We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan Harrington Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan below.

Jordan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and creating content, but I struggled to find my niche. I knew I wanted to do something impactful, something that would make a real difference in my city. Detroit is often portrayed in a negative light, but I’ve always seen the beauty, resilience, and talent here. I wanted to change the narrative and focus on uplifting stories. As I continued posting positive content, I started paying more attention to the experiences people have with local businesses. I realized that while we have amazing entrepreneurs and talent, customer service was often lacking. I saw how that impacted businesses—customers weren’t returning, and businesses were struggling to grow. I knew that if we could improve the way businesses treat their customers, we could help them thrive, which in turn uplifts the whole city. That’s when Better Business Detroit was born. My mission with Better Business Detroit is simple: to challenge small businesses—especially Black-owned businesses—to level up their customer service so they can build lasting relationships with their customers. I want to see more businesses in Detroit not just survive, but thrive. Great customer service isn’t just about being polite; it’s about creating experiences that make people want to support you again and again. If we can make that a standard in Detroit, we can change the way people experience this city for the better

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Jordan Harrington Jones, the founder of Better Business Detroit—a brand dedicated to challenging small businesses, particularly Black-owned businesses in Detroit, to elevate their customer service and, in turn, their success. My work is all about bridging the gap between businesses and the customers they serve, creating better experiences, and fostering long-term loyalty.

How I Got Into This Industry

I started out as a content creator with a simple goal: to uplift Detroit. I wanted to change the narrative surrounding my city by highlighting its resilience, talent, and potential. At first, my focus was solely on spreading positivity, but over time, I began noticing a recurring issue—many local businesses struggled with customer service, and it was costing them repeat business and long-term success.

That realization led me to find my niche. I saw an opportunity not just to create content but to start conversations, challenge business owners, and provide real solutions to help them retain customers and grow. That’s when Better Business Detroit was born.

What I Offer

Through my brand, I provide:
✅ Customer Service Consulting – I work with small businesses to help them improve their customer service strategies, ensuring they create memorable experiences that keep customers coming back.
✅ Engaging Content & Conversations – I create digital content that highlights both great and not-so-great customer service experiences, sparking discussions on how businesses can improve.
✅ Other Media Projects – I share personal insights and host conversations that challenge businesses to do better while keeping it real and relatable
✅ Filmmaking & Storytelling Services – I produce visual content for businesses, helping them tell their stories and connect with their audiences.

The Problem I Solve

Too many businesses lose customers simply because they don’t realize the impact of customer service. I help business owners understand that great service isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of long-term success. By providing insight, strategies, and engaging conversations, I challenge businesses to step up and retain their customers through better experiences.

What Sets Me Apart

I’m not just a consultant—I’m a Detroit advocate, content creator, and storyteller. What sets me apart is my unfiltered, real, and relatable approach to business discussions. I don’t sugarcoat issues, but I also don’t just criticize; I provide solutions. I use digital content to engage both business owners and customers, making customer service a community conversation rather than just a business problem.

What I’m Most Proud Of

I’m proud of the conversations I’ve sparked and the businesses I’ve helped see the value of exceptional service. I’m also excited about the creative projects I’ve been working on, from my Side Eye Sessions series to my upcoming interviews with local entrepreneurs and leaders. Most importantly, I’m proud that Better Business Detroit is not just a business—it’s a movement.

What I Want People to Know

If you’re a business owner in Detroit, my goal is to help you grow by keeping your customers coming back. If you’re a customer, I want you to know you deserve excellent service wherever you spend your money. And if you’re just someone who loves Detroit like I do, join me in pushing for a better business culture in our city.

This isn’t just about service—it’s about building a stronger Detroit, one great customer experience at a time.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I started building my social media presence, I knew one thing: I wanted to connect with Detroit. I wasn’t just creating content for the sake of it—I wanted to engage with the city, its businesses, and its people. So, I took a strategic approach.

Step 1: Identifying My Target Audience

I started by asking myself: Who do I want to reach? The answer was clear—I wanted to connect with Detroit’s community, business owners, and people who care about the city’s growth. So, I targeted an audience that was already engaged in Detroit’s culture and business scene.

Step 2: Immersing Myself in the Right Spaces

One of the best moves I made was studying the pages that already had my audience. For example, I knew I wanted to connect with the people who follow The City of Detroit, so I went to their page and followed more than half of the pages they followed. This wasn’t just about numbers—it was about visibility. When you interact with people who are already engaged in your niche, you start showing up in their circles.

Step 3: Engaging, Not Just Posting

A lot of people focus on just posting content, but the real key is engagement. I made it a habit to like, comment, and share posts from local businesses, community leaders, and influencers in Detroit. The more I engaged, the more people saw my name, checked out my page, and followed me back.

Step 4: Creating Content That Speaks to My Audience

Once I started getting followers, I knew I had to give them a reason to stay. I focused on:
✅ Authenticity – Keeping it real, relatable, and unfiltered.
✅ Value – Challenging businesses to improve, while also inspiring and uplifting.
✅ Consistency – Posting regularly, even if it wasn’t every day, so I stayed on people’s radar.

Step 5: Leveraging Hashtags and Trends

I used hashtags to make my content discoverable, especially ones that tied into Detroit’s culture and business scene. I also paid attention to local trends, events, and conversations, so my content felt relevant.

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Advice for Those Just Starting Out
1. Know Your Audience – Before you post anything, figure out who you’re trying to reach. Who are they following? What kind of content do they engage with?
2. Engage Before You Post – Social media isn’t just about posting. Follow, comment, and interact with others before expecting engagement on your own content.
3. Be Strategic With Follows – Find pages that already have your audience and follow their followers—but don’t just follow, actually interact with their content.
4. Stay Authentic – People connect with realness. If you try too hard to be perfect, you’ll lose the personal touch.
5. Be Consistent – You don’t have to post every day, but you do need to show up regularly. Even small, consistent efforts add up over time.
6. Use Hashtags & Trends Wisely – Don’t just throw random hashtags on your posts. Use ones that align with your brand and city so you attract the right audience.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Start Small – You don’t need thousands of followers right away. Focus on quality engagement over numbers, and growth will come naturally.

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Final Thoughts:
Building an audience isn’t just about getting followers—it’s about building a community. If you’re intentional about who you follow, how you engage, and the value you provide, your audience will grow organically.

And remember: Social media isn’t just about talking—it’s about listening, too.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My Pivot: From Corporate Life to Betting on Myself

For years, I worked in a large corporation, following the traditional path—clocking in, handling responsibilities, and doing what was expected of me. But deep down, I knew I wanted more. I wanted freedom, impact, and the ability to build something of my own.

The Wake-Up Call: Taking a Step Back to Move Forward

I reached a point where I realized my job was taking more from me than it was giving back. The stress was building, and I knew I couldn’t pour into my own dreams if I was constantly drained. That’s when I made the decision to take a leave of absence—not just to escape the stress, but to reclaim my time, my energy, and my purpose.

That time away wasn’t just about rest—it was a strategic move. I used it to:
✅ Clarify my vision – I asked myself: What do I really want? What am I passionate about?
✅ Invest in my brand – Instead of waiting for opportunities, I started creating them for myself.
✅ Network and position myself – I got out, met people, built relationships, and made sure I was seen in the right spaces.

The Leap: Choosing Myself Over Comfort

Leaving the security of a corporate job isn’t easy. There’s comfort in a steady paycheck, but I had to ask myself: Am I willing to play it safe, or am I ready to bet on myself?

I chose the latter. I started Better Business Detroit because I saw a need that wasn’t being addressed—helping small businesses improve their customer service and retain customers. I realized that my skills, my perspective, and my voice could create real impact.

What I’ve Learned from the Pivot

This transition has been about more than just business; it’s been about trusting myself. Here are three key lessons I’ve learned:
1. You Have to Put Yourself in Position – Success doesn’t come from waiting. I made sure I was in rooms where my name could be mentioned, connected with the right people, and built relationships that mattered.
2. Betting on Yourself is the Best Investment – I spent years building a career for someone else. Now, I’m using that same energy to build for myself—and the return is far greater.
3. The Work You Put in Now Sets the Stage for What’s Next – Every event I attend, every connection I make, every piece of content I create—it’s all laying the foundation for something bigger.

The Bigger Picture

Right now, I’m in the middle of my pivot, and I’m embracing the process. I’m not just working for myself—I’m building something that will uplift businesses, shift mindsets, and create lasting change in Detroit.

For anyone considering taking that leap: It won’t always be easy, but the moment you decide to truly invest in yourself, you’ve already won.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @betterbusinessdetroit