You've heard her on the airwaves, you've seen her on many screens, you've experienced her hosting events and you've also seen her dance - and yet somehow, you probably know that there's STILL more to this powerful woman of God. Who are we speaking about? The passionate, ambitious and effervescent multi-passionate, Anya-Jean Phillips; one of our winners of the PAJE People's Choice Awards! When we say she dropped some gems and had deep authenticity and substance dripping from the words she shared, we're not even trying to flatter. We know you're about to be encouraged and we can't wait! Let's jump in, fam!
PAJE: Over the years, many have seen you share your multiplicity of talents in various environments and we can easily say that you are a powerful, multi-passionate woman with a heart for God, people and service. But, beyond our perception - in your own words, WHO is Anya-Jean Phillips?
Anya: Let me start by saying your perception is quite accurate. Anya-Jean is an extroverted fun-loving individual with a big heart. Lawks this heart is big! An aspiring philanthropist, trained dancer and singer, a self proclaimed comedian and actress, and a lover of hallmark Christmas movies all year round! A sweet tooth girlie with an obsession for sugar and spice cake and Devon House ice cream.
I love people, especially children and the elderly. I love supporting/helping people in any way I can. I think I was born to be a cheerleader because I just love to see people win and thrive and become the best version of themselves.
PAJE: What would you say has kept you motivated and grounded in God while serving in the multiple ways you do?
Anya: Truthfully, the fact that this is not about me. Lol I am literally just the conduit but to whom much is given, much is required. So when I get weary, I rest. When I become demotivated, I take a break whether that means a social media break, a hiatus where I take on no new clients, or no ministry request. I re-center myself, bawl likkle bit or whole heap lol and refocus, and go again.
PAJE: So, you sing, you dance, you host, you market - it's safe to say you're comfortable in front of the camera - but we also know there's an aspect of creativity that people don't always see - What would you say are the 3 top things that REALLY need go into being able to show up and deliver as a multi-passionate Christian Creative when people aren't watching? (Be as detailed as you feel comfortable being)
Anya: This is an interesting question! There are many crucial things that need to be in place in order for me to effectively show up and show out.
The first being CONFIDENCE- people will believe you, IF YOU BELIEVE YOU!
Whether it's in hosting or content creating- there is a level of confidence and self awareness that I have to first be submerged in and then exude, in order for the product/service I am promoting to be believable and for the audience to whom I am speaking, be able to connect with me.
Do I always have it down pat? certainly not. Some days I am shaking in my boots but the show MUST go on.
Secondly I'd say adequate rest and prep time: As a creative, I have to use my mind A LOT. my creative ability depends heavily on my imagination AND THE HOLY SPIRIT'S prompting. I kid you not, some of my craziest or more attention grabbing content is literally from God. Just a gentle voice saying do this, or go here, or film this. I have to be able to stop, unwind, slow down, re-set and SPEND TIME WITH GOD in order to be effective.
Thirdly, before I take the stage or go in front of the camera- I have to be certain of my assignment and my audience. I have to be certain of what I have been contracted to do, who am I appealing to and so prepare myself or my content in such a way that my delivery reaches every one it is supposed to reach. For example: if I am to host a concert: my audience may be pretty wide but say it's a Baptist church setting or a Pentecostal one, the preparation and atmosphere will be different. I have to know what governs that space, what's norm/acceptable in that space; even in preparing jests/jokes. I have to dress the part that is accepted in that space.
My assignment there is to keep the crowd engaged as we move through the program one artist/item after the other; it is not to exhort/preach or go off on a tangent. And even in preparing too- as a Christian I must leave room for the holy Spirit to do as He feels in the midst of such a setting- so it takes a listening ear to the voice of God, as I am operating, to see if He leads me down an alternate path. It's the same with content creation- I have to know and be sensitive to what my client wants to portray and what the listening and viewing audience wants to see and what they respond most to.
PAJE: 'DweetFiMi', (@dweetfimi on Instagram) a brand that has been growing from 2020, and has continued to spread its wings through your authentic marketing services - what has the journey been like in applying your love for the creative arts to the creative representation of your client's brands?
Anya: Wow, it has been a journey lol. There are good days and bad days, there are days when I become demotivated and I just want to give up. There are days when no new clients are coming.
I am so grateful for the solid ones that have been advertising with DweetFiMi since we started such as Aquasis Water Store and CustomlyUnique.
I remember when I was about to throw in the towel one particular season and one of my client's said to me - I AM NOT ADVERTISING WITH ANYONE ELSE BUT DWEETFIMI.
That really jolted me, in a good way lol and humbled me too. But I am grateful- God has been faithful.
Sometimes I look back at my initial content and cringe or smile because I keep wondering how did I think of that? or yow! dat bad eh! yu creative bad! And in those moments I am encouraged to keep going. I love being authentically dramatic for my client's sake. Ill go above and beyond for them because as I always say - I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY IN THE CALIBRE OF TALENT- THE PRODUCTS & SERVICES- ESTABLISHED HERE IN THIS COUNTRY AND I BELIEVE IN BRAND JAMAICA!
PAJE: Love that, Anya! Is there something special you'd want to say to your potential clients?
PAJE: Speaking of journeys, many people with a collection similar to your wealth of talents and experiences have chosen to explore the world and do these things in the secular space. What led you to decide that you were going to devote your talents and skills to bringing glory to God and sharing the Gospel along your life's journey?
Anya: Another good question. Uhm, I've tried the world and it doesn't suffice. There's something in me that makes me want to stay with God! Yeah the world has a lot to offer I am sure but there is a greater level of satisfaction that comes with knowing I am making God smile at the end of the day.
Jermaine Edwards penned the lyrics- "At the end of the day, I want to make you smile! What the world offers lasts only for a moment but what is done for God will surely last. My entire life is for God's glory and the words I live by is to LIVE FULL & DIE EMPTY- if it's not done for God, if purpose is not fulfilled- I would have wasted my time on earth.
PAJE: As a lover of the Creative Arts and being used to being seen on one stage or the other, tell us what the process was like adapting to the fact that, as a Radio Host, (the majority of) people can only hear your voice but you would still need to make an impact and keep listeners engaged.
Anya: Truthfully, it wasn't that challenging, switching lanes from physically being on stage to being behind a microphone.
If anything, now going on a stage is more exhilarating because people who didn't know me before radio- when they see me in person, their reactions tend to be priceless.
It helps to keep that element of surprise going because they often can't believe that this powerful voice comes from this tiny human lol (that's their expression- verbatim).
I actually feel more relaxed behind a studio microphone than IN front of a live physical audience. And in fact I feel more confident know creating that impact on the airwaves.
"Radio land" takes everything an announcer says at Gospel.
That has forced me to be more careful with what I say, dive into the word of God more so that what I say and how I encourage my listeners comes from a biblical place and in so doing impact is being created, lives are being transformed and most importantly, God is being glorified. The ability to switch lanes or change hats is always good and I believe it helps to sharpen my overall skill set.
I can also utilize my creativity behind a studio mic as well as in front of a live audience, it just depends on what the Holy Spirit aka the chief content creator and creative mastermind, would lead me to say or do.
PAJE: Over the past 3 years, especially, many Christians have had their faith tested in multiple ways. What are the 3 biggest lessons you have learned in the last 3 years?
Anya:
Lesson number 1: God's timing? is IMPECCABLE. It may not always look and feel that way. He's gonna allow you to go through some things but when He steps in to bless you or to change your story- you're gonna see why He waited...
Lesson number 2: Never despise your season. No season lasts forever whether it is a dry season or a sorrowful one or a season of God teaching you some hard things. It is better for you to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and surrender to the process and pruning of that season.
Lesson number 3: Surround yourself with a trustworthy community/Enroll in mentorship- this one is golden! You need people. You need people to pray with and for you. You need to pray for others. YOU NEED PEOPLE TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE.
I don't quite remember where I heard this phrase first but it says you need 3 kinds of people in your life: People who are above you/more advanced than you- these are the people that are in the positions you want to be whether that's spiritually, career wise or business wise. You can emulate them, see the road map they use and follow suit.
You need people who are on your level- these are the people that help to hold you up and vice versa; you all learn from each other's experiences and exchange ideas. You also need people who are below you/not as advanced/mature as you- so you can teach them/impart wisdom as you would have learnt along the way.
PAJE: When thinking of your relationship with God over the years, what are the 3 main things that you'd say have seen the most growth/evolution?
Anya: My prayer life most definitely has grown, still a far way to go. My sensitivity to the Holy Spirit has improved- still needs work and my obedience to His prompting or instructions- even when it may look foolish to others. And for these, I thank God!
PAJE: What would you say to the person who is at a crossroads between devoting their life's work and talents completely to God versus pursuing interests that are not overtly in line with their Christian beliefs?
Anya: Well if such person is a believer it should be a no brainer. If not, I understand being at a cross roads.
At the end of the day PRAYING ABOUT A MATTER IS PARAMOUNT. You need to, for yourself, know the direction God is leading you to.
Have a conviction for yourself on the matter and stick with it- in spite of what others may say. For example, take a Christian musician - he or she plays for their local church, and at local gospel events but may find that after being invited to do a secular gig or two- they may find that it is more rewarding monetarily and otherwise than playing in and for churches.
That's a matter for such a person to take to God. The reality is, as scripture puts it- where your treasure is, there your heart is also. So if money matters more to you than where God wants you to be, then money is what will drive your decision making.
I also understand the reality that certain industries appear more profitable than others so at the end of the day- you have to know what God has said to you personally on the matter. As for me, God gave me the talents and gifting - it would be remiss of me to not use them to bring glory to him.
PAJE: Wow. Wow. Wow. We cannot thank you enough for being so open in sharing! We have no doubt that our PAJE Fam will be impacted by this piece - we know we have been. Before you go, though, is there anything else you'd like to share with the fam?
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