Meet Danielle Jones

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.

Hi Danielle, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience, to me, is all about bouncing back from tough times and keeping a positive outlook, no matter what life throws your way. It’s about staying strong and adaptable, even when things don’t go as planned. It’s the ability to withstand, recover, and grow in the face of stress and challenges.

The biggest part of my resilience comes from my faith. Believing there’s a bigger plan for me and trusting in God’s timing gives me hope, especially during tough times. It keeps me grounded. My incredible husband, children, and friends are another huge source of strength. They’ve always been there for me, cheering me on and encouraging me to keep going, even when things get rough. Knowing they believe in me and my work really motivates me to push through any obstacles.

Losing my grandpa to pancreatic cancer was incredibly tough, but his courage during his battle continues to inspire me. He faced his diagnosis with remarkable bravery, never letting the illness define his spirit. His unwavering positivity and determination to make the most of his time left a lasting impact on me. Watching him go through such a difficult journey taught me the true meaning of strength and resilience. It wasn’t just about enduring pain; it was about finding moments of joy, maintaining a sense of humor, and cherishing the time we had together. His legacy is a constant reminder that even in the face of adversity, it’s possible to find hope and light. My grandpa’s battle with cancer was a profound lesson in resilience, teaching me to face my own challenges with courage and a positive outlook.

After getting COVID-19 and pneumonia, I developed dysautonomia, which means dealing with symptoms every day. Progress doesn’t look the same day to day and managing this illness has been incredibly challenging, but it’s taught me to take things one day at a time and appreciate the small victories!

Life experiences have definitely shaped my resilience. Navigating the corporate world, earning a master’s degree while working full-time, and then diving back into my creative pursuits have taught me the importance of perseverance. Professionally, I went through a challenging period during an economic downturn when my salary was cut significantly. These experiences really tested me but also made me stronger and more adaptable.

Being a college athlete on the soccer field also played a big role in building my resilience. At our Division I school, we started every practice with a 3-mile run. Playing on the club soccer team was intense, but it taught me discipline and teamwork. One weekend, we played in the Ohio River Soccer Tournament against the Ohio State University, and we got womped – they stopped keeping score at 10-0. It was embarrassing and we were losing badly, but we kept playing hard and our effort remained the same. Another time, we played tournaments in Canada, and I forgot my cleats. I had to borrow a pair that was too small and played all day back-to-back games. My feet were bleeding afterward, but there was no other option. These experiences on the soccer field taught me to push through pain and embarrassment and to keep going no matter what!

Failure has been a big teacher too. Every setback, every time things didn’t go as planned, I learned something valuable. Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s made me more resilient because I know that even if things don’t work out, I can always pick myself up and try again.

Finally, my passion for what I do keeps me going. I genuinely love creating, whether it’s through art, writing, or helping others bring their ideas to life. This passion fuels me and makes it easier to keep going, even when things don’t go as planned. Knowing that my work can inspire and bring joy to others is incredibly motivating. It’s just about finding what fuels you and leaning on those sources of support. Keep believing in yourself and your journey, and you’ll find your own resilience shining through!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m fortunate to wear many hats – I’m an author, fine artist, and the founder of Faithful Oak, a cozy creative studio nestled near beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.

I’m excited about my new children’s book series, starting with “The Lost Puppy Adventure,” coming out this summer. This series addresses the underrepresentation of characters with cochlear implants in children’s literature. While each book will offer its own unique focus, the series as a whole will feature fun adventures, provide education about cochlear implants, and emphasize the benefits of pairing sign language with spoken language for comprehensive communication. My goal is to encourage families to read heartwarming stories together and go on their own adventures. To kick off the school year, I’m thrilled to participate as a presenting author at an event in Charleston this August through the Rocket Readers program!

As a fine artist, I create and sell vibrant and joyful paintings and pottery. My artwork is proudly displayed in a few local Charleston area restaurants. I have pieces available for sale and can take on commissions. Inspired by the beauty of nature and everyday stories, my artwork reflects my passion for storytelling through art. You can view my collection at www.daniellejones.me/collections.

As the founder of Faithful Oak, I love helping small businesses, individuals, and nonprofits that are just getting started. As a friendly and fellow entrepreneur, I know how overwhelming those first steps can be, and I’m here to make the process easier and more enjoyable. I take a warm and supportive approach, working closely with clients to strategize, brainstorm, and bring their ideas to life. I build a website for them, making sure it reflects their unique vision and needs. Once it’s ready, I sit down with them and teach them how to manage it, so they feel confident making changes on their own without needing to pay someone else. And of course, I’m always just a call or email away if they need any help. Beyond website building, I offer consulting on business development and marketing strategies to help my clients thrive. This way, my clients not only have a strong web presence but also feel empowered and confident in their business journey.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my work. I look forward to continuing to spread creativity and inspiration in our community.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Reflecting on my journey, three key qualities stand out: resilience, adaptability, and a passion for continuous learning.

Resilience
Life is full of ups and downs, but resilience, grounded in faith, has helped me push through tough times. It’s important to find people who will lift you up, encourage you, and remind you to stay strong in your faith (and do the same for them). Surround yourself with a support network of mentors, friends, and family who can cheer you on. Practicing self-care and keeping a positive mindset is crucial, even when things get tough.

Adaptability
The ability to pivot when needed has been crucial. Being open to change and willing to adjust your approach can make a big difference. Stay flexible and don’t be afraid to try new things or learn new skills. Stepping out of your comfort zone and viewing new challenges as opportunities for growth can lead to remarkable progress. Embrace change and see it as a chance to learn and grow. Remember, the only constant is change, so embrace it!

Passion for Continuous Learning
Never stop being curious. This has kept me evolving and staying relevant in my various roles. Invest in your education by reading books, taking courses, and always being eager to learn something new. Dedicate time each day to learning, whether through books, online courses, or workshops. Stay curious and keep exploring new ideas and perspectives.

These qualities—resilience, adaptability, and a passion for continuous learning—have helped me overcome challenges, seize new opportunities, and continuously grow both personally and professionally. I believe they can do the same for anyone willing to embrace them!

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe in focusing on becoming excellent in what you’re naturally strong at while being generally good in other areas. Surround yourself with people who excel in areas where you don’t, and together, you form a powerhouse team. You don’t need to know or be good at everything!

For example, when I started writing my children’s book series, I focused on storytelling and the creative aspects because that’s where my strengths lie. However, I didn’t have the skills to illustrate. It wouldn’t make sense for me to spend a year or more taking courses to become excellent at illustrating. Instead, I collaborated with a talented illustrator who excels in that area. By combining my strengths in writing with their strengths in illustrating, we created a fantastic book together!

This approach ensures that each part of the project is handled by someone who is truly skilled in that area, leading to a better overall product. It allows you to continue refining your strengths while also benefiting from the expertise of others. You can achieve excellence without the stress of trying to master everything. This strategy has worked well for me and has led to both personal and professional growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daniellejones.me
• Instagram: @daniellejones.me
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbledanielle/

Image Credits

Book Cover by TullipStudio