Today we’d like to introduce you to Voncille Chaney

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I am Voncille Y. Chaney, an Author, Innovator, and Motivational Speaker who has a passion for helping others reach their highest potential. My mission is to empower individuals and groups of people by providing them with the skills they need to create change in their communities.

I was born in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of one, I moved to Queens where I was raised, and now reside.

I obtained both an associate and bachelor’s degree in accounting. I also hold a master’s degree in urban affairs from Queens College. Concentrating in Community Organization and Development, Administration, and Public Policy, I graduated with an outstanding GPA of 3.7. I plan on getting my Ph.D. in Urban Education.

In 2005, I began working with the City of New York at the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (3-1-1). In 2007, I started working at the New York City Department of Education, where I am now a Director on the Administrative side. My career is focused in the areas of Budget, HR, and Operations.

In January of 2011, I joined the National Urban League Young Professionals. As a volunteer, my mission was to uplift disenfranchised communities through the movement. Later that year, I co-founded an organization to motivate and inspire young girls called Girls Advocating and Innovating the Nation (G.A.I.N), along with my younger sister.

In 2017, I published my first children’s book called “I Am Queen Ruby”; my second book, “Queen Iris Gets Her Crown” was published in 2019; and in 2023, I published my third book called “Queen Hazel and Her Royal Robe”.

In early 2018, I created I Am Queen JVC LLC, a consulting company that empowers people to master life through consulting, public speaking, and one on one coaching. In May of that year, I was recognized as one of Schneps Stars Under 40 for the work that I did motivating individuals throughout New York City.

I have been featured in several online magazines for my work as an inspiring and creative entrepreneur in my community; Shout Out Atlanta in 2022, Canvas Rebel in 2023, Shout Out Atlanta in 2024, and Bold Journey in 2024.

I am currently working on a motivational book for adults as well as my fourth children’s book. I hope to complete both projects by the end of 2024. In the meantime, I enjoy taking my son, Ahmai, to different countries to experience various cultures. I live by the idea that one needs to see the world, to help heal it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

It has not been a smooth road.

As an entrepreneur, it is very hard to get your name out there. A huge personal obstacle for me evolves around the position I hold in my 9-5 job. The almost 2 decades that have prepared me to be highly skilled in my craft is seen as a conflict. I cannot become a DOE Vendor, which makes it very challenging to market myself. As schools hold much of the city funding.

As, and Author, there are moments when I get writers block and I have to step away from a project to regroup/ reassess. Technology is another obstacle, as people are seeking AI generated documents.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I Am Queen JVC LLC is a company that combines my vision to help both adults (Just V Consulting) and children (I Am Queen Books) alike.

Just V Consulting is a Career Coaching Service that provides individuals with Life Mastery skills. What makes JVC different from the rest is that we are focused on all areas surrounding an individual’s success. Specific services include: Organizational Skills Development; Budget Planning; Education Guidance; College Admissions Essay Help; Career Guidance; Interview Coaching; Resume Revision; Resume Writing (From Scratch); Curriculum Vitae (CV) Resumes; Cover Letters; and Thank You Letters.

I Am Queen books focuses on youth empowerment. The anti-bullying regime instills the concept of self-love for girls and boys from all communities. “I Am Queen Ruby” is my very first book. It is about a young girl, named Ruby, who is teased for having darker skin. When Ruby gets empowered by her teacher, she realizes that she is a Queen. My second book is called “Queen Iris Gets Her Crown”, it is about a girl who is teased about her natural hair texture. She gets inspired by her grandmother and realizes that she is a Queen. My recently published third book is called “Queen Hazel and Her Royal Robe”. Hazel is a middle school girl who is teased about her bigger size. She gets motivated by a local store owner and realizes that she is a Queen.

I Am Queen JVC LLC was born naturally based on the skills that I crafted over the past 17 years, (as an HR Recruiter, and Director of Operations, HR and Budget for the Department of Education); and following my passion for helping others. Word of mouth has always been my greatest marketing tool. I started helping family and friends enhance their resumes, then I would help their friends, and their friend’s friends. At that point I decided to expand my services and create a business, rather than being known as the “Resume Lady”.

When it came to writing books, I was literally driving alone in my car one evening, and it just hit me. “I will write books to empower young girls”. I immediately told my family and friends, and they held me accountable. They would ask about my progress and that would motivate me. I also “leaned in” on a few of my Author friends. I was nervous, but I knew it was something that had to be done. I saw the task as something greater than myself, so I did the work to make it happen. The first book was a tough process, I wanted to give up towards the end, as the Self-Publish process is very tiring due to its hands-on nature. I can remember just sitting still and asking God to guide me, and then I began to see the finish line. The other books were much easier.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

I believe the best way to network is to show up as your most authentic self. This allows you to connect with people on all different levels. All people want is to feel like they matter, they’re valued, or they’re appreciated in some way. As an entrepreneur, you should always try to let my clients/customers know that you see them. Sometimes you may see things that they can’t even see for themselves.

Pricing:

• I Am Queen Ruby Book- $15.97
• Queen Hazel Gets Her Crown Book- $15.97
• Queen Hazel and Her Royal Robe Book- $15.97
• I Am Queen Ruby Doll- $35.97

Contact Info:

• Website: http://justv.innoviacloud.com/
• Instagram: JustVConsulting & IAmQueenBooks
• Facebook: JustVConsulting & IAmQueenBooks

Image Credits

Habitat for Humanity; The Big Black Book NYC; Bridge to Promise; Live with Taji; Schneps Stars Under 40; Laila Ali; and Sovereign Markets.