Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tajaneh Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tajaneh, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
In the summer of 2009, the world as I knew it changed forever. My only daughter, Journee Jai Hawkins, passed away due to SIDS on July 31st. Her departure left a void in my heart that seemed impossible to fill. In my deepest grief, I yearned for something tangible to hold onto – a piece of Journee that I could keep with me. This longing led me to create my first memorial item: a pillow.
I had no experience in sewing, but driven by love and remembrance, I embarked on this new challenge. The process was therapeutic, a way to channel my sorrow into something meaningful. As I held the finished pillow, with Journee’s image lovingly crafted onto it, a sense of peace enveloped me. It was more than just a pillow; it was a keepsake of love, a tangible memory of my beloved daughter.
This personal project sparked a realization: there were other families, like mine, aching for a way to commemorate their loved ones. I wanted to extend the comfort and joy I found in creating Journee’s pillow to others experiencing similar loss. This desire blossomed into the creation of ‘Our Journee Home’ – a non-profit organization dedicated to helping grieving families heal by creating lasting memories.
But the journey didn’t stop there. Recognizing the need for unique, personalized keepsakes, ‘Ding Ding Things Keepsake Store’ was born. This venture allowed me to offer a wider range of memorial items, each crafted with the same love and care as Journee’s pillow. From customized keepsakes to intimate pieces that capture the essence of lost loved ones, ‘Ding Ding Things’ became a haven for those seeking solace in memories.
Every stitch, every creation, is a testament to Journee’s legacy – a way to keep her memory alive not just in my heart, but in the hearts of many. Through ‘Our Journee Home’ and ‘Ding Ding Things’, I found my purpose: to provide support and comfort to those who have experienced loss, helping them hold onto precious memories, just as I hold onto Journee’s.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Thank you for this opportunity to share my story and the mission that drives me both personally and professionally. I am Tajaneh Jones, the founder of ‘Our Journee Home’, a non-profit organization, and the owner of ‘Ding Ding Things Keepsake Store’. My journey into this work began with a deeply personal and transformative experience – the loss of my precious daughter, Journee. Her passing left an indelible mark on my heart and steered me towards finding a meaningful way to honor her memory and support others in their grief.
‘Our Journee Home’ is a sanctuary for grieving families. Here, we provide comfort and a way to cherish the memories of their loved ones through various supportive services and keepsakes. It’s not just about remembering those we’ve lost; it’s about connecting with them in a deeply personal and lasting way. We create angel stories, which are intimate conversations between God and the angels, offering a spiritual and comforting aspect to the grieving process. This initiative has been incredibly fulfilling, as it not only helps others in their healing journey but also keeps the memory of my daughter alive in a beautiful way.
At ‘Ding Ding Things Keepsake Store’, we extend this mission by offering personalized keepsakes. Each item is crafted with love and care, aiming to provide a tangible piece of comfort to those who are grieving. The act of creating something beautiful in memory of a loved one is a powerful form of healing, and it’s an honor to facilitate this for others.
What excites me the most about this work is seeing the impact it has on families. There’s a unique joy and solace that comes from being able to hold onto a part of your loved one, and I’m deeply grateful to be a part of that process. It’s not just a business or a non-profit; it’s a journey of love and remembrance, helping people navigate through one of life’s most challenging experiences.
As for new developments, we are constantly exploring ways to enhance our services and reach more families. We are planning to host a series of workshops and support groups that focus on healing through creativity and sharing. These events are designed to bring people together, fostering a community of support and understanding. Additionally, we’re excited about launching a new line of keepsakes at ‘Ding Ding Things’, which will include more customized options to cater to the unique stories of our clients’ loved ones.
My work is a tribute to Journee and to all those who have left us too soon. It’s about creating lasting memories, offering support, and most importantly, it’s about love – continuing to love those who are no longer physically with us but will always be a part of our lives.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey with ‘Our Journee Home’ and ‘Ding Ding Things Keepsake Store’, I believe the three most impactful qualities that have guided me are empathy, resilience, and creativity.
Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others has been crucial. My own experience of loss has deepened my empathy, enabling me to connect with others in their grief. To those starting out, I advise nurturing empathy by actively listening to and understanding the stories of others. It’s about putting yourself in their shoes and seeing the world from their perspective, which is essential in offering genuine support and creating meaningful keepsakes.
Resilience: The path of healing and building something meaningful from personal tragedy requires immense resilience. This journey has had its share of challenges and learning moments. For those early in their journey, I recommend embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Resilience is built by facing difficulties head-on and learning from them, not by avoiding them. It’s important to stay committed to your vision, even when the road gets tough.
Creativity: In creating keepsakes and stories that resonate with grieving families, creativity has been a key element. It’s about more than just making something; it’s about capturing the essence of loved ones and the bond shared with them. For those looking to develop this skill, I suggest exploring various forms of creative expression and finding what resonates with you. Creativity is a deeply personal journey, and it thrives when you’re open to experimenting and expressing yourself in different ways.
My advice for those starting their journey is to be patient with yourself and your process. Growth and impact take time. Nurturing empathy, building resilience, and harnessing creativity are ongoing processes. Stay true to your mission, be open to learning, and don’t be afraid to let your personal experiences guide you in helping others.
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?
The primary obstacle I’m currently facing is balancing the diverse aspects of my work, including running the Craft Thrift Store, distributing comfort boxes to hospitals, managing the operations of both ‘Our Journee Home’ non-profit and the ‘Ding Ding Things’ LLC, and dedicating time to create personalized memorials for the community. This challenge stems from the sheer volume of tasks and the deep level of commitment each aspect requires.
To address this, I am focusing on three key strategies:
Prioritizing and Delegating: Recognizing that one person can’t do everything, I’m learning to prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. This involves delegating responsibilities to trusted team members or volunteers. By empowering others to take on certain roles, we not only manage our workload more effectively but also build a stronger, more capable team.
Time Management and Organization: I’m implementing more structured time management and organizational systems. This includes setting clear goals for each day, week, and month, and using tools like digital calendars and task management software to keep track of deadlines and commitments. By organizing our work more efficiently, we can ensure that each aspect of our operations receives the attention it deserves.
Building Partnerships: To extend our reach and capabilities, I’m actively seeking partnerships and collaborations with other organizations and businesses. These partnerships can provide additional resources, support, and expertise, helping us to achieve our goals more effectively. By working together with like-minded entities, we can create a larger impact than we could alone.
Overcoming this challenge is a work in progress, and it requires constant adaptation and learning. However, I remain committed to our mission and am confident that with these strategies, we’ll continue to grow and serve our community more effectively.
Contact Info:
- Website: ourjourneehome.com/dingdingthings.com
- Instagram: ourjourneehome
- Facebook: ourjourneehome
- Linkedin: ourjourneehome
