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

Alright, Jordyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?

Corporate America often misses the mark by not empowering employees, particularly at the junior level, to contribute their insights and drive innovation. Too many organizations box their talent into rigid job descriptions, stifling creativity and limiting their potential. While structure is important, it becomes a hindrance when it prevents high-level thinkers and problem solvers from making a meaningful impact. This approach leads to a cycle where organizations struggle to retain top talent because they’re more focused on maintaining the status quo than fostering an environment where innovation can flourish.

In my experience, I’ve seen how this mindset cripples an organization’s ability to evolve. For instance, I’ve witnessed talented individuals who had innovative ideas but were not given the platform or resources to explore them. They were forced to operate within narrow confines, which not only demotivated them but also led to their eventual departure from the company. This is a missed opportunity for businesses to leverage the full potential of their employees and drive continuous improvement.

Moreover, many organizations are notoriously slow in executing even simple solutions and are hesitant to embrace rapid experimentation. This reluctance to try new things and bring fresh perspectives to the table prevents companies from staying competitive in a fast-paced market. I believe in the power of quick, iterative experimentation as a way to bring new ideas, solutions, and products to the marketplace. When organizations shy away from this, they risk falling behind.

Another critical issue is the lack of focus on people as the primary resource to drive excellence and the bottom line. People are the heart of any organization—without them, there is no business. We should be investing in talent not just through hiring but through continuous growth and development to create capable leaders from the ground up. In my approach, I don’t just hire people to fill a role; I hire them to be owners of their work and their career advancement. While pedigree is important, I value confidence and the ability to take ownership above all else.

Finally, there’s a glaring inequity in Corporate America, particularly for those who are neurodivergent. These individuals often find it challenging to thrive in the social settings that have been long accepted and unchallenged in corporate workplaces. We often talk about “culture,” but an inclusive culture means little if people are forced to conform to an unchanging organizational context. True inclusion requires that we not only embrace diverse perspectives but also adapt the environment to meet the needs of all individuals.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey began with a deep passion for education, which led me to start my first business, A+ Academic Service, a tutoring agency in Houston. This early experience taught me the transformative power of education and ignited a lifelong commitment to developing people and creating growth opportunities.

In my corporate roles, from Deloitte Consulting to Tesla, I focused on people and leadership development, ensuring that talent was not only cultivated but empowered to lead with purpose. My work has always been about bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, a mission that continues to drive me today.

This passion has evolved into my current work with Made Manifest, an operational excellence and project management company. Made Manifest isn’t just about optimizing processes; it’s about transforming organizations by cultivating leadership and ensuring that every project drives sustainable growth and impact.

I’m also deeply committed to community-driven initiatives like HTX NXT, a series of networking events in Houston aimed at propelling the next wave of talent and innovation across industries.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach to development. I see people as the heart of any successful venture, and my goal is to develop leaders who are skilled, purposeful, and capable of making meaningful contributions. Whether through Made Manifest, HTX NXT, or my corporate roles, I’m focused on creating environments where individuals and organizations can thrive and innovate.

For those looking to understand my work or collaborate, everything I do is rooted in a deep commitment to people and their potential to achieve remarkable things.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely. I’m actually in the middle of a significant pivot right now. Over the past year, I’ve faced some of the most challenging moments of my life. I lost my home, some close friendships, and even my sense of stability. After being laid off in September 2023 and then fired from a project management role just two months later, I found myself grappling with the emotional and financial fallout. I lost thousands of dollars and was tested in ways I never anticipated.

But through these trials, I’ve had to learn the true meaning of resilience. I’ve gone back to the beginning—mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I revisited why I started this journey in the first place, the innate skills and gifts I possess, and most importantly, my faith in Jesus Christ. This process has reminded me that I am built to win, not just survive. What I initially saw as failures or losses, I now see as necessary experiences that have strengthened my character and deepened my faith.

I’m rediscovering my scrappy self—the one who knows that when it’s just me and God, and I’m fully focused on His promises for my life, everything I’ve lost will be restored. This pivot has started with a renewed mind, and I believe that as I continue to move forward, God is already beginning to add back to me the things that truly matter.

This season has taught me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It’s not just a verse I recite; it’s a testimony I’m living out. This pivot has been about more than just bouncing back; it’s been about recognizing who I am, who God says I am, and stepping into that truth with a renewed mind and sense of purpose.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

Yes, my business operates under the umbrella of Christ Collective LLC, which encompasses all of my brands, businesses, and initiatives. Through Christ Collective, I generate income from a variety of sources, including project management, mentorship programming, HTX NXT, and content creation, which I’ve recently begun exploring.

Christ Collective LLC is more than just a business entity; it’s a collection of ventures that I hope will advance the cause of Christ in the world. My vision includes expanding into venture capital, forming strategic partnerships, and launching new businesses and initiatives, all aligned with this mission.

While it’s a big vision, it’s also providing me with financial stability during this season. Each of these revenue streams supports the overall mission and allows me to continue building towards the future I envision.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordynelyseturner/
• Linkedin: edin.com/in/jordyn-e-turner/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jordyneturner

Image Credits

Jyasi Galloway