ever. This is a very cutthroat industry, and my wish is that more people understand that whatever happens, don’t let it dim your light. Continue to show up. Whether you’ve been slandered online for a stupid mistake, fired from your dream job, or whatever the case may be. Diamonds are created under pressure, and the only person who can derail you from your goals is yourself. So, BE yourself truly, be honest, and stay humble. Move with love and compassion, and never stop creating.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that, even though I have done a lot thus far, I’m still just getting started. I want everyone to know that I’m comfortable admitting that I don’t have it all figured out yet. I want to inspire people to explore all of their passions and ambitions. My brand is about realness. This is a space where you’re free to be yourself without judgment or fear. My brand is about embodying individuality in a society that encourages surface-level personalities and watered-down creativity. My brand is for the underdogs who’ve been beaten and battered but will never falter. I’m not here for TikTok trends or scripted content. I’m here for the raw, the real, and the relentless.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting you and you wanted to show them a great time. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary. What are some of the most fun, interesting, places or things to check out?
Okay, so I’m going to take this trip to New York City—my original stomping grounds. First off, we’ll drop off our stuff at The Michelangelo Hotel on 7th Ave. I’d say that’s one of my favorite boutique hotels in NYC. Next, we’re going to grab dinner at Carmine’s, which serves giant-sized portions of the most amazing Italian dishes and has some fun mafia history associated with their Upper West Side location. After that, we’ll take a walk through Greenwich Village on Bleecker Street, home to Bleecker St. Records (now Village Revival Records), vintage thrift shops, and other spots that encompass the rich music and art culture there. Before we leave, we’ll check out The Bitter End. Next, we’ll grab a drink at the Biergarten at The Standard, then probably head to Le Bain afterward. Just be careful you don’t fall into the indoor pool—unless that’s what’s on your agenda. To end the night, we’ll head to Brooklyn to check out some underground techno warehouses and dance until the sun comes up.

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 anyone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Well, first and foremost, I absolutely have to shout out my mother. She’s an amazing, caring, hardworking corporate badass of a woman. She raised me with integrity, love, strength, and a deep understanding of the corporate world. She saw my potential and believed in me with every fiber of her being, even at a time when I was unsure of my future path. All I knew was that I wanted to do something within the realm of the music industry. I’ve been singing since I was three, and I was always a bit of a rebel. When college time rolled around, I was struggling with depression and a lack of direction. I didn’t care much for college because I wasn’t sure what I really wanted to do with this music thing yet. I remember one day distinctly when she came into my room and told me she had submitted an application to Berklee College of Music on my behalf, without me even knowing. At the time, I had never even heard of Berklee. She explained that getting accepted was based on talent and personality, so naturally, I auditioned with zero expectations. To my surprise, I got accepted, and that’s where my journey really began to start. Her unwavering support from that moment up until now has been incredible, and I truly can’t imagine where I’d be without her.

Alongside my mother, my father has also had a huge impact on my love for music. He’s a singer, guitarist, and bassist, and my entire childhood was filled with memories of singing with him and listening to him play guitar for hours. He introduced me to the greats of funk, blues, and classic rock—artists who shaped what music is today. He’s still a pillar of support in my life, and I’m fortunate to have learned so much from him.

Another person I’m incredibly thankful for is a very talented artist I met and became good friends with during my time at Berklee. We stayed in close contact after we both left Boston. Years later, as his career was thriving, he gave me the chance to join his team. Eventually, I became his manager. It was trial by fire, but I was willing, hungry, and ready to learn. He showed me the ropes. He showed me how to be strong in any situation, mentally, physically, and spiritually. He empowered me in ways I’ll always be grateful for. He brought out the side of myself that I had always known was deep down there, somewhere. He relit my flame, and opened some doors for me that allowed me to step through on my own to continue my journey. I will always have love for him, and I will always support him through this crazy, amazing life path we’ve chosen.

Lastly, I owe so much to my older brother, Johnny. Though his time on this earth ended too soon, the knowledge and love he gave me will last forever. His impact on my life was immense—he helped me grow emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. He was like my second father. I have to add, he was also an amazing drummer. He had shaped my music taste tremendously as well, introducing me to the world of metal music which I gravitated towards instantly. I know he’s still right here with me, probably hanging out next to me watching me write this answer. I can almost hear him telling me to throw a joke or two in here. His spirit lives through me, and I will hold his strength and love in my heart as I continue my journey, always honoring him in any way I can and making him proud. Since his passing, my flame now grows even bigger and brighter and I have more motivation than ever. Everything I do is for him, and his children whom I love with all of my heart.

Instagram: @Juliia.Dawn

Image Credits
Andy Hua, Courtney Tyler of Fitz Ent., Wise Davis