Fashion Gxd Magazine - Dr. Yolanda Jerry Entrepreneur Cover (Print Issue NOW Available)
Written By : Samantha Cee
This issue we at, Fashion Gxd Magazine, sat down with Dr. Yolanda Jerry for a winter 2021 entrepreneurial cover. Dr. Yolanda Jerry is a Best-Selling Author, speaker, business guru, and CEO and Founder of YJ Empowerment Solutions LLC and YJ Inspires, a multidisciplinary advocacy program, invented to help clients push beyond their past traumas, and elevate to the next level, both personally and professionally. Affectionately known as the “Empowerment Advocate”, Dr. Jerry is reputed for her innate ability to exhort multi-generational audiences through her powerful and relatable messages; as she passionately advocates for truth, healing, resiliency, and personal growth. Yolanda delivers an awe-inspiring proponent perspective against domestic violence, youth bullying, and sexual assault. Through the vernacular of a survivor, she impacts many; inspiring them to create the best version of themselves; despite tragedy, and to become intentional, in the pursuit of their life’s purpose and goals.. Take a look at our exclusive interview with the rising CEO.
FGM: It’s an honor to sit down with you all. Tell us a little about your brand and how you've come to this vastly successful peek in your career.
Answer: YJ Empowerment is a movement created by Dr. Yolanda Jerry, the Empowerment Advocate to support her mission of being an outspoken advocate for victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and bullying. Along with being a passionate and outspoken advocate, Dr. Jerry is a published author, entrepreneur, mentor, coach and thought leader. She is also a dedicated mother, partner, friend, daughter and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
FGM: Who are the clients/what are the projects that you most enjoy working on?
Answer: My clients are victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and bullying. I enjoy working on projects that support and empower these key groups, including social media advocacy days, walkathons, galas and other opportunities to help educate and inform the public on my platform.
FGM: How do you feel you make a difference in the world?
Answer: I make a difference in the world by embracing exactly who I am, with all my past experiences and the lessons I’ve learned. I also make a difference by being authentic, transparent, vulnerable and fully embracing who and what I believe in.
FGM: Tell us about a time when you showed determination to continue as an entrepreneur
Answer: Several years ago, I was just getting started on my advocacy journey with a book project when my late father became ill and I wanted to give up. My father encouraged me from his hospital bed and made me promise that I wouldn’t give up on what I was pursuing. If he had not done that, I don’t think I would be where I am today. I used his belief in me to push me through those early days of my new journey.
In 2019, I had recently launched my online social media platform and was using it to educate others about domestic violence when one of my posts about key statistics and domestic violence data was removed from Facebook. Someone had reported it as offensive. I was furious. I felt like someone was trying to silence the reality of domestic violence and attempting to keep the truth from being spoken. So, I decided to take a stand. I recruited about 10 women in my circle on social media and invited them to join me for a “Stop Domestic Violence” Awareness Takeover Campaign. During the week of Oct. 7, we changed our social media profiles to a specially created image that promoted Domestic Violence Awareness. The campaign began with bold pops of the purple logo popping up on everyone’s pages at the same time. We also had sample social media posts that gave facts about domestic violence and hashtags “#stopthesilence, #IwillNotBemuted, #IamAVoice, #StopDomesticViolence. Soon, it began to spread as more people, moved by our efforts and encouraged by what we were seeking to accomplish, joined us in changing their profile images. By the end of the week, hundreds of people joined in our social media takeover, including people in other states and those I did not know personally but who had been impacted by domestic violence and supported what we were doing. It was amazing, and I will always be grateful for that anonymous person who tried to silence my voice as an advocate against domestic violence because it made me even more determined to make a difference.
FGM: Give me the three best qualities of your brand
Answer: I believe the three best qualities of my brand are that it is authentic, relevant and relatable. I believe that others are drawn to it because we speak to them from a place of genuine care and support.
FGM: Give me an example of when you worked irregular hours?
Answer: Most of my time spent as an advocate is during irregular hours. I spend my time planning, posting and preparing for supporting others when most people are sleeping and resting. Because I have a day job, the only time I have is what people would call the “graveyard shift.”
FGM: Being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job, how did you get ready for that?
Answer: Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, I spent a lot of time as a servant, standing in the gap and often in the background helping others. When I felt God was pushing me forward to do advocacy work, my role shifted to being a Servant Leader. I believe I was ready to lead as an entrepreneur because I had embraced being a servant and a follower first.
FGM: How did you acquire the ability to work under pressure to beat meet deadlines as an entrepreneur?
Answer: One of my greatest assets as an entrepreneur is that I am a veteran. I gained the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines from serving 20 years in the Air Force and that is how I continue to operate even today.
FGM: What is your favorite inspirational point, place, to develop new brand developments?
Answer: I live along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and one of my favorite places to go for inspiration is to the beach. Specifically, there is a place in Ocean Springs, MS, that I visit when I need to get away from distractions. I take my little foldable chair and I visit this pier that reaches out into the ocean.
FGM: Which current public figure, are you inspired by or appreciate the most?
Answer: I am most inspired by the beautiful and graceful Michelle Obama. I love how she carries herself with poise and I love how she is family-oriented and supports her man. There are a lot of things I want to model about myself that I see in her.
How do you handle stress?
Answer: One of the most important things I do to manage stress is I read the Bible. Reading the word of God always brings me back to a place of peace. Another stress reliever is visiting my father at his graveside and spending time with my mother and daughter. And finally, I go to a quiet place and practice deep breathing techniques.
FGM: What are the three qualities you feel an entrepreneur must have?
Answer: One of the qualities I feel that an entrepreneur must have is being a good listener and focusing on what someone else is saying and being willing to hear what they say, even if it is constructive criticism. I believe this quality is directly connected to having emotional intelligence. There are key times in all relationships, whether personal or business, when he must show empathy, caring and understanding. Having emotional intelligence allows me to have the ability to be self-aware and effectively manage relationships with others and overcome challenges in a positive way.
I also believe that having good time management skills is a critical quality for all entrepreneurs because you are often juggling so many different things that it is vital to manage your time and prioritize tasks.
Finally, I believe that an entrepreneur should have faith – both in others and in themselves. The Bible teaches that you must have faith in things seen and unseen and for me, that means relying on God. I don’t think I would be a good entrepreneur without faith.
FGM: Where do you see your business in 10 years? How do you plan to get there?
Answer: In 10 years, I see my business expanding into being a venue to training others how to become empowerment advocates for their own individual causes. I want to show people how they can do exactly what I am doing and also create jobs by being a voice for others.
I also envision my business hosting conferences for various advocates of empowerment. Whether you are advocating for breast cancer, sickle cell or any other cause, I want to bring all advocates togethers and hold a monthly conference that gives people the building blocks, skills and tools they need to be effective. It will be like a one-stop-shop and network for advocacy where people can learn from each other and train all in one place. I will get there by working hard, connecting with the right people who share in my vision and by trusting God.
FGM: It was a pleasure speaking with you thank you for joining us
Answer: Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your wonderful publication. It was my sincere pleasure as well to share details about YJ Empowerment with your readers.
By Pilar Scratch in Entrepreneur cover for Fashion Gxd Magazine
30 pages, published 3/5/2021
