Today we’d like to introduce you to Antwanise Jackson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in the small country town of Streetman around business owners and entrepreneurs. Eventhough my mom had a day job she still had her side hustle. My grandparents were self-made and so many other family members. They really laid the foundation for the path I’m on now. Being around that always trained me to have something of my own and my mother always told me growing up that a job is not enough. You need multiple sources of income to sustain a comfortable life. I guess you could say I was born for this because I’ve had “businesses” since I was 7. From selling rocks to kids on the playground, making lanyard bracelets to burning CDs. I have always had a go-getter mindset and been incredibly driven.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. I’ve struggled with maintaining businesses, retaining clients along with trying to balance my actual day job, health issues, personal issues. I mean, it has just been a very rocky road but that’s the journey for anyone, unless you’re a nepo baby. With empowerment, especially the challenge, has been getting people to see the value in us as an organization and also understanding exactly what it is that we do. Our biggest challenge has been raising funds to expand our programs but I just chalk it up to newbie roadblocks. As far as personal challenges go a lot of it has just been navigating who I have become as a person and reprioritizing things, figuring out what should be important and what isn’t that important, you know finding my own peace of mind.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Financial Services Specialist and Mortgage Loan Originator. I love what I do in because I get to help others. However, I am a creative by nature and the monotonous environment of a bank or lending brokerage does not satisfy me completely. I need to be around creativity, community and in a place where I can combine the creative aspect in me with the fast-paced, innovation that comes with being an entrepreneur. EmpowerNet checks all of my boxes because not only do I get to use my background in finance by providing business owners with financial advice and coaching but I also get to tap back into my communication and journalism roots. I am the publicist, photographer, marketing consultant, content creator and media specialist all wrapped up into one. I have to be because with any new project the funding is always low at the beginning. I even video and shoot our events to document them for branding and marketing purposes. I am so damn proud of it and what it will become. I am proud of what it stands for and what it’s purpose is. I think what sets us apart is the way we go beyond teaching entrepreneurship. We make it a priority to truly walk alongside people as they build. Rather than offering one-off workshops or surface-level inspiration, EmpowerNet creates consistent, supportive spaces where entrepreneurs can learn, connect, implement, and grow over time.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As far as the industry professionally, I don’t think the industry will change much. I mean, we hope the mortgage industry does so we can get more clients, the economy gets a little bit better. I don’t really see any crazy trends going on. I’m hoping to see a shift in the economy because I know a lot of people are struggling financially right now.
Now when it comes to empowernet and what we do I see us growing only bigger and better, expanding our programs and gaining a little bit more traction. We have a pretty strong board right now. We all work well together, we have so many ideas to implement so I only see us only moving forward in a positive direction with this organization, not backwards.
Pricing:
- $50- General Donation
- $100- Community Advocate Donation
- $250- Champion Supporter Donation
- $500- Silver Supporter Donation
- $1000- Gold Supporter Donation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empowernetetx.org
- Instagram: @empowernettx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BAKPX8sCg/
Image Credits
The headshots of me need to be credited to Mandy Ray Photography. The other photos are credited to me
