Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Leckemby
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got started as a content creator in 2019 for an AP psychology project funnily enough. It is a bit blurry now but it was a project about social norms, specifically the reactions we elicit when we break them. Everyone chose a way to stand out (nothing illegal just odd). This was right at the beginning of the social media influencer boom, when it was still cringey to post for real on these platforms, especially being from a smaller town… so that is exactly what I did. I started posting videos on TikTok to trending sounds, doing silly dances in my room, and before I knew it I had 10k followers. The unfortunate part was that my project did not do very well because my social media did. It was because the norm I chose to step outside of did not elicit negative reactions, which I argued was an even better ending to the project. Its just more proof that stepping outside your comfort zone and taking yourself out of what is expected of you can be really beneficial, especially if you start taking those risks when you are young. Yes a few of my peers still made fun of me of course, but mostly behind my back. Honestly it was less and less harsh as it started to actually take off and become something, I definitely did not have it as bad as a lot of people who tried at the time. I did not realize the magnitude of the opportunity that I had in front of me… a lot of people didn’t. I even had to pass up a lot of opportunities because my parents were concerned for my safety with this industry being so new and me being so young. I don’t blame them for how they handled it, these were unprecedented times and I probably sounded crazy even asking some of these things. I do wish I had capitalized on that time better. Before everyone started doing it and things became so oversaturated, before we knew the scope of what this could be. I did not need the glitz and glam anyway, what I really fell in love with was creating and sharing. To this day, my favorite part about being a creator is the opportunity to share my life with others, and maybe be a little reminder that they are never alone. I have never been one to show off or make you feel jealous that you are not living my life, because I remember how it feels to watch those types of influencers before this all started. There is nothing worse for a young girl than seeing everything you don’t have thrown in your face through a fabricated reality, I do not want to be the root cause of some young girls insecurities ever. I keep creating to remind those girls as well as myself, that our authentic selves are more than enough. My mission is nowhere near over!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to becoming a content creator is a lot more challenging than people may think, but also a lot more rewarding than most creators let on. Starting at the age I did definitely left me with some challenges along the way, I was just a normal girl messing around on my phone and then all the sudden there are thousands and thousands of eyes on you. Not all of those eyes liked my content, my face, my body, or me for that matter. The hard part is, they are not scared to make that known. Before then I had never really thought much about or especially cared much about peoples opinions of me. This definitely changed that, the knowledge that you are being perceived by so many people definitely changes you a little bit. Especially as a teenage girl, you have enough emotional and mental turmoil to deal with in the first place. I definitely went through a year where I really struggled with that. Especially because as my account grew, so did the number of my peers talking about it. It became really overwhelming to go out and about and have people walk up to me who I had never seen before, one time I was even coaching a lacrosse clinic at the middle school and a couple kids mentioned that they had seen me online. Obviously this is a much easier road than a lot of big creators, but it is still really stressful to be going about your life and be approached by strangers like that. But like I said it has also been incredibly rewarding, I have gotten to do things I never would have been able to had I not started this journey. I don’t think that will ever get old for me, every time an opportunity arises is like the first time all over again. I think my audience can tell I do not take those things for granted, its part of what makes me the creator I am. So is all of the things I have had to overcome in the process, yes they were tough but I am better for it!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When I was younger, I wanted to grow up and be a lawyer… if only she knew that this would be much better. I think I was always meant to work as a creative, the world just makes you think that’s unrealistic. I am here to testify that it is a very real possibility, if I can make it to this point so could anyone. You just have to take that leap! Most of my creative work involves making content for brands via UGC or ads on my platforms, but I am also in the works to launch my own brand this spring! I found myself wondering, if I have a platform to be used, why not take advantage of it for me? So I am taking all my overarching design and marketing skills, and branching out on my own. You heard it here first folks ‘Just Jane’ dropping spring 2025. It has been an interesting process with a lot of learning opportunities, but at the end of the day it is probably always what I was meant to end up doing. Stay tuned to my social medias for more info on the brands status and drop dates!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I myself do not have one specific mentor, because I like to sample from a whole palette of interesting minds. The most important thing to remember about networking is that half the battle is just being brave enough to put yourself out there, the rest are actually the fun parts. Keep an eye out for events going on around you that would have like minded people, go out of your way to interact with people and really get out of your comfort zone. I think the most important factor in finding a mentor and creating a solid network is to be absolutely authentic to who you are. When you put on a mask, you form shallow relationships that are not going to be conducive to your growth personally or professionally. But hey what do I know, this is just what has worked for me it might not work for everyone!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@janeleckemby
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeleckemby
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@janeleckemby
- Other: https://ugcwithjanie.my.canva.site/janieleckemby
