Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Jean Davis
Hi Jenna Jean, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When my dad named me Jenna Jean, he said, “That sounds like a superstar name.” Growing up, I always wanted to be in the spotlight—performing for my family, starring in home videos, singing, dancing, and just being in front of the camera. Whenever someone asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” my answer was always an actress or simply “famous.” I have always known my purpose in life: to lead and to influence. That’s why I started chasing this dream to not only be an Influencer on social media but to be an INFLUENCE for good in the world.
I grew up living in four different countries and traveling the world. This exposure to various cultures, lifestyles, beliefs, and people has shaped who I am today. Growing up moving around so much and having to start over as the new girl so often made me learn to love myself, rely on myself and believe in myself. And life was never boring, there was always a new adventure to embark on.
I have always dreamed big and followed those dreams. Since graduating from the University of Utah at 20 years old, I’ve continued to travel the world on my own, living in Australia, Hawaii, and now France. I even spent a whole year traveling, visiting a new place each month. Exploring the world has always made me feel so alive.
Throughout my life, I studied French in school and earned a minor in French and a major in journalism at university. These are two of my main passions—French and storytelling—which have led me to where I am today. Living in France and telling stories on TikTok and Instagram. In 2020, I started my own social media marketing agency, Jenna Jean Marketing, focusing on social media marketing for clients. Last year, I thought, why not try what I do for my clients for myself? A dream of mine for years that I was ready to make come true. I started sharing stories on TikTok about my life, from health struggles to embarrassing dating stories, heartbreaks, my self-love journey and travel adventures.
I’ve always loved social media and wanted to change its reputation. While it often gets a bad rap, to me, it is a beautiful place to be. Growing up and moving many times, social media was my link to friends worldwide. It was precious to me. I learned to love it and see it for what it can be—a place to connect with others, find our people, and feel less alone. I wanted my platform to be a safe space for my followers. So, I didn’t just share the pretty, perfect life you usually see online. I shared the ugly, the embarrassing, the heartbreaking, and the struggles. And that’s where I found my audience to perform for, but really, I found my people—my Support Group, as I call them. Now, I spend my days posting on social media, “normalizing being a human being.” To me, that makes me a “superstar.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I believe when you follow your true passion with determination, you find a bit of ease because you love what you’re doing. When you love your work, it doesn’t really feel like work, especially if you see the higher purpose in it.
However, nothing worth pursuing comes without effort or struggle. My first viral video, my highest viewed video, came at the lowest point in my life. During my Travel Year, I got extremely sick. On the road, I didn’t take care of myself as I should have, and that sickness turned into an infection that has affected me every day since. For six months, I struggled so much with my physical health that my mental health deteriorated as well. The main side effect of my sickness was depression, and I felt it deeply.
I remember on Christmas of 2023, I had an absolute breakdown and said, “I can’t do this anymore.” The “this” I was talking about was was life. At that time, I couldn’t see the blessings that were already in the works for me. I started posting about my sickness and the struggles that came with it—making light of it with humor. My first viral video was about how embarrassed I was to give my stool sample to the hot lab boy at the doctor’s office. After months of pain and questions and many test, I found out I had an extreme case of PI-IBS (post-infection Irritable Bowel Syndrome)—or at least that was the only answer they could give me.
I felt all alone and like no one knew what I was going through or understood me. Until I started posting about it online and found my people. When I say social media saved my life, I mean it. My “Support Group” online — people who went through similar struggles, shared tips and tricks that had helped them, they were there to laugh about all the “shitty” (pun intended) situations living with chronic stomach issues entails. I found my reason to “do” life again. Now I truly believe I got sick so I could be a voice for the people. A leader. An influence. For good. I am thankful for my health struggles, they have made me the person I am today and have given me the opportunity to lead an inspire others going through the same “shit.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an Influencer. I like to use this term because of the word “influence” in it. It reminds me I have a bigger purpose and a responsibility. You could also call me a Content Creator and Marketer 🙂
I am known for my storytelling (being as dramatic as possible like the theater kid I’ve always been). Laughing through the pain of life is how I cope with it. And making others laugh is the goal.
I am most proud of the community I have created online worldwide. We all inspire each other, lift each other up, help each other, spread kindness, light and love. I am so proud of it.
What sets me apart is my willingness to be vulnerable online. People say “be the change you want to see in the world,” what I want to see of more online is more REAL LIFE. More authenticity, more vulnerability, more relatability. I have posted about my most embarrassing moments, my health struggles, mental health battles, following my dreams, my failures, my wins, all that it is to be a human being. When we show up as real human beings and can connect with each other, we can feel a lot less alone in this world. And that makes the internet such a positive place to be. That is always my goal. To represent the good that people can find online.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Social media, whether you like it or not, is here to stay. It will only continue to grow. It is going to become an even bigger part of our lives in the next 5-10 years, so I challenge you to begin creating a positive relationship with it so it can best serve you.
FIND THE POSITIVE! social media is an incredible place to:
– keep in touch with loved ones around the world or reconnect with long-lost friends
– make friends! many of my friendships have come from finding my people online
– share your talents! you have an audience at your fingertips waiting to watch you dance, sing, sew, do impressions, bake a cake, whatever you want to do and cheer you on for it!
– get inspired and learn. think of all the recipes you’ve saved online, tips for traveling, or free workouts!
– get tips! when I struggled with my health, hearing the experiences and advice from others going through the same thing was invaluable
– stay informed. social media is a great place to get your news, hear other’s opinions and broaden your perspective
– work online! thanks to social media, I get to work remotely and travel the world
– promote your passions. get eyes on your small business, hobbies, side hustles, etc.
– laugh a little
– connect with others and feel less alone
I hope to see an increased focus on mental health for all of us living in an online world. We need to follow people who genuinely lift us up, inspire us, and are good people who do good in the world. In the coming years, I see an increased emphasis on authenticity. People are valuing authenticity over polished perfection more and more. Influencers who share genuine, relatable content will continue to thrive, with a greater focus on “real” experiences and stories. Honesty, transparency, and vulnerability will be key.
You can start with following me and joining the Support Group. I want my platform to be a safe space for you. I’m here to normalize being a human being and hopefully inspire you to be a better one, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennajean.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennajean8/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jennajean8/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennajean8/
