Welcome! Today’s featured broad came into the entertainment industry as a backup singer, but was burned, and not credited or compensated for her work. Jo-Na’ Williams decided to start a business to ensure that this didn’t happen to others. She began the Artist Empowerment Firm. Listen in to Jo-Na’s story!
She covers the following aspects of her journey:
Jo-Na’ was a senior in high school when her work was used illegally. She grew up in the music business and has been performing since age 5. She later went to law school and decided to use her talents to help people understand how to protect their creativity and their rights. She launched her business with a marketing plan, but not with a business plan. She faced a lot of uphill battles in establishing her business. She shares the first three things you should do to protect yourself in starting a business, and they involve protecting your money, your intellectual property, and your ideas. Jo-Na’ advises seeing a lawyer(and an accountant!) for a consultation even BEFORE launching your business; don’t wait until you have a problem! Jo-Na’s inspiration comes from two apps that she CANNOT function without: Evernote for (organization), and Teamwork (for project management software). Most of her clients are entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, and others in creative and innovative businesses. What will Jo-Na’ stop doing, start doing, and continue doing? She will STOP checking email, and use an assistant and folders to organize. She will CONTINUE actively and consistently marketing. She will START working as an advisor to others launching their businesses. Dance breaks during the day are what keeps Jo-Na’ going! Her favorite quote is from Henry David Thoreau: “Our truest life is when we are living in our dreams awake.”Resources:
Find her on Twitter, Facebook and more @jwilliamsesq!