Episode 272: Flowing Between Freelance and Dream Jobs | Jacqueline Lavitt Michaelsen | Creative Director & Art Director
What if saying yes to a full-time job didn’t mean giving up your freedom? In this episode, Kara talks with Jacqueline Lavitt Michaelsen, a creative director and designer whose career has flowed between freelance projects, corporate gigs, and a dream role with one of the top luxury brands in the world. They discuss the real lessons of building a creative business, what she learned from modeling and art direction, and why choosing structure doesn't mean you're selling out. This episode is about defining success for yourself, pivoting without shame, and staying close to your creative voice.
“Being on set made me realize I wanted to do the creative work behind the camera and be part of bringing a brand’s story to life.”
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Follow along using the Transcript
Chapters:
(00:00:01) - Modeling, Mood Boards, and Discovering Art Direction
(00:02:00) - From Graphic Design Student to Remote Freelance Creative
(00:05:15) - Growing Up in a Creative Family
(00:07:30) - Balancing Luxury Branding With West Coast Lifestyle
(00:10:20) - Lessons From Freelance: Pricing, Boundaries, and Sticky Projects
(00:13:00) - Seeing Her Work in the Wild: Bandier and Leisure
(00:16:30) - Female Empowerment, Jewish Identity, and Community
(00:22:15) - When to Pivot and Why It’s Okay to Go Back to Corporate
(00:27:30) - Her New Role at a Global Luxury Brand
When I moved to Portland, Oregon, I started to do athletic modeling. With that came seeing an art director on set, the photographer, understanding how everything comes into play because as the model, they do show you a mood board when you come on set. And this is how we want you to act and feel while you're in front of the camera.
That's Jacque Lavitt Michaelsen. I'm Kara Duffy, and this is the Powerful Ladies Podcast.
Welcome to the powerful ladies podcast.
Thank you. I'm excited to be here.
I'm excited to have you. I have had the pleasure of working with you on a handful of projects. And every time you've touched a brand I've been a part of, it's just been magic. So let's tell everyone who you are, where you are in the world and what you're up to.
Yeah, thank you. It's been great having getting to work with you through so many different people. So yeah, it's kind of like a close tight knit family that we have. But yeah, so I am originally from New York. I graduated from Towson University with a. Track and field scholarship. I studied graphic design and marketing.
In my senior year of college, I started to do freelance graphic design. And that was really the jumpstart into my career of where I am today. So when I graduated, I was able to take real life work that I had from my senior year along with all my Projects from college and present that portfolio to so many different brands and trying to get my name out there.
And it really just guided me into the route of doing freelance graphic design and then adding in art direction in, like, my most recent years. So it's been a really cool journey. I know we're going to talk a lot about it. But yeah, With that being said, I started everything remote, so I was able to move from New York to Oregon.
I was doing long distance. Relationship with my now husband, and so that's what brought me out to the West Coast, but I've loved every minute of it being able to venture out the creative industry on the West Coast to a lot of freelancers and entrepreneurs. It's been really great to be a part of that.
And now I'm based in Los Angeles and continuing my freelance journey, and that's kind of just like the sum of where I am today.
I love it. And then what's your name so we can tell everyone your full name?
Oh, that's important. My name's Jacquie Michaelsen. My freelance design company is Jacqueline Lavitt designs.
So part of why you and I have gotten to work together is that you married into maybe the most entrepreneurial family that I know, because everyone who's involved is an entrepreneur.
Absolutely. I mean, we all cross paths to like, we're all helping each other out in one way or another. Which. I had no idea I would be in so much, but forever grateful for it.
Yeah, I mean, my sister in law has a company called statement home. My mother in law is a very successful interior designer and has her own storefront now and my husband and his brother, another brother in law, In law they started a beverage brand that's doing incredibly well in California.
So
the other brother is a digital artist.
Yes, exactly. And so everyone's like meshing, we help each other out. We love like giving feedback and coming up with ideas together. So it's a big collaborative space. Very, very entrepreneurial.
If you look back at eight year old you, would she have imagined what you're doing today or the life that you have?
Probably not. I think that a lot of setbacks I had was coming from thinking I'm not good enough when I was younger. And being able to truly move away from home from where I was, or what I so thought was comfortable to me, I think helped. Me realize that I am good enough. I can establish myself no matter where I'm living.
So that definitely added some vote of confidence, but growing up, I definitely wouldn't have thought that I am where I am today.
And where did you and your husband meet?
We actually met in Israel, which is super special. We were both on sporting teams that were competing in Israel. It's called the Maccabiah and it's essentially the Jewish Olympics for anyone that doesn't know.
So we were long distance started long distance cause we had met overseas and he's originally from the West coast and I'm from the East coast, but we found our way back to each other. Especially through track and field, we were both out track and field athletes in college. So that's what really rekindled our relationship.
What did you compete in?
I, in Israel, it was actually my last chance to play basketball. So I was on the youth basketball team there.
I love that. And what did you run in track and field?
I was, I like to say I was forced into the four by four and that's
I was the other way. I was like 800 miler and they're like, we need you to run a leg in the four by four.
I'm like, really?
Yep. That always happens. And I actually was recruited for high jump and my mom was a high jumper at U of a, so it's. But I got, I definitely got forced into running, which I think no matter what event you specialize in, you're always doing something else on the track team.
Yes,
it comes with it
wherever there's a hole. You will be put. Yes.
You get it.
Yes. When you were growing up, like, did you come from a creative family? Like where did your eye and your creative, you know, leaning come from?
Definitely my mom. My dad is in real estate and it's not so creative. But my mom was a graphic designer. She now has her own stationary company where she creates invitations or any stationary that you need at home.
And also like custom products. So definitely came from her side of the family. My grandma's an incredible painter. I have her artwork like everywhere in my house, obvious, except for this one view. That's like but yeah, I would say it's my mom's side for sure. My brother, my older brother, I'm in the middle of the two.
Of two brothers. So my older brother is an incredible artist too, even though he didn't take that career route, it is amazing at hand drawing and we're all lefties. So, you know, very interesting, creative lefties. So yeah.
You, I think have such a unique eye that is able to take whatever brand you work with and elevate it while still making it feel, you know, Approachable and friendly.
Is that intentional? How did you develop that? It's like, who's inspired you to kind of find your path?
Yeah, absolutely. I feel like being from New York, I always would gravitate towards luxury brands in New York city. And it being like a fashion icon, a place where so many people go for luxury brands or luxury experiences.
So I think that always stuck with me. However, going from graduating in Maryland and then moving to Oregon. It's not so luxe. So I think that I was a little bit caught up there and then coming to L. A. I felt like, oh, this feels right. But with that being said, so much work that I've done has been remote that I'm able.
I was able to still have my personality and luxury design style shine through. I really love to create something that's modern and timeless. And I think with that being said, like less is more and I continue to find clients that really align with my style. And that's like, I mean, The number one thing when you are working with other people or someone comes to you with a potential project, it's like, does my style align with yours and just having that initial conversation from the gecko?
But yeah, thank you. I definitely my goal. So I'm finding through.
You know, so many people have an idea of what it can be like to do art direction or graphic design or brand building. As a freelance, you know, as their own business, what's advice that you would give them if they're thinking about it?
I would say, get right into it.
You know, if don't expect to make a ton of money at first, if you're just establishing yourself, it's really about gaining that experience of, you know, Connecting with the client, knowing the right questions to ask. And once you kind of have that experience under your belt, you can then realize what, how much am I worth?
How much do I need to charge for X, Y, Z, and really know like what you're going to give them for that price. But I mean, when I started, I was taking 50 logo design projects and just trying to like over deliver. And I always ask to provide feedback at the end, you know, any feedback is good feedback to me, you know, like something didn't work out.
Okay. Let me figure out how I make that not happen for the next client and every client is going to be different. And I think that communication just is the biggest part of it. I've gotten into some sticky situations where they, you 1 thing and I kind of. Took it as another, and it was a lot of back and forth and which extended a project.
And I think a lot of it is just practice and doing it over and over again, but there are so many things I can go into of, like, different mishaps that happened and all the different experiences and how you can't start it. With thinking that you're just going to get, you know, freelance money immediately, because that's not really how it works.
You have to build your portfolio, figure out what style you really gravitate towards and what you know that you can produce well and just showcase that. And then you will attract the right clients in the end.
What are some of your favorite projects that you've worked on?
I would have to say Bandier. I did freelance with them for a really long time.
I did a lot of social designs and email marketing and all the digital aspects, but they did task me with rebranding their Own athleisure line their luxury athleisure line. So I got to create a logo and patterns that were then like printed on product and then seeing it being worn in person is really cool.
And I still see it. I mean, in L. A. Like band year is very popular here. And it's popular in New York and it's a lifestyle athleisure brand. But that would be the coolest project. There was a whole campaign around the new designs and the logo. So I felt like that was a, a big moment in showing like, look, I can do more than just brand identity.
There's nothing better than seeing products in the wild. .
Oh yeah. A hundred percent .
Also with my husband's brand leisure you know, they, their can is everywhere, their hydration beverage, and so it's also really cool to see that we did work with an illustration artist, so I know what I can do well and if it's something that I feel like it is not.
Is not an aspect or a project that I can succeed in. I will outsource and work with someone. And I think that's also an important tip for anyone that is going freelance as well as knowing where your strengths lie and then maybe outsourcing to where they don't. But I do love that art direction of connecting the two.
So we worked with an illustration artist and I did copy and other designs to Their actual printed product, but along with that, been designing the website and any art direction and print collateral as well. So it's been really cool to see them grow and see people recognize the brand as well. And that was a completely different space for me.
The C. P. G. Space for beverage. Specifically, it's a whole nother ballpark, constantly revising and editing copy on the can. So it's sort of a never ending project, but that's just because they're learning as they go. They're constantly getting feedback from other people and. Like likewise with everything that I do in freelance as well.
I saw them when I went to Sprouts last time and I was like, Ooh, I know who they are.
It's such a great feeling. It's really awesome. Yeah, there's, there's not much like it. I mean, I've done freelance for a couple of brands that are starting out and then Never went past that. So, like, there are a lot of designs that I've made and I've gotten paid for, had a great relationship with the client, but they might not have seen that specific project through or what they were starting through.
So, that was kind of like, when that happens, you're a little discouraged, but it's nothing to the designer. It's just they didn't continue to push their concept. Be out in the world. So some of that's like a little bit I don't know the correct word is that I'm looking for but not necessarily discouraging But you're like, oh, I just want to see it out there like I work so hard But in the end, you know, it's not up to you.
You do what you can on your side of things.
The hardest thing I have to do is Let people decide to walk away From a business or a brand that they have, because I know that any business or brand can be successful. There's always a way to make it successful. And it speaks so much to the grit that people have.
And just knowing like, no, it's going to be successful. It's bumpy right now. We're going to get there because it's so easy. Logic tells you to walk away from starting a new business.
Right.
It's lonely. It's hard. It's always more expensive than we thought it was going to be. Like you're missing out on social activities because you're working later, flying somewhere for a meeting and you're making choices that are going to pay off down the road, but they don't short term.
And that takes a different spirit to be ready to be in it for the long haul.
Absolutely. I, you know, there's like why you exist, why your business exists, like to have that voice, like you can do it. You just need this plan and expectations are that it will happen by so and so date, but it's not going to necessarily be tomorrow.
I also think that you made a wise choice in your husband because someone who does start a business that can stick through it, those qualities, what we do in business, what we do in life. So stick to it. And this is what you want in a partner. Absolutely. And
it is really tough. I don't know how a lot of people work with their significant others full time, because I don't think I can do that.
I know my, I know our boundaries, but you know, we do both work late nights, whether we're like working together or separately, and it, it comes with it. And just knowing that this isn't a long term thing we're grinding now. So we can. Do what we need to do in the end and get, you know, reach our goals and be where we want to be.
So it definitely is important. It's not easy. It's definitely hard.
Yeah.
It's worth it.
Was that quote we need to be willing to like, Live life like no one else now so we can live like no one else later.
Yeah.
But it is It's like we really have to keep coming back to our path our journey our path our journey So it's it's good that you not only have a husband but a whole Family and your mom and like their whole you have a community around you of people who have done things their way and I think that that's It's so important and maybe not celebrated enough lately.
Yeah, you're so right.
People who start off in graphic design don't always end up doing creative direction and art direction and websites and product design and, oh, and by the way, I can model for your photos when you need them. So like, how have you taken up space in this art direction, creative direction world?
Because it's really easy to get pigeonholed and like, Oh, just do the logo. You and I both know that the logo is step one of 500. To really bring a brand to life. So how have you elbowed your way in to be allowed the responsibility to truly nurture a brand in a more 360 way?
Yeah. I mean, that's a great question and definitely important to voice that if someone comes to me for a logo, I'm like.
You know, logo is part of a brand identity and brand guidelines that you need and I'll, like, explain everything that goes into it where I need to 1st, understand your target audience, what your end goal is. And I need to know the information so that I can best produce what you need. With that being said, I did start doing a lot of logo sign from the beginning and then doing Facebook ads and social media ads.
But when I moved to Portland, Oregon, I started to do athletic modeling. So, I think that. With that came seeing an art director on set, the photographer, understanding how everything comes into play because as the model, they do show you a mood board when you come on set. And this is how we want you to act and feel while you're in front of the camera and something about seeing the direction and talking to them.
The photographer and how the photographer was talking to me when I was in front of the camera you know, to be like, lean more to the left or like, move your chin, you know, all these little details. I was like, well, this is this is cool. Like, there's a lot more that goes into this rather than just throwing a model in with a photographer.
There's a whole overarching concept. And I started to gravitate towards that, like the more I was modeling, I was like, it's fun being in front of the camera, but I want to be behind it. I want to, like, come up with the concepts, create the campaigns and, and be a part of, you know, how a brand is visually representing themselves more than just, you A logo so I do think that modeling helps me kind of identify.
Oh, art direction. That's what I really want to do. And when Kobe broke out, I started to reach out to a bunch of brands in Portland who couldn't. No one was really making content and I was like, okay, maybe there's something here and I would reach out. I made a whole mood board. What I can do to produce photography for them for social.
So, I mean, everyone was buying online after a certain point. So I was like, okay, what can I do? So I reached out to jewelry brands and a few, a few other brands, but really trying to stick to like, you know, Health wellness and fashion oriented brands. And so that was cool because then I just did pro bono photo shoots where there weren't, you know, they didn't have much to say.
They were like, this is our brand, but here you go. Cause it was free. And I think that. That made me be even more excited. And I think that you can kind of understand where passion lies because you want to create something regardless of any money coming in. And it was a favor essentially, but I wanted to do it and I loved doing it.
So then I started to add art direction into the mix and. I got hired for it now. So it all will come together, but I think not money shouldn't be like the sole purpose of why you want to do something. And I think that getting to be a creative manager and art director really did stem from like opening the door into starting to model.
Was it terrifying when you first started to model or was it fun right from day one?
So nervous for everything, I think I put on a very like strong, like aura or something like people can't believe that I got nervous, but I get so nervous. Even like my brother recently got married and I gave a speech at his wedding and I went around to tell everyone I was nervous so that I was really nervous, but I did also, if I messed up.
Everyone knew I was nervous and I don't, I don't, I, you know, I'm trying to like feel a little less nervous the more I do things and put myself out there, but I also just think it means I care so much. So I don't want to ever, ever completely get rid of the nerves, but they are always there. When it came to modeling, I think it took like three shoots where I was like, okay, I got this and you kind of like warm up in the beginning after you meet everyone.
And by the end of the day, it's you're like buddies with everyone. And, you know, you feel way more comfortable, but it's, it's the first interaction. That's definitely tough. But again, like with everything, whether it's, It's my freelance business. It was modeling or anything in life. It's just the more you do, the more comfortable you'll feel.
Not a model, but when I have to do photo shoots for my own brand. I know right away, whatever the first kind of outfit or look is, chances are, we're going to ditch all those photos because I'm just not relaxed yet. So we always pick an outfit I'm not excited about, and we do that one first.
You are a model because we work together on bougie.
That's true. That's true. I have been a model for multiple client brands because there just wasn't anyone else to do it.
So when you look at the words powerful and ladies, what are those words mean to you? And do they mean something different when they're next to each other?
Oh, I like this question. I think that they definitely mean something different when they're next to each other. I mean, we're adding women into the mix, but powerful itself.
I feel like it's, it's having the strength to do what you want to do and knowing that Your own voice is the only thing that would hold you back. I think that kind of just ties in with me as an eight year old self thinking like, oh, you're not good enough. But I was and I, I am. I just didn't have that, that inner voice strength, like, louder than that other voice speaking to me.
But, you know, powerful ladies together. I think that that makes me feel even like more comfortable rather than just hearing powerful, because it feels like there is a collaborative space of women that want to see each other succeed and support one another. Which I absolutely love.
How does female empowerment show up differently in the different communities that you're a part of?
Yeah, I mean, I grew up also from New York, but I grew up in a really Jewish community. It wasn't, it was a public school, just there were a lot of Jewish boys and girls around a lot of Jewish families. And when I went to Towson university, it was so diverse that, you know, it was a little bit of a culture shock for me.
Trying to figure out, like, where do I belong? There weren't many Jewish people. I didn't necessarily feel alone because I had the track team, but my religion, I didn't, you know, I didn't celebrate things as I would when I was home. So I didn't really do Shabbat dinners. And then, you know, as I got older and Married my husband who was also Jewish.
It was really special that now, okay, we do light the candles every Friday night, and they're just something, there's a, a sentiment in it where you're, you're feeling good to embrace who you are. And I just hope that with Judaism and other religions that we can. Continue to do that as women. And just because someone believes in one religion doesn't make them a bad person, you know, we can all co exist and we all have great things to offer.
So I think that that has been like a huge part. I mean, lately given all the current events happening and it has been really hard. It's been especially hard for my brother who's in law school. And can't imagine being Jewish in college right now. It's super scary. So I just, if there is anyone in college listening and is a powerful lady just want to say that you're not alone.
Whether you are Jewish or not, you know, we should all be here to support one another.
Yeah. I don't, women are not the reason that people are getting divided on religion.
A hundred percent.
There's every woman I know cares. It's like, it's about fixing things. It's about healing things. It's about connecting things. And the idea that any religion makes dramatic differences between people is just such nonsense. Right. And growing up on the East coast, like it's, I can't even believe we're having these conversations today that we are, because I'm like, wait, what? Everything was fine. What are you talking about? Like, it's been a diverse community for such a long time.
And I think it's just an example of, it's the same reason why like women's empowerment can feel boring sometimes. Cause you're like, don't we have this already? Isn't this done? And then you turn around and you're like, Oh, it's not done. Okay, hold on. Right. But, and it's, it's just the same thing, but I think that the The modern younger generations are just so over it because there's so much repression happening.
Like name your demographic LGBTQ native, like whatever it is, we're not being treated the way that we know that we deserve to be. And it's a human to human thing first. So I do think it's so special when you can find a partner who either participates or honors the things that matter to you and the things that tie you back to all of the people who have come before you that allowed you to be here.
I'm actually really excited because I, I go to front Passover at a friend's house every year. And this is the first year I'm allowed to make something. So I'm responsible for making her Rosa.
Wow. I know. That's amazing. That's so funny. They didn't, they're like, okay, this year we're going to allow you
now I'm allowed.
Yeah. We were making pre making latkes last weekend. And Yeah. Now I'm making my own dish. I'm allowed to be independently.
Those are no joke. Lakas are hard work. They are. And there's Or whatever it might be, it is hard work. It's a lot.
But they're delicious, so I feel like it's so worth it.
So worth it.
And like, Just to be able to share and bring everything you've cooked with everyone. And I was like, Oh, because you're so good. This like, everyone just loves to be together, you know, kind of just going back to what you're saying about different religions and really all most Jewish holidays are, you know, let's put some good food in front of friends and family, and let's all hang out and have a good time.
And there's so much commonality in that. And it's so special. So, One religion does it one way, another religion does it another way. It's, it's the essence of being together with friends and family and no distractions, like just being together.
And just being so thankful. The fact that we have family, we have friends, we have food, we have a Shelter to have this gathering under like I was joking at Passover last year.
I'm like this should this shouldn't be called Passover It's just like appreciating humanity. Can we rename like right do people know what this is actually about right? Because it's it is it's like it's reminding us what we can be as people. Yes All right, so we went on a whole tangent. Thank you for that.
I'll let you know how my harissa goes forever. Yeah please save me a small container.
Yeah, I will. I'm like shipping this to you to see if it would pass the test. Thank you.
Definitely. Let me know how it goes.
I absolutely will. So we ask everyone on the podcast where you put yourself on the powerful lady scale.
If zero is average everyday human and 10 is the most powerful lady possible. How would you rate yourself today and on an average day?
I mean, I don't think I'm there at a 10, you know, I still get super nervous. I don't know, maybe like a five, I think just below average. I, oh, this is like, this is really tough.
I think it's a five because I, I've had seven years of freelance of meeting people and really like doing what I can to put myself out there, but by no means am I done yet. And I have a lot of growth to do still. Yeah, let's go, let's go with five.
Okay. I like it. So we were talking before we hit record about how you're so proud that all this hard work that you've put into building Your art direction and creative direction career as a freelancer has finally opened up an opportunity for a brand that you are very excited to work with, whose name we cannot mention, but everyone listening, it's amazing.
Like it is amazing. It's one of the top luxury brands in the world. So how did this experience come about? How do you feel about it? What are you excited about?
Oh my God. I'm like grinning ear to ear right now. So obviously like, So, so excited. It's a huge pivotal moment for me because seven years.
Freelancing, I sometimes would be in a rut of, okay, what are you just like, continuing to go through, like, client after client, like, not meaning that I didn't, you know, succeed and do everything I needed to do for the client, but I was kind of like, okay, what's what do I want next? Like, what is the goal of this?
And I continue to question it. A great opportunity came along and I was like, I see why I'm doing all of this. And I mean, it's a huge change for sure. I mean, the flexibility in my schedule will be more limited. But with that comes this new role comes up. Amazing responsibility and growth that I can only imagine how helpful it will be for me in my career and my personal life.
I am excited to manage a team like I am really looking forward to this role and I and even more excited that it's headed towards the art direction side of things. So really saying that what I wanted is. It is a goal, but there are going to be many goals now, now added to my list, but yeah, I, I keep saying to myself, wow, I'm wrapping up my freelance projects right now, which is a little bit of a challenge because I really want them to be done before my start date, but I also don't want to rush them, but In the back of my head, I'm like, okay, I think I've graduated from brand identities after I like this.
So it's exciting. I am so, so thrilled for the change. And yeah, I'm excited to see where it's going to lead me. It does include another move. So I'm going back to the East coast but it's sort of home for me. So
it's a new adventure.
Absolutely.
And it's a new part of the East Coast for you, right? So haven't lived there yet full time.
So great.
I know. Yeah. It's amazing.
I think that there's a, I was having a conversation with a woman the other day about how part of my business coaching has moved on to helping people know when to close their business. Or to take on the next thing. Because so often we think, Oh, we started a business.
We're going to have this business forever. And it's like, why nothing else is forever. And so I think it's important to talk about that. There's seasons that we go through with our business, whether it's, okay, we're an entrepreneur. Entrepreneur right now. Now we're going back into the corporate world. But as you mentioned, you've always had very entrepreneurial approach to what you're doing.
So I don't think we have to give up those same values. It's just a project structured differently. Like it's longer term. It's with the team. It's just that one client. They just happen to pay you a W2 instead of a 1099.
Health insurance.
Yeah. Yeah, I mean, It's definitely not giving up things. I do know that I can always go back to freelance and if it's not the freelance that I'm you know, sort of wrapping up now, it's going to be freelance in some other type of way.
But I do hope to be in this role for, like, a very long time sense of, you know, learning and collaborating with more people. That is the only thing with. Freelance is that you're collaborating with your clients and unless you have other designer, art director, friends, or friends within the realm of which you are to give feedback, you're sort of judging it on your own.
So I think it can limit growth unless you put yourself out there. So, yeah, I don't think it's necessarily giving up anything either, but it is important to know when it might be time. To move on and. If it is something that you enjoyed, you can always come back to it.
And just to know that it's, it's okay.
Like you're not selling out by choosing an awesome corporate job.
Right?
Like, it's just not true. And I think it's like a myth that's happening right now where like, why can't you jump between your own thing to working for someone else? Like it's really, isn't that different? It's. Like they're giving you all these opportunities and all this experience that you could have to work who knows how long to get.
So why not take the shortcut? Because this amazing company. Values you and wants you on their team.
Right. And I think that there's some some people are like, that I tell who I might not be close with. Oh, you're going, you're working for corporate worlds, like from freelance and then there's like this little stigma of why would you ever do that?
But I don't know. I've been freelancing for seven years. This is totally my next step. I thought. Not that it would matter, but I'm not taking a, a job that's like below, you know, like entry level or, or that would be kind of going in an opposite direction. But it's sometimes hard for people to grasp, like, oh, you're going, you're going back to corporate or you're going to corporate.
I'm like, yeah, and I'm like, I totally am. I couldn't be more excited. So yeah, you know,
yeah, I, I never thought I was in my MBA is an entrepreneurship. I never thought I'd work for anyone else, but I had the best time working for other people because I got to be entrepreneurial. I got to make new things.
I got to travel the world. I got to hang out with cool people. It hits so many of the values that I still have now. It's just. I really think of it the way I said of before I worked with a bunch of different categories at one company. And now I work with a bunch of different companies, but who I am and how I'm showing up, it's the same.
Like the biggest challenge is not having like work friends, but my clients have become friends. So I think that's the same.
A hundred percent.
But that's why I think it was so important to tell this part of your story, because I want people to like, you can do whatever the hell you want. And if it's fun to you, go chase it.
So I'm proud of you. I'm really excited. This is such a cool opportunity for you. And I, I just know like your magic wands with this place is going to be. Really extraordinary. So I'm excited to see it. Thank you. I appreciate that. You're welcome. So for everybody who wants to follow you, support you, cheer you on where can they do that?
You could follow me at Jacqueline Lavitt designs on Instagram. My website is also Jacqueline Lavitt designs. com or Jacqueline Lavitt. com. And yeah, you could follow me there. I'm also on LinkedIn as Jackie Michaelsen. I try to include. Lab it is my middle name. So I tried to include it everywhere I can so people know it's connected.
Marriage can sometimes complicate things. But yeah, I'm Jacqueline lab at Michelson is my full name. So it should come up regardless. We'd love to connect to anyone who's interested or wants to learn more about freelance and has any questions for me.
And where can they find leisure? If they want to support the husband's company, which is delicious, and I highly encourage it.
Yes, absolutely. In Bristol farms and sprouts. And if you're in LA, it's an air one and choose to grocers. They also are in Giada, an amazing sandwich spot in LA. So definitely check them out. They're leisure project. co. So yeah, they're delicious hydration beverage, low in sugar, everything you need for that afternoon feel good.
Yes, I need one right now.
Absolutely.
So we are a big, powerful community. The last thing I want to ask you today is what can we do for you? What's on your to wish or to manifest list? How can we help you?
Oh my gosh. I guess like support, you know, and knowing that. I'm going on to a new opportunity which I'm so excited about, but I am also so nervous.
So just knowing that, you know, we have each other's backs and we're there if we need advice for each other. I think that that would be wonderful.
All right. I love that. Well, thank you so much for being a yes to me and the powerful ladies. I'm so excited for where you're going next and yeah, I'm proud of you.
Thank you.
Thank you. I appreciate it. This was amazing.
All the links to connect with Jackie are in our show notes at the powerful ladies. com subscribe to this podcast wherever you're listening and leave us a rating and review. Join us on Instagram at powerful ladies. And you can connect directly with me at CaraDuffy. com or Cara underscore Duffy on Instagram.
I'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Until then, I hope you're taking on being powerful in your life. Go be awesome and up to something you love.
Related Episodes
Episode 192: Creating a Viral TikTok Product Business with Abby Michaelsen
Episode 102: Mark & Elizabeth McGarry
Episode 29 : Courtney Evors
Instagram: @jacquelinelavitt.designs
Website: www.jacquelinelavittdesigns.com
LinkedIn: jacqueline-lavitt-michaelsen
Email: jacquelinelavitt@gmail.com
Created and hosted by Kara Duffy
Audio Engineering & Editing by Jordan Duffy
Production by Amanda Kass
Graphic design by Anna Olinova
Music by Joakim Karud
