Columbus-based Jasilika Davidson always loved writing, fashion and being creative. It was only relatively recently that she combined her passions into her blog, Jasilika's Faith Walk. The fashionista answered some questions for us about blogging, her favorite post and her inspiration. See what she had to say below:
What made you decide to start blogging?
As a child, I always loved public speaking, creative writing, and fashion. As much as I loved them, I didn’t know all that I wanted to know about them. I was curious and ambitious with big goals that I wanted to achieve and no clear plan (road map) of how I would accomplish all that my mind could dream. For me, the first logical step was college where I majored in Mass Communications. There, I learned about digging my heals in the dirt and chasing down my passion as if my life depended on it.
I was a fan of entertainment news where glitz and glam was all the rave. I watched, I emulated, and I dreamed of telling the stories of others as well as sharing my own. At that time, blogs, podcasts, and having a YouTube channel were not big things (can you imagine that?). The only influencers around were celebrities and everyone wanted to know what they were doing and what they were about, especially me. Nothing happened by chance…everything required hard work, determination, and an opportunity to be heard…to be seen.
Years went by and I realized that my dream was bigger than me; it was God-sized. HE had placed in my heart to follow his lead and use my gifting to live my purpose by telling the stories of people and to share my Faith Walk with them. At that time, I didn’t know what that meant or how it would all fall into place. Did fashion and family even belong in my faith walk? As I prepared, I wrote visions (many visions, if I could be honest), kept the faith and waited on his timing. I decided not to let self-doubt or denying my purpose creep in. I had to trust the process and to trust God.
When God puts the puzzle pieces together just perfectly, you don’t have to question if it’s him or his timing; you know it and you trust it. Honestly, the life and style blog was birthed out of trusting God more than myself. I wasn’t initially sure how people would receive this 41-year old fashionista who is on fire for God and her family, but I knew that the timing was right and that this is my season. So, I pushed fear away…made sure that God was at the foundation, the center of it all, and began to share on Instagram, created a blog, and added a whole lot of LOVE to this dream that I’m living.
Each day is an opportunity to share - to learn and to grow. For that gift alone, I am grateful.
What advice would you give to someone just starting a lifestyle or fashion blog?
The most important lesson that I’ve learned and I’m still learning with hopes of mastering it is to be my whole and complete self. While others are skilled and talented, there is only one you and no one does YOU better than you DO. So, stop looking to the left and the right to see what others have, what they’ve done, and how you can surpass them. Instead, focus on YOU being genuine; be authentic, be driven, and be unstoppable. Build your brand that is representative of you and your values. Share and do what you love and everything else will follow.
Where do you find inspiration for your posts?
I find inspiration everywhere. It’s like a love affair; it is the driving force for all that I do. Since inspiration comes in many forms, I seek it; I long for it. I attract inspiration and hope to give it as well. I remember once seeing a vase and flowers and decided to use those colors in an outfit. Music, conversations, time spent with my family, life lessons and experiences and church are all places that I draw inspiration from (and that’s just the ones I thought of in this moment).
Do you have a favorite post - or one you're particularly proud of?
I must admit, my favorite post was my very first one. Not because it was written well or that it said all of the right things, but because it humanized me. It tells a story of a woman with a dream that she is finally living even if it’s not as fast as she’d like for it to be - even if she stumbles and falls, even if she fails in front of a mass audience, she is finally becoming the woman she was always meant to be.
How would you describe your personal style?
Jasilika’s Style – FashionTude (fashion with attitude). I believe that my fashion is NOT just one thing. It is a combination of who I am now and the woman that I am becoming. I intentionally rock things that others may not think is ‘ME’ because I’m forever evolving. I don’t wish to be placed in a box and wouldn’t dare try to fit in - I was made to stand out.
What is the best piece of style advice you've ever received?
The best advice to give is to experiment with different colors and styles, know what looks good on you (fit), consider your personal brand (what message are you sending for others to see), OWN your style, and to purchase pieces that are classic and timeless as well as a few pieces that are current and trendy.
As I continue to build God’s brand while building my own personal brand, I’m exploring services I will be offering. In the near future, I will share what service will be offered and what products will be available on my website, www.jasilika.com so make sure to check me our regularly on my site as well as my Instagram page @jasilika.
Follow Jasilika at jasilika.com
