From studying economics to working in the media and entertainment industry, Jessica Rogers is an executive coach with a creative, marketing career who now loves to help others as much as she can.
Starting as a part-time sales assistant in Ravels, Oxford St, she quickly moved on to work with big brand names such as Dorling Kindersley and Egmont, and Hasbro – helping to launch major media brands such as Transformers. So how did she become a coach?
Read the conversation between The Diverse Executive Coaching Directory (DECD) and Jessica Rogers to explore her full life journey, and career as a coach.
DECD: What was your very first job?
Jess:
My very first job was as a sales assistant at Ravel on Oxford St, I started just after my GCSE’s a summer job that went on to become a Saturday job whilst in 6th form.
I studied Economics at University and started my ‘proper’ career in marketing at Britannia Music. I knew I wanted to work in media / entertainment and Britannia was local to me as I lived very close to Ilford where Britannia was based. I then went on to work at an Ad agency, in publishing with Dorling Kindersley and Egmont, in TV and my last role was at Hasbro as Brand Manager with ‘Boys’ toy brands. I have a few claims to fame from my career in marketing, the most notable being working closely with Basil Brush and launching the first Transformers movie toys in 2007! Midway through my career, I was put on a ‘Rising Stars’ coaching programme where I met my first ever coach. He really inspired me and made me think about my purpose and the difference I wanted to make in the world. When I reached a crossroads in my career I reconnected with him, started coaching training as part of my personal development and from then I was hooked and I found that I was also quite good at coaching too 🙂 The rest as they say is history.
DECD: What inspired you to become a coach?
Jess:
I’ve always been a good listener and I was always the one everyone came to with their problems in my friendship groups.
Whilst working at Egmont Publishing I was on a ‘rising stars’ action learning coaching programme I had a really good relationship with the Lead coach and after the programme finished we kept in contact, a few years later when I was at a career crossroads I reached out to him for coaching, as part of this I decided to undertake some coaching training with as personal development, I found that I loved it and so my accreditation journey with the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) began.
I started off coaching women at career crossroads as that was where I was, I also had a passion to coach young people, particularly those who felt they did not have a voice in terms of making education and life choices as my experience and my network grew I found there were different ways I would meet clients and, different coaching avenues I could take to help them. I would say that I have worked with coaches and mentors who have really helped me carve my direction and follow my passions, from coaching mums and young people to now developing and facilitating Leadership development programmes and Leadership and Executive coaching.
DECD: As a coach what led you to specialise in the particular area that you concentrate on (eg. leadership, personal development etc)
Someone once said to me ‘you teach what you need to learn’ and this has definitely been true for me.
I started coaching women at career crossroads as that was what I had recently experienced. Alongside this I worked with executives and middle leaders.
I worked with young people as this was a passion and from experience, the same can be said for my work as with small business owners.
Working with this diverse group of people has reinforced for me that doing work that matters is of paramount importance. As time has moved on and I have grown as a coach my focus has shifted and now I work with Senior Executives and Leaders in large organisations in the corporate and public sector.
I bring together my lived experience as black woman, mum, entrepreneur and my consistent coaching training to support, challenge and train people to maximise their impact and effect the change they want to see in their lives and in their workplaces.
DECD: What is the most interesting part of your work?
Jess:
I am always meeting different people with different experiences, some of which are totally far removed from anything I have ever or will ever experience – I love that variety. What I also love is that whoever I meet and work with the central theme is that all comes down to being human, whether you’re a MD in a large corporate or, a budding Leader in a small not-for-profit you are human.
DECD: What is the one project/case that you’re most proud of in your career and why?
Jess:
There is a lot I am proud of and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had over the last 15 years since I took a leap of faith and changed careers.
One of my proudest achievements is the work I do with Oxford Brookes University on the Bloom Coaching programme. This started as a seed of an idea in 2019 during a conversation with the Enterprise Support Director. We’ve run this programme every academic year with a career support angle added last year working across students, staff and alumni helping them develop their entrepreneurial mindset and leadership skills.
DECD: What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in the workplace in today’s society?
Jess:
I’m pleased that there is a spotlight on DE&I beyond gender, it’s good that difficult conversations are being had and I want to see more emphasis on equity and inclusion and what that actually looks (and feels) like.
I feel the dial has been shifted a long way from when I was employed by large organisations as an employee – which is great and I want to see more continued consistency.
DECD: What about your heritage makes you feel proud?
Jess:
I am a British born Ghanaian, my parents came here in the 1970s – education was always the priority and whilst it was acknowledged that we were growing up in British society, we were still proudly Ghanaian, at home we spoke Twi and ate home food.
I’m proud of our work ethic and adaptability. I’m proud of our strong Faith and values. I’m proud of how inclusive and welcoming we are. Proud of the food and dress and how we bring these together to celebrate life.
DECD: What do you do outside of work?
I workout regularly, lifting weights.
I love to take walks by myself and listen to audiobooks / podcasts.
Spending quality time with the people that make me feel good.
DECD: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read this week?
Article on newyorker.com about imposter syndrome.
DECD: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Jess:
Be yourself, that’s your superpower, don’t compare yourself to others, we are all uniquely and wonderfully made and there is enough space on this earth for us all to shine.
DECD: What is your favourite movie, book, song, album or quote?
Jess:
Quote: There is a right time for everything. Everything that we do on earth has a proper time.
Interested in working with Jess? Find out more about her professional coaching career here.
