Meet Trailblazer Graham Jewell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Graham Jewell.

Graham, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved from Florida to Colorado for college, and shortly after, fell into the music industry!

I interned with Z2 Entertainment and Madison House before I got a position at Madison House Presents on the marketing team for Electric Forest. After 2 seasons with that team, while also balancing a position with Warner Brothers’ Music on the side, I transitioned into the freelance lifestyle and acquired a lot of awesome clients.

I’m in my second year being a freelance content creator, social media manager, brand curator, and influencer outreach specialist! I am also on the marketing team for FORM Arcosanti, which has been loads of fun.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Yes and no! I feel like finding opportunities came easily to me in a way, through meeting people and putting myself out there in general. There isn’t a shy bone in my body, so networking has always been second nature! I was also really lucky to work under some amazing women at Madison House Presents who whipped me into shape. Having female mentors was, and still is, my north star.

Struggles mainly hid in my inability to know my worth. And, of course, being mansplained to NEVER helps that dilemma. I personally struggled with trying to become something I wasn’t, in the sense of trying to be the “image” of what someone successful in the music industry looks like. But when it came down to it, I found a lot of power and strength in being a soft, emotional, kind woman in a tough, blunt and seemingly emotion-less industry (at times).

It was terrifying being a full-time freelancer at first, but I found solace in communicating my desires and drive to others, which ultimately lead to some amazing connections and opportunities. Things always seemed to fall into place, but I’d credit that to my trust in the universe.

Patience is a HUGE piece of advice! I’d say that it’s so important to know your truth, believe in yourself, know your worth, and don’t be scared! Start conversations, be open to learning and listening. Allow yourself to fail and know it’s totally okay.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I market myself as a content creator, social media manager, brand curator, marketing consultant, and influencer outreach specialist! A mouthful in an attempt to fully explain everything that I do. Essentially, I am contracted by music festivals (mainly) to run, clean up, and optimize their social media presence, create social marketing plans/strategies, and/or run their influencer outreach program. I am usually contracted to be on site for each event as well, which is really fun and embarks on a whole other side of my specialties!

It’s been really powerful to create personal connections with these festival communities. Knowing that there is faith in me to market these events well is a really good feeling. I have recently had the opportunity to say no to projects, and really hone in on the projects that I truly care about and speak to my truth.

It’s been really magical to find my voice and work style over the past two years. When it comes down to it, every project that I work on is approached with a super meaningful attitude. I see the value and beauty that each event brings to people’s lives. It’s my life’s purpose to bring people and communities together in an intentional way, and I have the really awesome opportunity to convey that through my work.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have been extremely blessed with some phenomenal female mentors over the years. I met one of these women while working Big Gigantic’s Rowdytown event at Red Rocks three years ago, Emily Kessler. She completely took me under her wing and continues to support me and bring me new opportunities. I truly credit my music career to her.

I never really sought out a mentor. Voicing my desires and asking questions are some of the things that revealed them to me. How will you find someone to guide you when they don’t know you’re looking for guidance? Those who were willing to help were, and still are, the people who I look to the most.

Pricing:

• Social Media Management – $1,500 / month
• Influencer Outreach – $1,600 / month
• Social Media Management + Influencer Outreach – $3,000 / month
• Creative Consulting – $1,300 / session

Contact Info:

• Website: https://grahamjewell.wixsite.com/grahamjewell
• Email: grahamjewell01@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grahamjewell/

Image Credit:
Elli Lauren, Jess Bernstein, Miguel Mendoza, Lauren Coakley Weatherford

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.