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

Hi Sarah, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?

I’d like to call these my seven habits of a highly effective SJ as these are the hallmarks of what have helped me along my journey, both in my professional and personal capacities.

1. The first is “having faith”—the belief in something greater than self.
I was raised in a Christian household, where my brother and I went to church with our parents each Sunday. As an adult, now in-charge of my own spirituality, I often describe myself as “a bad Catholic but one who understands and believes in the power of prayer.” When the foundation is set, the journey may look different but we don’t waiver far from the root of what has always kept us grounded and guided. Though my faith has and does waiver, there is the acceptance that there is a force much greater than self that keeps this maddening world ‘together’. Faith has kept me buoyed through difficult moments and in an ever present state of gratitude when the good times do roll.

2. Transparency — in business and in personal. What is in the dark must come to light and as such, being honest and straightforward with people and processes has always seemed to aid in managing expectations and outcomes (both good and bad). I’ve been around long enough to now hear my clients repeat to others, if SJ says she’s on board, or can make the deadline, rest assured she will. There’s a beauty and great mutual respect hidden in plain sight when that response is given.

3. Accountability — we are all human, devoid of perfection and quite capable of making mistakes. It is in the acknowledgment of that mistake, owning your wrongs and where possible making up for them that gives credit to a better experience, even when it’s not a pleasant one.

4. Maintaining the human element — in a world hurriedly passing us all by and inundated with algorithms, hashtags and technology sometimes beyond my own understanding, we easily lose the human element. We often forget the power in something as simple as a smile, a pleasantry exchanged in person, genuinely asking someone how they are and taking the time to listen to their answer—a handwritten note (I dare say I’m ageing myself). Being patient enough in our own hunt for immediacy that the other person may be struggling and not where we are in that moment; it is being human enough to offer them grace, to not “cancel” them but where possible to exhale and return a little later. I’ve been on the receiving end of grace, it’s a most humbling experience and though not a naturally patient person, I do try to always remember the human element and yes, offer grace where I can.

5. Communication — If we speak and the other party has not received our intended message, then we have not communicated effectively. It takes all types to make up this world and as such, there are a number of different ways to express ourselves, our feelings and these may vary depending on who we’re engaging with. Be interested enough to know your audience and even more interested in having the flexibility to adjust your tone, tense, and timing to whichever situation or person is at hand. Being intentional in your communication helps to minimise misunderstandings and forge better relationships.

6. Balance — work hard, play hard. As an entrepreneur, there are many sleepless nights but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to dispel the belief in “working around the clock, constantly”—life is fragile, it passes us by so very quickly and if we only work to earn and not make space to a) enjoy the fruits of our labor b) create healthy boundaries, in order to plug-out and decompress c) make time to reconnect with those we love and care about, then what are we really working towards? Being present in the digital age takes consistent practice and burnout is simply, no longer an option.

7. Never stop learning — It doesn’t have to be formal education, it doesn’t have to be work related, life is a school in itself. If we practice each and every day in its simplest form, to learn from a mistake we’ve made, then that too is a new learn and by extension—a win.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

simply JIM-DANDY does!

Entrepreneurship was never a dream of mine but while working for a company in 2010 and just shy of 2 years in, they were moving in a new direction, I had 24hrs to decide if I wanted to move into Operations or say goodbye. The thought of looking at Excel sheets and doing reporting each day was simply not an option for me and so I left. I left afraid, uncertain of my future and remembered the words of another designer a few years prior. He saw my work and encouraged me to “go out on my own”—he said, “The clients will come and before long you’ll have more of them than you can manage—trust me”.

In the summer of 2010, I setup my own design studio—simply JIM-DANDY—not knowing where the first client would come from. For all intents and purposes I had just returned home, I was working for others and had not expanded my network by much, I wasn’t sure how it would all fall into place. My 7 habits came in handy and before long I was out and not only was I creating new work but fostering new relationships—I proudly still represent some of those very clients 12 year later.

The naming of my company, it’s meaning, who named it are all very special to me and if you visit my website at simplyjimdandy.com you can learn more about that story there.

Not having a background in business practices as a creative can be a recipe for disaster. You under value your work, the imposter syndrome sets in and you are at times taken advantage of in the loop holes you’ve failed to seal. However, I took my my losses but I treated them as lessons. I learnt the hard way in some cases but never with regrets. I asked so many questions, I found people I respected in business (most weren’t creatives) and I asked for help. Asking for help is not a strength of mine nor something I practice often, but it has its place and numerous rewards. I kept reading, I kept being genuinely interested in my craft and no matter where I went I used that interest to fuel my inspiration. So now, when it is that creatives reach out and ask questions, I am able to speak from a place of understanding and I try to encourage the habits I never put in place earlier, to hopefully give them a better start and firmer footing in their own business.

We still operate to this day solely based on referrals and have grown to be one of the leading go-to boutique, design houses in Kingston, Jamaica. We offer a strategic, hands-on, minimalist approach featuring a clean, modern design aesthetic. In a global marketplace inundated with noisy brand messages, the fundamental challenge lies in reducing a complex idea to its core visual essence and as long as we have the bandwidth and can meet your deadline—we’re up for the challenge.

In 2020 I was restless and looking for a new outlet—That took shape in the form of a community brand, dedicated to celebrating a woman’s journey—primarily, the unseen and unsung heroes and so in November of that year “LadyBoss” the brand was born. It is what I refer to as my passion project. At LadyBoss you don’t have to be an entrepreneur to be considered a part of this collective and as our tagline clearly states—it’s not just a role, it’s a mindset.

Through our Instagram platform (@beingladyboss) I welcome as many women, from as many walks of life, from as many places around the globe as possible, to be featured and share a bit of their journey, all in the hope of encouraging, motivating and inspiring someone else, but showcasing them and having them remember just how remarkable they are too.

Whatever it is that you’re good at, hone it, keep learning about it and share it with others in as many ways as you can find. While you’re at it, use it and your learning to leave the world a better place than you found it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

In a few words and without getting myself in trouble by forgetting a name—My Tribe! But first, a special shoutout to my Mum—Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, a literal earth angel. She has afforded me her love, guidance, prayers and the space to grow, make my mistakes but to step into my most authentic self and be unapologetically me—as a teacher for over 40 years and more recently a Prinicipal, she has not just impacted my life but done this for thousands of others—thank you Mum!

To my tribe, we all need one. We all need people or a person who will help us remember along the way, who we are, why we’re here and the impact we’ve made or are making—I am blessed enough to have that support in so many. Big up My Tribe, they know who they are!

 

Website: www.simplyjimdandy.com

Instagram: @beingladyboss

Linkedin: /simply jim-dandy

Image Credits
@thebeatbanga

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