We recently connected with Jessica Myers and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Ignition Zones was born from a pivotal moment in my life. I had tasted success in real estate, feeling invincible until I faced a significant setback that cost me everything. This loss forced me to slow down and re-evaluate what true success meant to me. I realized that my greatest victories weren’t just in the deals I closed but in the relationships I built along the way.

The idea for Ignition Zones sparked from this realization. I wanted to create a venture that would help others ignite their inner spark and emerge as leaders by understanding the power of vision and cultivating strong relationships. I knew that a robust network, the people who would answer your call in times of need, was invaluable.

I started by hosting small events to test the waters. Initially, I spent a lot of time planning and perfecting every detail, but it was a friend’s simple advice that made all the difference: “Just DO.” Taking action was crucial. The first event was modest, yet impactful. It allowed me to see the potential of Ignition Zones and fueled my determination to grow it further.

I focused on creating engaging, dynamic experiences that emphasized connection and personal development. This meant researching event planning, networking strategies, and personal development methodologies. Within the first few months, I set up the foundational aspects of the business – from securing a venue and developing a brand identity to creating a website and marketing materials. I also sought feedback from participants to continually refine the experience.

Over the next year, Ignition Zones evolved into a structured program with different tiers of engagement. I partnered with community leaders and experts to expand our reach and impact. The journey was filled with learning and adapting, but each step brought us closer to our mission of igniting passion and fostering meaningful relationships.

Looking back, the process of moving from idea to execution was about embracing action, learning from setbacks, and continuously nurturing the relationships that are the cornerstone of success. Ignition Zones is not just a business; it’s a movement dedicated to helping people realize their potential through the power of connection.

Jessica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Jessica Myers, the founder of Ignition Zones. I’d like to share my story and introduce you to the work we do at Ignition Zones.
My journey into the world of personal development and leadership training began in an unexpected place. I studied journalism at Georgia State University and even worked at CBS for a while. However, my entrepreneurial spirit soon led me down a different path – into real estate. This career shift culminated in me becoming one of the youngest hotel owners in the country, co-owning a Home2 Suites by Hilton.
But life has a way of teaching us important lessons. A significant setback in my real estate career forced me to reassess what success truly meant to me. I realized that my greatest achievements weren’t in the deals I closed, but in the relationships I built and the network I nurtured along the way. This epiphany became the foundation for Ignition Zones.
At Ignition Zones, our mission is to ignite the spark in individuals, helping them become leaders and achieve their fullest potential. We do this through a variety of programs and experiences designed to foster meaningful connections and empower people to achieve their dreams.
Our offerings include:
Luxury Retreats and In-Person Experiences: These immersive events focus on personal and professional development.
Online Community and Courses: We provide a vibrant online space and a range of courses catering to different levels of growth.
Sonic Visions: In collaboration with Healing Heart Sounds, this program empowers adults and children through soundbath healing and AI technology.
Real Estate Wholesaling Course: A comprehensive guide covering everything from basics to closing deals.
Interactive Workshops: Events like “Two Truths and a Dream” and our “Figure 8” system help participants recognize their potential and build strong networks.

What sets Ignition Zones apart is our holistic approach. We believe that success comes not just from skills, but from having a clear vision and strong relationships. Our programs are designed to create lasting connections that support continuous growth.
I’m incredibly proud of the positive impact we’ve had on our participants. Seeing individuals transform, gain confidence, and achieve their goals is the most rewarding part of this work. We strive to create a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to take action and make meaningful changes in their lives.
To those considering joining our community, I want you to know that Ignition Zones is more than just a business – it’s a movement dedicated to helping you ignite your passion and realize your dreams. Whether you’re looking to grow personally, advance professionally, or simply connect with like-minded individuals, we’re here to support you on your journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments in my journey was when I took a huge bet on myself with a project that I believed would be transformative. It was an ambitious venture that I poured my heart, soul, and resources into. Unfortunately, the timing coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world shut down, so did my project, and it went under.

The impact was devastating. I lost big, not just financially but emotionally. I upset those around me who had believed in and supported me. It felt like I had hit rock bottom and that rebuilding was impossible. The weight of that failure was crushing, and for a time, it felt like I would never recover.
In the midst of this despair, my mentor gave me a piece of advice that changed everything: “In a down space, gratitude is the way out.” This resonated deeply with me, and around the same time, I reconnected with a friend from college, Carl Wright, of Carl is Always Writing. Seeing Carl was a turning point. Together, we decided to co-author a 90-day gratitude journal.

The journal became a lifeline, helping me to focus on the positives amidst the chaos and find strength in the little things that I still had. It wasn’t an instant fix; it took me two to three cycles of those 90 days to truly internalize and embrace the gratitude that would help me heal. Each day, I committed to writing down things I was grateful for, no matter how small. This practice slowly shifted my mindset from one of loss and defeat to one of hope and resilience.
Through this journey, I realized that gratitude was the key to overcoming adversity and rebuilding my life. This profound experience not only helped me heal but also inspired me to share these success principles through Ignition Zones. My gratitude journal became more than just a personal tool; it became a part of my mission to help others find their inner strength and ignite their potential.

Now, I’m working on expanding my 90-day journal and incorporating these principles into the programs and experiences we offer at Ignition Zones. I want to help others discover the power of gratitude and resilience and to understand that even in the darkest times, there is a way to find light and rebuild.
This journey has taught me that true resilience is about finding gratitude in every situation, no matter how challenging. It’s about recognizing that every setback is an opportunity for a comeback and that the power to rise again lies within each of us. Ignition Zones is dedicated to fostering this resilience and helping others to ignite their passion and achieve their dreams. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL8WGWN1)

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

> Unlearning the Myth of Instant Success
One of the main lessons I had to unlearn is that business success happens quickly and overnight. This misconception was deeply ingrained in my early career experiences, and overcoming it has been crucial to my personal and professional growth.
Early in my career, I experienced a lot of short-term success in real estate. Deals were closing, projects were flourishing, and I felt like I was on a fast track to sustained success. This led me to believe that success came instantly and that I had found a formula that would always work.
Reality hit hard when one of my major projects failed, coinciding with the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This failure was a wake-up call. I found myself trying to rebuild in the midst of a downturn, and it was during this time that I realized true success takes time.
Through this challenging period, I learned that success isn’t about immediate results but about persistence, resilience, and learning from failures. The process of rebuilding taught me that you need to fail first to move forward. Failure isn’t the end; it’s a crucial part of the journey.
This realization shifted my perspective entirely. I started to understand that success and life are about the journey, not the destination. It’s about the lessons you learn, the relationships you build, and the resilience you develop along the way.
One book that profoundly helped me redefine success is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. The story of Santiago’s journey in search of his personal legend resonated deeply with me. It taught me that the true treasures we seek are often found in the experiences we gain and the growth we achieve along our journey, rather than in the final destination itself.
This lesson is encapsulated perfectly in the words of Miley Cyrus’s song, “It’s the Climb.” The journey, with all its ups and downs, is where true growth and success happen. It’s a continuous process of climbing, learning, and evolving.

Unlearning the idea of instant success has been pivotal in my journey. It has allowed me to appreciate the process and value the incremental progress that leads to lasting achievements. This mindset is something I strive to instill in others through Ignition Zones, emphasizing that every step, even the setbacks, is an essential part of the climb to success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ignitionzones.com
• Instagram: @itsJessicaMyers
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/96345950/admin/dashboard/

Image Credits

Joel Myers, photographer. London Couture, designer