Meet Allegra Jackson | Founder/CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allegra Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allegra, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Before I created the WIN Community, I was looking for a safe space to connect and network with other like-minded Women in Business (including CEOs, Business Owners, Young Entrepreneurs, & Men who support them).

Because I was already using an app called Clubhouse audio (http://www.clubhouse.com/@allegrajackson), which is a worldwide app I used to reach a wider audience for my Business. In the midst of my experience on the app, I discovered there were a lot of other Women in Business who weee looking for the same level of connection, authenticity, support, and inclusivity in their Businesses as well.

Once starting activities such as Meetups (virtually & in person), audio networking rooms, and engagement in a private access Facebook group, the Community began to grow immensely. This also required asking others to lead audio rooms, host events in their local city, and supporting the Community growth! Because I believed it would work no matter the challenges (and there were many), I am now able to lead the WIN Community and our Mission with Leaders currently in 7 cities. We have also created a pilot program for our Mentors & Mentees as well as more safe spaces for our Members to connect on our Community website portal to watch LIVE videos about Business, Marketing, Health/Wellness, Mindset, Money, Personal Development & Growth, and so much more to come in the future.
 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have built Businesses from the ground up since 2007 and I love it still. My first Business was a Bartending Company, which I was able to scale and hire staff Members, but I wasn’t sure if that was my real purpose. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t feel fulfilled.

From working in the Corporate world to starting my own Business was a leap of faith in itself. But as I grew into an effective CEO, not just a freelancer or contractor. I decided that I wanted to make more impact in the world with my gifts. I started more Businesses and learned through losses and wins in Business. Through it all, I became a Business Coach after seeing the need in the Pandemic for support in Business resources like planning, marketing, & funding. I tested my skills with a Beta Program and quickly found who my ideal client is and how I can strategically Coach them to start, grow, & scale a Business effectively and create sustainability & legacy.

Personally, I also experienced many challenges. For example, after a decision to end my engagement and start over in many ways from relocating to another state, removing people (including family) from my spaces, and learning more about me and what I wanted. I became closer to God. I sought out therapy and support from loved ones. I released the pressure to perform.

I essentially was able to create more opportunities for myself in Business, find my Purpose, & build my faith through my relationship with God. It wasn’t until I made a decision to submit to the process of become a better me. I also realized that everyone in my circle couldn’t always support me or be there for me. So it was my job to make that space for myself first, have healthy boundaries, and learn new ways to be a more discipline and structured as an effective CEO and loving person to the people who deserved to be in my life and experience my greatness.

Now, I have healthy relationships that have grown from those challenges. I learned that business will teach how to be a more focused Leader and work smarter. Being in a position where o can choose the direction of my future with Business principles and strategy to apply to goals and future success.

There are still many ladders to climb and valleys to walk through, but through it all, I have comfort in knowing God is always there to protect, provide, & guide me. My supporters are people who are family, friends, mentors, & acquaintances who respect and support my well-being in various areas of my life.

Here are my biggest supporters in life give me the strength to pursue my vision and never give up:

Mom- Allegra D. Jackson
Dad- John D. Jackson
Grandmother- Minnie Royal
Sister-Jadah Jackson
Brothers- JD Jackson & Jarrid Jackson
Framily- Avianca Manning
Biz Bestie- Aarionna Hamilton

Thank you to all of my WIN Community members who support me, believe in me, and invest in my purpose!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My itinerary for some of the best spots in Atlanta to dine and have fun with ally Bestie is as follows:

Monday Day 1:
•Broadway Diner for Breakfast
•Visit Atlantic Station (maybe take in a movie or free time) before lunch
•Lunch at a selected venue in Atlantic Station
•Dinner at Tin Lizzys

Tuesday Day 2:
•Breakfast in the Air BnB (Midtown)
•Piedmont Park for Brunch (restaurant in the park or nearby)
•Tour of Atlanta Botanical Garden
•Drinks at Barley Garden at night

Wednesday Day 3:
•Breakfast at Ponce on Market
•Downtown Tour (MLK your downtown historic center, Centennial Olympic Park & CNN Center)
•Lunch at Ted’s Montana Grill
•Content Creation activity at PopUp & Create Studio in Marietta, Ga
•Dinner at Arizonas Restaurant in Stonecrest mall

Thursday Day 4:
•Brunch at Restaurant @ Toast on Lennox
•Evening out at the Illuminarium
•Dinner at The Sun Dial Restaurant

Friday Day 5:
•Breakfast in Air BnB (hire a local Chef in Atlanta)
•Visit 5 Women Owned Businesses (Free range IG or Google search)
•Visit Coca Cola museum
•Dinner at South City Kitchen

Saturday Day 6:
•Visit 5 Black Owned Businesses in the local Markets (I.e. Breakfast at Barneys, Slutty Vegan/BarVegan, Fresh from Herb & Tea Bar, etc)
•Night out in Decatur (Peacock Alley Lounge, Jenis Ice Cream, etc.)

Sunday Day 7:
•Attend World Changers Church International
•Brunch at Postinos
•Netflix, Wine, Snuggies & Socks until it’s time to leave

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout all of the Leaders who have assisted the WIN Community from the startup! Every helping hand in our building process has made us the best go-to Community for Women professionals & Men who support them.

Our current Leaders who I would love to mention by name are:

Aarionna Hamilton-Lusane (WIN Co-Founder/Community Development Manager/Texas WIN Leader) Aarionna has been by my side since day one, encouraging me and assisting with the Manifestation of every part of the Community.

TeeCee Okore (UK / Virtual WIN Leader) TeeCee hosts our monthly Virtual meetups and WIN Conversations.

Ale Cortina (Florida WIN Leader) Ale has been amazing as a Leader/Host for the WIN networking meetups in Florida. She is a beast at networking and assists the WIN in getting empowered and confident in showing up in the life and business.

Sarah Curcio (New Jersey WIN Leader) Sarah hit the ground running from day one and has hosted her networking events with prominent leadership and connections while adding a plethora of connections to our Community spaces.

Toria Howard (Memphis WIN Leader) Toria is a fierce Leader in a small city, she makes a HUGE IMPACT, leading the way with one of the most fabulous networking experiences we have seen in our Community thus far. If you want to be apart of a huge network, Toria has the connections!

Daina Houghton (Pittsburg WIN Leader) is a silent boom, hosted a glamorous event in Pittsburgh, PA this year with incredibly professional and ambitious Entrepreneurs looking for genuine and powerful connections in their local area.

Tracie Randolph (North Carolina WIN Leader) has a story out of this world and uses her platforms, including her powerful Leadership at her WIN events to share with other Women and give space for healing, growth, and support in their local area.

S. Orinthia Duncan (Atlanta WIN Leader)
Lynnis Woods-Mullins (California WIN Leader) is our go to tech specialist when it comes to all-in-on Business systems; making Business look sexy! She is our newest WIN Leader and one of our biggest supporters since day one!!

Kāron Fayerweather (Atlanta WIN Ambassador) Kāron is a huge supporter of the WIN Community and has been from the inception. That’s why she has been promoted to our Community Planning Committee to help us WIN in fostering powerful connections in the Atlanta market alongside the Atlanta Leader(s).

Other Leaders who helped us grow…

Michael C. Clark – Personality Pitching
Alicia Boateng – Boateng Designs
Shantae Bridges – I am Natural Blessin
Tywana Sharper – Sharper Office Admin
Jamal Richburg – Spice’D Treats

Shoutout to our Community Sponsors:

Brenda Stewart
Kamaya Jiles
Sonia Davis
Carol Whyne
Therricka Cobey
Ramona Millard
Daina Houghton
Shawnti Refuge
Tameka Edwards
Justin Thompson
Karita Surratt
Sidell Cook
Teecee Okore
Jewhara Yusuf
Brooke Strauss
Shisha Dublin-Green
Phyllis. M. Weaver
Sarah Curcio
Lateefat Adekunle
Shernell Cooke
Vonie Leach
Lawrence Salley
Renata Brown
Zavanna Dova
S. Orinthia Duncan
Jamal Richburg
Kayshaun Brooks
Luz Nazario
Chrystal Harris
Taejsha Miller
Tricia Allen Osborne
Titra Whitted
Brianne Valentino
Katrina McCrary
Jasmine Shand

Special Mention to our WIN Hosts (daily audio networking rooms) & VIP Members who keep our Mission going every single day:

* Dr. Jackie Black
* Tricia
* Sandra Muriel-Colorado
* Lashana West
* Jasmine Renee
* Emma Lyons
* Sharleen Linton
* Aneesha Nelson
* Tenika Midtown
* Carol Whyne
* Naysa Shepard

And of all the mentions, I want to thank the Community Leaders who helped me learn all about Community during my growth stages:

• Gina Skelton (The Mom Link)
• Tara Geraghty (Founder of Hey Girl, You Can)

Website: Www.wincommunity.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/womenintonetworking?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/women-into-networking-w-i-n/

Twitter: @weconnect2win

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092194146431&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@womenintonetworkingwin

Image Credits
Co-Founder of the Women Into Networking WIN Community, Aarionna Hamilton-Lusane (In balcony photo with dark floral dress) Allegra Jackson Founder of Women Into Networking WIN Community | CEO of AJCEO Business Coaching Group (photo with red jack headshot) Other photos: WIN logo & Community Leaders and Members