The Embossed Way: Jess Barker

On enjoying the process and embracing (all of) your passions

Welcome to The Embossed Way, a monthly series here on CEOverthinker featuring conversations with women who are making their mark, paving their own way, and embodying what it means to be the boss of your own life.

If you missed the previous editions, you can check them out here.

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I found today’s special guest,

Jess Barker

, right here on Substack and I’m so glad I did. Her publication immediately caught my eye, not only because was it beautifully designed, but because it had a title and a purpose that spoke right to my soul. I mean, just look at this description:

Multifaceted is a newsletter about finding direction, delight, and fulfillment in a multifaceted creative life. It’s for Renaissance people and jacks of all trades. Scanners, multi-hyphenates, and multipotentialites. Serial hobbyists and side hustlers. Multipassionate dreamers and doers who just love trying all the things.

Multifaceted spoke to me because I’d never found a word to accurately describe myself. From an early age I’ve had multiple passions – from soccer and gymnastics, to drawing and writing – and I’ve never felt whole in choosing just one. I immediately messaged Jess and told her how I felt I’d found a kindred spirit. She, to my delight, was not creeped out by my advances and instead asked me about all my various interests. We chatted back and forth, and when she mentioned she was starting a new business coaching multi-passionate people like me, I knew I needed to work with her. Jess has helped me lean further into my passion for writing and commit to starting a memoir, something I’d been thinking about but didn’t think I had the courage to actually do. Talking with her is always inspiring and reassuring, and it is my absolute delight to introduce her (and her many wonderful talents) to you!

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Lauren Scott: What did you want to be when you grew up and why?

Jess Barker: In my tween years, I dreamed about being a fashion designer or boutique owner. Later, as a freshman in high school, I did my career report on fashion journalism. (As part of the research, I got to speak on the phone with a woman from Vogue. I remember thinking her “New Yawk” accent was the coolest.) At the time, it sounded like a glamorous way to escape to the big city. And, since I enjoyed writing and research, the fashion journalist role seemed like it could satisfy my creative and intellectual curiosities in equal measure.

Looking back on this now, I can also see that this role appealed to me because I’ve always been so fascinated by the creative process. This is something I’m exploring more deeply these days – but the seeds started sprouting long ago.

LS: How does that compare to where you are now?

JB: Well, I did have my New York moment, I did get to design beautiful things, and I did write a lot about fashion. But not in a way high-school me could have planned it, of course! And now that I’ve achieved those dreams, I’m moving on to the next ones.

These days, I'm a mom and a part-time director at a marketing agency. I write a newsletter called Multifaceted which is all about finding direction as a multi-passionate creative. I recently started doing 1:1 creativity coaching. And I'm working on a nonfiction book for creatives who need help navigating idea overwhelm and finding a path forward.

I also try to squeeze in hands-on hobbies like collage art, sewing, and baking when I can!

LS: Tell us how you got there. What was the journey like? What bumps did you hit along the way?

JB: Ooh boy. It's been a whirlwind! After doing that career report freshman year, I realized fashion journalism was about the new and next – but I cared more about clothes from the past. This led me to study theatrical costume design at a university in Chicago. (Big city #1!) I wanted to dive deeper into fashion history and take on research-based projects, but the faculty didn’t support me and my outside-the-box ideas. So, I switched majors in year 3 and stumbled toward graduation with no idea of what to do next.

I’d worked as a writing tutor and a marketing intern, so I used that experience to scramble my way into marketing-adjacent temp gigs and entry-level jobs. But I was bored out of my mind and deeply unfulfilled. On the bright side, though, I was newly married to my husband who has been outrageously supportive since day one!

I eventually got accepted into a fashion history graduate program at NYU. I spent an incredible few years exploring my passions and NYC (big city #2!) while working for the university. I absolutely loved my student jobs…and I was gutted when they came to an end. There weren't really any equivalent jobs in the “real world” which frustrated me to no end. I knew I didn’t want to stay in New York or work in a museum like I’d initially expected. So, I once again walked across the graduation stage and into the unknown.

Throughout my graduate studies, though, I was surprised to discover that most people didn't love to learn, research, and write like I did. And that these were actual skills employers would pay for! So, I leaned into those skills – and all the random marketing jobs I’d held – and eventually found work as a content writer. I first found a freelance role and then got hired full-time at a marketing agency. Although it wasn’t writing for Vogue, it was creatively challenging and intellectually stimulating. My multifaceted skillset served me well, too; I rose through the ranks and took on a management position within a few years. I just hit my 5-year work anniversary with the company this October. That’s a milestone I’d never have expected!

It's been really beneficial to experience career success while separately exploring my creative passions. The journey to figure out my greater purpose and potential as an artist has been a lot less stressful because I have financial stability. That’s honestly been a huge deal from a quality-of-life perspective. My husband and I have been able to meet major goals – like buying and fixing up my literal dream house and starting a family. I now work part-time at a director level, which allows me the flexible “work-at-home mom” balance I’d always hoped for.

The stability I’ve had at work has also empowered me to take on lots of passion projects. For instance, I designed a collection of fine jewelry made with recycled gold, diamonds, and sapphires. And I built a beautiful brand to go with it, all while studying for an online gemology program. But I ultimately decided running a jewelry side hustle wasn’t for me – and that’s okay.

I’ve also taken a slew of creative classes – from ceramics and abstract art to adult tap and 1960s go-go dancing (which I highly recommend!).

Plus, for the past year and a half, I’ve been exploring the broader topic of creativity through writing my newsletter, Multifaceted. I started it as a way to discover my voice and point of view, and I definitely have. I’ve even discovered new interests and opportunities along the way.

I’ve always enjoyed sharing guidance and support through my newsletter – so it’s no surprise that I’ve gravitated toward coaching. I’m now excited to offer a creativity coaching program for multi-passionate people who need help finding clarity amid lots of big ideas and creative possibilities.

There are tons of other ways I want to expand my support for the creative community from here. But, with only so many hours in the day, I’m reminding myself to take it slow and enjoy the process!

LS: Tell us something you still dream about (something you still want to do/experience/accomplish).

JB: Overall, I dream about SO many different projects. I’ve just started work on a nonfiction book in the self-help/creativity genre. The topic was born out of some of my newsletter musings and relates closely to my coaching philosophy. I’ve written millions of words before but haven’t written a book yet, so this is going to be a fun challenge!

I’ve also been (slowly) designing a collection of sewing patterns. It’s always lovely to work on and I look forward to seeing all my visions come to life, even if it doesn’t all happen right away.

Lately I’ve also started dreaming about older me. I’m starting to catch glimpses of her in the mirror and in photos – especially now that I see myself as a mother. I’m in my early 30s – the time women are supposed to get scared of our aging bodies. But I’m excited to keep chugging along; what a gift and a privilege aging is.

The more I start to see wrinkly little smile lines and signs of a life well-lived, the more curious I am about what I’ll be up to 10, 20, 30 years from now. What accomplishments will be under my belt? What projects will I be in the midst of? What new adventures will I get to experience as a mother, wife, writer, creative professional, and human?

Lately I’ve also started dreaming about older me…I’m in my early 30s – the time women are supposed to get scared of our aging bodies. But I’m excited to keep chugging along; what a gift and a privilege aging is.

LS: Knowing what you know now, what is something you would tell your younger self?

JB: Oddly enough, the projects I’m pursuing now – my newsletter, book, and creativity coaching – closely relate to harebrained ideas I had all those years ago when I felt lost and confused. I genuinely never thought it would be possible to reach this point, but I feel like I’m finally coming full circle and finding my creative calling and unique point of view as a writer-artist.

With that in mind, I’d encourage my younger self to read The Alchemist by Paul Coelho because the overall message relates to what I’m starting to experience now. I’d suggest sticking with the messy journey, focusing less on the outcome and more on the adventure, and believing I’ll find treasure at some point along the way.

I’d also give my younger self an enormous hug and tell her that she’s doing GREAT and that she’s made me so proud. But I might not let her know about the amazing chapters up ahead, because she absolutely cannot handle the suspense of a hinted-at surprise!

LS: What does “being the boss of your own life” mean to you?

JB: I used to internalize the #girlboss implication that, if you couldn't turn your personal passions into wild career success, something was wrong with you.

Nowadays, I'm much more in favor of chasing a dream life than a dream job. A dream life is overflowing with passion, creativity, fun, fulfillment, professional growth, opportunity, and abundance – but all those eggs don't have to sit squarely in the career basket.

So, I love this updated concept! It's got all the empowering energy without any of the shame. I see it as being a mantra for taking control of your energy, time, and trajectory. For being genuinely intentional and unwilling to waste your precious and limited resources. Not just at work but across all aspects of life.

LS: The cover image for this article features a photo of something that inspires you. Tell us more about it. What does it mean to you?

JB: This is a snapshot from one of my fashion history research appointments in grad school. It features some of my favorite things: 18th-century shoes, a robe à la française (the dress), and piles upon piles of books!

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Thank you for reading this edition of The Embossed Way! You will find new editions in your inbox once a month. My hope and goal for the series is to lift up female voices, showcase how they’re doing things differently (i.e. not taking the traditional path society tells them they have to, whether in work or in life in general), and inspire others to do the same.

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