We had the good fortune of connecting with Jini Thornton and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jini, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had children at a very young age (in college) and entered corporate America already with a family. I had my 2nd child during my first year of work. I worked at a public accounting firm and the hours during tax season were CRAZY. I needed more control of my life, and I wanted to raise my children on my own terms. My company Envision started off as a lifestyle business and turned into a “real” business quickly.
What should our readers know about your business?
I own a few businesses.
Envision Business Management Group is a 28 year old accounting/business management firm that practices exclusively in the entertainment industry. We work with artists, song writers, producers, comedians and actors. We manage an array of accounting functions for them including: payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, taxes, insurance, retirement, etc.
Thank Me Later, Inc is a company that focuses on financial literacy through a podcast, nationally syndicated radio. and social media. We also put on an annual event called Black Women Will – where we prepare wills and healthcare directives for Black female homeowners for free.
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.
For dinner we would definitely go to Houston’s. I love the outdoors so we would go to Sweetwater Creek State Park and also Stone Mountain.
If they would like to do some traditional tourist stuff we would go to the World of Coca Cola and to the house of Dr. Martin Luther King
I would definitely take them on a tour of the AU Center to see Clark Atlanta University, Spelman and Morehouse.
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 was VERY fortunate to be adopted into a family with a lot of entrepreneurs. Because of that, being an entrepreneur was “normal” for me. My grandfather Kenny Day owned a lot of real estate, a restaurant and a pool hall. My great-Aunt Betty owned a boutique and sold clothes and high end furs in Chicago. She was truly a pioneer. My Aunt Lori and Uncle James owned a bar. From all of these amazing people I learned what to do and what not to do.
Maya Angelou’s book “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for my Journey Now” inspired me to create my own path – to take the leap.
Website: https://jinithornton.com/
Instagram: @jinithornton and @tmlmoney
Linkedin: Jini Thornton
Youtube: Thank me Later Show
Image Credits
Marie Thomas