Meet Jamie Jacobs | Co-Founder Gig Talent | Board member | Author | Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Jacobs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, what do you attribute your success to?
Authenticity and alignment of my personal values with our company values. The consistency of integrity, building authentic relationships and community and courage are all true to who I am, how I have always lived, and both the purpose and impact of Gig Talent. I believe that is what makes it strong, real, and easy to evangelize as it is true to what I feel my life is about.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Gig Talent was built on values and a core belief that a community of like-minded professionals could be a force in changing how high-caliber on-demand talent is supported and resourced. Gig Talent helps consultants and coaches do the work they love and organizations connect with exceptional certified talent to solve real business challenges. Gig Talent’s clients value the vetted expert HR consultant and coaching resources to augment their internal teams delivering on their most important priorities.

It’s interesting, I think what sets us apart from others is similar to what led to success in my corporate career, I’ve worn all the hats. Having been in the roles of each of our major stakeholders allowed me to create an innovative solution that was an early mover solving problems for companies who need skilled professionals and the changes in the way that people want to work. It continues to evolve and we are always looking for improvement opportunities in partnering and solving problems.

One of the biggest life lessons I’ve experienced relates to my journey in launching and growing Gig Talent. I can remember in 2009, I was sitting in my big corner office in a Fortune 50 company and I felt disconnected. I started a self exploration journey at that time that led me to gain some insight into the role that fear had been playing in my life. It’s one of the drivers of why we created Gig Talent, to help others navigate the perceived barriers of going on their own…usually driven by fear. The lesson is learn to recognize that feeling, name it, and do the thing anyways. Find people who you trust and who you are aligned with and create a community that supports you in that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So I’m super lucky to be living back in my hometown, Carlsbad, just north of San Diego. Even luckier that my best friend comes to stay pretty often. There are so many things to do and see here. We love the meditation gardens at the Self Realization Center in Encinitas and seeing the seals on the beach in La Jolla. We’re a military town, so if you haven’t been on the USS Midway or to Cabrillo National Monument and Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, it’s a must. Most often though, we’re at the spa either at the Grand Del Mar or Ocean Crest Spa at the Hilton Oceanfront. There has been a lot of new restaurants coming to north county. We’re at Nick’s in Carlsbad all the time. Some other favorites are Market, Dija Mara, Pony Room, Q’ero, and Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub. Walking along the beach, in Carlsbad Village, or at Therapy (my barre studio) are also great places to explore.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m super grateful for the leaders throughout my career who saw more potential in me than I might have seen for myself. I feel fortunate that at 19, I started with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Not only did I work with incredible people who cared about people, I worked in an organization that was all about having a healthy and strong organizational culture. In hindsight, that foundation was instrumental in the leader I would become and the way that I strive to impact the world believing that everyone deserves to work in an environment they enjoy and can deliver great work. It’s been almost 25 years and I still call them my Four Seasons Family. Speaking of family, my partner in life is my husband Josh and he is truly my support and inspiration in all aspects of life. Our kids Cambria and Ethan deserve credit and recognition for sure as they keep me grounded and cognizant that I can be a little intense. Finally, my partner in Gig Talent, Hema Crockett. She spent years listening to my “ideas” and still decided to join me on this journey. Extremely grateful.

Website: www.gogigtalent.com

Instagram: gra2ude_jamie_jacobs

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jlatianojacobs

Twitter: LatianoJacobs