Meet Angilee Jones | Life Coach & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angilee Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angilee, how does your business help the community?
My business helps the community by using visional journal workbooks as a tool to creatively educate, uplift, and inspire men, women, and youth to use spirituality as a means to help themselves, but to also achieve success and overall health and wellness.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I entered the workforce at the age of 13, where I was Secretary of one of the most popular urban parks in West Fresno, California. Then, a year later, worked for the Employment Development Department peer counseling at-risk youth ages 14-19, and speaking publicly at middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities for five years.
With many accolades in between, I went on to obtain a degree in Psychology: Individual, Marriage, and Family Counseling while authoring and self-publishing a mini autobiography, which was used to speak at group homes and after school programs around Fresno and Los Angeles, Ca.—at the same time, making strides in the Music/Entertainment industries, at both an entertainment marketing firm and artist management agency, with a focus in finance and operations management.

In 2009, I published my second book entitled, When Love is the Problem, as well as having written magazine articles and reviews for various Los Angeles based publishers around restaurants, movies, concerts, plays, and topics such as Love, and Self-Help.

In 2010, a friend offered me the opportunity to work on a Television Production with BET Networks, and I never looked back.
I’ve spent the past 15 years working in the entertainment industry, with the last 10+ years being in television and film as both a Production Coordinator and Production Manager. Throughout those years, I made sure to continue to dedicate my free time in between shows and films to writing, creating, and working with youth and adults.

It definitely was not always easy, as I’ve had to overcome loss of all sorts, while parenting, trying to make strides in my career, but also working toward my overall dreams while not having much time to spare. I felt a ton of pressure, but also felt the pressures of working to be respected in a male-dominated position, and at one point, industry. It taught me to never give up and to always keep going, no matter what.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles is one of the most beautiful cities in our country.

Whenever I am gifted the opportunity to show someone around (which I love), I start off with a thorough drive around each part – explaining its history, transformation, my personal experience with the area, if I have any. While touring LA, a Runyon Canyon hike is mandatory. The overview of Hollywood and the city is refreshing, and you get some cardio and good scenery – can’t beat that! From there, we’d head over to Studio City for brunch at Aroma Cafe.

The City of Angels can be a lot to take in, so always allow room for naps and a quick wardrobe change.
There’s plenty to do. The exploring is usually in no particular order, I just go with the flow of how the visitor is feeling.

For the more artsy or photo-esque type, we would definitely visit all of the beautiful murals around town.
Especially the Instagram worthy ones.

Actually getting out of the car and strolling Melrose is a must – lunch at Tatsu Ramen is to die for.

For those that like good shopping deals, downtown is also a must – be prepared to spend a half day on that.
For the more uppity type that may want to leave with something expensive, it’d be Rodeo Drive. Everyone wants to see Rodeo!

I love giving visitors a Hollywood Tour – my favorite three places to eat in Hollywood are Kabuki, Te’kila, and Bossa Nova.
Goodness I’m getting hungry! Yum.

The history of Leimert Park is also a must. I love taking friends throughout Leimert Park and enjoying some delicious Jamaican food at Acki Bamboo. The drum circle, festival, farmer’s market there in Leimert Park on Sunday’s is an absolute must experience. We’d also go right up the street to Slauson and Overhill to shop natural products and all sorts of deliciousness from the historic Simply Wholesome.

I’m already tired, but the show must go on, because there’s no way you go to Los Angeles and not experience Venice Beach, or any beach for that matter. I like to start at Santa Monica and make my way down to Hermosa. And although there are so many outdoor restaurants to enjoy, for me there’s nothing like slamming some not so healthy gigantic slices of pizza on Venice. Sometimes it is just a good in between snack until you get to a more calm area, like Manhattan.

And although there is so much more to explore in the City of Angels, these are the must-do’s to me, any time I take someone on an excursion around the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My grandfather, Ronald Williams, who instilled in me the love of community and made my quest for knowledge fun and adventurous.

Website: www.itsangilee.com

Instagram: itsangilee