Check Out Jae Ramos’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jae Ramos.

Hi Jae, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
You can say that the current chapter of my life started when I left what I thought was my dream job. Or better yet, it started when Nic Adler (Goldenvoice restaurateur) introduced me to Bill Fold (Coachella, Monty’s Good Burger) when I was invited to have the first burger off the grill to help them launch the first Monty’s Good Burger in Los Angeles, in my beloved Koreatown. I remember Bill punching me in the arm and asking, “What did you do?” I had no idea why he was excitedly freaking out and then he said, “we have a line outside.” I had posted a story onto my Instagram that caused a 15-person line to form within 10 minutes. The location wasn’t supposed to open until three days later. At that point, I realized the power of storytelling and it made me dream larger than my dream job.

My business degree helped me pave my professional career of over 10 years working for corporations, non-profits, and internationally, but it also limited my focus on my creative career where I always found the most happiness in. So at the peak of my professional career, I decided it wasn’t for me and that I wanted to “Make a living off of living.” I wanted all my hobbies to be my career and I believed in my knowledge of business to not screw it up. I was leaving a lot behind in exchange for much more. I couldn’t screw it up.

I began creating content that didn’t fake the funk, was true to my roots and transferred emotions through storytelling. It took a couple of years to develop, a lot of reassuring myself that being a Chief Thinker and Creator was my career even if I had yet to get paid. Once I started getting paid for simply eating vegan food, going on a hike, giving a talk, traveling, or just sharing what I do, who I am, I realized every step of the journey was worth every emotion.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Everything that’s worth wild is not easy. You learn a lot about yourself, business, and others on a daily. You have to be your biggest fan, sometimes your only fan. Protect your energy. Everything that happens in your journey is a learning experience, never stop learning. Pursuing your goals can sometimes be lonely, embrace it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
From food and travel to the outdoors and lifestyle, I tell stories that bridge the plant-based world with culture. Both in front and behind the camera, I’ve built relationships with organic audiences that connect them emotionally and make them responsive. By sharing my life through relatable and enjoyable videography & photography, I’ve built my community.

I’ve had the privilege of creating content with Snoop Dogg, Billie Eilish, Guy Fieri, Kilo Angeleno, and Joaquin Phoenix. I’ve been featured in People Magazine, Variety, Food Insider, Thrillist, and various vegan publications. I’ve been named a top vegan influencer for the last two years. I’ve created content in Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. I’ve done and continue to do everything that makes me happy. I bridge culture with the plant-based world and as a Chief Creator for various brands, I continue to sprinkle a little sazón on their content.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in sports and rapping. Almost didn’t go to college so I could pursue my rapping career, but later decided that I needed a business degree to be able to understand all the contracts I would have to sign. I grew up in Koreatown when it was a bit rough which inspired my writing, but luckily was naturally book-smart and was able to attend Loyola High School where I learned the importance of being brown in predominantly white spaces. It’s helped me in the vegan world, and the schooling has helped me with all the contracts the vegan world has given me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aveganandher/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP7B12J0mLvXdZDhDFacCBg
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=JjMFOscEkxs4GV8JaW9swQ

Image Credits
@aVeganAndHer