We were lucky to catch up with Jonvoana Evans recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jonvoana, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

At this point in my life, I had done what most of us was taught to do. Graduated high school, went to college and finally finishing my degree (with plenty of life happening between this 10-year process; marriage, 3 children, bought a house, divorce, lost that house), I had finally gotten my dream career with one of the US’s top Information Technology & Networking conglomerates. I was traveling all over as a Cybersecurity Systems Engineer and was finally making that 6-figure salary that I just knew would change me and my daughters’ lives for the better. This is not only what I prayed for but worked extremely hard and sacrificed to obtain 7 industry IT certifications, which one being coveted amongst most that were in the IT industry, the CISSP. You would think that I would be elated because of all of the success I was having in my career I would be happy right?

This one time, I recall having a meeting with my manager (at the time), and she asked me, “Where do you see this role or position taking you?”, and as goal driven as I was, I couldn’t answer. It wasn’t a feeling that I’d arrived, and this was the destination, it was something else. That conversation sparked additional discussions with my husband. Yes, at this point I had financially recovered, met and married the man of my prayers, bought a house, have a blended family of six children, yet something was still missing. During this discussion with my king, there were so many feelings I had to process. Was I being ungrateful, was I intimidated by the success or maybe even fear of failure as I had broken many generational curses at this time. I had to openly admit that I didn’t feel fulfilled with my success career. Maybe, just maybe I had been working so hard to have a seat at their table, prove the naysayers wrong, and being what others thought I should be, that I completely lost myself and consumed with my title and roles. I knew that I was meant for so much more, so I had started devising a plan, to go back to a time where I felt the most fulfilled, and that was when I had founded a women’s organization while I was going through my divorced called YANA FLY (You Are Not Alone First Loving Yourself). I was going to work another year, do some trading in the Forex Market, and start life coaching, saving up a ridiculous amount of money and then resign, to pursue coaching full-time.

However, like most plans, they don’t tend to match up with God’s plans for us. The company was going through a lot of transitions and acquisitions. My role was one of the many that were nixed. I was told I could reapply for another position, but this role was no longer needed for where the company was going. Initially, I was confused, as I had always met quota and was rather good at my job. This was really a sign, and it would’ve been a slap in a face for me to choose to ignore the direction that I believe the universe was sending me! I had offers to work for some well-known companies, however, I had to follow my heart and my gut, and since then the experience has not only been life changing for me, but for all of the women that I’ve helped to discover & pursue their purpose and passions, achieve their goals, demolish self-limiting beliefs and behaviors, and most importantly get unstuck and FLY! This moment was very detrimental, I could’ve stayed with the familiar or did what I decided to do, which was to forge my future. I had made up in my mind, that I’d rather die wandering, than to die wondering. I was moving forward with no regrets!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I had the role of a life coach long before assuming the title. In 2010 I went through what felt like, at the time, one of the most challenging times in my life. I was going through an ugly separation of a 10-year relationship and 7-year marriage. I felt suffocated as it wasn’t producing the results I had desired. We had created 3 beautiful daughters that were now the focus of all the decisions I would make from here on out. I walked away from everything because I knew we deserved a better situation—a better life. Not that he was or is a horrible person, but no matter how much oil and water may be good or valuable on their own, they just don’t mix. Once walking away from that point in my life, I realized that I didn’t know who I was. I had been everything to everyone else; a mother, a wife, an employee, a loyal church member, a daughter, etc. I knew my name but didn’t understand or know who I was at my core. I had been consumed by all the roles and titles but never took time to get to know me; everyone else was first. This was a problem! I concluded that this was my reference point for why I felt it was acceptable to get into an incompatible relationship. Knowing this, I had to make a change!
My daughters and I stayed with my sister in her 2-bedroom condo, sleeping on the floors and couches. The housing market crisis left me jobless. One night I cried myself to sleep in the closet (it was a walk-in one), and I saw a tiny bright light, and I heard the words softly whispered, “You Are Not Alone.” At that moment, I felt great peace and encouragement! As I reflected on what happened the previous night, I knew there had to be other women experiencing something similar. I felt like I was now being commissioned to remind them that they were not alone. So, I decided to start a women’s organization called YANA. My best friend and I partnered our organizations together, as they shared a similar mission. And that’s when YANA FLY (You Are Not Alone First Loving Yourself) was born. A few months had passed, and she decided to assist younger girls instead. So, I continued to carry the mantel and developed the brand with a curriculum, tips, tools, and strategies for years to come.
In our group meetings, I’ve coached and mentored over 35 women in all areas and facets of life through YANA FLY. I did this while improving my own quality of life by getting a place, vehicle, and income! After about 4 years, I dissolved the formalities and committed to taking some focused time to become FLY (First Loving Yourself), as it became a lot. I am grateful to God that I recovered from everything and more during this period! I had a degree in IT but decided it was time to excel in the industry. I obtained coveted industry certifications and then a 6-figure paying job as a Cyber Security Systems Engineer. I accepted a new love into my life. I have been gratefully married for the past 4 years to Dr. Robert Evans, III, with our beautifully blended family of 6 children. Our home is a beautiful 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom blessing. More importantly, I know who I am. Even with having a remarkable career that allowed me to travel and experience things I only dreamed of, there was still a void. I wasn’t impacting the world as I desired.
I had put a plan in place to transition back to my first love, helping women navigate this exciting thing called life by getting unstuck and FLY. A significant downsizing moved my plans along quicker than I expected. IT WAS A SIGN! I initially started with IT Career Mentoring & Life Coaching, marrying the two together as they work hand in hand. I helped several people get the 6-figure salaries they desired. And then there was the pandemic, which was a blessing in disguise for me. Now I focus more on my “Butterfly Queens,” and newly acquired “Monarch Kings” aka clients.

Jonvoana “Von” Evans aka Life Coach Von has been passionately mentoring and life coaching for over 15 years. For 20 years, my career was focused on excelling and obtaining certs in the IT Industry, helping others successfully navigate their lives became my priority and purpose and would not be forgotten in the shadows. The proclivity of inspiring transformation always tended to propel to the forefront! With my coaching, she has had countless success stories of clients learning to embrace their journey, transform their mindsets, and excel in their career and personal goals. As a Certified Life Coach, she is dedicated to empowering women, normally referring to them as “queens’, by providing the best products, services, accountability, and resources available. While taking pleasure in being a wife, a mother, a momager, multi-business owner, amongst a host of other things, I understand the importance of being F.L.Y (First Loving Yourself). Nonetheless, I am committed to instilling this one important principle into all my clients, “What you do is not who you are, who you are, makes you great at what you do.”
I have the natural ability to inspire my clients and those I meet to achieve their personal life and career goals, even if they haven’t identified them yet. I have unique proven approach that cause them to be confident, consistent, and eager to accept the next challenge and stages of life that are sure to come. Treating each, as if they were my only client, I become their accountability partner. By being their “AP,” my clients understand that stopping at one stage of life isn’t an option because there’s a predestined purpose for their lives that they must experience; and it all starts with being F.L.Y (First Loving Yourself). F.L.Y is a concept that I use to help put things into perspective that it’s hard to feel a true sense of fulfillment in life if you don’t take care of yourself. Being FLY is not about forsaking all others, it’s about prioritizing your wants, needs, and desires. Understanding this it allows them to enjoy and embrace the transformation process!
As of today, I am really excited about my rebranding. I have two tracks in which I focus on. The first is helping other people (both men & women) become life coaches and thrive in their business. When I decided to take this on full-time, I wasted a lot of money and time, attempted to figure out the most efficient way to grow my business, while helping others. I want to curve that experience for others. The second way is by personal self-development coaching, where I help successful career-driven women, discover, and pursue their passion & purpose outside of their titles and roles.
In addition to my group coaching and 1:1 coaching, I have written transformative mindset eBooks (How to Pimp your 9 to 5 and Make Time FLY), journals (45-day FLY Journal), and beautifully designed and vibrationally aligned affirmation cards (FLY Mindset Deck & Abundance Deck), just to name a few. I continue to host various group sessions, webinars, conferences, and retreats teaching the importance of a positive mindset and how with the power of thought and affirmations, your lives will be changed. Also, I take pride in having appeared as a guest speaker on various podcasts, webinars, radio shows, virtual and in-person conferences.
What set’s me a part is my newfound love and desire to implement Neuroscience in my coaching. While learning and understanding how the brain works, it allows me to assist my “clients,” with breaking through barriers that have been plaguing them for years. It’s important for them to understand that they must give themselves grace. The feeling “stuck” is just the result of a learned and practice behavior, and now that you want to do something different, you feel paralyzed. The brain it’s just doing its job! I have been reflecting my learning on my YouTube channel, “My Mentoring Minutes, with Life Coach Von, discussing things like Fighting Fear!
The thing I’m most proud of brand wise are: My authenticity, my creativity, and my belief that there is no box! I show women their power in just being themselves!
Another thing is the 5 Pillars of FLY. I developed these while reflecting on the root of why accepted things that were not in alignment with me. I’ve used this blueprint to change so many lives!
1. Self-Awareness (The identity stage): Getting to know you by way of self-reflection
2. Self-Forgiveness (The emptying stage): Forgiving and letting go of past mistakes
3. Self-Correcting (The cleansing stage): Creating healthy boundaries and limiting access
4. Self-Love (The filling stage): This focuses on the self-development portion and aspects of self-care
5. Self-Commitment (The maintenance stage): Embracing the importance of honoring your commitment to yourself.
Then you keep doing this cycle over and over! First LovING Yourself. ING makes it continual!
Finally, the impact that I’ve caused! Check out my Google Reviews!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My ACCT (account); Authenticity, consistency, confidence, and transparency is what I believe contributed to my reputation. I believe God made us all unique for a purpose and when we attempt to conform and fit into a mold, we are doing our creator, people, and more importantly ourselves a disservice. When I went through my divorce, I just didn’t divorce my ex, I divorced my old habits and ways of thinking, because those were the things that got me into the mess, I was in. One of the thoughts I had to divorce was attempting to be what others thought I should be. That is such an amazing chain to break free of and I’m so glad I did! One of the things people mention most to me about why they were drawn to me, is because I’m vivacious and spirited, and that’s no show! I show up as myself, no matter where I go. I am authentically me, unapologetically! First, I had to learn who I was and then began embrace all of me. I decided I would highlight my strengths and strengthen my weakness. I would not subject myself to environments that weren’t conducive to my authenticity. This is not about being a rebel or not adhering to rules, this feeling good about how I showed up withing those rules.
Another thing is consistency. I would consistently show up authentically, confidently, and transparently. People want to know that you aren’t another scam or fly-by-night coach. When I finally decided to become a Life Coach full-time and accepted the title, people said, “It’s about time!” I showed up for my women’s organization over 10 years ago even when I wasn’t getting paid, making a positive impact in their lives. Even till this day, I repost FB memories from back then, of some of the things I used to say and do, to show people I’ve been on this FLY and self-care journey, way before it was a trend.
I also show up confidently. People desire to work with others who are confident in themselves and their abilities to help those they serve. There are a lot of women that are afraid to shine bright, in fear of blinding someone else. The truth is all of our lights should encourage each other’s to shine brightly together, because this world definitely needs it! I also tell people that I have this unique thing about me that I believe that I can do ANYTHING I put my mind too. The most rewarding part about that is, I also believe that if you hang around me long enough, you will start believing the same.
The last thing is my transparency. I continue to share a lot of my story. Not just the good and the highs, I share a lot of the lows. People appreciate this as it lets them know that they are not alone. It also gives them hope that it’s possible to overcome obstacles that have been thrown their way. Some people are so embarrassed by their situations and shortcomings, and they don’t want to feel judged for their past mistakes. When I’m transparent, they are more willing and inspired to hear what I have to share. I am also transparent about the “how to” or the resolution. I give away tons of free information as not everyone is able to qualify to attain my services. People really appreciate that.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the definition of success. Growing up, my mom, family, friends, and teachers all had similar definitions of success. That was to take the necessary steps to finish a college degree, get a great paying job, get married and retire when you about 65 or 70. Of course, they didn’t get any pushback, because that sounded about right to me. However, as I began to realize that life was much more than those few steps, and those people that were following this blueprint seemed not to be enjoying life, I knew that I had to do something different! I started to explore and make mistakes. I heard a quote that says, “The biggest mistake a person could ever make, is never wanting to make one.” There’s so much treasure and knowledge in making mistakes, as long as you learn from them! With doing this, I felt myself redefining and getting closer and closer to my definition of success. I then begin to realize that success is a relative term. It looks differently for everyone. And instead of them telling me what success looks like, I should’ve been periodically steered to revisit the definition at different phases of my life. I would’ve come to the conclusion that success entails balance. Not balance of equal parts, but balance of being stable. Stable mentally, physically, spiritually, emotional, and financially; and whatever manner in which that is actualized is just merely a biproduct.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lifecoachvon.me
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifecoachvon
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifecoachvon
• Linkedin: www.linkedIn.com/in/lifecoachvon
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/lifecoachvon
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/lifecoachvon
• Other: Google Reviews: https://g.page/r/Cb2OOzqj-y9PEAE

Image Credits
Rhymeskeme