We were lucky to catch up with Breonna Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.
Breonna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
Parents are our first teachers to life. Parents do not have the answers to everything but they have the ability to learn and find out what they do not know. My parents did not always understand what to do and how to execute it. However, they always knew how to ask and find out to help me reach my goals. My mom has never left the country but when I graduated from high school she paid for me to go to Ghana West Africa and Italy because she wanted me to be independent and see the world. The world is such a large place and there is so much we can learn from exploring. My parents always supported me in any venture because they wanted me to have an open mind and an open heart. That exposure opened with my mind and heart to give others a similar experience I was given. It did not have to be travel but just opportunities to spread your wings and see how high you can fly. Both my parents have open hearts and always use some of their time to help others in any way they can, That love poured over into me and has lead my career choices. My background in education, case management and behavior technician serving under privileged communities encouraged me to want to create the similar opportunities my parents created for me. My parents had me join marital arts and sports for discipline and exposure. I was always connected to the social aspect of the community which made me open minded with an open heart to help others because I had the best support. I advocate for anyone I come in contact with because support with encouragement can change the lives of many people and families. Exposure to the world and the experiences I gained from that exposure is needed for all children. If we introduce them to the world and what it consists of we are introducing them to find their passion. If we do not expose them how can we help them. I thank my parents for always supporting me and linking me to the world to be able to stand here today advocating to provide it for others.
My exposure made cultural competency an easy task to accomplish because we are all connected and we need each other to thrive.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I put the Bre in Bresource. Growing up I was surrounded by education and humanitarian efforts. Education has always been a passion because it is the foundation of anything. If we have a strong foundation we can accomplish anything because we have some preparation. I was the kid cooking and passing out food from my own refrigerator because I believed we all can eat. With a psychology and social work background I combined work experiences to create The (B)resource Room, an educational support services industry. I was an educator for special education, behavior technician and case manager for individuals diagnosed with autism. I witnessed the disconnect on all levels and wanted to bridge the gap and better serve the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) community. The (B)resource Room is a place where there are services and products available to help, but we also link families to other resources in the community that may be of some help. We support it takes a village as well anyone can learn. Our services include: counseling, personalized tutoring, summer camp, home health care, behavior health skills (ABA therapy), diagnostic testing, guest speaking, college prep, and resource tools. Our merchandise includes: t-shirts, hoodies, hats, ski cap, sensory kits, token boards, sensory pop its, and buttons. Currently, I have been accepted into the Ed.D Educational Psychology and Technology doctoral program which will help add to the business to elevate the purpose of education and being adaptable to everyone. I plan to research and learn more on how I can advocate for special education with a focus on autism. There is a significant need for better education practices for individuals diagnosed with autism. Individuals with autism, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, specific learning disability etc. lack the tools and resources to thrive in the classroom. Teachers and parents are overwhelmed due to lack of knowledge of autism and other disabilities, the effects and how to assist. Ineffective technology and tools to assist in the classroom, home and community. Lastly, there is lack of support, training and access to resources for parents, teachers and the community. I have been involved a few schools substituting in the special education department and witnessing the frustration and lack of education. The (B)resource Room is a beacon of hope to all families that education is available to anyone. We are here to help anyone is anyway be can so that child can thrive and parents feel confident their child is secure.
There are several companies that provide resources for the autism community, but the resources require families to do further research and can become frustrating. I do my best to making all the information present and detailed and offer walk throughs to help navigate if necessary. Some families just want access to resource right then and when you have them navigate to other places they can get confused and frustrated. I just want families to feel they have what they need to learn more. I will not do all the research but families (parents) need to do most because you are raising the child and need to learn how to cope in your environment.However, I will be a resource anytime you get stuck. I have a naturalistic approach to life skills and education and I believe increasing confidence can improve anything. Will will advocate for you just contact us and share your story. I am most proud of my ability to preserve despite my failures. I am proud to have this gift to have patience to educate the people about autism. I am proud to have worked in positions that introduced me to further my mind and learn more about special education.
Our services counseling: individual, family and group, personalized tutoring: academic coaching, homework help, test preparation, essays and writing , summer camp: K-14 all kids welcome focus on outdoors to engage the senses, home health care:childcare, tutoring, life skills and more in your home, behavior health skills (ABA therapy): in home and center base, diagnostic testing: determine if autistic or any other intellectual disability, guest speaking: speak about autism, college prep: prepping high school students 9-12 for college and beyond and resource tools: feeding tools, behavior tools, reading, writing, toileting and more.
We have a parent support group called Ausome Parents. I encourage parents to join to learn more and gain support for each other. I host events for parents to learn more and how to assist their child. I also work with parents to take the lead in their child’s care. Parents are encouraged to volunteer and participate in events which helps with relationships and confidence in with their child. Parents take the lead in projects to help increase awareness and promote care. I also host fun activity events during school breaks to provide positive outlets and release some pent up energy. Coming this month on Christmas Eve come stake during the holiday break at Great Skate 24100 Hayes Rd Roseville, MI 48066 starting at 4pm. Tickets are $10 per person or you can purchase a bundle 4 for $30 or 6 for $45. You can purchase online at my website https://www.thebresourceroom.com/events. If you can’t make it you are more than welcome to donate tickets to help some our of children in the community have some holiday fun. Please follow us on social media and spread the word. Thank you!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I grew up in a household where we started everything and believed in giving more than receiving. On my journey as a business owner I had to unlearn to not share with everyone and trust anyone. I have made mistakes working with individuals believing they have the best and want to see me be successful but in reality they use me to get themselves ahead in the game. I would watch them grow and I am in the same position. As humble as I am I had to teach myself to not be as trusting and utilizing the laws of power to help myself grow.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The 48 Laws of Power has been a book that has resignation with me on my entrepreneurial journey. The lessons that book describes helps out myself in the persecutive and navigate how I approach situations. Instead of being impulsive I wait and access the entire situation before I move forward with a choice. I am still earning and this book is only the beginning to unlocking my potential as an entrepreneur. Parents videos of frustration and lack of support for their autistic child has also been a motivating factor that has shaped my purpose and work. More advocacy is needed to generate change in the ASD community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebresourceroom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebresourceroom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bree.jones.9237/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breonna-jones-73910b67/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BresourceRoom
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Mn0FJ_3gLHGOMpl9Cyo7A
Image Credits
Marquez Thornton