Speaker: Maritere 00:00
Hello, hello. Welcome, everyone. Happy Monday, I hope everyone had a good weekend. We had a nice time, it was quiet but our daughter came to visit Friday night and she stayed until half day Saturday, so it was wonderful to have her home. Of course, always missing our son but hopefully we'll get to see him soon as well. Today is Martin Luther King Day, and we are celebrating with a visit from a talented children's book author. Her name is Jennifer Vassel. And Jen is the author of the I am Unique Book brand and we're going to chat with Jen about self-love, embracing our diversity, our uniqueness, diversity, inclusion, all those wonderful topics, especially for today. And she and I met at a culture and friendship event a few years ago and we became fast friends. We also have a surprise announcement that we are going to make later on as when we talk. So I hope you stick around and take a listen to what our surprise announcement is.
Excuse me. Hi, @carmenchinoboutique. @c4torn, I can’t say what your name is but thank you for joining us, @itsMarisolfit, I'm glad that you're here. We are waiting for our guests to join us. And she is Jennifer Vassel you're going to love her book, the message from her book and her brand. And what she's trying to do with all her books, so I am waiting for Jen. She's not in yet, but I'm sure she will be soon. (Speaks Spanish) What did everyone do this? What did you all do, @mzcavalli, I can't remember who you are. But Janet, how are you mi amor, (says something in Spanish). Your daughters are so beautiful, I saw their picture this weekend that you posted. And we are just waiting for our guest, she is Jennifer Vassel. And we're going to talk to Jen about her I am Unique children's book brand. I'm going to ask her to join us, let's see here. Oh, I think I just sent you the request or the invitation I should say. There you are.
Speaker: Jennifer 02:52
Hi there.
Speaker: Maritere 02:52
How are you?
Speaker: Jennifer 02:53
I'm doing good. How about yourself?
Speaker: Maritere 02:55
I'm doing well. I'm doing well. I love your glasses. Oh my gosh.
Speaker: Jennifer 03:00
Thank You.
Speaker: Maritere 03:01
Well before we start, let's talk a little bit about how are you doing? How's your family? How are you adjusting to this normal, I guess we can call it, this days is the new normal?
Speaker: Jennifer 03:14
Yes, I'm doing. Family is good. We're all staying safe and healthy. Thank God, we're you know, we haven't caught anything. We're just really just staying at home and being as productive as we can be during this time. How about you?
Speaker: Maritere 03:29
Same here, same here, just trying to stay above water. Jen tell us about your background and where you were born and raised where? I think you were raised bicultural but not necessarily Bilingual. Tell us a little bit about that?
Speaker: Jennifer 03:50
Yeah, so born and raised in Southern California. I am of Jamaican heritage, my parents are Jamaican, they came here in the 70s. They moved from Jamaica to the US in the 70s but my household was very much bicultural, we still eat the Jamaican foods, the music. Everything about Jamaican culture is definitely ingrained in my upbringing, and the household in general. But as far as my background, so I'm a children's book author, speaker and creative entrepreneur based in Los Angeles and I write about self-love and inspiring kids and adults to rise above their insecurities and share their unique gifts with the world. I also share information, tools and resources for authors who are looking to promote themselves build that courage to promote themselves and to essentially be their own publicist.
Speaker: Maritere 04:43
How did your parents promote culture at home; music, food, did they cook Jamaican food all the time?
Speaker: Jennifer 04:53
All the time, Sunday dinner was definitely the Jamaican food, had all of the typical things that a household would have, Caribbean household would eat. And other things that we do within our culture is, we're very much, we really respect our elders and we love to celebrate one another that way. I bring that up because last week, my grandmother celebrated her 101st birthday, and yes.
Speaker: Maritere 05:20
Oh my Gosh. You have a long life ahead of you.
Speaker: Jennifer 05:26
Yes. On both ends, actually, my dad's mom, she's in her 90s and so I'm going to be around here for a long time, I think I will.
Speaker: Maritere 05:38
God bless your family, that’s amazing. Did you always know that you wanted to be a book author?
Speaker: Jennifer 05:44
Oh, that's an interesting question, because, you know, although I was exhibiting the gift of writing, and I always loved writing and being creative, I didn't know that I could do that professionally. So I wrote my first poem at six, my first short story at eight, I was published by nine. But growing up, I didn't see anybody who looked like me, writing or even making, a writing or being an author a viable career path. My family very much are health care professionals, and that's all I saw. So I ended up getting a bachelor's and a master's degree in business administration instead. And something happened, New Year's Eve 2012 that really changed the trajectory of my life and career. Bishop, Dale Bronner, I was watching a New Year's Eve sermon, Bishop Dale Bronner said don't die with your gifts on the inside of you, impart to others what was entrusted to you. And that really changed the trajectory of my life and career because at the top of the year 2013, I compiled poems and short stories that are written from age 6 to 26. And then in 2014, it was published on my birthday, and it became an Amazon number one bestseller. So that really gave me the proof and the energy to keep going forward. And then fast forward to 2016, I started looking into children's books and wanting to write a children's book that was inspired by my childhood insecurity. So short answer; No, I did not, I did not know that I always wanted to be a children's book author. I think that I arrived at that moment as I grew into my purpose.
Speaker: Maritere 07:24
I love it. I love that. So let's talk about I am Unique book. How do you come up with that and the message and the story? Tell us a little bit about that.
Speaker: Jennifer 07:37
I came up with the story, I am Unique because it was inspired by my childhood insecurity of having a birthmark. My birthmark is a quarter of my back it's a different shade than the rest of my skin. And it was something that I was really insecure about growing up, I would wear tops that covered it.
Speaker: Maritere 07:58
You wanted to hide it
Speaker: Jennifer 07:59
Exactly. And for my high school prom, I wanted to look absolutely beautiful that night. And I had the makeup artist doll me up and then cover up my birthmark with foundation because I wanted to look absolutely beautiful that night. And fast forward to today I realized that no one should feel so insecure that they cover up a piece of who they are. And that was really like the catalyst to me writing I am Unique is because I wanted to create a story where Erin, she's the main character, she has a birthmark on her face, a passion for acting and she wanted to try out for the leading role in a schools play. But when her best friend tries to discourage her, she has to figure out if she's going to let a perceived flaw get in the way of her dream. But the message is really about not only birthmarks, whatever your insecurity is, to rise above it and to share your uniqueness with the world.
Speaker: Maritere 08:49
I curious that your birth mark was in the back but Erin had her birthmark in the face. Why was that?
Speaker: Jennifer 09:00
I wanted it to be front and center. It's the first thing that you see when you look at people. And I wanted it to be a metaphor for, yes like it's a book about the little girl with a birthmark but that it's not just that. The birthmark is supposed to be a metaphor for whatever is keeping us small, whatever we're hiding behind. And it's really to inspire people to overcome that, whatever it is do not cover it up. It could be something physical like Erin's birthmark or it could be something that we can't physically see but to overcome that and share your gifts with the world.
Speaker: Maritere 09:35
Why do you think it's important, I know that you don't have children, you're a child yourself. (Both speakers laugh) My daughter’s age. Why do you think it's important to have books like yours that are inclusive and that teach kids to embrace their differences? Why is that important, from you know, I think the age group of your book is what, four up till whenever you know. Four to eighteen, because anybody can read your book and identify themselves with it, it doesn't matter how young or how old they are.
Speaker: Jennifer 10:08
That's right, the reading level is second to fourth grade, but when we are marketing it, it is a children's book. But we also are talking to adults, people who haven't overcome their insecurity. And your question about why is it important to have these discussions and talk about it is because we start noticing as children, seeing differences, and you start noticing that you're not like someone else at a very young age, and I believe it's about as young as three, you start noticing that people look different than you. And I think if you don't have those tools, and you don't have those resources and understand that what makes you unique, and what makes you different, is actually a strength, not a weakness, that you can grow up to be an adult, harboring those same childhood traumas that kept you small before. And so if it's not addressed early on, you can continue on with the cycle and really not living your fullest potential. So the reason for having it as a children's brand is because I'm also speaking to the little girl, or boy inside grown adult s. So right now Erin is my child, Erin is my baby. That's who I’m rooting for.
Speaker: Maritere 11:18
I love it, I love it, because it also sparks the conversation or starts the conversation about embracing whatever uniqueness that is. You have a parent's guide as well, so everyone knows and it's very detailed and gives parents a lot of tools and ways to talk about this topic with their children. And I'm sorry, the noise that you hear if you hear it, is the guy that is cleaning our street is here. So there's a beeping sound going on, so I apologize about that. Today is Martin Luther King Day, I'm sure that he has, like my children and young adults like yourself, he has inspired so many. Do you have a favorite quote of Mr. King? And what is it?
Speaker: Jennifer 12:21
Yes, it's my favorite quote is Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase. And it resonates with me, because I'm on this faith journey and on this journey to playing big, right, playing big and doing things that are outside my comfort zone. And it's difficult if you let be the uncomfortable thing hinder you from actually reaching your fullest potential. And so I'm strengthening my faith by each step, each step that I take, I trust that the staircase will light up. So I really love that quote, that resonates with me the most as far as the entrepreneurial journey, as far as just being, doing the thing that I was called to do. I think that really, it really rings true to my path right now.
Speaker: Maritere 13:10
I'm talking to Jennifer Vassel, and she is the author of I am unique book brand. And we're learning all about her books and her messages. What are three tips that you can share with parents so they can raise kids appreciating their differences? Whether it's a birthmark, a special need, a disability.
Speaker: Jennifer 13:36
I think the first tip is to diversify your kids bookshelf. And by diversifying their bookshelf, I'm not only talking about buying books that feature diverse characters, I'm also talking about buying books that are written by diverse authors who feature diverse characters. There's a lack of representation out there and I believe that you need to be a part of the community in order to tell the story authentically. And I have a resource on my website iamuniquebook.com, where I list 100 children's books that are written by diverse authors and feature main characters who are also diverse. But I definitely believe that representation needs to be accounted for on both fronts, not only on the pages but behind the scenes because kids otherwise will not know how far they can dream. And the second tip that I would say is to encourage self-reflection with your children. This has, I have never seen anything like this. We are in a global pandemic, we've been on lockdown for nearly a year and I know adults that are going through it, I can only imagine how children are feeling where they're not able to see their friends the way that they want to or hang out the way that they want to. But one thing that you can do as a parent is to set up zoom calls with their friends, with their classmates. It could be zoom, Skype, whatever your video conferencing tool of choice is, but get everyone together and have the children share something that is unique to them or something that they love about themselves. And they can share that, for example, one child might be like, I really, I love the fact that I'm good at art. And this past summer, I started painting and here's the artwork that I painted over the weekend. And you go around the room, and each child shares a bit of themselves and what that does is, it help kids to not only be reflective and share something that is unique to them, but then they also build that awareness and see, okay my peers have something unique about them too.
Speaker: Maritere 15:38
And they stay Positive, you know, it keeps them positivity going. And they're doing this during this time, I know we're all like wanting to be outside and wanting to be with our friends but this is a positive thing that is happening. So if that happens to him or her, it can happen to me as well.
Speaker: Jennifer 15:57
Exactly. And the third one along with that is to open dialogue, like encourage a safe space with your children, and have the top
Speaker: Maritere 16:11
You froze a little bit?
Speaker: Jennifer 16:17
I froze? Okay, how about now? can you?
Speaker: Maritere 16:21
Now you’re okay.
Speaker: Jennifer 16:23
Okay, what I was saying was, I was sharing was engaging in open dialogue. And the topics could be around the current events that are happening right now.
So we're in a global pandemic, for example, we are experiencing racial injustices, we saw what happened on the sixth. So there are different talking points that you can bring forth to the child and ask them, how are they feeling. And if you're not talking to them, they're getting that information elsewhere. So you want to create that safe space with them, and have that conversation, ask them how they're feeling. Give them background information, show them like this is what happens when people don't respect each other and don't respect different people's perspectives, and are judgmental, you give examples. And so what you're doing with that is building that trust with your child say, hey, I see you, I understand what you're saying, I'm not treating you like a child, I'm treating you like someone that I respect, and I trust and creating that open space or that safe space for them to ask hard questions or whatever is on their heart.
Speaker: Maritere 17:29
Yeah, and you know what it also it's an opportunity for parents to be honest with them and say, Hey, I know exactly how you feel. I feel the same way I'm afraid too, you know, but you are in a safe place, we're here to support you. And it just, I think it's very important for the young adults and teenagers to feel like mom and dad are there and they understand how they feel. It's kind of like acknowledging their feelings as well. What is next for the I am Unique Brand?
Speaker: Jennifer 18:06
Yes, so a lot of people think that I am Unique is just a book and it's so much more than that. We talked about the parent guide, we also have a Teacher's Guide, we have merch on our website. Our biggest project right now is adapting the book series into an animated series. So we're going to be pitching to streaming platforms early this year, so stay on the lookout for that.
Speaker: Maritere 18:30
I love it. I love it. And this a good time to make our announcement?
Speaker: Jennifer 18:36
Yes, it is. Do you want me to say it
Speaker: Maritere 18:39
Will you do me the honors?
Speaker: Jennifer 18:41
Yes so I'm really excited to announce that Mari and I have partnered up to share the I am Unique Book in Spanish. And we will be launching that this year, if you want to stay connected and be the first to know when it does launch, you can text IAUSpanish to 3377. Again, it’s IAUSpanish, no space to 33777. And we'll lock you in and you'll be the first to know when it drops.
Speaker: Maritere 19:14
That's awesome. You know, I’ll do a little recap of our talk. And we will include that in there as well as your website and your Instagram so that everyone knows where to find you. I am very excited, you will be getting that within the next week. It's almost all done. The book is a super darling story that we can all relate to. I love putting your English words in Spanish. It was super nice and the parent's guide also it's wonderful tool. So I'm very excited about having partnered with you in this and we can't wait to get out there and promote the book. And maybe have another live and talk about the book in Spanish. Before I let you go, what is your message to young adults out there about diversity and inclusion?
Speaker: Jennifer 20:16
My message to young adults would be to remain who you are still show up as yourself, as your authentic self, and keep showing up every day. And also respect other people's perspectives. You know, we're not all the same, we don't have the same views, we don't have the same backgrounds. But if you remain in a tight bubble, in a tight shell and you're only comfortable with the people that you grew up with, or the people in your close proximity, it's a disservice to yourself, because you're not allowing yourself to grow. So I would say respect other people's perspective while you stay authentically true to who you are.
Speaker: Maritere 20:54
I love it. You are an amazing young woman. I am very blessed to have met you and to be working with you I'm sure is not going to be the last time.
Speaker: Jennifer 21:05
I don’t think so.
Speaker: Maritere 21:06
Thank you for taking the time to be with us today. Of course, this is going into the IGTV and we will both share it on our pages and I'm excited to continue our relationship and please know that I support you 100%, anything that you're doing that we can promote here, we’re happy to do that. So thank you everyone that joined, and we will see you next week Monday and kisses to you my dear.
Speaker: Jennifer 21:40
Thank You so much.
Speaker: Maritere 21:42
See you soon. Bye everyone.
Speaker: Jennifer 21:44
Thank You for having me. Bye.
Mari and Jennifer at a Friendship & Culture event in Santa Monica, CA. December 2018.