Meet Jessie Shay | Consultant & Social Work Doctoral Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessie Shay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started Creating Agency, my business, to serve the community in a unique way. I saw a niche where I knew I could make a difference. It began with me working to better the lives of queer youth in Denver, and it has now turned into the process of me going back to school to get my Doctorate of Social Work. I continue to work with the queer community in Denver by co-facilitating the Youth PRIDE Coalition. I am also diving into the work of getting my doctorate and continuing to focus on Creating Agency for folks in the community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The goal of my work is to always let those most impacted by a problem lead the solution. I’m there to support and offer skills to back up that work. This makes my work unique and powerful.

I live with chronic illnesses that have made working in traditional environments a challenge. Finding a style of work that best suits my needs was important and key to my success. I had lots of support from family, friends and coworkers on that journey. In the end, starting my own business has allowed me to make my own schedule for the most part and build a professional work life that fits my needs and still allows me to make a difference. I’m so grateful for my journey. The obstacles that I have faced make me a more empathetic, hard worker and agent of change.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Denver is a fantastic place to visit and a great hub for lots of activities. Catching a Rockies game at Coors Field is always fun. So is visiting the beautiful Botanic Gardens and walking around Cheesman Park. No visit to Denver is complete without seeing a show at Red Rocks and trekking around the mountains. I love to take people the DAM Brewery in Dillion to eat the best burgers in the state and stop in at the Stanley Marketplace in Denver to visit Annette for delicious food and ambiance. I would, of course, drive any visitor who travels here to meet my parents in Fort Collins and stop in at Ace Gillett’s. Colorado is beautiful and full of adventure!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner, Chase, is my biggest fan. He has championed me starting my own business and encouraged me to go back to school to make an even bigger difference. Without him, I don’t know if I would have taken these steps. I’m so grateful for all of his love and support!

Website: creatingagencyllc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingagency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-shay/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatingagency