Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Dimaya.
Jocelyn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After graduating from college in 2017, I found myself where most do. I was wondering what was next. I didn’t have a clear plan, but I was excited for the next chapter of my life. I had spent four years at Calarts and was moving back to my hometown of Bakersfield which is very conservative and didn’t have the most exciting art scene.
I was gonna be in town for six months before moving abroad and there was one rule I needed to live by, “BE INTENTIONAL. MAKE AN IMPACT.” Long story short, I created just as much work designing clothing and putting paintbrush to canvas in the six months after college as I did while I was in school. And by doing, my business just kinda started and I ran with it. I realized that I didn’t have to apply for another job if I was willing to put in the time and energy into my artwork.
Now I’m two years in. I’ve been running a creative business for two years. A lot has changed along the way, but it started because I just kept making work and putting it out into the world.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, the debt I acquired through college has easily been my biggest struggle. I definitely don’t regret it, but I constantly have to remind myself that I am in fact doing well. It’s definitely a mental game. There is a specific interaction I encounter often where someone asks me what I do, typically this person is 35-60 years old and when I tell them that I’m an artist and a designer who runs my own business, they ask “But what do you do for money?” While I get a little offended because some people just don’t see how a 23 years old woman can support herself like the badass businesswoman that she is, I just have to remind myself that this question is a chance to educate as well as inspire to change the perspective of others.
Though I believe that anyone can make a living doing what they love if they are driven to do so, many people still prefer safe and practical jobs. For those more practical people, it may be harder to understand how someone like me could take such a risk.
While it isn’t always easy and I certainly am not making excessive amounts of money, I am able to pay all my bills and maintain the lifestyle I want and that’s really what
matters.
Jocelyn Shares – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I run three business. Two of them are partnerships with my best friend, Amanda Shaffer. Kern Creatives is an organization that aims to build community and inspire creativity in a Kern County. The Studio is where we teach group sewing classes called Sip & Sews. We also host dye workshops and teach private sewing lessons.
My personal business is called Jocelyn Shares. It started as a platform for me to share what I was making. I sold my paintings and prints and made custom clothing. After creating a line of Bakersfield inspired merchandise, other local businesses have reached out to me about collaborations. This has really lit my fire! I love creating and I love working with others- this is probably because I started my artistic practices in designing costumes for theatrical productions. Collaborations are my jam. I especially love that I can be creative in a way that helps others start or improve their businesses because I know that this type of work has more lasting benefits. It’s a way for me to pour into my community and make a living doing it.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moments have come when I’ve realized the impact I have in my community. It’s one thing to be supported by your friends and family, but it has been so incredible to host an event that is supported and attended by hundreds of people in the community that don’t have a direct connection to me. When I get hired or even referred out by people that see what I do even though they have never met me, I am reminded that what I do matters.
I have an impact on not just the people closest to me, but to a greater community. It is a little daunting sometimes, but the responsibility is also a real honor because I know that I can do things to make a lasting difference in my community.
When I operate my business in a way that focuses on inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability, others can see that and hopefully these values can overflow onto others around me. This gives me leverage when I talk to local politicians about issues like accessibility to recycling. It definitely makes me proud to know that my career has put me in the position to make positive change in my city.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2005 Eye St
- Phone: 6618891823
- Email: jocelynshares@gmail.com
- Instagram: Jocelynshares
Image Credit:
Perla Ucles, Daniel Woods, Brian Yanez, Tai Hooks, Cristabelle Camacho Lujan
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
