We recently connected with Victoria Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I cannot truly say that I have 100% found my purpose because I believe that people are meant to grow and evolve every single day of our lives. So I will fall and learn every day moving towards my purpose but I now know that I am on the right path to get there. I found this path by breaking free from the ideas that kept me locked into believing that I was not worthy. I held my pain and fears for so long and covered them with a “tough girl look” while trying to be what the world was telling me a real woman was. I felt like I had the weight of the world on my back without being able to show it. I have had many ups and downs throughout business and my personal life as do we all. However, what I began to notice was that my mental state was chaotic through both. I found myself truly looking at the negative ways I viewed myself, brought them back to place of origin and acknowledged how these traumas and hurts were still being used as a way to keep me locked in to a negative view of self. I realized everything I desired or was/am trying to be comes from trying to be “good enough”. I then began to process what I really wanted to do vs what will make me “look” good or make me a lot of money to “look” good. When I began that journey of walking unapologetically me in every way I realized how much lighter it felt and how much more I could do from a genuine place and not be exhausted all of the time or emotionally driven. I broke free of the mold that the world was putting me in and now I walk in the shape I was designed to be which no one else can be. My communication enhanced to new levels as I learned to be emotionally literate and learn to communicate exactly what I am thinking while being mindful of others. I have helped successfully build a Nonprofit organization as well as launch a consulting firm that specializes in uplifting communities and empowering our people through impactful trust-based relationships. We focus on the PEOPLE not the profits and the way I am able to touch people’s lives let’s me know what I do has PURPOSE when I am on the right path. It is a blessing to be able to serve the people and know it is coming from a good place and not trying to look “good” or fit in a mold.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have created a next generation consulting firm that is redefining what business consulting looks like. We have implemented systems to help each and every client reach their goals because we focus on PEOPLE and not profits. We believe in building our business community up from the back bone and that is by acknowledging the Human-Experience. We approach our clients as people/individuals and we provide resolutions to their personal lives and business lives to bring more balance into their already busy lives. We also offer a Youth Entrepreneur Empowerment program where we help build up our emerging leaders by exposing them to tools and resources at younger ages to encourage confidence and develop the knowledge to successfully monetize their skills that align with their passions. Me and my partner have also built a non-profit youth facility here in our city where we provide true solutions to helping our underserved communities by giving everyone access to the same opportunities by developing strategic systems and collaborations to truly uplift our communities and empower our youth. Growing up I thought my life was normal but I had to learn that it was not. My life was filled with abuse, neglect, trauma, violence and hurt that I carried well into my adult life. As I began to process my hurt and see how I was always angry and ready to be aggressive was because I was still having to be my own protector out of not feeling protected throughout my life. The more I began to walk down my path and see with more clarity I was then able to see others and their pains as well. I could empathize truly with others and it allowed me to see where the system failed me numerous times and still failing many. I saw where our people need help most because it isn’t about using funding to run a bunch of “symptomatic relief” programs. It is about helping our people at the core and building up from there. Our people deserve to be built up as people before positions. We encourage people to find and use their voice as well as expression of individuality. Not as how we dress or look but rather the person within.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe that the first and foremost is the way I am able to connect with someone. Regardless whether it is within my nonprofit or when I was waiting tables. I always had the ability to listen to what someone had to say and validate their opinion while finding resolutions. This is a Key element in dealing with others because often times we can become defensive or feel as if someone is coming against us and they simply want to be heard as well.
Communication is probably equal to connection because being able to communicate is crucial in any situation whether it is personal, business, at the store, friends, relationships, etc.. Not that we have to use fancy words or know everything. We just need to be able to clearly get our point across and obtain information we seek from others as well. It isn’t about being the smartest person in the room it is about being the one willing to learn(listen) and communicate.
Leadership is so important yet many lack this. It isn’t about a position or title but rather the ability to get a team to move as one body. I believe that the best leader understands their need to lead but also understands their room for growth and learning. A leader is in the trenches with the team walking with them and helping them through regardless of the situation. That is how you lead a team.
In every one of these areas it is necessary to not be prideful and always be open to new information, advice or feedback. Go to trainings just to learn even if you think you know it already. I still learn key missing pieces to the puzzles at networking groups, seminars and more. The networking groups is a huge piece to add in for any business even when it doesn’t seem like it is relevant to your business. You would be surprised by the dozens of business ideas or connections I have made from being in these groups. I have connected with businesses on so many levels because as each person explains why they do what they do and what they do their mission stood out and I saw alignments with these other business owners. Often times it has been the small talk on the side of other side hobbies, interests, groups, friends, hustles, etc. that I seen my way to partner with them or collaborate in ways for marketing and using the partnership to trade services. BUT the number one is to STOP DOUBTING YOURSELF and just keep going for it if it feels right within even when everything else seems wrong.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Honestly I would have to say the only thing I find challenging is the fact I want to help people more than I want to make money yet I have to make money to help people so I feel sometimes it is difficult when your heart and passion outweigh your desires to make profits but you have to have the perfect balance of both. This system is exactly why I love helping people because I have become the Village for many people. We need to continue to walk with one another and uplift each other especially through entrepreneurial journeys as they are long, difficult and often times lonely.
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