( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Jacobs New Candle Line “Pivotal Moments” Releases
ENSPIRE Contributor: Gabrielle Maya
Jeannie Jacobs has been passionate about cooking, DIY projects, and interior design, even when she had scrubs working as an OB/GYN for two-plus decades. Although there have been life-changing moments when assisting in the miracle of birth, a part of her wanted to go a different direction in life. When becoming a lifestyle curator, she embodies the ethos of living on one’s terms, a new beginning when she took off the scrubs. Her journey showcases resilience and inspiration for others who want to pursue their passions. It was a pivotal decision that led to her becoming a lifestyle influencer and luxury realtor. “I was ready for a change, and then came the birth of Just Jeannie, a platform dedicated to empowering personal evolution and embracing change,” said Jeannie Jacobs, MD.
Jacobs founded Just Jeannie through her lifestyle pursuits, making luxury living accessible and relatable to everyone. Her down-to-earth approach redefines the concept of luxury. It showcases true luxury in the quality of our lives by living authentically, which adds a unique flavor to the brand. “Through my platform, I hope to empower others to shape their unique journeys,” said Jeannie Jacobs. Her platform offers curated experiences, lifestyle tips, and empowering insights. The debut product that kickstarted Just Jeannie was the “Luminosity” candle. Crafted blends of soothing aromatherapy and incorporating symbolism to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for women embarking on their personal journeys. You can also find the candle on Amazon and other online retailers.
“Creating Luminosity was a journey back to my roots, to those carefree days of my childhood when a simple song, “This Little Light of Mine,” filled me with hope and joy. That song taught me the importance of shining bright, no matter what. It’s a message that has stayed with me, reminding me always to let my light shine and inspire others to do the same. Luminosity, my awakening candle, is a tribute to those early lessons. It’s more than just a candle; it’s a beacon of inspiration, encouraging everyone to embrace their inner light and shine brightly in the world,” shares Jacobs.
Jacobs delves deep into her passion for lifestyle and luxury, how it started, from being an OB/GYN to changing her career path, including her philosophy of living your authentic life unapologetically. She shares how she curates media to spread that message. In addition, she also discusses the challenges of being a lifestyle influencer, the creation of Just Jeannie, and more.
Where did your passion for lifestyle and luxury start?
When I was about five years old, I spent countless hours in my bright yellow bedroom in South Carolina, immersed in the entire volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica, which my grandparents gifted to me and my brother, Joseph. Those books revealed a world of wonder for me. I meticulously noted all the places I dreamed of visiting once I could leave South Carolina. Egypt, Paris, the Maldives, Australia—the list was endless.
The joy of discovering these new places and cultures filled me with excitement. I yearned to explore destinations where I could indulge in unique culinary experiences and learn how to dine in style. My dreams weren’t necessarily perceived well for a young African-American girl from South Carolina then. So, I persisted onward with life.
My father owned local convenience stores, so I had access to magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan. These cherished magazines were my gateway to the world of fashion, igniting my passion for handbags, shoes, and certain styles of clothing—just all things glamour. This early exposure planted the seeds of my love for lifestyle and luxury, shaping the person I would become.
What began your interest and pursuit in OB/GYN, and when did you feel it wasn’t a career you wanted to do anymore? What changed?
My great-grandmother was a midwife, and several cousins were OB/GYNs. This familial connection instilled in me a deep passion for women’s health. I understood the profound significance of facilitating the birth of children and recognized how disparities in healthcare among people of color could have detrimental effects. Pursuing a career in OB/GYN was natural for me.
However, over the years of training and practice, I witnessed unsettling changes in the healthcare industry. Medicine became increasingly corporatized, eroding the security of being a physician. Somebody could replace Doctors without notice, workloads became more demanding, and compensation often needed to reflect the intensity of the work. The loss of autonomy compromised patient care in the worst ways.
The politicization of medicine further complicated matters. The rise of the anti-vaccine movement and the overturning of Roe v. Wade instilled fear among many doctors, who worried about persecution and losing their livelihoods for adhering to established standards of care in women’s health. The pandemic was when I decided to leap. I vividly remember a night in the labor and delivery triage when a patient at 31 weeks arrived, COVID-positive and hypoxic. She was verbally and physically abusive, refused to wear a mask, and dismissed COVID-19 as a hoax. Unfortunately, both she and her baby had poor outcomes.
At that moment, I realized it was time for me to pivot. I walked away from medicine with no regrets. I felt a profound sense of freedom, just like reading encyclopedias as a kid in South Carolina. My passion for lifestyle and luxury, nurtured in my childhood, played a significant role in this decision. I knew I needed to be in a place where I was respected and valued as a human being, an environment that was more caring and where I had control over my space and time.
You share that by being authentic and living life freely, and you are trying to inspire others to do the same. What kind of media content do you share with others that showcases your lifestyle, and how can others take what they learn and create their version of it?
On my website, justjeanniejacobs.com, I share blogs featuring home décor ideas, recipes, travel experiences, and various tips for living a well-rounded, luxurious life. I often expand on these ideas through tutorials on my YouTube channel, @justjeanniej. I’m obsessed with Pinterest boards; I love the collaborative vibe where people share inspiration and build upon it.
When people view my content, I inspire them to live their best and most authentic lives. I don’t intend for you to replicate what I do or how I do it. Instead, I encourage others to take the pieces that resonate with them and incorporate those elements to suit or elevate their lifestyles. Authenticity is key to living a fulfilling and luxurious life, and I want to inspire others to embrace their true selves.
What are some challenges and things to remember when being an influencer, specifically in the lifestyle industry?
One of the biggest challenges is navigating the ever-changing algorithms of various social media platforms. These shifts can be discouraging, but it’s important not to let them deter you. Consistency is vital—post regularly, create content aligning with your purpose /values, and ensure it adds value to your followers’ lives. However, the rewards of being an influencer in the lifestyle industry are also significant. You can inspire and connect with a broad audience and the freedom to create content that reflects your values and interests.
Technology evolves rapidly, and it’s overwhelming to keep up. My advice is to embrace new tools and platforms gradually. Focus on learning bits and pieces without trying to master everything at once. Don’t hesitate to hire help to implement strategies and develop content. Support lets you concentrate on your best work while ensuring your brand grows and adapts.
How did you get your lifestyle brand, Just Jeannie, up and running? What are some critical components in creating your unique aesthetic brand?
The inspiration behind my lifestyle brand, Just Jeannie, was born from a desire to share my authentic self and inspire others to do the same. My previous experience in creating real estate-related content was invaluable. Being familiar with various social media platforms and video editing apps, I realized that constantly posting real estate content was unfulfilling. It didn’t allow me to establish a genuine connection with my audience or express my true self. I felt like I was always selling, like a used car salesperson.
So, I made a bold decision. I deleted the 12,000 followers I had and restarted my account as Jeannie Jacobs, focusing on followers I knew. I began posting about myself—what I felt and liked and my visions for life’s possibilities. The newfound freedom I experienced after leaving medicine infused my page with authenticity and passion.
Unexpectedly, my follower count leaped from under 7,000 to over 22,000 in 2 months! It has continued to grow despite algorithm changes on Instagram. This rapid growth highlighted the impact of my vision and life purpose. People were inspired to live lives of abundance and to be authentic in their own spaces. The most critical component in creating my brand was defining what luxury means to me—not necessarily fancy cars or big homes, but finding clarity and purpose in one’s life.
Share with us the importance of your Luminosity candle and what new consumers can look forward to with the Pivotal Moments candle line and future products.
The essence of Luminosity and the Pivotal Moments candle line is about the inner light that guides each of us through life’s defining and challenging moments. This light brings clarity and purpose to our lives. Each scent evokes or creates memories, making the experience deeply personal and meaningful.
As we launch new fragrances, we’re also expanding into small home décor and culinary-related items such as linens, tableware, stemware, spices, and ceramics. I intend these products to synergize and elevate one’s lifestyle, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.
What are some ways you showcase your redefining luxury and authenticity, whether through sharing an experience, a new product, cooking, or decor?
Redefining luxury and authenticity involves transforming everyday moments into extraordinary experiences that reflect genuine passion and purpose. Through my social media channels and website, I share my journey of elevating the ordinary—cooking, decorating, or introducing new products.
For instance, when I cook, I don’t just focus on the recipe; I emphasize the entire experience—the ambiance, the presentation, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones. In home décor, I showcase how to create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and meaningful, incorporating elements that tell a story or evoke emotions.
When I introduce a new product like a candle from my Luminosity line, I share the inspiration behind it—the memories or feelings it captures—and how it can enhance one’s daily life. SoulScape, the latest core collection scent, is an ode to my recently deceased brother, Joseph. By being authentic and sharing these experiences, I aim to inspire others to find their definitions of luxury and authenticity, encouraging them to elevate their everyday lives in ways that are meaningful to them.
Part of her lifestyle message is finding ways to reconnect, relax, and recharge. Staycations are one thing she voices as a lifestyle curator. Planning and creating lasting memories without breaking the bank through low-cost activities is a great way to do a staycation.
A few Jeannie Jacobs Staycation Ideas Include:
- Explore the latest exhibits at your local museum or art gallery.
- Indulge in a scoop or two of ice cream.
- Check out the latest movies playing at your local movie theater.
- Experience the thrill of indoor karting.
- Get lost in a book at your local library branch.
“I created Just Jeannie because I wanted to be unapologetically me, to live life freely, and inspire everyone around me to do the same. It’s all about stepping into your purpose and becoming the best version of yourself without holding back. I see change as something beautiful, not something to fear. It brings out our strength, courage, and positivity, leading to changes we could only dream of. Looking back, I wish I had embraced this sooner, and that’s the message I want to share through Just Jeannie: it’s never too late to live your life with purpose and passion,” Jacobs says.
Jacobs recently announced a future product: a new line of candles called “Pivotal Moments.” A cookbook, coffee table books, a dream spice collection, and beautifully curated bed and bath linens are also on the horizon. Just Jeannie is your destination for living life beautifully and boldly on your terms, and I’m thrilled to guide you through this journey!
Jeannie Jacobs learned new things, gained culinary experience, and achieved her goal of being the next Martha Stewart in self-care, travel, chic home decor, and family fashion. To learn more about Just Jeannie, visit www.justjeanniejacobs.com. You can follow Jeannie Jacobs on www.justjeanniejacobs.com, on Pinterest @justjeanniejacobs, or her YouTube channel @justjeanniej. Follow Jacobs on Instagram and TikTok for all things Just Jeannie and her journey and lifestyle inspirations. For Jacobs’ candleline, visit www.pivotalmomentsbyj.com and on Instagram @pivotalmomentsbyjj.
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