We were lucky to catch up with Julie Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julie, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

If I could change one thing about the education system, it would be this: teach students how to succeed in life, not just how to pass a test.

For over 15 years, I worked in classrooms and in school leadership. I saw firsthand that academic achievement didn’t always translate into career success. The students who thrived in the real world weren’t necessarily the ones with straight A’s, they were the ones with a positive attitude and image, as well as systems to organize their time and activities (what I now call the AIM Methodology). These students made eye contact, communicated with confidence, led by example, and understood the importance of showing up on time and giving their best, not just for a grade, but for the team.

Today, research backs this up: 85% of a person’s success in their career comes from people skills, not technical ability. Yet, these essential soft skills are often left out of the curriculum. Things like emotional intelligence, resilience, leadership, and business etiquette are treated as “nice to have” when they are, in fact, non-negotiables for success.

I’ll never forget one student I taught who was incredibly bright but completely disengaged. He thought the world owed him something because of his talent. Over time, with consistent mentoring and high expectations, he learned to take ownership, communicate respectfully, and contribute to the success of others. Years later, he messaged me to say, “Thank you for teaching me more than math.” It wasn’t just me, but the team of educators who understood that we are educating the whole student and not just our curriculum.

That’s the change I want to see: across our entire educational system that prepares students not just to graduate, but to lead, grow, and connect. One that helps students understand that when you take a job, it’s not just about getting a paycheck, it’s an opportunity to become the best version of yourself while helping the company and the team win.

Learning doesn’t stop at graduation. That’s when it truly begins. If we want our young people to live fulfilling lives and build meaningful careers, we must teach them the skills that matter most: people skills, leadership, mental toughness, and professional presence. I cringe when I hear a young person say, “Now that I’ve graduated, I will never read another book again.” I want students to pursue excellence and growth throughout their lives. I want all students to know they have control of their futures and that they can either “let life happen”, or “make life happen”.

Because success isn’t just about what you know. It’s about how you connect with others.

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

I’m Julie Jones, founder of Today’s Professionals and creator of the AIM Methodology, a leadership and people skills framework that helps professionals show up with confidence, communicate with clarity, and lead with purpose. I’m a certified Ziglar Coach, educator turned entrepreneur, and etiquette expert with a passion for helping others succeed, not just in business, but in life.

My journey started in the classroom. I spent over 15 years as a teacher and private school administrator. It was there that I saw a painful disconnect: our students were academically capable but emotionally and professionally unprepared for the real world. They didn’t know how to look someone in the eye, speak with confidence, or manage their time and emotions. That’s when I knew I was being called to do more.

After leaving education, I became a business owner, eventually selling our family plumbing business, and pivoted into what I now consider my true calling: developing people. I combined my background in education, entrepreneurship, etiquette, and leadership development to create AIM: Attitude, Image, and Self-Management, a practical and powerful approach that transforms how people show up and stand out.

Through Today’s Professionals, I offer corporate training, keynote speaking, coaching programs, and workshops that focus on soft skills such as emotional intelligence, executive presence, personal branding, communication, leadership, and workplace etiquette. I’ve worked with clients like HPE, Bank of America, JW Marriott, Texas Tech, SMU, and multiple entrepreneurial networks and women’s leadership groups. Whether I’m training Gen Z professionals on how to land and keep the job, coaching women on building a strong personal brand, or equipping corporate teams to lead with emotional intelligence, my goal is always the same: to help people succeed by becoming the best version of themselves.

What makes me different?
My work is not about adding more information. It’s about transformation. I help my clients connect the dots between how they think, how they present themselves, and how they lead. My programs are grounded in timeless principles, but tailored for today’s world. I blend the power of Zig Ziglar’s Choose to Win, the Process Communication Model (PCM), and my own AIM For What You Want framework to create engaging, experiential learning that sticks, and gets results.

What am I most proud of?
I’m proud that my work is rooted in integrity and faith. I’m proud of the thousands of lives I’ve touched, from students in under-resourced schools to executives in the boardroom. And I’m especially proud when a client tells me, “You helped me believe in myself again,” or “This was the most important training I’ve had since I started this job.”

What do I want people to know?
That soft skills are not optional. They are essential. That success isn’t about your résumé. It’s about how you make people feel. And that who you are matters more than what you do. My brand, Brand YOU, exists to remind people that the best brand is always the one that’s real. Because people don’t buy what you’re selling, they buy you.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most pivotal lessons in my career came from a student named Marco. I had just taken a new position at a rural middle school, and I walked into the classroom with the mindset of an aspiring administrator, not a teacher focused on connection. My students pushed back, hard, and Marco, in particular, was eventually removed from my class due to escalating behavior.

At the time, I thought the problem was the students. But when a substitute in Marco’s new class later asked for help managing him, it became clear that I was the one who had failed to earn his trust and respect. I told the sub to call the office. Moments later, Marco walked into the room and loudly threatened to harm me. He was immediately sent to an alternative school.

When he returned months later, I realized I had a choice: I could remain guarded, or I could take ownership and try to rebuild the bridge. So I began with a simple smile and a “Hi, Marco” during passing periods. At first, he ignored me. But over time, the tension softened. Our hallway exchanges turned into small talk, then real conversations. By the end of the year, Marco told me, “You’re not so bad after all.”

That experience changed me. It taught me that leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about relationship. And sometimes, the first change we need to make is within ourselves.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I first started using social media professionally, I wasn’t sure where to begin. I knew I had a message, to teach people how to succeed using people skills, executive presence, and emotional intelligence, but I didn’t know how to package it online. I started by simply showing up with value. I shared what I was teaching in workshops, posted insights from client sessions, and used real-life stories to connect with my audience. My goal wasn’t to go viral, it was to be valuable.

One turning point came when I started consistently using video, especially LinkedIn Lives, Instagram Reels, and short-form educational content. I leaned into my strength: teaching. I treated every post like a mini-masterclass on communication, leadership, etiquette, or professional growth. That’s when people started engaging, because they weren’t just being sold something, they were learning something.

I also embraced my personal story. I spoke about transitioning from education to entrepreneurship, my experience building a family business, and why soft skills matter now more than ever. The more I showed my heart, the more my audience grew, because people connect with people, not just polished content.

Now, my brand Brand YOU is growing into a platform for speaking, coaching, and training, and much of that growth began by showing up consistently and authentically online.

My advice for those just starting out?

Be real, not perfect. People relate to your story, not your highlight reel.

Provide value. Teach, share insights, and solve small problems in your content.

Be consistent. Your audience won’t grow overnight, but it will grow if you keep showing up.

Know your message. What do you want to be known for? Stay in that lane.

Engage. Social media is a conversation, not a billboard.

Most of all, remember this: Your voice matters. Someone out there is waiting for the wisdom only you can share.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.todaysprofessionals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjulieajones/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TodaysProfessionals
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealjulieajones/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@julieJones828

Image Credits

https://shortstorystudios.com/meet-photographer-toni-sparks – (headshot)