MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: YOLONDA COLES JONES

Could you tell us who you are and what it is that you do?

I am a deeply feeling being who moves through the world with an orientation towards heart-centeredness.

In my immediate personal life, I am a wife and a mother. My husband and I are raising 4 children. We've been homeschoolers since Day 1 with Child #1. 

In my professional life, I am a consultant and the founder of Empowered People™ Deliberate Love School where I am also the lead coach facilitator. I help home, school and business leaders deepen into conscious or "awake" connection with themselves and others so that they can relate better and make progress. 

What do you love most about the work?

I get to be myself, fully and without apology. I get to help people make life & legacy-change shifts. I get to impact the world on subtle levels that yield massive results. 

How did you arrive at this place?  What’s your backstory?

I have always been an old soul--curious, deeply spiritual, observant. I have always known that I want to help people bring things down, out and forward. When I was a child I wanted to be an obstetrician. When adults in my school environment talked me out of that I followed the path my parents urged and ended up studying Business at two schools and working for Bank of America Corporation in customer service and then in a coaching and facilitating capacity before leaving that path, giving myself time to recalibrate and entering into another school to study Humanities and Social Sciences. In this I was beginning to feel more closely aligned with myself. There is much more to share but you mentioned we'd be checking in after my transmission of this email so I'll wait for you to pose whatever questions are at the surface for you regarding this much. 

Was there a light switch moment? A turning point for you?

There have been many. One was at Hampton University, before I separated from it. Another was when I asked for guidance to what I am here to do and how I can do it while being fully present to raise my children. 

Could you share a memorable story?

I asked my children and my husband years ago upon re-focusing my energies on positioning myself in a professional capacity to be able to remain present in ways that feel important to me: "What could I teach people?" -- And they all answered in one way or another, "how to be how you are with us."  

What are you currently working on?

Building that exact vision. 

How do you see the work evolving? 

I envision impacting 28 nuclear families this year, 3 school systems and 2 businesses and scaling by 2022 to the position of being able to certify others who want to be deeply connected and conscious leaders in their homes, schools and businesses. Rinse, repeat and keep expanding until more and more people are paying more attention to themselves and to others in mutually empowering ways.

How has your experience at Studio IX been?

Glorious. I love the energy of the space--the friendly and accommodating staff, the intentionality, the complimentary boutique beverages each day, the natural light pouring in, the art, the cleanliness, the respect and support that seems to be the underpinning of actions like this spotlight interview. 

Thanks, Yolonda.

Thank you.