We had the good fortune of connecting with Alphonso Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alphonso, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Creating Generational wealth was at the forefront of starting my own business. As the eldest of all my siblings, I always felt the pressure of setting a good example for them. I was the first to graduate college on my maternal and paternal side of my family. This showed me how powerful the steps I took were. When I moved to California in 2016, it was the first time leaving my family scared me, but I also knew it would be the thing to take my family to the next level. My business, art and ideas weren’t just for me, but to break the cycle of “paycheck to paycheck” for my family.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to say I’m a Jack of all trades. lol
My grandmother inspired me to be so. She is a beautiful woman who could have been a super model, but she chose to start a family. I grew up watching her sing, record and sell her own tapes! She would even make the artwork. She sewed her own clothing and created home decor out of plaster to sell at local events and really showed me that we are not just ONE thing. We can do so many things & sometimes all at once. That’s why I sing, write, dance, style hair and do makeup. Oh yea, a little modeling as well lol.
God, My family and friends are the reason I am where I today. They never let me give up even when I wanted to. Since a small child I knew I was destined for something great and did not allow anyone to tell me otherwise. I started singing about the way the wind blew and grass grew at the age of 6 and before I knew it I was writing full songs…..about nature haha. My grandma would add music to them and I would think I was Michael Jackson or something. I had two younger sisters and I would sit and watch my mom braid their hair and was like “ I can do that” so I started practicing on them. As I got older, I got better and became the “family hair stylist” lol
When I made it to college, I was doing weaves every week to pay for things and then I was like, makeup seems fun, I’ll add that to my services as well. So that’s how that came about . After 2020, I said no more being afraid to show all my skills and I started posting more about hair and makeup and couldn’t believe how much support and clientele came from that. I was standing in my own way with a fear of being judged for something I loved to do. Now I’m booked and busy and also just dropped my first solo single in December! With my DAD as the producer, which meant the world to me. Songwriting for artist around the would is my end goal and this single felt like a new start to reaching that goal. When you hear the name Alphonso, I want you to know you can do it ALL and never give up!
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a big kid at heart, so I would love to show them places that brings me entertainment and joy.
For brunch, one of my fave spot is 33 Taps in Silverlake and also The Waffle on Sunset Blvd. I’m a nature boy at heart and one of my fave hikes is up to the Observatory in Griffith Park. Also the observatory is so cool and has so much history there, so it’s a great tour to take as well. Plus beautiful LA views.
Westfield century city is one of my fave places for shopping, food and more!
60 & out escape rooms are all over LA and are so worth a try!
Kura revolving sushi in Little Tokyo and Korea town is sooooo good and just a fun experience.
The edition hotel on Friday nights is such a fun vibe and the DJ is firrrreeee! I would also suggest following DJRoseGawd on Instagram because she throws a lot of themed events centered around music that are so fun and nostalgic.
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?
I would love to shout out Felix Milton, Ashuna Starks and Courtney Glass! These three amazing human beings are the reason I am in and survived Los Angeles. From being great college friends, to moving across the country together and even lending support when LA started to get the best of my physical and mental heath. They are the reason I can say I’ve became the Alphonso you all get today!
Ashuna taught me so much about hair and was my makeup muse anytime I wanted to practice. She never made me feel like I was less than the best and always poured into me daily! Courtney, her faith in God really helped me to get closer to him as well. One of the purest hearts I know. The best NATURAL energy a person could be around and my fav dance partner! Felix, the brother I needed when I didn’t know I did. The support he has given me will never be taken for granted. His generosity from always using me as a model for his brand, to supporting and connecting me with people in the music industry to help push me further, I couldn’t have asked for a better team by my side.
Instagram: Phonsooo
Image Credits
Mark Adriane
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
