Jill of a lot of trades
What jobs have you had?
A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one” Author Unknown
Jill of All Trades and Master of… Enough
I come from a line of women who wore many hats before it became a trendy thing to say. Women who didn’t need business cards to prove their skills. They just did. My grandmothers and aunties could cook a whole feast, sew you a dress, press your hair, run a juke joint, manage money from the numbers game, and still show up with their heads held high. They were resourceful, resilient, and sharp—and that spirit runs through me.
So yes, I’m a Jill of all trades. It’s not a joke or a side comment—it’s a legacy.
I’ve been many things in this life. I’ve worked in fast food—Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Potbelly’s. I scooped ice cream in a corner store, made plates at a soul food carry out, cleaned buildings as an environmental specialist at Howard University. And for the past sixteen years, I’ve been working as an escrow officer and title manager in the real estate title insurance field.
I’ve started multiple microbusinesses—some fizzled, some paused, and one was really taking off until life brought a storm. I lost my father. The world shut down. Dreams had to be folded and stored away for a while. But I never stopped dreaming. Never stopped creating.
In the background, I was helping build other businesses—my ex-husband’s ventures, friends’ side projects. Always the behind-the-scenes glue holding things together.
And now? Now I’m leaning fully into what sets my soul on fire.
I’m making music.
I’m writing—blogging like this, sharing my journey and my truth.
I’m creating content that feels like me.
And I’m launching my own online storefront, a space for the things I’ve made and believe in.
There was a time I felt ashamed of this path. Like I was all over the place, with no clear direction. No degree to fall back on. Just experience. Just intuition. Just grit. And for a while, I believed that wasn’t enough. I believed the world when it told me I needed to follow a script that was never written for someone like me in the first place.
But now? I’ve come to understand that what I once saw as scattered was actually rich. Layered. Full.
Every job, every skill, every twist in the road—it was all part of preparing me for this season. For my next act. For something that looks like wholeness.
So when people ask me, “What jobs have you had?” I smile. Because I’ve done a little bit of everything. And in doing all of that, I found myself.
I may not be a “master” by the textbook definition. But I’ve mastered showing up. I’ve mastered rebuilding. I’ve mastered holding space for growth and grace and still making time for joy.
This post isn’t just a look back—it’s also a quiet heads-up that there’s more coming. More music. More writing. More creations made with love.
If you’ve connected with any part of my journey, feel free to explore what I’m building:
- Read more of my reflections and thoughts right here on the blog.
- Check out my music content on any music streaming outlets of your choice under “Essie B. DC Soul Collective”.
- Check out my creative content on TikTok, Instagram, X/formerly Twitter, Lemon8, or Pinterest under “Lifewithessieb”.
- See what I am reading at Goodreads.
- Visit my online storefront to see what I’ve been working on behind the scenes: Radiant Capitol Legacy Co. online popup store
I’m not just a Jill of all trades. I’m a woman walking fully in her purpose, bringing all those trades along with her.
Life with EssieB 