We were lucky to catch up with Dr. LaSheyla Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. LaSheyla , appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
It is our mission at LMJ Planning and development to have deep impact on how communities are experienced. Many people can easily identify one or maybe even a few things that a community may lack, however not many people understand that resident and community needs are interconnected. Affordable housing is important, but irrelevant if people cannot afford the house due to a lack of economic advantage or transportation. Gainful employment is important but hinders the family dynamic if parents have to constantly work in order to provide the bare necessities for their family. It is our mission to develop communities that incorporate specific designs to aid in sustainable designs along with a more balanced life. We understand the importance of gainful employment, however we equally believe that mental and physical health starts at the community level in every community.
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?
For as long as I can remember my mother has told us that we had to go to college or the military because she understood the importance of us having education and/or the benefits of us having a military background. I must say that even at an early age I was blessed by God to be exposed to educational leadership (in every position from janitor to principal who knew each student name from K through 6 grade) that paralleled my mother’s teachings of excellence. I went to T.L. Marsalis Elementary school, and the leaders at that school demanded working hard and exposed us to so many different disciplines from dance, to art, to music at young ages. To be exposed to so many different disciplines is to expose one to a plethora of cultures and experiences that can be expanded at any time in life. One thing is specific they also gifted us with is career day in which professionals came and told us about what they did and what that entailed. Of course, they all had their own spin, but they also asked each of us what our interest was and gave examples of what that could look like as a profession. I was 8 when I was sure I wanted to be an architect and continued that trajectory through college. However, what I learned was I was a sociologist at heart and my passion was more than building design, it was the impact urban planning had on a community. In my business, I utilize a holistic approach to develop sustainable communities. I am most proud that my business impacts how residents experience their most intimate spaces which are typically their jobs and homes. It is not enough to develop houses, but in my business our clients do desire to have a positive impact on the community that they are interceding. I would like potential clients and followers to understand that our legacy lies in our ability to create spaces that are sustainable by including necessary resources that will impact now and future residents.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn the idea of having to touch everything. To be honest I have worked hard my entire life and still work hard, but in a different way, Unfortunately the system of working hard was a double-edged sword for me in my life as it has allowed me to flourish in learning and executing, but as a business owner sometimes it makes it hard for you to relinquish some of the tasks. I am TYPE A personality, so I am very detailed oriented and the way my brain processes things is step by step in order. However, what I have learned in business is the process to getting to the outcome can be a million different ways and in actuality if the end result is successful and in alignment with the vision it is ok for the process to be different. In essence, when you are living by your God given gift, you will learn that the goal is never to hold on to everything, but to provide quality service and allow other to flourish in their excellence. In other word simply, let it go so your business can continue to grow.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Reading is my past time that never gets old. Some of the books that have had the biggest influence on my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy is firstly “The Womens Study Bible.” This book helps me deal with people and gives me peace on days that I am anxious. Another great book that I love to read in “Defining Moments in Black History” by Dick Gregory as it helps me stay focused on why my mission is so important. ” The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs” by Hal Elrod and Cameron Herold, along with the “The 12 Week Year” by Brain P. Moran and Michael Lennington have helped me so much in managing my schedule and quantifying my success (Definitely Game Changers). More books that have helped me was “We should all be Rich” by Rachel Rodgers as she taught me how to be unapologetic and having no shame about quality compensation in my business and “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein which has helped me so much as an Urban Planner and Researcher as it allows me to have quick access to the history behind inappropriately planned community design. As for resources, I am a serious motivational youtube listener. I have to make sure that I listen to something that encourages me and motivates me daily such as Les Brown and Myron Golden.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LMJPlanningandDevelopment.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lmjplanninganddevelopment/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lasheyla-jones-ph-d-m-arch-57853879?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B35Vs8oTAQNW4PrbsIDW6jw%3D%3D