We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jessica Meza. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Becoming a mother has always been a dream of mine. But I never anticipated having a child born with a chronic, life-threatening illness. My son was born with Prune Belly Syndrome, a rare kidney disease. For his entire life I have focused all of my energy on him. Making sure he has the best care, taking him to countless doctors appointments and spending endless nights in the hospital when his illness warranted. In doing this, I believed I was being a good mother. And I was but I also lost myself. I pushed my needs and feelings to the side to focus on him. Within the last year I have found the courage and strength to reclaim who I am, not just as a mom, but as woman, a person, a living, breathing human being. I have worked so hard to regain my physical, mental and emotional health and I am so proud of what I have accomplished. Everyday is still a work in progress but I feel happy again. And I know that feeling this way truly allows me to be the best mom I can be for my son.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi readers! My name is Jessica and I am a lifestyle and portrait photographer. I own a small business, Locked Garden Photography, here in KC. I am self-taught but have a creative eye and an innate ability to capture artistic details. I love meeting new people and my goal is to be able to serve others from all walks of life. I value kindness and acceptance and believe beauty comes in all forms. I am a mom to a child with special needs. My son gives me strength and teaches me what true bravery and resilience looks like everyday.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
In my early adult life, I worked at a small coffee shop. I believe this job really shaped me and helped define my work habits with lessons I still carry with me today. My manager, who we called Cap’n, was the most compassionate and encouraging boss I’ve ever had. He always saw the good in others and did his best to foster the talents and abilities in all his employees. He was not just a manager, but a true leader, who led by example with humility, patience and kindness. Cap’n always maintained an atmosphere of fun in the workplace but taught me (and all of us) how to work with a sense of urgency. I learned how to be a good steward under his leadership and to give my best in every task, no matter how important or mundane it might be. He was someone that when he saw a need, he didn’t delegate to get it met. He rolled up his sleeves and stepped in to work along side us, often doing the jobs everyone avoided. He saw me for who I was and he saw my strengths and weaknesses. Always encouraging me to improve in where I lacked and providing me opportunities to shine in my competencies and talents. I owe so much to the Cap’n and his dedication to every employee that worked under him. I am grateful to have learned so much about work ethic and life from him.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I think if I could go back in time and talk to my younger self, I would tell her it’s ok. Everything is going to be ok. Life is going to be hard and there’s going to be moments where you feel like giving up but you are strong and you have what it takes to persevere. Your kindness is not weakness. Your open heart and trusting nature is not naïveté. Your loyalty to others is one of your greatest assets. YOU ARE ENOUGH. You will always be enough. You are not for everyone and that is ok because you are exactly who you are meant to be and for the ones that matter, it will always be enough. You are strong and you are beautiful and you are an overcomer. You can do hard things. Never forget your own power and your ability to make others feel that they are special and valuable. And smile. Always. Even through the hard times. Smile and see how that changes you from the inside out.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think I absolutely show the real me to the public eye. But maybe not all of me. A person is so much more than what you meet on the street or read about in an article. I always try to showcase my best, true self. And I avoid showcasing my weaknesses, my pain and my struggles. Sometimes, I feel, at a disservice to myself. So many people who have seen or heard my journey as a mom to a child with chronic kidney disease think I’m this strong, indestructible woman. And I am strong. But I’m not indestructible. I fall and I falter. I have moments where I just want to give up and hide. But I don’t show this side to everyone because it’s painful and it’s vulnerable. And like most people, vulnerability is scary.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
My hope would be that after I’m gone I will leave a legacy of kindness and love. I want people to remember me for how I treated others with compassion and grace. That I was slow to anger and quick to forgive. I’m by no means perfect and I still have much work to do in building this legacy. I need to learn to treat myself with kindness and grace most days so that I am able to freely give it to those who I meet on my life’s journey. Every person in my path has something valuable to teach me. I hope that I can inspire this type of acceptance and gratitude in others and that someday it can be a foundation for love and peace everywhere.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Lockedgardenphotography.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DHr2XzFD5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
