Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jan Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jan, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I was raised in a single-parent home by my mother who is the epitome of work ethic. My mother has always worked hard to ensure her home was well managed and my brother and I were taken care of. My mother is an educated woman with a master’s degree in education where she devoted 30 years of service. However, she was never just a teacher. She always worked several jobs, and no job was beneath her. My amazing mom worked five jobs at one time to get me through college. Yes…she actually did that! She was a full-time classroom teacher during the week, and she would teach home-school classes and adult learning courses after her school day. On weekends, she worked at the local sports arena as an aisle usher and as a maid at a hotel. She committed to each job with the same level of dignity and pride, and my brother and I never went without anything. She carried herself with style and grace and she kept up our home beautifully. I aspired to be like her as a child and I see where I am so much like her today. I’m a hard worker whose main goal is to make my mother proud and walk in her legacy.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the founder and creative director of the Bella Grind Brand based in Atlanta, GA. My mission is for black women to have a space where their voices will be elevated and their stories celebrated via media platforms, inspirational apparel, and empowerment events. The Bella Grind Podcast, Show, and Magazine is a space for black women’s voices to be elevated and celebrated. The “SIMPLY JAN” Vlog captures a day in my life as a content creator as I share my daily grind while balancing family and friendships. Bella Grind Apparel is empowerment clothing with positive messages of self-love, awareness, and POWER. Bella Grind Alliance is an outreach initiative to give back to others via signature events, service projects, mentoring, and speaking engagements.
I’m also an educational and community leader in metro Atlanta with 25 years of experience in instructional leadership, community engagement, and wraparound support for educators, children, and families.
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?
I’m a continuous learner who consistently seeks feedback from those I serve because it’s how I grow my leadership skills. I also practice being resourceful by leveraging my network especially when I don’t know something. It typically gets me to my end goal sooner. Lastly, I choose assignments and projects that align with who I am to ensure I can bring my passion to the work.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my mother showed me is how to be resilient as a black woman. She was the first person to teach me how to be resourceful and go after my goals. She modeled for me how to carry myself with grace and style. Mom also showed me how to fail forward and learn from my mistakes, too. She serves as the blueprint for my path to success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bellagrind.com
- Instagram: @bella_grind_
- Facebook: Bella Grind
- Youtube: @bellagrindtv
- Other: Tiktok: bella_grind_
Image Credits
Skyy Wonders Photography
