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

Hi Jamie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business because I felt there was not enough focus on literacy and supporting children who need special intervention. I also realized there was a relationship gap between parents and schools and that many teachers were struggling to perform well in their classrooms due to feelings of being overwhelmed. I sought to bring these researched conversations to school districts where I worked. I got the same reaction each time- a refusal to address the issue. I had published several books. It was well-known that I took writing and speaking very seriously; despite my commitment to my craft, my appeals to improve education for our students and community were not taken seriously. As an educator with a vast list of credentials and test scores that prove my beliefs and practices work, I decided to build my platform instead of waiting for someone to give me one. It was the best decision I could have made.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own a company called Jamie Mayes Educational Consulting & Literacy Services, LLC. I am a seven-time published author and speaker. I also work with schools to build stronger relationships between the most critical stakeholders of education: educators, parents, and the community. Lastly, I provide workshops to both teach effective literacy and empower others through literacy. In a sense, everything I do surrounds the effectiveness of reading and writing.

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.
If my best friend were visiting, I would start with a trip to the downtown art crawl. They have some amazing artwork and musicians, as well as a wide range of vendors and stores. You can also find some good food samples and even a little wine. I would follow up by going to one of the restaurants on the river; honestly, they all have delicious food. The scenery is so beautiful, and the wind blowing off the river is so relaxing. I would conclude the evening by hanging out at one of the old school spots on the South end of town. They also have good music and an older crowd of people looking for a good time.

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 am so thankful for such a supportive community of people who have been cheering me on during my journey. I will dedicate this shout-out to my family back in my small town of DeRidder. They always supported my goals even when all I had were dreams…no money, no ride to get there, and no idea how things would happen. A firm foundation has made a significant impact on my dedication to my purpose and my success. I am thankful for them.

Website: https://www.jamiemayes.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjamiemayes/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-mayes-88955266/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamiemayesaoe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiemayesaoe

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamieMayesAOE

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorjamiemayes

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