We recently connected with Jill Lesly Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Jill Lesly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Although I won an art scholarship to the famous Art Institute of Chicago at age 12; I would say at the University of Wisconsin, is where I really found I wanted to pursue a life of creativity. My professor entered my hand printed B & W photos to the State Historical Society. I was the first woman to have an exhibit there.
After graduation, I was hired to work at the nation’s largest photo studio in Chicago. The studio had clients from The 4 Seasons, and Sears Catalogue, etc. There my skills were expanded. That led to many other avenues.
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?
As a young single mom, I had to earn a living to support my family. I worked for American Express as their first corporate sales manager in North America. However, I did voice overs during my lunch hour. Then my talent agent had me doing acting, modeling and commercials. This was in Denver, CO.
(a tip I give fellow talents – start in a small market).
My acting coach suggested I go to Hollywood and attend courses on acting and voice. Then I moved to Hollywood, where I spent the next 4 decades in the show business world. As a voice over artist, radio talk show host, broadcaster and spokesperson for major corporations, I generated more than One Billion Dollars in revenues for my clients. Later at the national Speakers Association, I was dubbed “The Lady with the Billion Dollar Voice.” Fellow actors asked me for help with their voices. I enjoyed helping others so much, I was inspired to go back to graduate school to get a Masters Degree in Speech/Language pathology to learn about the voice in depth. Since then I’ve assisted public speakers, broadcasters, managers, sales professionals, doctors, lawyers and chiefs of major corporations to develop their voices into clear, cool, conditioned communication machines.
(for more details check out my book, “How to Have a Showbiz Career” available on Amazon or www.thebilliondollarvoice.com.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Working with other creatives is the most rewarding aspect of being a creative. I’ve had so many rewarding experiences, it’s hard to number. I worked with many celebrities, athletes and fellow actors and models.
My career has expanded way beyond 4 decades. Just recently, when I thought my career was over. I received a call from one of my agents for a 3 day job in Palm Springs. Working with both young actors and some older actors, like me, now in their 8th decade, was the most fun ever.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to help people develop clear, confident, conditioned communication through the use of their voice.
With my years of experience, training and education I help individuals create their unique vocal brand.
My mission is to enable every person to tap into that essence of who they are and exude it through their voices.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebilliondollarvoice.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/billiondollarvoice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/executivespeechcoach1
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jill-lesly-jones-2154a610/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jillLeslyJones
Image Credits
studioagelessphotography.com, www.jillleslyjonesphotography.com