All too often, people unknowingly stifle their potential by choosing invisibility over visibility, hindering their path to true success. Jodi-Kay Edwards, a remarkable marketing expert, understands this struggle intimately and is here to inspire change.
Jamaican-born Jodi-Kay Edwards embodies the American dream, but her journey to success was far from straightforward. Raised in poverty, her family’s move to the US revealed the stark contrast in how people took their privileges for granted. Edwards recalls a core childhood memory of surviving on meager meals but finding contentment in simplicity, even amidst hardship.
Transitioning from a small island to the bustling cityscape brought challenges, including bullying in high school due to her differences. In response, she chose to become invisible, avoiding vulnerability at all costs.
“I didn’t want to be seen because of the negative attention,” she explains, recounting how she lost her identity in her quest to fit in. However, Edwards gradually began embracing her uniqueness through fashion, recognizing its potential to catalyze her personal brand. Her flair for fashion led to opportunities like working as a wardrobe assistant on the show “Empire,” where her distinct style garnered recognition on and off camera.
“I realized that if I wanted to stand out, I could do so just by being myself,” Edwards emphasizes. After high school, she joined the military, transforming from a timid “yes” girl into a strong, independent leader who could confidently share her ideas with the world.
A pivotal moment occurred on the set of “Empire” when Taraji P. Henson commended Edwards for wearing her natural hair proudly. This reaffirmed the importance of authenticity in her life, a lesson she carries with her to this day.
As she now takes on clients as a celebrity brand manager, Edwards leverages her unique perspective on personal branding, knowing that confidence and clarity, when combined with strategy, lead to success. She believes that brands need more of this winning formula.
Today, Jodi-Kay Edwards wears many hats—celebrity Brand Manager, speaker, coach, actress, CEO of Alignment Is The New Hustle, and Co-Founder of Behind The Scenes Agency. Her agency, co-owned with Ajia Jackson, offers a wide range of media and marketing services, earning a solid reputation in the industry and listed as the Top Dallas Branding Agency along with accolades such as the #1 Startup on MTV Wes Bergmann’s “The Blox” and the Brainz 500 Global Award.
“Being in America really helped me realize that there’s a lot of people here with all of these tools and opportunities that they’re just not utilizing at their disposal because they’re so stuck in their head,” she reflects. There was a time when Edwards succumbed to this mindset, leading to unhappiness and stagnation.
Her breakthrough came through marketing, which inspired her first business, Alignment Is The New Hustle. This concept centers on aligning one’s mind, body, and soul with their intentions to unlock a state of “success mode.” Edwards met Ajia Jackson, who shared her vision, and together they founded Behind The Scenes Agency.
“We want to show people that we’ve been able to be successful by utilizing a lot of those values and other people can do it too,” Edwards explains. Their agency focuses on revealing individual or company authenticity through digital marketing, employing a done-for-you format that includes photoshoots, branding, marketing, and events to drive engagement and awareness.
Embracing one’s uniqueness and transitioning into a confident, empowered role isn’t easy, but it’s essential. You have the tools and opportunities to stand out, and with the right guidance, your brand can gain the recognition it deserves. Join the Behind The Scenes Agency family and watch your brand come to life. Explore their podcast, “The CEO Suite Podcast,” hosted by Jodi-Kay Edwards, where she freely shares business and brand strategies for success.
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