We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Taymah Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Taymah below.
Alright, Taymah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
My scaling up journey was a rollercoaster ride filled with meaningful moments, twists, turns, and invaluable lessons. I started my business with the lofty ambition of helping any business owner in any way possible. While it may sound simple, this approach left me overwhelmed, exhausted, and often out of my depth. I realized that I needed to find my focus, but that was easier said than done.
The first step was recognizing that I was overextending myself. I had to admit that I couldn’t be everything to everyone. This self-awareness was a pivotal moment because it allowed me to step back and reevaluate my strategy. I knew I needed a more specific niche to provide efficient service and truly excel in my field.
The challenge was figuring out what that niche would be. I didn’t want to rush into a decision, so I decided to focus on my other passions while continuing to serve my existing clients. I believed that the answer would reveal itself over time, but patience was tested.
After six months of waiting, I still hadn’t found my niche. Frustration was setting in, and I realized I needed outside help. That’s when I made a crucial decision: I hired a business coach. But not just any coach – I chose a coach who specialized in system strategy, someone I had been following and admiring for years – Taylor Dru, aka @thesystemsguru.
Joining her coaching group, System Systas, was a game-changer. During my onboarding call with Taylor, something amazing happened. In just 15 minutes, we mapped out my focus and devised a clear plan to execute it. It was like a lightbulb moment, and I left that call feeling refreshed, reinvigorated, and genuinely excited about my business once more.
The most crucial lesson I learned through this process was the importance of having a clear action plan. As a process-oriented person, I thrive when I have a structured path to follow. My journey to scaling up had a clear roadmap:
1. Recognizing Overextension: Acknowledging when I was in over my head was the first step to positive change.
2. Taking a Step Back: I needed to pause and reassess my approach to avoid burnout and inefficiency.
3. Doing Research: I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and research to identify my true niche.
4. Hiring Help: Recognizing the value of seeking external expertise, I hired a business coach who specialized in my specific needs.
5. Niching Down: With guidance, I finally found my focus and niche, allowing me to provide more targeted and efficient services.
My scaling up story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, seeking help when needed, and the importance of finding your niche in the business world. It was a challenging journey, but it ultimately led to greater success and fulfillment in my entrepreneurial endeavors.
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?
Hello! I’m Taymah Jones, and I’m excited to share a bit about myself and the Consult Jones Collective with your readers.
I’m a proud Atlien who’s passionate about several things: sneakers, Birkenstocks, sports, working out, comfort clothes, craft cocktails, and, most importantly, processes that make sense. My journey into the world of business automation and process optimization started during the height of the pandemic, when I recognized the growing need for businesses to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
The Consult Jones Collective was born out of this realization, and I’ve since honed in on three key services that set us apart:
1. Operational Systems Development: This is our signature service that is all about taking a deep dive into your business operations. We work tirelessly to systemize and optimize your processes, ensuring that they are not only efficient but also sustainable for the long term. The goal is to provide you with a strong operational foundation that can support your growth and success.
2. Client Systems Development: Your clients are the lifeblood of your business, and their experience matters. We specialize in creating customized Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems that are tailored to your specific needs. This service is designed to enhance your client relationships, streamline communication, and ultimately improve customer satisfaction.
3. Systems Planning Session: Sometimes, you don’t need a complete overhaul of your systems; you just need a targeted boost. Our Systems Planning Session is a focused 90-minute consultation aimed at optimizing your existing processes. It’s a quick but highly effective way to identify areas for improvement and gain expert insights to enhance your overall efficiency and growth potential.
What sets Consult Jones Collective apart is our dedication to helping businesses thrive through smart, streamlined processes. We understand that every organization is unique, and our services are always customized to fit your specific needs.
I’m most proud of the positive impact we’ve had on businesses of all sizes. Whether it’s a small startup looking to establish efficient operations or a larger corporation seeking to enhance its client experience, we’ve been able to make a difference.
What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about Consult Jones Collective is that we’re here to simplify the complex, streamline the chaotic, and help you grow. We’re not just about efficiency; we’re about creating a solid foundation for your success. So, if you’re looking to optimize your business operations, elevate client relationships, and unlock your growth potential, you’re in the right place with Consult Jones Collective.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Client referrals have undoubtedly been the most valuable source of new clients for my business. When existing clients recommend my services to others, it not only validates the quality of my work but also establishes a level of trust from the outset. These referrals often lead to strong, long-lasting client relationships because they come with a built-in level of credibility and mutual respect.
I’ve found that satisfied clients are not only more likely to refer others but also tend to refer individuals or businesses that are a good fit for my services. This alignment in values and needs has consistently resulted in productive and enjoyable collaborations.
Additionally, client referrals tend to require less time and effort compared to other marketing strategies. While I do invest in various marketing efforts, the organic growth from word-of-mouth referrals has proven to be the most rewarding and sustainable way to expand my client base. It’s a testament to the power of delivering exceptional service and building strong relationships with clients.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In March 2020, on the verge of the world’s pandemic-induced shutdown, I found myself in Houston, Texas, on a wellness retreat. Little did I know that this journey would test my resilience to the core. During the retreat, I broke my left elbow, and as someone familiar with injuries, I expected the usual surgery, physical therapy, and recovery process. However, this injury turned out to be much more challenging. After surgery to replace my shattered radial head, I diligently attended physical therapy sessions, pushing hard to regain full range of motion. Yet, three months in, stubborn scar tissue limited my extension to just 90 degrees, necessitating another surgery in June. The subsequent round of physical therapy helped me improve my extension to 160 degrees, but I lost all rotational motion in my left arm.
This entire ordeal unfolded while I was completing my master’s program, forcing me to tackle assignments with just one hand. It felt like learning a new language to perform even the simplest tasks. Despite the setbacks, I discovered a profound reservoir of resilience within myself. Today, I walk through life with gratitude, peace, and a level of physical health I hadn’t experienced since college. My left arm may never fully regain its rotational motion, and I bear an external scar, but these are reminders of the strength I’ve found within. This journey has taught me to value life within the constraints of circumstances, and I embrace the person I’ve become through it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://consult-jones.com/
- Instagram: @consultjonescollective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consultjonescollective
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/consult-jones-collective
- Other: Email Address: [email protected]
Image Credits
Arica Ratcliff @itsprettyrica