Jessica Howard shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jessica , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, what’s been bringing me the most joy is rediscovering love—real, intentional, God-ordained love. After years of pouring into others through business, ministry, and motherhood, I’m finally in a space where I’m receiving the kind of love I’ve prayed for. It’s a reminder that God hears even the quietest desires of our hearts. This new chapter has taught me to slow down, embrace softness, and be fully present—not just as a businesswoman, but as a woman who deserves joy too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jessica Howard, but many know me as J Revive—a woman of faith, a mother, an author, a hairstylist, and a publishing consultant. I’m the founder of Revive Branding Agency, where I help aspiring authors and entrepreneurs bring their visions to life through self-publishing, creative direction, and brand development. I’m also the author of Unexpected Expectations, a powerful testimony of navigating life with Multiple Sclerosis, grief, and personal transformation through faith.
What makes my journey and brand unique is that everything I create—whether it’s a book, a business plan, or a braid—is rooted in purpose, healing, and obedience. I believe that pain can birth power, and I use my story to show others that they, too, can rise from setbacks and walk boldly in their God-given calling.
Right now, I’m working on a new book titled Promise, a continuation of my testimony, as well as a devotional for men and a series of journals that encourage healing, clarity, and confidence. Every brand I touch, every person I work with, I approach with the same heart: to help revive what they thought was dead and breathe life into what they were called to do.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that constantly felt the need to prove my worth has served its purpose and must now be released. For so long, I moved from a place of survival—overgiving, overworking, and overthinking—trying to earn love, validation, and security. But God has shown me that my value isn’t tied to my performance; it’s rooted in who He created me to be. That version of me got me through some hard seasons, but she’s tired now. I’m learning to embrace rest, grace, and receiving—to operate from a place of wholeness, not hustle. It’s time to release the striving and walk fully in my identity with peace.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain the moment I realized that silence was suffocating my purpose. That moment came after losing my mother and being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis—two life-altering experiences that could have broken me, but instead, they broke me open. I reached a place where I couldn’t keep pretending to be strong while quietly unraveling inside. I had to let the world see my truth—not for sympathy, but for healing.
Writing my book Unexpected Expectations was my turning point. I poured my pain onto the page and, in doing so, I discovered power I didn’t know I had. I realized that vulnerability wasn’t weakness—it was ministry. My story was never meant to stay hidden; it was meant to be shared to help someone else survive what I had to endure. That’s when pain turned into purpose.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
One cultural value I protect at all costs is legacy through community. I believe deeply in building tables, not just sitting at them. As a Black woman, entrepreneur, and mother, I feel a divine responsibility to pour into the next generation—especially our young girls and creatives who feel unseen or underestimated. I protect the value of lifting as we climb—making sure that success isn’t just personal, but collective. Whether through my salon, my publishing agency, or my books, I’m always asking, “Who can I make room for?” Because legacy isn’t just what you leave behind—it’s what you build with others while you’re here.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Today, I’m finally doing what I was born to do. For years, I lived in the space of what I was told to do—be strong, stay safe, follow the rules, don’t take too many risks. I wore the masks, met the expectations, and played the roles others gave me. But deep down, there was always a pull toward something greater—something more aligned with my voice, my healing, and my calling.
When I said yes to God and started sharing my truth—through my books, my salon, and my agency—I stepped into my divine assignment. I wasn’t born just to survive. I was born to revive—to breathe life into others through creativity, faith, and purpose. I now move from obedience, not obligation. And that shift changed everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jrevive.com
- Instagram: jrevive_
- Linkedin: Jessica Howard
- Facebook: J Revive Howard
- Yelp: jrevive
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/lbsVpOwb_64
- Other: Purchase Unexpected Expectations Book today: https://a.co/d/aQ1bikQ
