Jess Uyeda

Which ISOtunes model is your current favorite & why?

My favourite model is XTRA 2.0. I have to frequently take them off and put them back on again and they are the easiest for me to get in and out of my ears AND they conveniently magnet together and hang around my neck when I have to have them off. Also, I generally wear them the entire day so the long battery life is a fantastic bonus.

What do you typically listen to on your ISOtunes?

What I listen to is based on what i'm doing. I listen to music if I need to think about what I'm doing and I listen to podcasts or audio books when I don't need to think about what I'm doing. Also, I often need to have some sort of noise to actively ignore so that I can focus (ADHD for the win) so I listen to books that I've heard before but I keep the volume low and I don't pay attention.

Why are you an ISOtunes' brand ambassador?

I used to wear over-ear muffs with wired headphones underneath which was, obviously, less than ideal. There was exactly one type of headphone that fit in my ear and exactly one type of ear defender that only pinched my head a little and not a great deal. I reached out to an industry worker that I respected [Tim Uhler] and I bought my first set of ISOtunes after hearing what he had to say about them. I wore them for a week before I started posting about them because I had to be sure that they were something that I would recommend to others. For me, it's been the easiest thing in the world to be a brand ambassador because, even when I'm not working, I'm always wearing them. Of all the other brands that I've tried - for both ear defenders and plain headphones - these are the only ones that I've ever been this comfortable in.

What inspired you to get into your chosen industry?

I had a talk with my brother about nine years ago. He was on the verge of starting his youtube channel and he asked me if I would be interested in working for him. I had no idea what was in store for me when I said, "yes."

What is the most challenging part of your line of work?

There hasn't been a single day in seven years in which I knew what I was doing. Every day I have to learn something new and, most days, I have to do it in front of a camera.

How did you become a content creator?

I moved across the country to work for my brother (strictly behind the scenes, doing all the menial labour) but he had different ideas from me. The last time I "knew" what I wanted to do with my life was when I was 15 and I was a classical violinist. Now, I've got a youtube channel where I post videos of me moving garbage around in the desert. Life is mad.

How do you stay motivated in times of chaos & stress?

Short answer: I don't. Long answer: I have no idea. My entire life is chaos and stress because of how anxious I am. When I get overwhelmed, I touch all my things. This means that I go through all the things I've collected and think about what they mean to me. It is incredibly soothing and, if I'm lucky, it reminds me of all the things that I want to do. Then...I just start doing things.

What is something you are most proud of?

The most important thing that I've ever been able to do is to connect people. I've always been in situations where I get to know people - the service industry for over 20 years and now social media - and being able to introduce them to others has been extremely gratifying.

Words to live by?

"I want to live an important life because I was born a human being" from "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa

Fun fact about you.

Before I worked at a lumber mill but after I had already become a librarian, I used to be production manager for the Santa Barbara symphony.

Which job has been the most challenging for you?

Being a content creator is the hardest job I've ever had. I'm a puzzle solver, not a creative, and I'll never understand what the audience wants.

What are future goals as your career grows?

I don't see myself as having a "career" and I've not thought about future goals since I was 15 and I developed carpal tunnel syndrome and saw my future goal of being a violinist go up in flames. All I want in life is to be useful. That is a daily goal.

How would you describe your perfect day?

Interact with an animal, interact with a human, be immersed in water, air-dry in the sun, carry something heavy, get lost, walk a long way, see something new, remember something old, be kind to a stranger, be mysterious, be transparent, and always always eat snacks.

When do you feel most at home?

I am most at home when I am in my car and driving a great distance. It's my perfect blend of solitude that ends in companionship and being still with my thoughts whilst being focused on the task at hand.

Favorite part of your daily routine.

The best part of my day is always sitting outside and feeding gary and the pirate squirrels.

Three words that describe you.

Unapologetic

Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?

I hate onions.