Jessica Franklin has become a hit sensation on many platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. Her subscribers gravitated towards her natural curly hair and the ability to keep it real. Franklin’s bubbly personality and love for beauty has shot her above and beyond, from her accomplishments and opportunities. She’s collaborated with beauty brand, Maybelline and has been able to live her best life by traveling the world. Jessica Franklin gave us the scoop on what it’s like to combine everything she is passionate and pursue it as a career.
Tell us a little about yourself and your journey to YouTube?
So I went to school at Rutgers University to study Business and a lot of my goals was to just to go into Corporate America. In college, Instagram came out, I was posting a lot and I would get a lot of questions about my curly hair. I decided to vlog my tips and advice on YouTube and along with that, my Instagram kind of grew. That was about four years ago. When I graduated from college, I went to corporate America as planned. I worked for a retail company in planning for two years. I was also vlogging on the side. I would work my 9 to 5 and then would come home to work from 7pm to sometimes four in the morning. I got laid off a year and a half ago and it was like the best thing ever, I was so happy. Once that happened, it gave me the open door and opportunities kept coming and growing.
Other than beauty and hair, do you mind sharing something you are passionate about?
One of the main things I’m passionate about is travel. I love traveling. I’ve always loved it since I was young. When I was laid off, I was able to travel more, I went to seven different countries. In addition to that, fitness. I ran track in high school, I wasn’t very good at it… I kind of did it for the social aspect (laughs) everyone was doing it. When I graduated, I wanted to work out to be naturally fit. I realized I was hurting myself by not taking care of my body. I got a trainer and I started making it a part of my lifestyle. It makes me feel confident, happy, and that’s why I try to encourage others to do it too. Finally, philanthropy. I always want to be able to give back by using my following and opportunities.
Did you ever think your social media outlets would take off the way that it has? Would you say it has changed your life?
I definitely did not expect for it to take off the way that it has. I remember when I started, it was a hobby because I enjoyed posting and I really wanted women to feel confident. When I first started my natural hair journey, I didn’t love my hair, it took a few years. I would look at other people and YouTubers that I look up to and I never thought that I would be up near any of their levels. When I worked in corporate America, I just was not passionate about it. I just knew that I needed to make a difference and hustle. I’m so thankful to be doing what I love now as a living. It was hard work but I feel like it was destiny.
Lastly, how do you think your friends and family would describe you?
I think they would describe me as a risk taker, outgoing, and unstoppable. My mom always says, “Jessica always gets what she wants.”
Be sure to subscribe to Jessica Franklin’s YouTube TODAY! Also, stay connected with her by following her Instagram NOW!
(All images by Denisse Benitez Photography)