Jessica’s passion for music, dance, and theater has kept her driven for success. While living in Virginia, she belonged to the Fairfax Choral Society and performed dramatic and comedic plays in church starting at the age of seven. She belonged to three different choirs, Heritage Choral Large and Small Ensembles, and competed in singing solos throughout high school bringing in several titles at First Place. After moving to Florida with her family, Jessica won Top Teen Actor at Talent Rock in Orlando, FL which held over 2,000 contestants in her category and age division. She decided to audition for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and was accepted on scholarship.
Within a month she made the biggest move she had ever made and called Los Angeles “home” for the next couple years. Once she completed the program at the Academy, she became a company member at The Loft Ensemble in Downtown Los Angeles.
The biggest thing I learned about domestic violence is that people want victims to stay quiet.
Jessica has had broadcast journalism experience having worked in Las Vegas with UNLV’s Rebel Report & Studio G productions reporting life and sports on campus. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Performing Arts Alliance, the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, the Theatre Communications Group, and the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.
Now living in Florida, she is the Founder & CEO of Simply Her™, the all natural & organic period care package™ (simplyherpackage.com) and she is the blogger for the Just Jess Lifestyle Blog. She speaks from her heart as a Domestic Violence Advocate and a Performing Arts Education Activist.
She values great work ethic and is a goal oriented woman pursuing her true passions, while hoping to continue being an empowering and encouraging force for women around the world.
Who is Jessica Rosado?
I have always been a passionate person. This undying passion can be seen in all areas of my life- with family, friends, my goals and aspirations, and especially my career. I believe it was Rosa Nouchette Carey who said, “Do it with passion or not at all,” and I truly live my life by it. My life has had many twists and turns as they often do, leading me to where I am today. The beautiful moments and the struggles are something I wouldn’t change or ever regret. I am 100% Puerto Rican and take pride in being a Latina. My culture is beautiful and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate it more each and every day. My devoted passion for acting and singing has always kept me driven for success. At age seven, I belonged to the Fairfax Choral Society, performed in plays, sang in three different choirs, competed in singing solos (winning several First Place titles) and won Top Teen Actor at Talent Rock with over 2,000 contestants. I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts on scholarship and became a performing member for the Loft Ensemble in Downtown LA. I went on to study Broadcast Journalism at UNLV in Las Vegas and now living in Florida, I am the Founder & CEO of Simply Her™ (the all natural & organic period care package) and blogger of The Just Jess Lifestyle Blog. I wear many hats that keep me driven, motivated, and truly fill my heart with joy. I am a Domestic Violence Advocate and a Performing Arts Education Activist. I am a goal oriented woman pursuing what I am most passionate about and I only hope to continue being an empowering & encouraging force for women around the world.
What inspired the invention of your period care package “Simply Her”?
People always say the best businesses started out with an idea. I remember looking at my period app one day as it told me mine was coming around the corner and I thought, “Ughhhh my period is coming…I’m going to feel like crap…I already feel like crap… this sucks.” Then I thought, “I wish I had something to make me feel better.” That was my pivotal moment; my light bulb if you will. From that moment the ideas just began to flow as if they had always been there and were just waiting for the right time to come out. What I saw on the market for period packages were packages that contained hygiene products or junk food snacks that would only make me feel worse. I started to think about all the things that would make me feel good and that’s how Simply Her was born. It is the first of its kind in that it is the only period care package to offer all natural and organic products for the “me-time” you deserve. It’s a feel good box designed as a monthly subscription. Our period is often times a visitor we don’t want, so why not let the Simply Her package be the visitor you do want.
Can you tell us about the biggest obstacle you have faced, as an entrepreneur, and how you overcame it?
The biggest obstacle I’ve faced has been feeling overwhelmed. As an entrepreneur and especially with my company, I am the sustenance for everything. I am so particular on how the digital marketing is presented, the aesthetic look to the packages, products, etc. I remember being so overwhelmed at one point that I started to doubt myself. That is when I realized I had to bring people on board who I trusted and who I could trust my vision with. It has been so helpful and that overwhelming sensation is no longer there. I definitely am busy, don’t get me wrong but I no longer doubt myself and no longer feel that overwhelming sensation I once did.
If you could go back in time, what one piece of advice would you offer a younger Jessica?
Never let anyone, and I mean anyone, deter you from what your heart is set out to do. In life there will always be obstacles and curve balls that will try to steer you off path but stay the course and keep your eyes focused on what you were born to accomplish.
What / who inspires you and why?
Women who break barriers. I truly look up to a lot of women who were the “first” to do something. When you are the first to do something you are breaking a mold and telling society that a new age is coming and that is how we evolve.
You advocate for domestic violence, can you share your experience as to what prompted this decision and what impact do you believe your service to advocate has had so far within your community?
The reason Domestic Violence Awareness is close to my heart is because I myself had been physically abused by my partner for two years. It not only affected my body but it took a toll on me mentally and emotionally. The behavior started small, it crept its way in beginning with mental and emotional abuse and soon escalated into physical altercations. When I ended up in the hospital, I sat there thinking “This is not my life. This is not what my life was meant for.” That day I chose to no longer be a victim. I went through an uphill battle throughout that relationship and even after when I had to show up to court to face him again. The entire process took much healing and as I have made my way, pushing through the victim threshold and into a survivor, I continue to share my story and bring hope and encouragement to people who are either suffering, have suffered, or know someone who is. The biggest thing I learned about domestic violence is that people want victims to stay quiet. Most abusers (not all) have higher societal status and wish to keep their horrific secret private. When you talk about it, you stand up for yourself, you give hope to others, and you tell society that this behavior is not okay and will not stand. When I share my story, I am doing my part to help a community of people that need to be heard; a community of people that need to know they are not alone and that they have resources to leave such a situation.
What is the most important lesson being life has taught you so far?
Life has taught me strength- with its ups and downs I have found profound strength in pushing through and coming out on top and that valuable lesson “to keep going” is one I treasure.
When you are not working, what are you doing?
I am probably having dinner with my family, at the beach with my friends, or reading a book for inspiration.
What is your take on “women supporting women”?
It is essential! There is something so beautiful about a woman who is encouraging and supporting another woman. We are stronger together than bashing or belittling one another. There is room at the top for every woman to achieve what they wish to achieve and being able to have a community of women that support you, gives you comfort, hope, and strength.
What is one bad habit you are committed to changing?
Not acknowledging my accomplishments. Often times I get so consumed with the next step and my ambition keeps me moving so much so that there are moments where I feel I am not accomplishing enough. When that happens I pause and tell myself, “relax…stay the course…you’re doing just fine.”
Have you been involved in any collaborations in your business or advocacy work? Share your experience.
My favorite color is purple which is evident in the color I chose for the Simply Her logo and packaging. Purple represents a lot of things but in October, purple
represents Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this month, a portion of the Simply Her proceeds will be donated to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This a topic close to my heart and one that I speak on frequently. The more we bring awareness to domestic violence, the closer we get to unveiling its ugly mask to help so many that feel compelled to stay silent.
If you could recommend one woman for us to interview next, who would it be and why?
Liz Everett. She is a dear friend and incredible inspiration. She is a Total Image Stylist that encourages confidence in body image and being your best self inside and out.
What would you like to be remembered for?
I would like to be remembered as a woman who was full of light, who encouraged and inspired women to break barriers, leap over boundaries to accomplish everything their hearts were set out to do.
Connect with Jessica;
Website: www.jessicalrosado.com
Instagram: @IamJessicaRosado