Jessie Perez

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Jessie Perez. I'm originally from a small rural town on the coast of Maine, but now have roots securely planted in Nashville, TN.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

Nashville is such a diverse city, not only in the people that call it home, but even the place itself. It has a little bit of everything — real city, suburbs, and even just 15 minutes outside the city you can find farms. Each neighborhood is its own little pocket with its own unique characteristics. There's a place for everyone.

That's one of the reasons I love that we are setting the new TV show I'm working to develop here in Nashville. The show is all about a diverse community that comes together weekly over Sunday Dinner, and the life that happens in between. What better place to show that dynamic than right here in Nashville?

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

The show is called SUNDAY. It's all about community and relational wealth. It's a comedy, though, and brings in relatable moments that will connect with people of all ages. It's faith-forward and family-friendly. I really believe there's such a need for quality clean entertainment that the whole family can once again enjoy together.

Interestingly enough, I didn't set out to produce a sitcom. Actually, most of my work in the relational sector has been nonfiction, through my books and previous talk shows.

The concept for SUNDAY came in a dream. As it developed, initially God sent all the right people with the right experience, and a passion for the vision. We've got an amazing team. We've already filmed the teaser, and will be casting for the show soon.

SUNDAY is more than just a great show in the making. It's a place to reset and refresh away from the heaviness of life. It's a place of community.

In addition to the show itself, the audience will have the opportunity to join the Sunday Village, a space that shows them how to build healthy community in their own lives as well.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Starting a business is a big commitment, but it can be very rewarding. As an analyst, where I developed the first sixteen years of my career, I taught practical process approaches to reaching goals. I apply this to my advice with relationships too, because ultimately we don't live in a silo; any business somehow engages people. So, know why you want to have a business, know what need or want you are meeting, and have a true desire to understand the people you will touch through the business.

The more you understand your people, the more they feel seen or their real needs (not perceived needs) are met, the better opportunity your business will have for success.

Businesses rarely bloom immediately. It takes time. Make sure you are ready to commit to the time it takes. Endurance counts.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

I've had clients on multiple occasions tell me that I've changed their lives and that coaching with me was one of the best decisions they'd ever made. And while I do still occasionally take additional coaching clients, I'm excited to see how the transformational elements from my years leading people in healthier relational strategy will translate to the screen through these amazing and dynamic characters.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I truly believe SUNDAY will become a household name, and not just because it's a day of the week... but because it makes you laugh, it lightens your heart, you can relate, and you sense the community that we all really long for.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

TV has changed a lot over the decades. We are bombarded with heavy content, violence and anger. It's hard to think that entertainment can be a healthy thing these days. But truly, SUNDAY brings something more. Something we've been missing in entertainment for quite a while. But I believe SUNDAY will pave the way for other family shows as well, creating a new wave in entertainment.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

Business takes time, strategy, the right team, and even faith. There's a scripture that says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The reality is that as it's being built, some days are hard to press through, and that faith may be the only thing we stand on. Faith comes before seeing.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I didn't have a specific favorite artist growing up, but I have a deep appreciation for both music and physical art, and of course film and television. I plan to weave multiple types of art into the show, and showcase real artists and real businesses local to Nashville.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

There are so many amazing and talented people on the team developing SUNDAY, and I am truly grateful for all of them.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

To learn more about SUNDAY, how you can support, or to follow the journey, go to https://sunday.show or follow on Instagram or Facebook at Sunday TV Show.

To learn more about the work I do as a relational strategist or my books, you can find that here: https://joyempoweredlife.com