Jonae Bond shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jonae, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
What I am being called to do now, which I may have been afraid of before, is to really step into spaces where my voice and presence are just as important as the work I create. For years, I was very comfortable staying behind the scenes, designing, filming, and building brands in a way that let my work speak for me. As an introvert, that felt natural. I could quietly pour into projects without needing to be at the front of the room. But what I have realized is that hiding behind the work was also keeping me from walking fully in my purpose.
Today, I find myself being called to do things that once felt intimidating: speaking at events, leading workshops, and teaching online classes. I now teach upcoming entrepreneurs on branding and social media, areas where so many people struggle in the early stages of building a business. It is not just about giving information, but about helping them build confidence, clarity, and strategy so they can tell their stories in a way that connects.
For me, this shift is huge. Speaking in front of people or teaching live used to feel overwhelming, but I have learned that it is not about perfection; it is about impact. Every time I step onto a stage or lead an online session, I remember that there is someone in the audience who needs to hear exactly what I have to say. And when I see that lightbulb moment happen for someone, when they finally understand how to approach their brand or feel confident to share their story, it makes stepping out of my comfort zone worth it.
The biggest lesson I have learned is that fear does not always mean stop; sometimes it means grow. The very thing I was once afraid of is now where I am finding the most fulfillment. While I am still naturally an introvert, I have come to see teaching and speaking as an extension of my purpose, a way to serve others, to give back, and to create impact far beyond my own brand. It has been a beautiful challenge, and I am genuinely excited to keep leaning into it more and more.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jonae Bond, and I am the founder of Truly Elevated Agency Inc., a creative agency where strategy and storytelling meet design, photography, and videography. I am a self-taught creative who has turned my passion for visuals into a business that helps entrepreneurs and businesses bring their ideas to life in a way that feels elevated, intentional, and true to their identity.
What makes my brand unique is that I do not just focus on how things look, but on the story behind them. I believe branding is more than a logo or a social media feed. It is the experience people have when they interact with you. I work closely with my clients to create visual identities, websites, photos, and video content that communicate confidence, clarity, and connection.
My own journey plays a big role in the work I do. I started out being told that, as a self-taught creative, this lane was not for me. I faced rejection, doubt, and even stereotypes as a Black woman entrepreneur. Instead of letting that stop me, I built my own lane and created Truly Elevated Agency. Now I get to teach, speak, and create for other entrepreneurs who are just starting, helping them avoid mistakes I made and empowering them to show up confidently.
Right now, I am especially excited about expanding into more teaching and educational resources. From speaking at events to hosting online sessions and developing digital products, my goal is to not only create for brands but to equip people with the tools, mindset, and confidence to build their own. For me, Truly Elevated Agency is not just a service; it is a movement to help others see the value in their story and turn it into something unforgettable.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up in a Caribbean household, I was taught that success looked like pursuing a traditional career path, becoming a lawyer, an engineer, or going into corporate. That belief was ingrained in me from a young age, and for a long time, I thought that was the only way to build stability and be respected. I almost went down that route, but the truth was, I did not have the passion for it.
What I have learned since is that passion and purpose matter so much more than titles. I realized that I was more fulfilled when I was creating, storytelling, and building brands in ways that connected with people. Choosing that path was not the “safe” option I grew up believing in, but it has been the most rewarding one.
Today, I no longer believe that I need to fit into a corporate mould to be successful. Instead, I believe success is about walking in alignment with your gifts and using them to serve others. Building Truly Elevated Agency and being able to teach, create, and inspire has shown me that carving your own lane is just as powerful, if not more, than following the traditional paths I once thought were the only option.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be, “You are enough, just as you are.” Growing up, I often felt like I had to fit into certain expectations to prove my worth — whether it was excelling in school, choosing a “safe” career path, or always trying to meet the standards of others. I would tell my younger self that her creativity, her passion, and even her quiet nature as an introvert were never shortcomings; they were the very things that would one day make her stand out.
I would remind her that she does not have to become a lawyer, an engineer, or climb the corporate ladder to be seen as successful. The path that feels different, the one that feels truest to her heart, is the one she should follow. I would reassure her that even though the road may feel uncertain at times, it will lead her exactly where she is meant to be.
Most of all, I would want her to know that every rejection, every doubt, and every moment of questioning would shape her into someone resilient and purpose-driven. I would tell her to hold on to her gifts, to trust her vision, and to be patient with herself. What feels impossible now will one day become her reality. A life where she is not just creating for herself, but helping others see the value in their own stories, too.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that branding is only about visuals, the logo, the colours, the aesthetic of your feed. While those things matter, they are only the surface. Real branding is about the story, the strategy, and the experience people have when they interact with you. Without that foundation, the visuals are just decoration.
Another lie is that success comes from going viral or having a perfectly curated presence. The truth is, consistency and authenticity go a long way further than chasing trends. Social media and branding can make it seem like it is all about quick wins, when in reality, building something meaningful takes time, patience, and alignment with your values.
The industry also pushes the idea that there is one formula that works for everyone. But every brand is unique, and what works for one entrepreneur may not work for another. My philosophy is that strategy should be personal, tailored, and rooted in who you are, not a copy of what is already out there.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am doing what I was born to do. What I do now feels like walking in alignment with the gifts God gave me. Creativity, storytelling, and the ability to bring ideas to life visually were not things I was taught in school; they were natural talents that God placed in me. For a while, I questioned whether those gifts were enough, because they did not look like the “safe” or traditional paths I grew up seeing. But over time, I learned that those very gifts are what make me unique and what I was meant to use to serve others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trulyelevatedagency.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trulyelevatedagency/?hl=en
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