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

Hi Learical , thanks for joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

I think what most creatives have to remember is that, although we would love for our friends and family to support our business, they are not our target audience. Once we realize that, we can get to our goals much faster and with less headache.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve always been a creative. I began doing poetry in Fort Wayne, Indiana and moved to Atlanta in 2005. Within a couple of weeks of joining a staffing agency, I was placed at the #1 radio station in the south; V-103. I worked at V-103 for over 15 years. I started in sales but ended up in the Events department where I learned project/event management. I curated the Holiday parties, birthdays and many other events for the Atlanta office for CBS Radio, which is now Audacy. For years I was the Artist Relations/Backstage Logistics person for their major concerts such as, For Sisters Only, The Car & Bike Show, Winterfest, as well as many other well known V-103 events. I’ve also managed the stage at one of the longest running festivals in Atlanta: The Sweet Auburn Music Festival. During my time at the radio station is where I developed my love for helping others organize and manage events. I’ve been blessed to have shared stages with A-D List Celebrities. Everything from, green room settings, stage logistics, artist relations, transportation…I’ve mastered it. V-103 also gave me the know how to develop my own brand. I love event/project management but writing is a passion for me. I’ve written, directed and produced 14 plays to date with my 15th production, “Aunt Sarah’s Girls” coming Mother’s Day 2023. Aunt Sarah’s girls is an all female cast which discusses, depression, addiction, self healing and breaking generational curses. This production is very near and dear to my heart because of the pressure that society puts on women as far as what we should look like and how we should act. I’ve definitely felt that pressure and found myself dealing with depression and self esteem issues. I am proud of the business woman that I am, and continue to strive to be. One thing for certain and two things for sure, with me managing your event, you are going to get 150%.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Whew Chilay! COVID!!! I went from making $6,500 a month to making $0 a month. No henney, that is not a typo. Yes…Covid had me stuck. No one was doing events during Covid. After I left V-103 in 2019, I ventured out on my own. And as you know, Covid came in early 2020 and hit me like a ton of bricks. I lost EVERYTHING. House, car…I mean everything. I had to move in with a close friend which was a very humbling experience. Went from a 3,000 square foot house to maybe 150 square foot room. Man…talk about DEPRESSION! I could not believe it! But I would not change anything. I continue to grow and be the best version of myself. I am nowhere near where I need to be but I am slowly getting there.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My children, my family drive my creative journey. I would like to be the one in the family to get us to building generational wealth. I’ve sacrificed motherhood trying to provide for my children. I know they are young right now and don’t fully understand but hopefully within the next couple of years of winning a Tony or Oscar (speak into existence), they will see what I was doing. I have a long way to go but I am willing to put in 200% to let my family know that the sacrifices that they’ve made for me was not in vain. My sister has my children in Texas and I thank the LORD for her EVERYDAY. If it weren’t for her, I would not have been able to do half of the things that I’ve been able to do in my career. I would love to get she and my mom a new house to show my appreciation for their years of sacrifice. I know that’s a small thing compared to what she has done for me, but it is surely a start. So… I have to KEEP SWIMMING.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.learicaljonez.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelearicaljonez
• Facebook: Learical LJEG Jonez
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/learijonez
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/learicaljonez
• Other: www.tiktok.com/leariclajonez