Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenika Jones.
Hi Jenika, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My entrepreneurship journey began in 2014. I graduated from the University of Houston in May 2014 and was hired for my first teaching job in June 2014. I am still a teacher, but in Special Education, now. While I love working with and educating children, my heart’s deepest desire is to be a full time entrepreneur. In my first year of teaching, I would stay up until 2:00-3:00 in the morning bouncing around business ideas from a daycare, to a transportation service, to a salon, you name it! Trying my very hardest to make this happen for my life, I eventually opened a tutoring business. I ran this business between the years of 2016 – 2018. I had five employees, and we tutored children in Missouri City, Fresno, and the surrounding areas. Due to financial instability and time constraints, I couldn’t maintain the tutoring business, so I closed in Fall of 2018. Around this time, I had given my life to the Lord and solely depended on Him to direct my life with His plans, for His purpose. I chose to let go of what I planned for my life and let God direct my path. Many life changes and blessings came to me following this surrender. My only goal and desire turned to following Christ, and ministry. If having a business wasn’t the best for me, I was willing to let it go. To my surprise, things changed in 2019.
I’ve been a YouTube viewer for years, and many times played with the idea of becoming one. Some of my favorites are “At Home With Quita” “Romina Rossa” and “Shay Budgets.” They are successful YouTubers and online shop owners. I said to God one day, “I want a shop.” I’m not sure if I was serious about it, or just toying with the idea. Nonetheless, after I said that prayer, I felt in my heart that the Lord wanted me to start a YouTube channel. I prayed every step of the way and He directed me to the right niche for me! Finances! Crazy, right? I would’ve thought Education for sure! I forgot how well I could manage finances.
Growing up, any time a family member needed money, they came to me because they knew I had it. In June of 2019, I took that step of faith and started the YouTube channel, All Things Planned. Now, eight months later, it has grown to over 3,000 subscribers and almost 700 organic followers on Instagram. I was paid from both YouTube and Affiliate Marketing for the first time in January 2020. I have not opened the shop yet, but I receive several inquiries on when I will open! I would not have thought in a million years that I could become an online entrepreneur. The moral of my story is that God loves us, and He will bring our dreams into reality if we let Him direct our path.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My entrepreneurship journey, overall, has had many obstacles, some of which I am still paying for, but my YouTube journey has been a smooth road. The hardest part about becoming an entrepreneur is finding our place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been a teacher for almost seven years. I am currently a Special Education Teacher and Department Leader. I specialize in helping children with cognitive and academic disabilities. I am most proud of the many children I have educated and supported throughout these years. What I love most about my job is being an advocate and a voice for the children who cannot be that for themselves. I feel that my authentic love, and patience for children sets me apart from others. The connections I establish with them, invigorates, motivates, and encourages them to do their best. I’ve helped many children learn to read, overcome test anxiety, work through emotional struggles, and become independent learners. My YouTube channel is centered around finances and budgeting. I’ve recently started using the Cash Envelope Stuffing budget method, inspired by Dave Ramsey, to help manage my teacher salary and come out of debt. It is my journey to debt and financial freedom that I document on YouTube. Documenting this journey has inspired and encouraged others to take back control of their finances. I’ve also inspired others to start a YouTube channel. Along this journey, I plan to open a website with an online shop to increase my online revenue. As of now, I am receiving online income from YouTube through Google AdSense and Affiliate Marketing. Fear and uncertainty held me back from starting a YouTube channel for a long time. With faith and prayer, I overcame the fear and uncertainty and this is what I am most proud of!
How do you define success?
We were all born purposed to do something in this life. My parents always told us to do something we love, that way it doesn’t feel like “work.” When you’ve found something you love to do, whether it is career, or business, you have found success. When you love what you do, you will make a difference and impact others. Your love for something is your purpose. Success is not in the amount of money you make, the title, or status. Success is living out your purpose and loving what you do.
Contact Info:
- Email: allthingsplanned29@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/allthingsplanned_
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/atp_htx
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/c/allthingsplanned
Image Credits
JRMH Photos www.jrmhphotos.com
