Meet Yvonne A Jones

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvonne A Jones.

Yvonne, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My background is Banking, Administration, and Human Resources. After migrating from Jamaica to the United States in 1989, I worked in Corporate America as well as in small businesses but always had the entrepreneurial spirit, and my vision was always to be my own boss.

I started two businesses, one on a part-time basis while working in Corporate America, both of which were successful. In 2006 while working in a pretty stable job, I made the decision to walk away from corporate life and launch my own business on a full-time basis.

My love-affair with Customer Service and Customer Relations began when I was only 17 years old and attended a staff training shortly after I started working with the commercial bank in Kingston, Jamaica. As I implemented what I’d learned, I saw the difference it made when customers came into the bank looking lost and uncertain and I greeted them with a warm smile and asked their name even before finding out what they needed. To see them smile in return and immediately relax was a joy. Even more was when they returned and I could address them by name, thereby building the relationship.

After completing additional certification in Customer Service, I launched my corporation as a sub-contractor to provide in-bound customer service with the goal of one-time resolution for several large organizations. Unfortunately, I discovered that in this setting my idea of customer service did not match the expectations of the companies, as they were more concerned about how much time was spent with each caller. After two years I closed that business.

I was then exposed to online marketing and began learning and later teaching online marketing, social media marketing, and relationship marketing with a focus on client retention.

Between 2009 and 2010, after attending a number of networking events and joining organizations, like Business Network International (BNI) and the Chamber of Commerce, it was evident that many small businesses needed to take their business online in order to reach a larger audience but they did not know what to do. I saw a gap in the local market and decided to fill it. Thus, I took additional classes in social media management and local business marketing, and attended live events so as to become more equipped to become a Social Media Manager and Small Business Consultant.

As a mentor and coach I’ve had the privilege of mentoring dozens of women to start their own home-based business, coached men and women in online marketing and social media marketing, and led men and women in online and offline workshops.

In 2016 Jessica Peterson and I collaborated on a book, “Remarkable Insider Secrets from Women Forty and Wiser”, which became an Amazon Bestseller in four categories in the first day.

As a Certified Strategy and Accountability Coach I found that the clients who were drawn to me were women in their late 40’s and beyond. So in 2016 I began developing my message for this market of Women 50 and Wiser.

To provide a Home for women 50 and Wiser, I founded the 50 and Wiser Community on Facebook which quickly grew to over 400 members. It’s an active community of women who are going for more. They desire to give more, do more, and BE more.

My long-term vision is to have Chapters of 50 and Wiser Communities all over the United States, starting in the Port St. Lucie/Stuart, Florida area, where women in their 50’s 60’s and 70’s who want to share their ideas, take the dreams they placed on hold for years from Passion to Prosperity, and take their business or side-hustle to another level feel supported and loved. I also launched a new website, www.50andWiserCoaching.com to continue to provide support. A recent visitor commented regarding my website, “You have the most inspirational website. Very moving and spirit lifting.”

Now as a certified Accountability and Strategy Coach, I work with women, 50 and Wiser, from around the world. Some of these women have worked as professionals and others in corporate life. Some have already started a business but want to increase revenue and profitability. They are at an age where they’re ready to focus on what’s ahead, and are ready to give more, do more, and BE more. I LOVE working with these entrepreneurs, coaches, and small business owners, and am passionate about helping them to Take their Dreams from PASSION to PROSPERITY.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. There have been challenges along the path, but have learned from each one and am now stronger because of having gone through them.

In 1991 I started a residential cleaning company. I did no advertising and my clients came from word of mouth referrals. The challenge was that I wanted to maintain a very high standard of work and it was not always easy to find persons who were reliable and had the same vision. However, it was a great income-producer until I became deathly ill almost overnight in February 1994. I was to spend the next 21 days in the hospital; 7 of those in intensive care. From my hospital bed, I gave away all my cleaning clients. I would end up spending a total of 6 weeks in the hospital and 3 major surgeries that year. Thanks be to God, I’m still here.

That was also the year my father passed away in Jamaica and I brought my mother to live with my husband, our three daughters and myself in the United States.

Fast forward to starting my online business at the end of 2008. Although I’d been successful offline in my own business and in corporate life getting promotions and accolades, when I came online I felt like the kid who entered high school in 11th grade where everyone knew each other and I knew no one. I had no idea what to do because I actually went online to promote a certain skin care line and discovered that was not permitted.

As a consequence, I spent thousands of dollars taking course after course, some were fluff, some were too advanced, and others I learned from. It took strong determination not to give up and go back to find a job. After over a year I finally connected with a Mentor I trusted. Through her guidance and my decision that I must master this or go back to work, I finally began to put the pieces together in the giant puzzle that’s Online Marketing.

My business began to grow as I began teaching others how to market their business online, how to create a personal brand, and how to create their expert status so they stand out. The importance of building strong relationships has always been a key feature of my training so they not only attract, but retain their clients and customers, and stop the customer chase.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Yvonne A Jones d/b/a My Success Circle Marketing – what should we know?
Yvonne A Jones d/b/a My Success Circle Marketing is a business that provides coaching, mentoring and online marketing to women 50 and Wiser. These women want to create a business they love or fall in love again with the business they created.

As a Certified Strategy and Accountability Coach, I help women 50 and Wiser create their marketing message so they’re confident and authentic and attract their ideal clients and then keep them by building strong relationships. At the same time we identify and eliminate limiting beliefs that may hold them back. We focus on Personal Development before we move into Business Growth. My website simply says Personal Business Coach as we cover both areas.

I am my market and so am equipped to zone in on helping women 50 and Wiser identify their passion, create an action plan to achieve it, and keep them accountable for the vision they have to take them from passion to Prosperity.

I am known for relationship marketing, relationship building and customer service. I am most proud of the results women achieve by working with me and the testimonials I receive thanking me for the support and guidance.

My clients tell me that my patience, love and deep interest to see them succeed coupled with being firm as needed for them to take action and get results.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Love for people and a deep desire to see them succeed. Also a willingness to look at challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.

Humility is essential because although I am the teacher and the expert in working with clients, I recognize that I do not know everything and am always learning. This is why I have my own mentors and coaches to be always learning and able to deliver greater value to my clients and assist them in achieving greater results.

Many times I learn from my clients who may have knowledge and skills in other areas of their life and business. I encourage my clients to think big. So often someone new starts coaching with me with a small vision and my goal is to help them create a much bigger vision.

One of my current clients started working with me and after a month I encouraged her to start coaching, I literally saw her shrink away at the idea as she felt she did not know enough. My response was that she knew more than the people she could coach and if she could pull them one or two steps up the ladder, she could be their coach. Within three months she had her first client and at the time of writing has four coaching clients.

Pricing:

• 1 to 1 coaching packages starting from $500 per month
• Platinum Group Coaching Program: $100 per month

Contact Info:

• Website: www.50andWiserCoaching.com
• Phone: 772.237.0596
• Email: Yvonne@YvonneAJones.com

Image Credit:
Photos taken by Barbara Hylton Photography

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