Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenay Zhyrov.
Hi Jenay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I did a scary thing at the end of 2022. I quit my financially comfy but unfulfilling corporate job as an Influencer Marketing Manager to pivot my career. Now, I’m a freelance writer drafting content and copy for brands and media sites in the lifestyle, home, and wellness space. I feel like I’m finally moving in the right direction.
I grew up as a book and art-loving kid. I was the editor of my high school’s newsletter, interned for dream companies in the music space, and earned my journalism degree from the University of Southern California. I was on track to becoming a journalist either in the music or nonprofit space, but by the end of J-school, I was burnt out. And like most college graduates, I needed a job asap to stay in Los Angeles.
I was lucky enough to be offered a social media gig with the nonprofit Keep A Breast Foundation during the Vans Warped Tour and I had a job at an artist management company waiting for me after two months on the road. Working with pop artists, singer-songwriters, and pop-punk bands was a “cool” job but not something I wanted to do long-term. After the team downsized and I was laid off, I quickly jumped into a new job at Create & Cultivate and spent a couple of years assisting with production and managing onsite talent relations for large-scale conferences and pop-up events. I had dreams of moving into the editorial side of the business, but I was overly occupied with the long, stressful hours of my primary duties. My editorial dreams fell by the wayside, but somehow, writing was still a part of my life. In my limited spare time, I wrote personal blogs and published poetry zines. The storyteller in me never left.
Eventually, I quit my production job without something new lined up, but my experience there opened a door to the world of influencer marketing, so I continued down that path and landed at a lifestyle subscription company called FabFitFun for a few years handling account management, campaign strategy, and creative briefs.
Years and a pandemic flew by, and again; I knew I wasn’t in the right field. I was good at my job, but it didn’t light me up. I spent at least a year digging deep to figure out what could make me feel happy in my career. The answer always led to writing, but I had been out of the “official” game for so long that I wasn’t sure how to pivot. After many months of research and chatting with peers who freelance, things started clicking into place. I thought long and hard about the kind of writing I wanted to do and who I wanted to work with. I didn’t have any recent bylines or a portfolio, so I gave myself assignments and created one. I sought out resources created by other freelance writers on how to run a business, how to work with clients, how to set up workflows, and anything else that would set me up for success from the start. My background in production and marketing made me really good at cold pitching, so I had that skill under my belt. And then, I shared the news of my career pivot with my network. It was a blessing to watch inquiries flood in.
I’m in my first few months of freelancing, so the transition hasn’t stopped being scary—I don’t know if it ever will—and I’m still figuring things out, but I wake up grateful every day that I took this risk and that I’m working on projects that feel aligned with my interests and expertise. I’m in the business of sharing stories that’ll help others feel good in their own lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I didn’t consider freelancing for a long time. It didn’t feel like an option because my husband and I, like everyone else, have bills to pay and financial goals to maintain. But I didn’t want to end up at another 9 to 5 job that made me feel like the other ones, so I struggled with figuring out what could be next. I definitely went through an existential crisis phase.
Then I saw how many freelancers were in my network, and I was inspired by them. Leaving my almost six-figure salary was not an easy decision. But I planned ahead, saved as much money as possible before quitting, and now have savings for when slower months or emergencies inevitably come up. I’m making less money than before, which can be stressful at times, but I’m so much happier, and that’s a relief.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a freelance writer, but I like people to picture me as a guide who gives people a gentle nudge and actionable steps to feel happier, more aligned, and at ease in an unpredictable and sometimes difficult-to-navigate world. I write about anxiety relief, books, home decor, mindfulness, and other soothing resources. I currently have bylines on HubSpot and xoNecole, with more on the way with other new clients of mine. I also author a monthly newsletter called Thank You For Being Here, which is a love letter to books, films, revelations, and rituals, and recently started sharing content on YouTube to document the current journey I’m on.
I love what I do because I get to stay curious, share life-improving resources, tell stories, and offer comfort. At the heart of my work is joy, so I lead with that.
Contact Info:
- Website: jenayzhyrov.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenayross/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenayross/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenayross
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenayzhyrov
