Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Stakias.
Hi Jenna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My road to where I am today is kind of all over the place–I went to Towson University and graduated with a degree in Family Studies Human Services, but ended up getting a job at Johns Hopkins University in the principal gifts department and worked there for a year. While working with them, in November 2020, I started to experience neurological difficulties. Loss of balance, tremors in my hands and leg, blurred vision, to name a few.
My world flipped completely upside down overnight at the age of 23. For three years, I battled some sort of autoimmune disease. I was misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and fought my symptoms every day. I began sharing my story on social media in 2021 when I went into the hospital for one of the steroid treatments, and I just continued to update my followers. All while still working and starting a new job with a general contractor. In May 2022, my symptoms worsened, and I made the decision to stop trying to heal through conventional medicine and explore holistic therapies. I started to see improvement after being disciplined with vitamin supplements, clean eating, and strength training.
In July 2022, I ended up leaving my job in construction and did soul searching for what I really wanted to do with my career. I loved being creative with my own social accounts and ultimately came up with doing that for work. I opened my business in October 2022, True Smile, LLC, a marketing and photography business.
I absolutely love being a business owner. It is a dream come true. However, I still wanted to figure out a way to share my story with a wider audience because I want to make a difference and make sure people understand the importance of taking care of their health. So, I launched my podcast, True Talk, on YouTube in February.
I am so grateful for every step along the way!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road—as with any journey in life, it has not been a linear path. I definitely learned to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
I was still healing when I started my business and had to put myself out there. Not only that, but I knew nothing about being an entrepreneur. I am completely self-taught. Although challenging, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about True Smile, LLC?
My business, True Smile, LLC, is a marketing and photography business. Under the True Smile, LLC umbrella are True Media Marketing and True Smile Photography.
True Media Marketing specializes in social media management and content creation for various businesses to help expand their customer base and increase engagement. Not only does the photography side of the business work with the marketing side, but I am also a skilled portrait photographer. I do professional headshots, family, senior, first birthday, engagement, newborn, and maternity portraits.
What sets me apart from others is my journey that got me to where I am today. Through all of the hard times and challenges that I faced to then making the decision to heal with holistic remedies. I found this new profound love for life and to appreciate the little things. Wanting to continue to inspire and spread positivity and happiness even if it’s just through smiling at someone.
I am most proud of being completely self-taught and getting my business to where it is today while still continuing to share my story to hopefully inspire and motivate others. My brand is a direct representation of who I am and what I stand for. When people see my brand, I want them to see the authenticity that I bring as someone who wants to help businesses succeed, and people smile more.
So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
If anyone is interested in learning more about my marketing services they can email me at [email protected] and we can book a free discovery call. For photography services, anyone can visit my website https://truesmilephotography5.mypixieset.com and directly send me a message on the site to book a session.
As for supporting me and my story, go follow and subscribe to my podcast/YouTube channel “True Talk”. It is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, join the True Crew!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://truesmilellc.my.canva.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truesmilephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088777005684
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-stakias-738595120/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-i3RfzmTnixdvZIfZyldQ
- Other: https://truesmilephotography5.mypixieset.com
Image Credits
Jenna Stakias- True Smile Photography
