Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Gutierrez-Jones.
Hi Jackie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Writing has always been in my blood. As a kid, you’d find me holed up in the school and local library, absorbing the works and words of the pages surrounding me (it was also a great place to escape a particularly gnarly mean girl who made my life miserable and, fortunately for me, hated to read). I won “Best Language Arts” student in elementary and middle school and picked up a few awards for poetry and essay writing. (Remember the D.A.R.E program? My anti-drug essay got some national props — much to the disappointment of my college self.)
Fast forward 20 years, I stumbled upon a little app called Yelp when it was still in its infancy. It combined two of my greatest passions: writing and food. I started taking a few creative liberties with my reviews, which caught the attention of the community manager and restauranteurs/businesses in Miami. I started fielding a few freelance offers through the app, eventually leading to my first full-time writing role as the editor for UrbanDaddy Miami in 2012.
Since then, I’ve penned copy and led editorial teams for a few pubs and organizations, including Time Out, Whole Foods Market, Observer, Eater Nashville, Nashville Lifestyles, and The Infatuation. Most recently, I wrapped up an assignment with Lonely Planet that took me to the Dominican Republic for a few weeks of research. It’s my first print book publication and something I’m deeply proud of and excited about.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Journalists have been fighting to hang on to their careers in the past decade.
The turnover can be hardcore, and the pay less than stellar — you have to pull from your well of passion and love of words to power through some of the darker times. I’ve been unexpectedly laid off from dream jobs. I’ve had clients ghost me when payment for a project came due. (Which is especially devastating when you’re a freelancer counting on every penny to keep afloat). And I’ve been unestimated in terms of ability and pay rate.
It’s taken over ten years for me to realize my value. My time means something — I don’t negotiate when it comes to my worth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a scribe. A writer. A hardcore logophile who delights in wordplay. That’s my TL; DR.
But if you want to dive into some more detail…
I currently work as a communications strategist for a government contracting firm and run a thriving freelance journalism and copywriting hustle on the side focusing on food, drink, and travel (yeah, it… doesn’t suck).
My writing tends to lean toward humor with a bit of wit and snark thrown into the mix. I’m not one for long-winded diatribes or self-help-style motivational posts (that’s LinkedIn’s landscape now).
I like to make people laugh. I like introducing friends to a hidden gem with killer ramen or slammin’ pupusas. And if I can do both at the same time? Well, that’s the sweet spot.
Any big plans?
The publishing bug has bitten me — I’m working on a children’s book series that explains Cuban traditions and celebrations to Cuban American kiddos (spoiler alert: I’m Cuban American)—hoping to get that off the ground in the next two to three years!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jaxwrites.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaxwriteswords/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaxwrites/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaxwriteswords
