Meet Nael Jean-Jacques | Freelancer & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nael Jean-Jacques and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nael, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Honestly, I think balance is one of the biggest things I’ve always struggled with which I don’t think is necessarily a bad thing. I’m more so of a mono-focused person who rather get one thing done at a time even if that means having to put a certain task or project on pause for a little. I feel like I’m most effective and productive when I pour my full attention into one thing at a time. Some people aren’t built for balance — they’re built for depth. They might not multitask well, but when they lock in, they go deep. I guess you can say I’m part of those “some people”.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been one who was into different practices of art and dipped my hands into different pots- from fashion, photography, drawing or even storytelling/videography. I sort of struggled for a bit trying to figure out what practice I wanted to dedicate myself to but in 2019 I ended up choosing fashion when I majored in Apparel Technical Design at the Fashion Institute of Design And Merchandising. After graduation I ended up working for a cool company named Rhude for a year which was a great experience. And now I’m more so focused on finding what sets me apart and carving out my own lane for myself. I’m not exactly sure honestly but I’ve been working toward some things that I’m not ready to talk about so let’s see what I can pull off. I was able to get to where I am at today through talking to different people, putting myself in unknown places and constantly finding a way to be creative – whether that’s through content, drawing – pencil to paper or just picking up my camera. It definitely hasn’t been easy because it definitely get lonely when you are trying to pursue what you are trying to pursue but I’m more comfortable with the uneasy nowadays. One of the biggest things I’ve learned recently is to be open to new opportunities. Staying open to new opportunities is one of the most powerful things you can do for personal and professional growth. Life changes fast, and the path you planned may not be the one that leads you to the most fulfillment. And it’s funny I’ve been thinking about this deeply lately and keep thinking to myself “why just stay in one career path your entire life?”. We only get one life so I think it’s okay to dibble and dabble in different career paths and get different experiences. In that case I’d like to be know as a creative entrepreneur, someone who is always thinking about what’s next and how can we push things forward.

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.
I’m a guy who enjoys aesthetics, the outdoors and calm environments. So, I’d probably bring my best friend to Modu Cafe which has a calm environment to get some work done or even to simply meet up with a friend over some coffee. For food, I’d bring them to Maestro’s Steakhouse – a nice steakhouse in Malibu with great views of the ocean. And we would definitely have to go on a hike probably at eaton canyon – great views and gets the creative ideas going. In my opinion, if you get the chance to spend some time visiting different coffee shops, beaches and visiting different museums in LA. You should also take the time to drive up in the mountains during sunset or sunrise. It’s definitely a vibe.

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?
This one is a really hard question for me because I’ve had a lot of supportful people and moments that have shaped me into the person I am today. But I’ll dedicate this shoutout to my time in the military. To some it may seem alittle stereotypical but it really did help me develop the mindset that I have today. While in, I just learned how little tasks can shape big lives. It’s easy to overlook the little things — making your bed, replying to that email, cleaning up your space, taking a short walk. But those small completions build momentum. They train your mind to start, follow through, and finish. They teach discipline, self-respect, and confidence.

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