We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonelle Carter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonelle below.
Jonelle , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I began my career as a singer songwriter in my late teens/early twenties. I had a joined my first band when I turned twenty-one and spent years playing music around the country in cover bands. In 2003 I wrote and recorded my first all original album but continued playing in the cover music scene. Something always felt like it was missing but the cover music world paid the bills and filled my cup, but not fully. I continued to ignore the little tug at my heart until 2011 when I was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. I had a malignant tumor in on my parathyroid gland that was wrapping around my vocal cord. Thankfully, I had an expert team who were able to remove the tumor but when I healed from surgery, I was unable to yell, project or sing. I went to the best specialists in the Chicagoland area who were baffled and unable to tell me if or when my voice would ever return. I began to experience panic, anxiety and depression as my gift and source of income was suddenly gone. I turned to writing to express my emotions and songs began flooding out of me. About a year after completing nearly an albums worth of work, my voice suddenly reappeared, seemingly as quickly as it disappeared. I knew then that I was supposed to be using my voice for more. I have since gone on to build a successful full-time career as a singer songwriter, writing music that makes an impact on others’ lives and touring the country with my husband/guitar player. I have also written two books that empower others to use their gift to live their most authentic life. Most recently I have fully launched my personal and professional development company. Being diagnosed with cancer didn’t directly lead me to my true purpose but learning how to dig deep and see past the diagnosis helped me to see what how I can serve and bring joy to not only myself but others. I have been able to develop and entire program on finding our gifts and using them to build a life we loved.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am thrilled to have recently launched a personal and professional development company called GLOW which stands for Growth, Love, Opportunity and Worth. GLOW gives me a platform to speak and coach and use my story and experience to motivate and empower. Also, this year our music has gone global and is popular in Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
One of the most exciting components of the GLOW is the GLOW Membership which has established a community that fosters support, encouragement, and empowerment among women, while also offering accessible coaching services.
Another thing that I’m looking forward to is the release of a brand-new book. This inspirational and practical guide offers tips and exercises to help readers uncover their unique talents and abilities and provides guidance on how to leverage those gifts to create a fulfilling and meaningful life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Tenacity, faith, and drive are the three key qualities that have been instrumental in my journey so far. One piece of advice I would give to those just starting out is to establish a clear and compelling WHY for your goals. When things get tough or confusing, reconnecting with your WHY can bring clarity and motivation.
It’s also important to seek out a supportive community of people who believe in you and your vision. Stay focused, stay determined, and never lose sight of your dreams. Success may not happen overnight, but with perseverance and self-belief, you can overcome any obstacle.
Keep pushing forward, keep learning, and keep growing. Remember, you are capable of achieving great things. Trust in yourself and keep moving forward towards your goals. You’ve got what it takes to succeed.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I love mediation, but I also have found that prioritizing tasks, breaking them into smaller steps, delegating, when possible, setting boundaries, a focusing on the present moment help me to stay in the game without being exhausted. Also, knowing when to take a break and reset is huge. Sometimes all it takes is a five-minute cat nap in the sunshine and sometimes setting things aside for a few days to come up for air is necessary and healthy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jonellemariecarter.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jonellemariecarter
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonellemariecarter
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonelle-marie-carter-9abb311aa?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Amanda Wilson
