Jess Langley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jess, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am wandering right now. I stepped away from my business to have 2 kids, who are now 2 years old and 10 months. I took on very limited projects then had a massive break that’s lasted about a year now.
It’s been a wild ride, and my identity has shifted so much between pregnancy and now in new (ish) motherhood. I’m really curious to see where this new chapter takes me — in business and in life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
White my title is always evolving, currently I identify as a multidimensional creative and always-evolving human, but, most importantly, a mom. Those titles include being a fine artist, graphic designer, muralist, budding interior designer, and a business and pricing coach for creatives. Formerly known as White Coffee Creative, my studio and business is now known as The Colorful Jess. While it was a big shift, this new name feels more me and expresses my love and use of bold color and playful energy through my designs.
I’m filling my limited creative time with a lot of experimenting and getting curious. I’m exploring abstract painting, making new merch designs, building a cool pricing mentorship program, and researching interior design. I’m dipping my toes into the latter with my new service “soulful sanctuary”. I’m taking my love of and experience with branding and designing my own homes and blending it together! This service involves working with clients to define the overall vibe of their home and make it feel like their unique space that reflects their aesthetic and personality. I’m pretty excited about it, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.
Starting in November 2025, I’ll be picking work back up, selling at local markets here in Tampa, and taking on bigger projects again. I’m excited and curious to see what that version of my business looks like! Stay tuned!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My partner is my rock. He’s helped me break through so many shadows of my past. Our relationship, like many, is a constant work in progress and a mirror to what I need to keep working on. Every good and bad interaction helps me navigate this lovely life of mine. I’m so grateful for him for helping me become more confident, giving me space to explore my purpose, and creating a sense of safety so my nervous system can calm down enough to just exist sometimes. He is the biggest influence on my day to day, my creativity, and how I show up as a mom. I’m forever appreciative of him and our partnership!
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
In February 2020, right before the pandemic, I attended a low cost virtual workshop that lead me to hiring a business coach that turned into a whole new path and purpose for my business and myself. I realized how much pain I was holding on to — and how it was affecting my business. The pain was DEEP and made me chase money without considering my mental health. It made me feel like I was never good enough — with my art and who I was at my core. It made me second guess myself constantly.
After about 18 months of my healing journey (I know that’s very cliché to say, but I’m calling it what it was), I gained the confidence to offer business and pricing coaching. I started sharing empowering messages on social media. I taught and got hired to teach workshops surrounding pricing and being a badass in your creative business. Uncovering some of the pain and exploring it through journaling, therapy, and life/business coaching helped me become a stronger, more confident person and business owner. It was truly life changing, and I’m really glad it happened when it did.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
One of my biggest values is transparency, so I always make sure to show the “real” me and be as authentic as possible online and in person. I share the good and the bad. I show the behind the scenes where I’m sad or upset or angry about things. While I don’t share ALL of it, I share enough for people to get a sense of who I am and trust that it’s the real version, because it is.
Other than that, my biggest value is caring about people. Showing empathy. Being kind. That’s important everyday but especially in today’s world.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
What would remain? My love of color is always apparent, but I think what would remain the most is my appreciation for the simple things I observe in daily life — the ever-changing clouds, the colorfully painted building, the dappled light. That noticing is probably one of my favorite things about myself and something that is a deep part of me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecolorfuljess.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecolorfuljess
Image Credits
Rebecca McCoy Photography
Madison Short Photography
