We recently connected with Tamera Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamera, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

From the moment I entered this world, I’ve been breaking barriers. Born premature at just 2 pounds, 4 ounces, and without medical complications, I am a living testament to resilience and overcoming odds. That resilience has defined my journey and shaped my identity as someone unafraid to take risks.

Growing up primarily in a single-parent household, I had a front-row seat to courage and determination. My mother, raising two children while working multiple jobs, shattered stereotypes by earning her accounting degree in less than four years—a remarkable feat in a male-dominated field. She didn’t just survive; she aimed to thrive and was a trailblazer, instilling in me the mindset that excuses were never an option, and challenges were simply opportunities in disguise.

Her example sparked a fire in me to not only dream but act. I embraced the idea that I wasn’t meant to blend in with the crowd; I was meant to lead. Following in her footsteps, I became the first grandchild on my mother’s side to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, inspired by the value she placed on education as a stepping stone to a better life.

My initial aspiration was to become a CFO of a Fortune 500 company. I started my professional journey in a rigorous Financial Development Program, gaining exposure to real-world business challenges and leadership opportunities. After nearly three years, I took a bold step and moved to Washington, D.C., joining a startup subsidiary of The Washington Post Co., where innovation reigned. There, I saw young executives shaping the future, and I knew deep down that I, too, was destined to make an impact.

Eventually, I returned to my dream company, working closely with top executives, including the CFO and Global Finance Director. But even in the comfort of a “good” job, I felt an inner nudge—an undeniable call to something greater. The biggest risk of my life came when I chose to leave the corporate world behind to pursue entrepreneurship.

It was a leap of faith in every sense. The economy wasn’t thriving, and my decision wasn’t popular or widely understood. But I knew deep within that my purpose was bigger than a corporate title. By taking that step, I not only gave myself the freedom to live on my own terms but also inspired others to believe in their own possibilities—not necessarily to leave their jobs, but to take bold risks and rewrite their stories.

In my book, Pain to Purpose: Unleash the Power to Press Through Life’s Obstacles, I share how refusing to settle for mediocrity transformed my life. I’ve learned that risks are not just optional—they’re essential. They break self-imposed limitations and expand what we believe is possible.

A mindset of embracing change and taking risks has allowed me to navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship for over 15 years. It’s helped me remain resilient through challenges, celebrate triumphs, and, most importantly, create lasting impact. Whether I’m guiding others to live out their purpose, achieve financial freedom, or find community, I see firsthand how taking risks opens the door to rewards far beyond what we could imagine.

Taking a risk isn’t just about the outcome; it’s about the journey of growth, discovery, and transformation. For me, every step into the unknown has been worth it because it brought me closer to the life I was created to live—and empowered me to help others do the same.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve loved numbers since I was a child. My natural ability with them comes from my mother, a professional accountant who enjoyed working with “figures,” as she called them. Alongside my love for numbers, I’ve always had a passion for encouraging and empowering women. After spending 11 ½ years in corporate America, working with senior financial leaders in Fortune 500 companies as a Business and Financial Analyst to build their bottom lines, I decided to build my own. I longed to chart my own path, tell my own story, and take the driver’s seat in my life.

The turning point came when I was a full-time caregiver for my mother during her battle with cancer. Initially given six months to one year to live, she courageously defied the odds, living for three years and seven months before passing away in November 2019. Her strength and resilience left a profound impact on me. While her passing was deeply distressing and heartbreaking, I became inspired to honor her legacy by activating my gifts and relentlessly pursuing my purpose. Within six months, I began building a mission-driven business dedicated to helping women redefine and master their relationship with money.

From personal experience, I knew that earning a “good” paycheck in corporate America didn’t automatically translate to financial security. Many of us were never taught how to make our money work for us, and I saw firsthand how even high-achieving women often have a relationship with money that doesn’t serve their long-term goals. For me, conquering my own money mindset was transformative—it enabled me to shut down a previous business and dedicate myself to caregiving when it mattered most.

In January 2021, I launched my financial coaching business with a clear goal: to empower women to transform their financial lives from the inside out. My signature BUILDMYBANK® Coaching Program is a 6-phase money mindset and activation system designed to uncover and address limiting beliefs about money. Unlike traditional financial coaching, we don’t start with breaking down the numbers and establishing a budget, we start with breaking down the mental barriers! My experience is when you break barriers, you can then build bank.

I believe that when you break mental barriers, you can begin to build financial abundance. My approach emphasizes mindset before mechanics, helping women identify and rewrite limiting beliefs like “I’ll never have enough” or “Money is the root of all evil.” This focus on the emotional and psychological aspects of money equips my clients with clarity, confidence, and control, enabling them to make their money work for them—not the other way around.

I also address the deeper emotional challenges tied to money, such as shame, guilt, and frustration, which are particularly prevalent among women. My goal is to help clients replace those feelings with empowerment and actionable strategies. Beyond creating better money habits, I help women redefine their relationship with money so they can build the financial future they desire—for themselves, their families, and generations to come.

My financial coaching journey expanded into creating Beautifully Bold Women™, a faith-based community that takes a holistic approach to women’s success. Our focus on spiritual, mental, physical, and financial well-being helps women align their lives with God’s purpose, unlocking true freedom, fulfillment, and lasting success. Women thrive in community, and Beautifully Bold Women™ is a space where they can connect, grow, and achieve together.

What sets me apart is my ability to think “outside the box” and blend analytical and creative strengths. Our tagline, “Be Different. Do Different. Get Different Results.”, reflects my approach. I leverage my corporate expertise to dive into financial details, while also bringing creativity and vision to designing special events, hosting workshops, and crafting personalized strategies for my clients.

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing lives transformed. Being a conduit of change, a vessel of support, and a source of empowerment is my greatest joy. When clients tell me, “You’ve changed my life,” it’s deeply humbling and affirms that I’m living out my purpose.

For me, this work isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. My mission is to help women master their finances, align their lives with their purpose, and thrive in community. It’s my passion to make a lasting impact, just as my mother left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire me every day.

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

I had to re-evaluate what success truly meant to me. For the longest time, I felt immense pressure to achieve what society defined as “success.” My dream of becoming a CFO was fueled by the idea that success meant being a power player in a prestigious corner office with a breathtaking view of the city. It was a vision reinforced by television shows, glossy magazine spreads, and societal norms that equated success with status, possessions, and titles.

As a high-achiever and perfectionist, I leaned into that vision. I worked tirelessly, always striving to be and look my best, convinced that climbing the corporate ladder or reaching entrepreneurial milestones would validate my worth. Transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship only amplified my “rise and grind” mentality. The mindset of working at all costs to achieve success consumed me.

But something shifted. Over time, I realized that the pursuit of success, as defined by external standards, left me feeling unfulfilled. It began during my decision to leave corporate America. I had to face the hard truth: there was no guarantee of reaching the coveted top position, no matter how hard I worked or how qualified I was. Success in the corporate world often depended as much on “who you know” as “what you know.”

The next turning point came during my entrepreneurial journey in the direct sales industry. On paper, I achieved everything that would deem me “successful”—the accolades, the rewards, the status. But it came at a cost: overwhelm, exhaustion, and a growing sense of dissatisfaction. A friend once asked me, “Are you sure this is what you want?” I enthusiastically said, “Yes!” But deep down, something wasn’t aligning.

The pivotal moment came when I asked myself, Is this really the life you want to keep living? The answer was a resounding, No. That’s when I began to let go of societal expectations and redefined success on my own terms.

Letting go of the old definition of success was one of the most liberating decisions I’ve ever made—just like the day I walked away from corporate America to chart my own path. Success, for me, is no longer about chasing titles, possessions, or achievements for the sake of appearances. It’s about aligning with my core values, living with purpose, and creating impact.

This journey taught me that if you don’t define success for yourself, you can easily fall into the trap of burnout, chasing things that don’t truly fulfill you. By unlearning society’s version of success, I stepped into a place of peace, authenticity, and joy—a success that feels right to my soul.

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

Wow, there are so many examples! Resilience is truly ingrained in my DNA too! To me, resilience isn’t just about “bouncing back”; it’s about pressing forward, even when the odds feel insurmountable.

One of my most defining moments came when I decided to close my previous business. It wasn’t just a financial or professional decision—it was deeply personal. Shortly after that, the world shut down, leaving me to rebuild not only a business but my life in the midst of profound grief. Some days, the silence was deafening. The weight of starting over felt immense, yet giving up was never an option.

I threw myself into learning, investing in one business coach after another for nearly two years. I implemented strategy after strategy, but the results didn’t match the effort. Social media algorithms seemed to conspire against me, leaving me frustrated and questioning if I was on the right path. My confidence was shaken.

That’s when I knew I had to pause, reassess, and pivot. Instead of letting discouragement define me, I focused on what I could control: myself. I went “back to basics,” blending offline and online strategies to find traction in my business. I stopped fixating on vanity metrics like follower counts and started prioritizing meaningful connections and authentic engagement.

Today, while I may not have a massive social media following, I’ve built something far more valuable: a network of quality leads, collaborators, and a growing community that aligns with my mission. Through my faith, I’ve come to embrace the truth that “a little can become much.” I’ve learned to steward the small wins, trusting they’ll flow into an ocean of opportunities in time.

Resilience isn’t just about enduring tough seasons; it’s about choosing to rise again, to pivot when necessary, and to believe in the promise of what’s ahead. That’s the mindset that keeps me moving forward, no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tamerapjones.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamtamerapjones/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamerap.jones/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamera-p-jones-9689641b
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@beautifullyboldwomen

Image Credits

Richard Frasher Photography (cover photo)