A Q&A Conversation with Sophia ‘SoJay’ Jackson, Founder of Soulful Colour

Who is Sophia Jackson and what are you most passionate about?

I am a creative person, who is passionate about my journey and the journey of others. I want to positively impact the lives of others and by doing so, I will obviously impact my life in a profound way. When you really break it down, I truly believe that part of our purpose is to serve others. That’s what I am passionate about.

Have you always been creative?

I would say so. My mom would say from the crib. Singing, music are my first loves. I was making music for a long time. I’ve always been singing, performing, acting, a bit of all the performing arts. Being comfortable on stage is very much a part of me as well.

What made you decide to create Soulful Colour?

Initially, I just wanted to have something cool to colour. I had gone back to school as a mature student. I went to Humber College for the Accelerated Child and Youth Worker Program, which condensed a three year program, into 18 months. It was intense. I made it even more intense because I wanted to achieve honours. This was important to me, and I added the pressure on myself to strive for excellence. I stressed myself out quite a bit, not just myself, but probably some of the professors and my classmates, but in a positive way. I learned from them. They learned from me. I was outspoken. I had strong opinions. When it came to our in class discussions about vicarious trauma, self-care is something that was drilled in. You have to take care of yourself in order to be at your best to take care of and support others.

In class we shared ideas for self-care practices. Somebody yelled out colouring and that rang in my ear. I started colouring, I found it calming and it was a great way to take breaks while I was going through my program, you know, in between prepping for exams and managing group work, adulting. When I went looking for things to colour it was easy to find very intricate patterns, mandalas, futuristic landscapes, and movie themed colouring books. I literally typed black colouring books into my google search and what would come up is historical figures, things that reference enslavement, of course and referencing different African stereotypes. There were basically no images of just regular people doing regular things. A lot of colouring books were of dogs and cats or animals, flowers and trees. Nothing showing people with some diversity, with some swag. I wanted some cool images that would resonate with me as a woman of colour, my culture, my people, our people, the globe. Images that represented the types of people you would see in Toronto and the GTA. I was like, this isn’t cool, how come I can’t find anything? That was the inspiration for the first colouring book.

How did you come up with the name of Soulful Colour?

I wanted something unique. I wanted something different. I have a bit of an IT background. So I knew I needed to search names to see if any of the domain names I was thinking about were already taken or if they were being used on Instagram, social media. When I was singing and performing frequently, I went by the name SoJay. I still use that name now, which is a combination of my first name and last name. SoJaySoul was my domain name and soul is the genre of music that I sing so I knew that Soul had to be part of any name I chose. Then colour, it’s a colouring book. I played around with a few variations and then landed with Soulful Colour.

You spoke about looking for colouring books that represented your history, culture and the like. Is that why you wanted to publish a colouring book that reflected diversity and appealed to a broad cross-section of people? Why was that important to you?

Initially it wasn’t that deep, right? I wanted to have something cool to colour and I was sure there were other people who would like that too. I was looking at other colouring books and there was a void, more like a big gaping hole, and I saw an opportunity. I needed to fill it with something awesome! I also recognized that the Canadian experience is very different to the USA. I mean, in the US it’s easier to find things similar to what I created, but even those don’t necessarily speak to my own experience; being of Caribbean descent but born and raised in southern Ontario. Colouring books created in the US don’t include what I see as blackness and cool and urban. It’s a bit different so I know the uniqueness is still there. So again, initially I wasn’t on a mission, ‘oh, I’m going to create something that speaks to diversity, equity and inclusion,’ but that’s what it is. In retrospect, it ‘s the only thing it could have been.

How many colouring books have you launched so far?

Two. The third one is in the works, which I’m very excited about because we are going to continue down the financial literacy path that I started in the second. Soulful Colour Mindset Money Matters. In the third book I am diving in a little bit deeper. Schools have finally put financial literacy into the curriculum. I am highlighting that and S.T.E.A.M. is a focus now as well, Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts & Math. Some may ask, how does colouring fit into S.T.E.A.M. Colouring supports cognitive function, spatial recognition, creativity and fine motor skills. Helping to open up your mind. When you add the layer of representation it takes this cognitive connection to another level.

Are your colouring books geared towards teenagers to adults or are they for everybody?

Most people automatically think that colouring is mainly for kids. Colouring is for all ages and for everyone, as long as you are willing to try it. From kindies to elders, I have a couple of points for every stage. In kindergarten colouring is used to teach everything from colour recognition, fine motor skills, creativity to math. All of that is nurtured in kindergarten. Colouring is a tool for emotional self-regulation. There are so many applications, but educators are rarely intentional with the images given to children to colour. I feel that our colouring books provide an opportunity to eliminate biases, to support diversity in classrooms and other environments, to promote self-confidence and self-love. This is so important in our elementary years. As adults, it’s a self-care practice, it is art therapy, and we know that art therapy in general is very calming, meditative and therapeutic. Add the diversity piece to that, as well as the affirmations, the quotes and inspirational messages that’s now connecting left brain, right brain, which is still relevant for young kids, but of course, for adults very relevant. There’s a deeper cognitive experience. Representation and diversity continue being important as we get older.

My mother really liked the books and their diverse styles and the nostalgic hairstyles that evoked her childhood memories. Her expression while flipping through them reminded me of the saying “once an adult, twice a child,” a universally relevant sentiment, which highlights that our inner child never really goes away. These books transcend age and culture, benefiting all who engage with it. Through the simple act of colouring, it conveys powerful messages and interpretations, tailored to each individual who explores its pages.

Let’s talk about your illustrations. Are you the illustrator? Do you illustrate?

No, I’m not the illustrator. That was something I had to get over. How am I going to create a colouring book when I don’t know how to draw?

So, who’s your illustrator?

Nick (Ennay), he’s the illustrator, and one of my brothers.

That gives you and your brother an opportunity to bond as well.

Yeah, definitely. There’s a whole backstory to this that I’ve never really shared before. We share the same mom, but have different dads and we grew up separately. We didn’t even know each other existed for most of our lives. We finally connected when I was in my 20s, which was quite a while ago. Then, in 2017, the idea for the colouring book came up. When I needed an illustrator, I immediately thought of him and reached out. The first book had three illustrators: Nick, my best friend’s daughter who’s also an illustrator, and a local visual and tattoo artist who is a friend of mine. They all contributed to the illustrations. In the second book, it was just me and my brother. I would present my ideas, affirmations, and quotes, and we would bring them to life through his illustrations. Now, my brother and I work together as a team.

I’m trying to visualize what that collaboration looks like. You have an affirmation that you want to use. Do you say I want to use this particular image? Do you give him ideas and then let him run with it?

It’s a two-way process. It all starts with affirmations. I constantly jot down ideas and thoughts on paper or in my phone. I compile them and share them with my brother. He picks the ones that resonate with him, and we exchange ideas. We build on each other’s vision, sometimes aligned, sometimes divergent. It’s a dynamic back-and-forth.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start or create something they don’t have the skills for?

You don’t have to possess the actual skills to pursue your desires. Collaborating with others allows you to tap into their expertise and be resourceful. There’s always a way, even if you doubt yourself. You might surprise yourself with hidden talents. Personally, I wanted to create a colouring book despite lacking drawing skills. I leveraged my resources and learned along the way. Decide what you want and then find a way to achieve it.

Did you ever feel self-doubt or fear when you began considering creating a coloring book?

No. At no point was I like, I’m not going to do this.

Did you know it was going to be as successful as it is? Did you tell yourself this is where I want to see this go and stay focused on that course?

Absolutely, creating something truly shifts your entire trajectory. It’s like opening up a whole new dimension in the space-time continuum. Take my love for Star Trek and The Matrix, for example. I’m a huge sci-fi fan, and those worlds transport me to another reality. Similarly, when I created the first colouring book, it set a path for everything I’m doing now. It’s mind-boggling to think how different my life would be without that creation. As I continue on this journey, the big picture unfolds before me. My ultimate goal is for Soulful Colour to become a household name, like Kleenex, where people refer to the brand even when it’s not the actual name. I can’t predict the future or the exact point in time that things will just take off, but that level of brand recognition is what I strive for.

I like that! What has been the most inspiring and the most challenging part of having your own business?

The most empowering feeling is having control, especially over my time. I dictate what I do and when I do it, even though there are moments when I ask myself. “What are you doing, Sophia?”. But even then, I remember this is the reality I created. I love the freedom to shape my own schedule, waking up each morning with the power to choose my activities. I can plan my day, yet seamlessly adapt and adjust on the go. The other day, a friend requested my help downtown to move some things, and without hesitation, I made the shift. The challenges of running your own business are thrilling as well, don’t you think? I want everyone to experience the empowering feeling of being in full control of their time.

Would you say that you are a disciplined person in terms of being able to stay focused on tasks? I would imagine that a part of that freedom or having the control of what your day to day looks like, also means that you have to be very disciplined to make sure that you are on top of your deadlines and responsibilities.

It may seem disciplined from the outside, but truth is, I’m a mess in here. Let me spill this out. I appear organized, like I have it all together, considering what I’ve achieved. But honestly, I’m my own harshest critic. I’m constantly thinking about what I should be doing, drowning in five different to-do lists, with none of them fully checked off. I try to compile them, but that just feels like wasting time, a distraction from the daunting tasks I know I should tackle, but fear holds me back. Amidst the chaos, somehow a book emerges and things get done. I once heard that if pursuing your goals isn’t occasionally chaotic, you’re off track.

Whatever it is you’re doing works well.

Yep, it seems like things are falling into place! I’ve managed to get two books published, which I suppose is a pretty good sign. I am constantly on the lookout for ways to work smarter, stay focused, and treat myself with kindness and grace. I’ve come to realize that I can’t juggle everything, and sometimes I just have to let go. But I walk the talk, you know? I engage in positive self-talk and affirmations, and I recognize that I’m the one driving my own achievements. And guess what? Others are starting to take notice of my energy and flex. Take O’Brien, for instance, he’s been a true blessing from the Creator. He gets my vision and wants to be part of it, lending a hand in business development and boosting Soulful Colour’s online presence.

You mentioned affirmations a few times, how do you come up with them?

They just come to me. A download from the ether.

From the creative forces?

Yes, I would say I am a creative force finding ways to express my creativity and in doing so being an example for others to do the same. Things will pop into my head. Leaning on my singing, songwriting and poetry that’s very much me and part of my creative nature. A long time songwriting friend used to say let’s “SoJay-ify” it. That’s what I do through sharing my perspective in quotes and affirmations. I wrote something down today, ‘Benefit from doing things with good intentions.’ Intent is everything. Your intent determines if what you are doing is good or bad. If you benefit from your actions some may say, ‘Oh, you’re just doing that because it’s going to benefit you.’ That concept can be shifted. Yes it’s going to benefit me, but it’s going to benefit others too. We need each other. We need to have people do things for us sometimes because we can’t do everything ourselves. We are not alone in the world, you know? It shouldn’t be an issue for me to want to have people around me who can help because I can help them as well. Reciprocity. I was raised to give without expecting something in return and I understand the concept but as I get older, it makes no sense to me. Maybe it’s because of my financial background but I think most people do want something in return, they may even need something in return and there shouldn’t be any shame in that.