top of page

Work It Wednesday - Jodianne Beckford

Sometimes, all it takes it one moment of inspiration to completely turn your life around. For Jodianne Beckford, that happened in the form of her passion project-turned-podcast, The E Project. She's since put in some major work and taken the platform for creative entrepreneurs to new heights, garnering an engaged following on social media and hosting some amazing guests. We were blown away by her impactful storytelling and genuine desire to foster a community among individuals taking their industries by storm. If you've got a hankering for wisdom you can apply to your own hustle, this show is bound to become your new favourite ear candy. We got to know Jodianne this Work It Wednesday - read on to get the scoop.

1. First off, tell us a little bit about you! Who is Jodianne Beckford?

This question is probably one that I’ve asked myself since I was young. For most of my life I didn’t really know where I fit in. I’m literally only now discovering who I am, and what I want to contribute to this world. 30 years later, I'm a commercial lifestyle photographer, but I am also seeing my gifts and how I can use them to help others. So, in a nutshell I would say Jodianne Beckford is someone that cares deeply for helping people in a way that uplifts them, and I love making people laugh; that has always kind of been my thing.

2. What’s the story behind The E Project?

I began The E Project in 2015 at a time where I was at my absolute lowest. I have suffered from anxiety and depression my whole life, and one night I just had enough. I was literally crying out to God and seriously contemplating suicide. I just didn’t want to be here anymore, and I had really lost my way and didn’t know how to be happy anymore. From all of that darkness, The E Project was born, I found something that could start to make me happy again and do well by highlighting other creatives. It was a blog when I initially started, and then in March of 2017 I turned it into a podcast. That was the best decision I could have ever made, and the support and encouragement from friends and family made it so much easier.

3. As storytellers ourselves, we love seeing the medium that you use to share the journeys of the creators you feature. What do you love most about podcasting?

I love that I am able to have such an immediate impact on someone, just by them listening to an episode. With everything being so accessible to us, there is absolutely no excuse not to do anything your heart desires. Work hard, be consistent, ask questions, research, and push through! That’s what’s brought me to where I am today. Podcasting has brought so many positive opportunities to me that I don’t think would have happened without it, and having a platform that shares stories and advice from such diverse people killing the game is an absolute honour!

4. We can imagine that you do quite a bit of outreach to find the calibre of guests that you’ve featured on your show. What kind of advice can you give on delivering a great pitch and landing your dream guest?

Do your research and be authentic! Don’t reach out to someone based on how big their following is, make sure you are genuinely interested in them. When I reach out to people I’m actually a fan of what they are doing and I want to know more about them, I’m nosy as hell lol. So when reaching out make sure that you know exactly what they are about and what they’ve been up to lately and add that into your pitch. Let them know you value what they do and that you feel that their story could really have a positive impact on someone, and by them telling their story on your platform it will benefit them because they will now have a brand new audience to now impact. You basically just want to ensure they know that you aren’t just trying to use them, you want to come across as genuine as possible. And if they say no, that’s okay. Tell them you appreciate the time they’ve taken to speak with you, and you hope to somehow work with them in the future. I always follow up, maybe 6 months down the road and I’ve had people change their minds. Sometimes they just need to see how consistent you are, because to them they don’t want to waste their time on someone that posts once every 4 months; they really need to see the value and the dedication you are putting into your own platform. Don’t give up, you've got this J.

5. What’s the most memorable insight that a guest has given you?

This is a hard one! Everyone that I’ve interviewed has taught me so much. One that really stands out to me and is by Benny Bing Ep25: “4 Pillars of Success:

1) Remember that everything is luck.

2) Mastering your art, being the master of your craft. Not getting complacent.

3) Connections/networking. Let people see who you are.

4) Hard work & consistency.”

When you put all 4 together, that allows you to go out there and understand all your hard work will eventually pay off.

6. The creators that you feature cover all sorts of niches and come from all walks of life, yet have each achieved successes in their respective fields. In your opinion, what’s one quality that an entrepreneur should strive to master in order to be successful?

Picking just one is so hard, but if it has to only be one then I would say CONSISTENCY! We hear it so much and it’s easier said than done, but that right there is what will make you stand out and have longevity in your career.

7. Who are some game-changers we should be following?

8. How do you #workit everyday?

I #workit everyday by telling myself that I am enough, and by being consistent. I strive to always help others see the magic they have inside that can inspire others. Someone showed me my magic, and I just want to spread that everywhere I go.

A huge thanks to Jodianne for walking us through her journey and sharing the insights she's learned with us. Tune into The E Project podcast to get inspired by some amazing creators, and be sure to send them some love on Instagram.

Photos provided by Jodianne Beckford

Single post: Blog_Single_Post_Widget
bottom of page