We had the good fortune of connecting with Alva Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alva, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started assisting individuals with interviewing skills as a hobby in 2007. People would ask how I got this job, or that job with minimal experience, and I would reply it all about the interview, and being your true authentic self, not allowing your nerves to get the best of you. So I used my personal experience good and bad to help individuals in my community, my church, and my family with their resume, attire, communication, and conducting mock interviews Also, I assisted these individuals with employment. I would send them to companies that I knew were hiring, and use my friends as a referral (big risk) to get them the job. I later realized that there was a need with the youth(16-24) in my community, and I had the passion, the drive, the talent, the resources, and I had done enough research to ensure their success. Hence the birth of Breezee’s Youth Staffing Agency in 2008.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets BYSA apart is we allow the youth(16-24) to be their true authentic self, while teaching them how to be more polished and professional in an interview and in the workforce.
I am most proud when one of my students who have attended the workshop call or texts me and say THEY GOT THE JOB.
I got to where I am today professionally thru a lot of PRAYER, networking, research, and faith, it was not an easy journey I’ve had so many doors slammed in my face and I’ve been told no several times. But, my parents always taught me there is a yes out there somewhere. When one door shuts or even two God will open another and in the words of my brother just #keepgoing.
Some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way are patience things will not always happen when I want them to, it’s all in God’s timing, to focus forward, never ever give up and this journey is a marathon and not a sprint.
I want the world to know that bysa is committed to cultivating, and connecting the youth and youth adults into the workforce, We teach and guarantee workshops that will ensure your youth’s success. Register at www.bysagency.org
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok, so I’m a foodie so there will be a lot of eating during this visit (please don’t judge me lol ). If my best friend were visiting from New Jersey for a week-long trip, I would cook breakfast 5 out of the 7 days the other 2 days we will dine at the Chic fil A Dwarf House and The Flying Biscuit . After breakfast, we would go to Phipps Plaza or Perimeter Mall to shop till we drop, visit the aquarium, climb Stone Mountian, walk the trail at the Clayton County International Horse Park, and get a mani and pedi . For lunch and dinner, we would dine at some of my favorite restaurants such as Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Houston’s Steak House, Captial Grill, Spondivits, Bar Taco in Midtown The Yard Burger, This Is It, and hopefully m sister will cook us a home cook meal. As far as the night life we will visit a few lounges and bars, I would also have a game night/ movie night at my home and invite some of my closet friends and family memebers.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and close friends deserve the credit in my story. They have been there from the beginning. I can call or text them any time of the day or night and they are there. Even when I felt like giving up they encouraged me thru the Word of God and general conversation to keep going and don’t give up, Whenever I am frustrated and need to vent, they listen even when they don’t want to, and I appreciate them for that.
Website: www.bysagency.org
Instagram: breezees2018
Linkedin: Alva (bysa) Jones
Twitter: bysagency1
Facebook: Breezee’s Youth Staffing Agency