Jessica Marola-Hugh is a bi-lingual Christian entrepreneur with a passion for holistic marketing, nature’s science, and eco-tourism.
I was born in South Africa. Growing up, my parents’ values were established through loving biblical principles that I cherish. I was always a determined child. I absolutely loved to explore, the opportunity to test boundaries without fear of the consequences was a passion of mine. I honestly HATED any box; the idea that I needed to fit a mold elicited total rebellion. In school, I found it hard to adjust, often the class clown or the wild independent thinker, my classmates either teased or avoided me due to my peculiarities. I wasn’t part of any winning team, aside from my own, and without the right mentors, I pursued career choices that weren’t in line with my gifts or interests.
Leaving school feeling quite defeated, I took a few college courses, then dropped out to get a “real job,” or so they said. The glorified nine-to-five was such a bore. I felt each moment spent behind a cash register was a loss to my soul. Something wasn’t quite right, and I began a spiral into depression. After a few poor relationship choices, and surprise of motherhood at twenty, things turned. I realized that my son was going to be a massive responsibility and would require a great deal of tenacity. I also knew absolutely nothing about life. My husband and I were eventually married, and over the next ten years, I held a series of corporate roles and welcomed two more children. Then I was offered a marketing internship. I dove right in.
I’ve never looked back. I continued to work full-time, building out my marketing skills, taking online courses, learning from industry leaders, while also raising three boys with a disabled spouse. I was never more exhausted or worried about what tomorrow would look like, but I believed I could. And I did.
I recently welcomed a little girl, who just turned one this past December, and she is the absolute completion of our little family. I owe this journey to my faith. It has taught me some valuable lessons in perseverance, compassion, forgiveness, grace, priorities, wisdom, and so much more. I’m so very grateful I’ve had it to lean on with every win and every failure. It’s honestly helped me to be a better person, mother, and spouse.
