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

Hi Darren, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success is keeping God first, staying true to myself and my passion, and having great mentors and a great support system. God gave me a purpose. When I accepted this, I began to learn who I am. This lead to discovering my strengths and passions. My love for learning and seeing people around me informed and empowered was always in me! Having a great mentors continues to play a big role in my career and in life. I don’t have all of the answers but someone else does. Following the examples of my mentors help me tremendously! Their coaching led to me finding my niche as an educator and coach for up and coming salon professionals. My wife is my biggest supporter and cheerleader! She keeps me polished and she covers my blind spots. I would not be where I am today without all important elements.

 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I made up my mind at 20 years that I was going to make something of myself. I was a high school dropout. Searching for meaning with inspiration from the Million Man March in 95, I started setting goals. After reading books like Think and Grow Rich, The Roadless Traveled, and The Bible, I decided to enroll in Beauty in 1998. That journey taught me a lot about persistence and remembering the goal. Keeping good people around that pour into me and cut off those who do not. This was challenging because I thought that friendships and support was to last forever. Success in pursuing purpose taught me otherwise but the lessons and growth was worth it. Quite often one has to be willing to let go so God can open the door of opportunity!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Catch a football game. Enjoy dinner with my family and other friends. Play a round of golf! Check out sites in the area. Show them my work environment at the church that they been wanting to visit. Invite them to worship at my church.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I give a big shoutout to my late Father Paul Jones. Early on when I decided to venture into the beauty industry he was always open to listening to my ideas no matter how far fetch they sounded! He told to create my own lane and stick to it! The motivation to move forward in education was inspired by a good friend from high school Alvin Denmon. He would always tell me to stop over thinking and get in the game!!! He is a big reason why I went to beauty school with zero experience in hair! Now I get to mentor and train others to pursue their dreams and goals! The book that changed my thinking along with The Bible is “Think and Grow Rich” A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedarrenjones

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedarrenjones

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondhaireducationbydarrenj?si=Ti77p_x9_S-KR_No

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondhaireducationbydj?_t=8lCDj3WCYuJ&_r=1

Image Credits
Photos taken at Ogle School

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