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

Hi Jocelyn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always knew deep down that I wanted my own business when I was younger, I was just unclear on how to officially make that a reality. All throughout my career growth after college, I began saving information and doing research on the various companies that I was working for. From my short work as a private investigator, to the non-profit group home I managed for youth on probation, to the day program for adults with learning differences, to the inclusion center for those with cognitive challenges. I assessed the pros and cons of each company from organizational structure down to how the company treated it’s employees, to the overall operation of the business. There began to realize during my assessments, there became a common denominator in every work experience, I felt I could run the company better if given the opportunity.

At each work experience, I had developed into middle management and had the ability to hire new talent and train current staff. After hiring that talent I noticed their potential and how it was not valued in a way that made the employee feel under valued personally. I also noticed how their voices and suggestions were often not heard. There was only so much I could do in my position and that bothered me, when I felt I knew how to fix the problem. Each of my staff and other employees would tell me their career aspirations during our employee evaluations or in the break room. After those conversations, something came over me and I began to seek ways to help them grow in the company or in their career development. I then made a career switch and became a career counselor for UCLA Extension through a supported employment program. I realized this was my calling. To help others become better versions of themselves, to climb the career ladder and to start something they could call their own. Especially, because many of the people I worked with were 2nd chance employees, they had a disability, mental health challenge or history of drug abuse or trauma. These people often would need to consider self employment due to their challenges in the workplace.

I officially began to prepare to leave my full-time job as a career counselor for a private school after I began to experience the same feelings of being unappreciated and the lack of support that my fellow employees felt. I had went to college, followed the yellow brick road to realize that I could do more if I created the environment in which I could thrive. I decided I would start a business to provide career counseling for students, business coaching for entrepreneurs, and business consulting to small business owners.

What should our readers know about your business?
I think what sets me apart form others is that my personal mission is to build a community of practice in providing quality community-based resources and wrap-around transitional services for individuals with learning differences, economic disadvantage and other barriers to obtain employment and gain sustainability.

I was able to get to where I am business-wise with discipline each day, the concept of minimalism got me through the challenges of investing everything back into my businesses rather than spending on entertainment and fashion.

Intentional vision boarding helped it all come together, imagining my future and what success means/looks to me truly guided me every step during the process.

The very ideals of creation inspired my everyday activities. Each day I understand I have the power to create the environment I need to be in to thrive. I create the opportunities and business pursuit that I want for my business.

I want people to know that my brand and story shares the idea that whatever your life obstacles are, only prepare you for your life’s success. Your ability to overcome challenges and hardships makes you a strong person and business owner.

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.
If my best friend was visiting, I would create a fun and engaging itinerary. We would visit Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes for meditation and manifestation for our week.

We would then go to a yoga session on the Bluff in Long Beach and brunch at Parker’s Lighthouse.

We would go to the local salt bath to recharge, then a local artist exhibit at CAAM or AACCLB and support black business at Black on the Block.

We could visit a local urban farm or farmers market for some fresh veggies, fresh pressed juice or Greek yogurt.

Last, we could go to a concert in LA or a game at the sofi stadium and hit up a car show.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to several people in my life that supported me along this journey. My friend and colleague of 12 years, Charis Gaston. She was one of the very 1st people to invest in me and paid me for services. My father, David Howard, who has invested in me, mentored me along the way and gave me an opportunity to “start” our family business –Urban Village Family Services. I was able to practice and learn valuable skills to start my own business. Last, I would like to give a shoutout to the book, Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women. This book not only inspired me to continue my criminal justice education, my interest in re-entry services and how to support minority owned businesses and entrepreneurs. This book helped me during a really hard time while starting my business, it gave me hope and demonstrated to me how important the work I was getting into was needed.

Website: https://onetrusttcollectivepartnership.my.canva.site/howard-coaching-and-consulting-llc

Instagram: https://instagram.com/howardcoachingandconsulting?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-o-howard-264903105

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowardCoachingandConsulting?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Professional shots – Irving Barcenas The Entrepreneurship Society Image – photo credit to Irving Barcenas Long Beach Forward photographer

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