Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Toni Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Toni , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I first knew when I realized that I had an audience that responded to the message I was sharing through creating art. I was a life coach that helped women heal from workaholism, which was a very counter culture message and pursuit. In 2018 is when I prayed for an idea tp help my clients practice well being on the go and an idea to boost my coaching business. I got a download “Affirmation Music”, I googled “Affirmation Music” and the term wasn’t coined n at all and I was like wow I get to do this. I went Los Angeles for a month and wrote 9 songs to represent 9 months it takes a woman to grow a child in her womb. That album was called “Affirmations for the Grown Ass Woman” I wanted women at the push play to start growing the woman of their dreams within themselves. I released that album in Women’s History Month March 19, 2019. By the end of 2020 after I release the next album I See Me Mantras on World Mental Health Day 10.10.2019. By the end of that year I decided to close my coaching business and pursue being a full time Affirmation Music that helps people talk to themselves better and I haven’t looked back. Since then I have had 40 Millions streams on Spotify alone. And once I realized I was given the sacred opportunity to have an audience and serve all while being myself and taking care of myself I knew I wanted to surrender to this call as an Artist.

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

My service to the well being of people started as me being a Life coach helping women heal from worcalsholism and working in Detroit high schools as a Dream Director where I helped students and staff reimagine the school experience through coaching, projects and experiences. Once I started Affirmation Music and started experiencing success that didn’t let up, I started to reimagine my identity, career and how I was changing n the way I serve this message to the world. It was very uncomfortable because I didn’t dream this and never saw myself as an artist. So I closed down my coaching business and started a membership subscription called AffirmNation. In my membership space I have two tiers, one that is more fan culture, the other tier is for building community more closely. We go on quarterly field trips, monthly virtual affirmation meditations, BTS, exclusive access to dm me and other members and exclusive unreleased affirmation music. I have 7 projects in total, 3 full albums, 2 mixtapes, 1 EP, 1 single which are all mental health tools at the push of play. I now have a company called IAM Music Group where I produce Affirmation Sound Bath Experiences, I Speak and create affirming spaces for well being and affirmations to be experienced in unforgettable;e ways.

I think what sets myself apart from other artists is I am very intentional with infusing my journey and the wisdoms fro that experience into affirmations people can recite over and ver again and speak over themselves and into their life in affirming ways which changes everything. Many of the greats have attributed talking to themselves sin healthier ways improve the quality f their lives and the way they rake care of themselves. My music and the message is all about affirmations being the language of self love. I am most proud of betting on myself to not give up on the process as an artist that is being authentic to her journey. I don’t just create the songs I embody them, I initiate Into the practicing of the wisdom in the music I create. I want people to know music has a medicinal legacy and I am an artist that respects that core capability of music having such a huge neurological profound impact on our nervous systems. I want people to experiment with only listening to my Affirmation Music for 30 Days and just witness what happens. I never had a publicist or professional artist manager the music success is because the people are experiencing results and they cant stop sharing with others they care and love.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think what society can do to best support artists, creatives and an thriving creative ecosystem is to have a module or organization that have town hall meetings that are virtual or in person and are fan base. These town hall meetings are to meet with the artist monthly or quarterly and set goals to raise funds, provide mental health resources, apply for grants, make sure the quality of life needs are met for the artist. Especially artists who are spreading positivity and empowerment for people. What we artists need the most is a healthy creative eco system and that is dependent on a quality team and reliable relationships why not start with the fans, explore the social capital that can be leverage to keep this artist in their process to create but to live well and have a sustainable business that is in service to people’s wellbeing.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have so many stories, but I will definitely say not giving up on myself to draw in the right people to build a team to support Affirmation Music getting to the world more. I have had many encounters with men in the industry and I have witnessed them attempt to prey on my vulnerability, being new to the music industry. I gained a lot of wisdom on not only how to navigate the predatory nature of men but also how to choose people wisely. I have matured in the way I socialize now and I handle people better because of it more importantly I handle myself better because of it. Im very proud that I didn’t let the people with impure intentions deter me away from remaining optimistic about what I am worth when it comes to the quality of people I required on my team as it relates to professionalism, character, experience, quality connections and integrity. I remained resilient and the dots haven’t stopped connecting to further the message of Affirmation Music and who I am into the world more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iamtonijones.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamtonijones/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAMtonijonesIAM/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@affirmationswithtonijones
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PXEwzEXJYzH2DcpU3WVOa

Image Credits

Image with jewelry on: Bre’Ann White @breannwhite
Image with Hat on: BooJay Snaps