Today we’d like to introduce you to J Rangubphai.
Hi J, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a creator. I am a connector. I lead with strategic thinking. Traditionally, I have utilized my broad skillset to assist and uplift others in community-centered spaces through entrepreneurship, education, outreach and marketing.
I started my consulting firm, Rangubphai Solutions, for my business school internship in 2007. I believe that everyone has a special skill or passion that can generate an income and create opportunities to release dependence on traditional oppressive systems. Over time, my consulting efforts evolved into small business support services in fields including entertainment, arts, sports, and real estate.
My willingness to genuinely help others and my ability to learn new things quickly led me into filmmaking, teaching and photography within my community. While offering my expertise, I would be asked to lend a hand in other areas. Taking these opportunities expanded my toolbox and fed my creative interests while doing acts of service. It also leads to long-term supportive professional and personal relationships. So many of my richest experiences have come from maintaining a solid work ethic, excellent results and willingness to be of service.
While I have always been an artist, I wasn’t particularly interested in making my art into a business. Art is my therapy. However, as my life becomes more stable, I’ve been more inspired and motivated to create art and share it with the world. There is a testimony in using my art to transform my own life – a testimony that might inspire others. I am currently soft-launching my art business and exploring the different ways I want to use my artistic talents to spread love and inspiration.
I started to find a different type of security and expression of myself when I accepted a summer job with the theatre and arts programs at the George Washington Carver Museum Cultural and Genealogy Center. Later, I became a full-time Culture and Arts Education Specialist and I discovered that I had a special ability in navigating our municipal system and saw an opportunity to create change. I never imagined the government had a place for me, but took a chance walking through new doors on my path. This motivated me to return to St. Edward’s to complete my bachelor’s degree in business after dropping out for a decade. After I graduated in 2018, I moved on immediately to complete my Master’s degree in Leadership and Change.
While I was finishing my Master’s degree, I accepted a job with Austin Energy as an Advertising and Outreach Coordinator. This role has given me a deep appreciation for public power and lineworkers and encouraged me to keep exploring new spaces where I can continue to develop professionally and make a difference in our existing institutions. Working for the City of Austin allows me to express my passion for service and follow my thirst for change.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road and that is okay – even normal! Some of my struggles along the way included:
• Owning my own business with limited resources and big visions – after over 5 years, I had to decide whether my efforts were fruitful enough to keep going or switch gears. Now, I evaluate consulting and contract work on a case-by-case basis to supplement my full-time job. I use my business mostly for freelance photography.
• Death of my Granny murder of my Cousin in 2009 – I dropped out of school to take care of my grandmother full time. I lived with her in the hospital and nursing home. She passed in March 2009 and in July 2009, my cousin was murdered on West Campus after graduating from UT.
• Mental health and healing – I have learned to take ownership of my mental health management and have to live my life in a way that supports healthy habits to maintain general life stability independently.
What has helped me overcome? Learning myself and doing what works best for me despite how others think or feel about it. Even if I have never seen it done, to me, that is even more reason to try it. I try new approaches and incorporate those that work and are aligned with my health intentions, beliefs and personal mission.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Right now, I am doing:
1. Public service specializing in electric utility advertising and communications
2. Working on my Project Management Institute certification.
3. Photography specializing in nature photography and freelance event photography.
4. Painting and drawing specializing in abstract and multimedia visual arts and transforming it into apparel, accessories, home décor, and inspiring greeting cards. https://www.
5. Video camera person with MultiMedia Maze https://www.
6. Writer and business consultant with Cut and Deliver specializing in film and scriptwriting projects https://www.facebook.
I am known for:
• Getting it done – whatever it is; especially when it has not been done before, there is uncertainty on how to do it, or the circumstances seem impossible or extremely challenging
• Being “very organized”
• Using diplomacy and thoughtfulness while being accepting of others
• Creating
• Staying focused
• Having an online presence
I am most proud of:
• Surviving. Keeping myself alive and managing my mental health effectively over time. My medical team says I have beat the odds and statistics by educating myself, taking ownership in my treatment, and making healing a routine.
• Taking care of my grandparents.
• My work with youth and work with organizations focusing on youth.
• The 2022 American Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo https://youtu.be/
• Academics –
• Graduating Suma Cum Lade after dropping out and returning.
• Being one of ten recipients of the annual SEU Presidential Award. https://www.stedwards.
• Serving as a judge in the university’s business plan competition for the third consecutive year this September after winning 3rd place in the 1st and 13th annual competitions. https://www.
What sets me apart from others:
• Consistent, effective, dependable work ethic
• Unique strategic vision
• Approach to relationship building and project management with human-centered cultural awareness
• Survivor. Adaptability. Tenacity.
• Cultural richness – The world says I am “mixed race.” I consider myself raised by my community because I grew up in multiple households each with different cultural and ethnic foundations.
• Alchemizing energies
How do you define success?
• For me, there are levels to the idea of success. • Success, to me, includes a victorious mindset, an energetic alignment, and a spiritual centeredness.
• Success, to me, is being able to help others without risking my own stability.
• Success, to me, can look like making it through the day alive (in all seriousness) all the way to accomplishing a major milestone in an area I have been focused.
• Ultimately, I see myself exploring the world, capturing my travels on camera free from any form of stress or strain.
• I am seeking to assist and uplift others in being the change our world needs to realize its collective highest good
Pricing:
- Original Art and Prints starting at ~$40 https://www.jrangubphaiart.com/
- Apparel Accessories and Home Décor Starting at ~$10 https://artofwhere.com/artists/jrangubphai
- Arbonne Health and Wellness Products starting at ~$50 https://www.arbonne.com/us/en/arb/JenniferRangubphai/
- Event photography starting at $250 https://www.jrangubphaiart.com/commissions-page
- Creative Commissions starting at $500 https://www.jrangubphaiart.com/commissions-page
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/jrangubphai
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.rangubphai.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/J.RangubphaiArt
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rangubphai
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/2Muzik2Tweet2
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/2muzik2tweet2
- Other: https://www.jrangubphaiart.com/
Image Credits
Grad Refresh Day 2 – St. Edward’s University (confirming clearance pending) JRangubphai Carver Museum 2017 – @Deanna_Photo (waiting credit verbiage) Svante Palm Mural – HOPEFUL Art Teach Carver – Carver Museum UMF Film Crew – Selfie More photos pending
