We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessie Leal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When you’re young, imagination is everything. When we are kids, we are just out there exploring.
Each day is a new day to create, learn, be different.

When I work for my brand, I don’t feel like working. It’s a thoroughly creative process; you start from zero with an idea in your mind, the HOW you place that idea in the real world is a challenge, and the satisfaction of the result can change you. It’s an expression of bliss itself.

Being a creative soul, being given a challenge makes me feel alive.
There are no limits to imagination, so the creative world is endless. Pursuing an artistic career is, by all means, one of the most peaceful and engaging ways that my creative mind could choose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have to say that Être Jewels is my proud, I founded with my sister in August of 2021 has less than six months and already launching the second collection.

As Être means “being” in french, and Épanouissement means “blossoming” this first Jewels that came out were about the reborn and the blossoming of the being itself, a game of words.

We are so excited to show the Folie Collection in March, a new view of what Être Jewels can be. We want to be the choice for powerful and independent women. This collection represents all those women that changed history, and the world labeled them as crazy.

Être has overcome difficulties since the beginning, but we are still learning. I’m not yet a mom but I have 12 nephews and nieces, let’s say it is like starting to walk, one step at a time. I am also a professional photographer, is an advantage to know exactly how to transmit feelings with objects, is a game-changer. That’s why I started with photoshoots on books, with flowers and light colors. We want to look at the jewelry not as an object but as a part of you telling a story.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston is an amazing city that has so much to offer!

When someone is visiting for the first time I want them to fall in love with the city so what I always do is:

A Photoshoot in the famous graffitis and some of the most “Instagrammable places” in Houston.

A day in the museum district, one of the most beautiful places is the Cockrell butterfly center. (Maybe because I’m a photographer)

I love the cute-looking bars and I can’t get enough of Secret Garden.

A walk by Buffalo Bayou Park

An Astros Game.

A shopping day, first stop Galleria.

If we have time I always love a road trip to Austin.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One of my favorites quotes is “Happiness is only real when it’s shared”

When I started all this, I was scared. I didn’t know anything about business. So, I started pitching the idea to my husband first and then to every close friend and family, and it was amazing to see how they grabbed the pieces of my thoughts and put the puzzle together.

One of them is Jenny Chang, Owner of a restaurant called San Eatery in Katy, Tx that has become one of my closest friends.

-“Just do it,” she said.
– “I’m scared, how about it doesn’t work out?” – I answered.
– “Learn on the go, we’ll help you out”.

She was my first customer, and she still keeps supporting me big time. One of the kindest, most caring people I have met.

And you might know about Valesco Digital Owner: Valeria Urdaneta.
The knowledge she has about social media is vast.
If I have a problem with social media I know I can count on her. She’s a wonderful human being.

And of course one of the most important persons in my life. My husband, Ricardo Anzola. Even though he has his projects he still puts mine in the first place.

Go check them out on social media:
@SanEatery for good tasty Latin Chinese fusion food.
@Valescodigital for social media tips and management.
@Saleenbastard if you love mustangs.

Website: https://www.etrejewels.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etrejewels/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Être-Jewels-102309145291107/

Image Credits
Photographer: Jessie L. @jokossitavisuals

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.