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

Hi Keanna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My first thought process with starting my own business has been the most challenging process I have encountered throughout my journey but I know it will be worth it in the end. During this process, I’ve worked really hard by working a 9am-5pm job to invest and support myself and my business. One part of my thought process is that in order to become the successful business owner that I’ve always dreamed of becoming,I knew that I had to start somewhere even if it was starting off small. There comes a point and time in life when individuals like myself recognize their gifts and divine purposes. Once my gift was revealed right in front of my eyes, I realized that I was not built to work for anyone else but myself. After discovering my GOD given purpose and transitioning into what it is that I wanted to do I jumped right into taking all the necessary steps I needed to get there. This has not been an easy journey trying to start my own business, working, and pursuing my college education. But the good news is that during this process, I figured out that I was very creative and talented. I always knew that I was created to assist individuals in several ways, one of which is financially. I figured the only way to accomplish this vision was to become my own boss. Entrepreneurship is not an overnight process because it takes faith, time, dedication, commitment, and sometimes even sleepless nights. Once I reach my end goal that doesn’t mean that I will not stop there because my goal is to create multiple streams of income. With that being said, even though my process consists of becoming an entrepreneur, my thought process has led me to believe that I should help others along the way in other ways such as educating them on how to become their own boss. Last but not least my plan in the end is to create a foundation for my future family and have my business run itself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My business, SupportHER, consists of helping many women all over the society to the best of my ability. One way that I help them is encouraging them to reach their highest potential in their careers and anything else they desire to do. My business is designed to be a support group to help aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as mentoring young ladies reach their greatest potential academically, financially, and spiritually. I have also had the opportunity to help many women in the entertainment and film industry by assisting with production, management, scouting set designs, casting calls and scheduling clients locations. Working in the film industry for over 4 years has been phenomenal because I have gained many skills and I have been able to network with some of the best people in my field. I have had the pleasure of working with great artists and actors such as Omar Hardwick, Tiffany Haddish, Teyana Taylor, and Big Boi from Outkast. These experiences have shaped me in many ways that will help me reach my end goal. In my belief, what sets me apart from others is, I have faced many challenges to get where I am today by having faith in God. I was determined not to give up and I was willing to face whatever obstacle came my way. Was it easy? No, nothing in life will ever be easy if success is involved. I have learned many lessons throughout my journey that I would love to share with others. One lesson that I learned is that trying to do everything on your own is not okay. Everyone needs a little help sometimes, so never be afraid or hesitate to ask for help. I’ve learned to always be the best in what I do at all times because I never know what opportunity will be given next. I have to lose to win and I have to learn it to master it. That first starts by strategizing and investing in great quality learning environments such as workshops and networking events, etc. I always remind myself of the things I want most in life, which are always the hardest to achieve but I will never give up or fold under pressure. For this reason, my journey is unique.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I’m more of an adventurous person my best friend would have the time of her life when she visits. We would first spend the day at Roswell Mills park near the waterfall to have a picnic because it would be so peaceful. Secondly we would go to the Main event to play games such as laser tag and win tickets to purchase their merchandise. We then would go to the bowler because I love to bowl. This place has food, drinks and bowling which is the place to be. We would also just spend the day bike riding down the beltline because I love to exercise and I believe it will help relieve any stress. Spending the day at the bookstore wouldn’t be so bad either because we both love to read. Last but not least, we would go ziplining and maybe to a concert at the amphitheatre in the city just so she can see what the concerts are like in my state.   

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?
First and foremost, I would like to give all praise to God for allowing me to get this far because without him I would not be where I am today. I would like to give a special thanks to all my family and friends who actually support me. Starting with my sisters who have always supported me since I was a little girl to an adult. There is no greater feeling than to have two big sisters looking out for me whenever it is needed. Secondly, I would like to recognize two women in my life, Rocky and Asia, who I not only call my friends but sisters from another mother because they have been there every step of the way. I would like to give special thanks to my mentor Dr. Sonja Wright Smith for always being there for me no matter what the circumstances were. It could have been about education, something spiritual or personal advice. These reasons had a positive impact on my life. I would like to give a shoutout to my public relations mentor, Martel Sharpe, who has helped paved the way for me and shown me many different routes to learning more about public relations. Because of him, I have had the opportunity to shadow him and his clients on Good Day Atlanta and CW Atlanta. I am very grateful because he is helping me reach my public relation goals so I can become one of the greatest publicists. Most importantly, I would like to give a special shoutout to my mother for always being such a great mom and instilling the wisdom and knowledge that I needed to succeed in life. Without her, there would be no me because she has taught me how to be the great intelligent woman I am today. I can go on and on but then I would be all day. Therefore, I would like to end this by saying it is an honor to have such a great mother.

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

Image Credits
730 Vision Bag Talks Filmz