We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Donna Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Donna, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

There have been so many challenges I have faced when I started my brand and my company, but I have learned that you need to be clear about what you want and where you want to go in life and also be able to convey that to others as well. Knowing what you truly want will help you get there a lot faster and to become successful. Don’t second guess yourself, even if others doubt you. It’s YOUR dream and vision, so don’t expect others to always get it.

I am just getting started, and I’m excited about what’s ahead for my production company, AOSTL Productions. I am currently in the process of creating new shows and have partnered with Executive Producer Marla Winston of Entertainment Enterprises. I truly feel blessed to be where I am at this time, but I’m also looking forward to being able to continue building my brand.

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 am a show creator, host, and producer with a lifelong love of the entertainment industry, all of which inspired me to found my own production company, AOSTL Productions, 3 years ago.

Being a creative is something special. Someone who has a vision and is able to make it become a reality is something special and exciting. I started my career at a local cable station producing my first talk shows which led to me receiving local awards for those shows. Back then, I wore many hats. I served as host, booked talent, and everything in between, which led to covering red carpets and interviewing celebrities. Then, I had the opportunity to take my interviews to a local network where I also provided content. It was definitely a struggle every step of the way, but I knew in my heart I wanted to be in entertainment. I loved interviewing and talking to people about their lives. Being able to get celebrities to open up within the first few minutes was something I simply loved to do. Making a guest feel comfortable and safe enough to open up and tell their stories came naturally to me — (and I also always made certain to do my research to enhance my interviews). Besides loving it, I found I was really good at it all.

I am proud of myself for taking the risk that I did moving to Los Angeles. So many people dream about how someday they will do this or that, but “someday” can be tricky and elusive IF you don’t take actions and steps to make your dreams happen. Beware of overthinking when you’ll decide to take that first step. Instead, just do it…do something, and everything else will come when it needs to. As long as you believe it and take action, then it must and will happen.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In terms of resilience, I will simply state that, in general, I have heard the word “no” SO many times, BUT, I never allow that word to stop or deter me. The fact that I believe in my abilities as well as in the projects that I create, and I am always willing to take the necessary steps required, I consistently manage to procure the right “yes” from the right people to move forward successfully. Although, the step-by-step process of getting to that key “yes” can be painstaking and it can take quite a bit of time, my vision remains clear and consistent throughout, which makes all the difference.

If you truly believe in your dreams and goals, I don’t think giving up is ever an option. Being able to go through adversity and learn from it will only prepare you for actually reaching your goals. Even when it looks like it will never happen, don’t give up. So much can change in 24 hours. Know each day is another day closer to what you want to achieve. There have been days when I wanted to give up — (believe me, I did) — but then, the next day, I would just keep going with renewed commitment. As they say, “You didn’t come this far just to come this far”. It will happen if you believe it will happen!…and you put in the work!

When I look back at where I started creating shows at a public access channel to creating shows for my own production company and working with major networks and streaming platforms it’s still unbelievable. I know there is so much more to come and I am truly grateful and excited for the next chapter.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The quick answer to what’s most rewarding to me about being a creative would be: 1) Letting my creative juices flow — I have them in abundance!😊

As I said before, being a creative is something special. Someone who has a vision and is able to make it become a reality is something special and very exciting. I have a very unique way of viewing the world and a big imagination when it comes to how I create or come up with show ideas. I always come up with the name of the show first. The name will always come to me in the morning right before I wake up — crazy but true. Then the show concept will start to come into focus, and I can create the whole show in my mind before I ever put it on paper. We all have our own ways of being creative. I think it’s about tapping into that side of yourself and taking the limits off your thinking to create a world of your own. For me, it comes very naturally. The creative juices just flow.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://donnajoneslive.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnajoneslive/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-jones-18349363/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DROPNETWORK