Today we’d like to introduce you to Gwendolyn Jones.
Hi Gwendolyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am many things and my gifts show themselves in several different ways, with 3 businesses, but with a common purpose. Service to others. being the roots of each gift literally. My story probably doesn’t get to the good part until I became a teen parent and took a 6-month-old baby to college with me at 17 years old. It was not easy at all, and I remember wondering if I emotionally and mentally had what it took to go to college, work, and be a parent at the same time I learned, I did. There is perseverance in me to just keep going, as a kid, you don’t know why you have it but, you realize later it is everything and some, when you have it. I graduated at 20 and began a teaching career that would span for 25 years. During that time, I taught every grade k-8 in several districts in Texas as well as 5 years in New York City. I have been in the classroom as a teacher, Math Interventionist, Math Specialist and outside the classroom as a district leader. Working with Advanced Academics.
In 2014 I walked away to start my first business as a professional decluttering and organization specialist: A Date With Your Space was born, and I lost myself in the service of helping others be better inside their homes. But without much business knowledge I learned the hard way about entrepreneurship, it is a journey. I went back to my career in 2017 a bit discouraged, but something would not let me completely let the business go, I quietly worked with clients on the side when I could. Fear kept me back in my career for 4 years. But… the Pandemic reawakened that desire in me to not only try again but, to bring on another business venture Munched by G Jonesy. So I retired again from education. Again.
Munched by G Jonesy is a chef-inspired unique twist on charcuterie and graze options that began with our signature boxes, and has extended to include boards, tables, cups and customers are able to customize] their orders. for events ranging from picnics to catered lunches, to bridal showers, to individual experiences. I also began tutoring online for a company in Canada online, when the company shut the tutoring down after only months of working for them, the parents asked if I could continue online with them as an independent contractor. Tutoring with Ms. G Jones began in May of 2022 and I now tutor kids from all over the country including several in Canada online working with Math & Reading skills and building confidence one kid client at a time. I tutor kids in grades K -8 and help parents with learning this “new math”, I also have several gifted students creating curricula to best meet and push their potential & their individual needs outside of the classroom.
Of all my Businesses I must admit they are all my favorite, as I am able to help others in such wonderful capacities even with food, to bring a smile to someone. But, if I had to name one, it would be Munched by G Jonesy! Making people smile with food…Come on!!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nooooo…… Smooth with Entrepreneurship? There are days you want to quit give up, walk away but… then a client changes all of that, and you keep pushing. As I mentioned before with the first business, I had to go back to my career, and often people don’t talk about that part. I went back for 4 years to get back on my feet, but it was well worth it. As leaving and coming back has pushed me to work smarter this time around. I also have an 11-year-old daughter who is watching along with my now grown daughter so, I definitely strive and want to be an example for and to them about perseverance, grit, and not giving up on a dream simply because it gets tough or hard.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Okay, one of the gifts I am most proud of is how education has played such a big part with helping me as a Decluttering and organizing specialist. Clients who struggle with clutter, letting things go, finding structure and peace in their homes or spaces are quite surprised with my level of patience, structured plans, and coaching to help them get and stay organized, Clients will tell you about my insane work ethic. But the secret really is the years of training and working as a teacher, and campus and district leader, I apply many of those same ideas especially in building relationships with how I approach working with my clients. I believe that is what sets me apart from others. I completely realize that every step on my journey has aligned my gifts to help others in unique ways.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Life is so short, And I think we all understand that better now. The pandemic I think was also a lonely time for many myself included, but it taught me the importance of reaching out and checking on others, and the simplest kindest things we can do for others, it simply be there. And remind others we are there and here for them. It also reminded me that because life is short, we have to use the gifts we have in the time we have as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://munchedbygjonesy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/munchedbygjonesy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GJonsey | https://www.facebook.com/datewithyourspace/
