If you’re already a fan of true crime podcasts or documentaries, you’re going to love today’s guest, Jia Wertz. And if you’re not but looking or hoping to make a career switch – even to a TOTALLY different industry than what you’re currently in – today’s episode is also for you. Jia is a fashion designer turned true crime filmmaker whose debut film, Conviction, was selected at 12 film festivals around the world, won 3 awards, and was released on Amazon Prime. After two DECADES in the fashion industry, Jia decided to follow her passion, go to film school, and pursue filmmaking to help shed light on wrongful convictions and the shortcomings of the criminal justice system. Today on THRIVE, she shares her step-by-step process for making a big career switch with practical advice for following your own dream, as well as tips for making authentic connections (since spoiler alert, she had ZERO in the film industry) and keeping the course after things seemingly go awry – like when literally ALL of her initial festival screenings got cancelled when COVID hit. Besides now having an award-winning documentary, Jia is also a featured writer for Forbes, the co-host of the Speaking of Crime podcast, and the founder and fashion designer of Studio 15.
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