Jenai Charles
Jenai Charles
Co-founder of Okay Jak / Creative Director
Miami, FL
www.okayjak.com
twitter @okayjak
instagram @okay.jak
facebook
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a Creative Director at Okay Jak Studio working in brand development and UX/UI Design. ”
I create digital experiences for modern day brands and conscious consumers. I believe in inclusive and intentional design and value partnerships with brands and entrepreneurs whose values align with mine.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Our journey started after an internship experience in 2018, I discovered my love for designing and developing applications to create community and joy, and so I decided to embark on a new career journey. By the end of 2018, I landed my first client, Emmy nominated Director, Dui Jarrod. As I continued to take on new clients, I wanted to do even more but did not have the resources to scale my business. So naturally, I turned to Nekera, my best friend and sister, for help.
Because of Nekera’s degree in Business Accounting and passion for business development, we decided to join forces and start our creative design studio, Okay Jak. I handle all of the creative aspects of the business, including client communication, while she handles all of the business operations. Our skill sets are different, she rocks at what she does, and I rock at what I do. But we are both passionate about the upward mobility of minority-owned businesses.
How do you stand out in your field?
We are women-led, female-founded and black-owned. We work with clients who value diversity and inclusivity and we look forward to being a part of the economic expansion of black-owned businesses.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
We are working on our social media presence and client outreach efforts.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
We love elegant, modern, and contemporary designs. Projects like www.sacrd.co demonstrate this. But working as a UX/UI Designer at agencies focused on e-commerce, we want to focus our efforts in attracting e-commerce clients.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Creating digital infrastructure is the core of what we do since I am the Co-founder of Okay Jak Studio and my career focuses on UX/UI Design. I would like to work alongside with someone to create visual identity while I focus on the digital infrastructure.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Clients who do not trust our expertise which leads to our projects being stifled and micromanaged. Another frustration for our studio is restrictive budgets with large requests. We are actively working on ways to reduce friction in our onboarding process so that we can start to work with clients we align with creatively.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
We would hire a UI Intern to support projects so that we are able to focus on business growth and client expansion.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
At the beginning of my career, I wish I could have told myself to take every opportunity that aligns with who you are and stop doubting yourself.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Turning one-time projects into long-term clients.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for projects in the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle space that are really interested in long-term relationships with our studio. They see and understand our value. We want to work clients who do incorporate sustainable/eco-friendly practices into their business model as we head towards a more conscious society.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Our ideal client collaboration would be BIPOC-lead brands in the fashion, beauty, or lifestyle space with a budget of $12,000 or more to invest in a rebrand and website design + development. They are also interested in an on-going relationship with our studio as they expand their business.
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
My former boss at Willa Creative, Jhoanna Marissa has helped elevate my work.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
When someone approaches my studio for a project, they should introduce themselves through email, let us know their title, project budget, a brief, and a timeline. We love fun gifs so big plus if that's included! This is also available on our website through our contact form.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Keeping joy as a priority in my life
This member profile was originally published in February 2021, Updated August 2021.