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

Jasmine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Funny enough, entrepreneurship wasn’t even on my radar. My plan? Climb the corporate ladder and retire as a COO. I was a ‘Corporate Baddie’ through and through. But one late evening, during a deep conversation with my husband, he dropped a bomb: ‘Why don’t you do this…life coaching…for real?’ I brushed it off, but that seed? It took root. Back in 2018, my life coaching knowledge was…limited. If you’d asked me about it, all I could conjure up was Iyanla Vanzant! (Deep down she’s my Auntie, lol) So, I dove into research – life coaching, certifications, the whole shebang. That exploration led me to a certification program with 365 Consulting Group, under the guidance of Dr. Karen Ratliff. What started as a ‘passion project’ and a side hustle soon morphed into something much bigger: my life’s most impactful assignment. I realized I was meant to help Black women not just launch businesses, but truly understand how to build a business with God at the center.

That’s how The Greater Me Consulting was born. Officially launched in March 2019, I went all in. My initial offerings were one-on-one coaching and my journal, ‘I Choose Me.’ Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘That’s not the life coach certification program you see today.’ And you’re right. For the first two years, my business revolved around one-on-one coaching, in the areas of confidence, spiritual and relationship coaching. The evolution of entrepreneur coaching came from commitment, consistency, and listening to the needs that kept presenting themselves. I started attracting more and more women who wanted to launch their businesses or who had launched but needed guidance.

Then, my own coach, Dr. Ratliff, reached out. She’d been watching me, seeing how I was putting my head down and working, almost oblivious to the impact I was having. She told me, ‘It’s time to become a Master Life Coach.’ My gut reaction? ‘Not now!’ I was still in corporate, the pandemic was raging, and frankly, I needed more time. But, hmpf, that was me talking, not God. So, there I was, pursuing my Master Certification and simultaneously building the certification program. I’d identified a crucial need. Everyone offered training for those already in business, already moving. But what about those just starting? Everyone trains on how to achieve six figures, but how do you get to six figures? The Greater Me Consulting’s certification program was designed to address these foundational gaps. It was about equipping women with the right coaching foundation, the right business launch strategy and ensuring God was at the center.

Jasmine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who are just discovering The Greater Me Consulting, I’m Jasmine Stokes, but most know me as Coach Jas. My journey into coaching wasn’t exactly a straight line. I spent years in the corporate world, honing my skills and climbing the ladder. I was driven and successful, but deep down, there was a nagging feeling that I was meant for something more. That ‘something more’ was ignited during a conversation with my husband, who challenged me to pursue life coaching. At the time, my understanding of coaching was limited, to say the least! But that seed was planted, and I embarked on a journey of research and training that ultimately transformed my life and career.
The Greater Me Consulting was born from a desire to address a critical gap in the market. I saw countless talented Black women, often held back by corporate limitations, yearning to build their own businesses and make a real impact. However, many lacked the practical, faith-centered guidance needed to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.

What We Offer:
At The Greater Me Consulting, we provide comprehensive life coach certification programs designed to empower Black women with the skills and confidence to launch and sustain thriving coaching businesses. Our signature program goes beyond traditional coaching training by integrating Faith-based principles, entrepreneurial development and community support.

We address several key challenges the women face, such as corporate limitations, lack of business knowledge, isolation and confidence gaps. Several factors distinguish The Greater Me Consulting from other companies and certification programs. We target women, specifically Back women for our program. We integrate faith, personal development and business strategy to address and develop the whole woman. We have a strong track record of empowering women who launch successful coaching businesses. Lastly, me, the founder, I’m able to integrate my own experience and journey as a Black woman who transitioned from corporate to entrepreneurship.

What I’m Most Proud Of:
I am most proud of the community we have built and the tangible impact we have on the lives of our clients. Seeing women step into their power, launch their businesses, and create lasting change in their families and communities is the greatest reward. I’m also incredibly proud of our commitment to integrity and excellence in everything we do.

What I Want You To Know:
For potential clients, followers, and supporters, I want you to know that The Greater Me Consulting is more than just a business; it’s a movement. We are passionate about empowering Black women to achieve their full potential and create a world where they thrive as entrepreneurs and leaders. We believe in the power of faith, the strength of community, and the impact of coaching. If you’re ready to move in what you were created for and to do and build a business that aligns with your values, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

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

When I think about resilience in my entrepreneurial journey, one year stands out vividly. It was 2023-2024, a year after I decided to dive headfirst into The Greater Me Consulting, leaving the stability of my corporate career behind. What followed was a barrage of ‘no’s’ that honestly took my breath away.

I’m talking grant applications rejected, contract bids denied, consulting opportunities slipping through my fingers. I stopped counting after 103 rejections. It was relentless.

Let me be clear: entrepreneurship is not all sunshine and rainbows. It’s about learning to navigate the ‘crooked with the straight,’ to hold onto your ‘why’ with unwavering faith and conviction, even when everything around you screams ‘turn back or let this go.’ Those ‘no’s’ tested me to my core. There were moments of deep discouragement, times when I questioned everything, wondering if I’d made the right decision.

But then, the ‘yes’es’ started trickling in. And when they came, they were major. I mean, blow-your-socks-off kind of breakthroughs. In those moments, I realized something profound: the ‘no’s’ weren’t just rejections; they were protection. They were often a divine test of my faith: ‘Can you still trust Me? Can you still praise Me even when things aren’t going your way?’ I also learned a humbling truth: sometimes, we’re not ready for what we’re asking for. When fully submitted to God, He has a way of aligning us with the right opportunities at the right time.

Those 100+ ‘no’s’ in that single year? They didn’t break me. They forged me. They instilled a level of grit and determination that fuels me to this day. They taught me that resilience isn’t about avoiding setbacks; it’s about rising stronger every time you fall. It’s about unwavering commitment to your vision, even when the path is shrouded in doubt.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn? Multitasking. Whew, that one was ingrained in me! For most of my career, being an avid multitasker, the fastest and most ‘accurate’ juggler of tasks, was a badge of honor. It was what I thought defined success, efficiency, being ‘the best.’

But here’s the hard truth: that relentless multitasking was a direct highway to burnout. It also robbed me of something invaluable: presence. I wasn’t fully present in any one thing I was doing.

The backstory? It’s about identity. I wear so many hats – mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, business owner, and the list goes on. I realized that if I tried to operate in all those roles simultaneously, nothing and no one would get my full attention. It’s simply impossible.

This unlearning process was tough because my entire professional conditioning told me it was wrong. I was trained that to exceed expectations, to be the best, multitasking was non-negotiable. But I had to dismantle that belief, layer by layer.

The reality is, there’s immense power in being fully present. When you focus and lean in, mistakes decrease, your experience is richer, and you find a deeper sense of fulfillment. Allowing yourself that focused time and attention? It’s not a luxury; it’s essential for sustainable success and genuine connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thegreatermeconsulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreatermeconsulting/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegreatermeconsulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-stokes-807b021a0/