We recently had the chance to connect with Jess Curtis and have shared our conversation below.
Jess, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Acting fast can show passion, enthusiasm, and initiative — but it can also skip over the most important part: learning whether a client, project, or partnership is truly a good fit.
That’s why the Vibe Check is such an essential part of my process. Sometimes goals shift once we talk through them. Sometimes the backend is more complex than expected. And sometimes, communication styles just don’t align — and that’s okay.
Moving slow and trusting the onboarding process has become one of the best lessons I’ve learned while running a small business. It’s not hesitation — it’s discernment.
Because when you build from alignment instead of urgency, the work (and the relationship) always turn out stronger.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jess Curtis, founder of J-Bird Digital Designs, a Knoxville-based web development and digital strategist built around one simple idea — that creativity and clarity can coexist.
J-Bird empowers small businesses, artists, and makers to build consistent digital ecosystems that reflect who they are and how they serve. We specialize in WordPress web development, eCommerce builds, and strategic consulting that help entrepreneurs move from scattered to streamlined — creating digital homes that feel personal, functional, and ready to grow with the business and brand rather than pigeon (love a pun) holding it.
What makes J-Bird unique is our human-first approach. Every collaboration begins with a “Vibe Check,” where we get to know the person behind the project before we talk tech. We focus on alignment, not algorithms — and we love working with local makers and mission-driven entrepreneurs who want their digital presence to feel as intentional as the work they do offline.
Now in our third year, J-Bird continues to grow through community, creativity, and collaboration. We’re proud to call Knoxville home and to serve as a creative partner for businesses who value authenticity, integrity, and long-term sustainability online!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I realized that instead of bringing loose ideas to my bosses or managers, I could come with a fully formed proposal. When the legwork was already done — the research, the reasoning, the creative execution — all they had to do was say yes or no.
That moment changed everything. It taught me that power isn’t just about having ideas; it’s about having the initiative and clarity to turn them into something real. I discovered that my creativity and organization weren’t separate skills — they worked best together. And from then on, every project I’ve taken on has been about that balance: making something authentic, efficient, and entirely my own.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this:
Thinking differently is what makes you amazing. Don’t dim that part of yourself to fit into rooms that weren’t built for you. Conforming will only dull your spark.
Trust your intuition — it will guide you more truthfully than your ego ever could. And remember, not every problem needs your solution. Sometimes the kindest thing you can offer is presence — to listen, not fix.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
To my own success — and sometimes my own demise — yes. The public version of me is the real me.
I try to show up as my full, authentic self so others feel empowered doing the same. That’s why my social media is a mix of local artists, bird puns, and small-business shoutouts. I speak fluent “nerd” and “pun,” and I’ll probably show up to our meeting in a sparkle jacket, no bra, and a full heart.
For me, authenticity isn’t a brand strategy — it’s how I build trust. When I show up as myself, I attract clients who value that energy, that honesty, that sense of humor. The public version of me is me — creative, curious, and grounded in self!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This question makes me think of the people I’ve loved who left this world too soon. I carry them with me every day, and I hope that when I’m gone, a part of me stays in the hearts of those I love and inspired, too.
If I live a long life, I hope they let me go. If I live a short one, I hope they think of me often — in every bird that crosses their path, in every badly timed pun, in the warmth of the sun on their face, and in the bloom of a rosebush that reminds them life still grows, even after loss.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jbirddigitaldesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbirddigitaldesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-curtis-jbird/
Image Credits
Tom Bell Image
