Today we’d like to introduce you to Tierra Jones.
Tierra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
To be honest, I never imagined myself being an entrepreneur at 28. I did the traditional thing where I graduated high school, went to college (ten years and never graduated) and bounced from job to job. My most important role as of 2012 was becoming a single parent to handsome baby boy name Keith. I call him my reminder that God has the last say because I was told at the age of 15 that due to my PCOS that I would probably not have children and if I did get pregnant I wouldn’t be able to carry it full term.
I was a chubby kid growing up with a disease called Polycystic ovarian syndrome which is a chemical imbalance that affects your moods, reproductive system, and more. Because of my heavy set statue & black neck (from having PCOS) I was often picked on and singled out even if I was trying my best to blend in with everyone else. I would go home and cry to my mother and family who would, in turn, tell me the encouraging and uplifting things that family and friends are supposed to tell you. It didn’t really help but I appreciated them for trying. Because of the bullying, I began staying in the house. I had my TV, my computer, and my phone. Back then phones weren’t fancy so all I could do was text and call but my computer was my life! It was my way to escape reality and be whoever I wanted to be and no one would know.
I began going into Yahoo chat rooms and AOL chat rooms where I would just sit and watch people talk back and forth to each other about any and everything, I would see common topics that people were talking about and if I didn’t know what it was I would ask Jeeves or yahoo it. From there I became hooked on the world wide web. For me, the internet is one of the best inventions anyone could have created. It allows you to connect and learn about different topics and even other people in other parts of the world. With the internet, I discovered at a young age that it would be something that was going to be major in the coming years because of how much it had progressed from when I was in the second grade playing Organ Trail and Mavis Beavis Typing.
It was the beginning of linking the missing connection between businesses and their customers. I used Myspace for social purposes to keep up with friends and family. I learned a little coding from computer class in the 10th grade so I was able to add different effects to my page that others couldn’t. I had about three people ask me to do the same type of thing to their page and then I decided to start charging.
I have always had an entrepreneur mindset, but never imagined actually owning my own business and growing it into a brand that people will remember and keep supporting. Once I graduated I went to an HBCU call Winston Salem State University where I completed one semester under bachelor’s in nursing. I then moved on to other colleges and went from nursing to medical assistant, to social work, to culinary, and eventually one semester left for associates medical billing and coding. I eventually dropped out and just decided to work because there were a lot of personal issues going on such as anxiety & depression.
I began researching social media vlogging in 2017 to discuss life as a single parent living on government assistance while working and still barely making it. I wasn’t aggressive with my research due to having so much going on.
Once my son was diagnosed with ADHD, a speech delay, and his fine motor skills were delayed, I knew that my son needed me more than the businesses did. I was determined to get out and work from home so that I could spend more time with my son and give him the proper help and attention that he deserves.
I was depressed about my son not having the proper tools he needed to succeed. I was in my feelings because. I was down because my money wasn’t adding up with my hours. I was spending more time in other people’s businesses and helping them build. I knew that this wasn’t how my life had to be so I started researching ways to use my talents to make money like I did when I was younger.
The only thing I could do was pray. I didn’t want to pray like I normally did because for some reason I kept hearing a voice say “write your desires, worries, and frustrations in a letter to him” and that is what I did. I ended up writing a 6-page prayer/letter to God letting him know all that was on my mind. I thanked him for the good and the bad. I went from angry at the beginning to feel at peace by the end. After I wrote that letter and read it to myself a few times, I felt this weight being lifted just a little bit. Soon after I turned on my pandora shuffle and the first song that played was “He wants it all” by the Jones Family.
At that moment, I knew that I was going to be okay.
I saw people like Spectacular from Pretty Rickey, and Supa Cent with the Crayon Case and knew that if they could do it they I could too. I knew that my knowledge of technology and research could be profitable but I wasn’t sure how I would set everything. I had watched YouTube tutorials and even sat in some webinars.
I began offering to help friends and family build their business online for free. I had one person take me seriously.
During my time at my job, I would work on my business in between breaks and sometimes sneak and try to watch a few LIVES and courses when it was slow and barely anyone in the office.
In May of 2019, I began to get that depression and anxiety feeling again. I was back in the same cycle that I often found myself in with the overwhelming saga of LIFE. Instead of letting myself fall again, I said a prayer and said to myself “next month, we are going to make some money. IDK how, but we are going to do it.” I started researching the market to see what type of issues businesses were having when it came to growing their brand and bank accounts with social media.
I had created a business/personal account on FB where I started joining groups and even started interacting and answering questions so that I could establish myself as a resource. I started asking questions on what type of products would help them and that is how I came up with my infamous $10 hashtag ebook that made me $1.5K in two weeks of launching my business. I did this with no ads, a following less than 400, and a budget of $5. From there I started creating more products and services based on what my audience would tell me they needed from me.
Since launching my business and first product in June of 2019 I have gotten my LLC, an official website that I set up, funnels, over 15 products, and services, I’ve worked as a paid intern for a well-respected business builder and influencer, and now I am being featured in your magazine all without a business coach, a small budget & following, and without a degree. Year to date I have generated a little over $8,200 without ads, paid promo, posting inconsistently, and a low following.
If I can do all of this from learning most of it on my own, then I know that anyone who is determined to work for themselves and live the life they have always dreamed can do it as well. I worked a full-time job while being a caretaker, a mother, a lover, and a friend while building my dreams. I am still building and would love to help as many businesses do the same for their lives.
Has it been a smooth road?
No. I had to overcome not being able to start with a large budget. I did not and still do not have a large following. I am a single parent so time is always an issue when you are also working full time and taking care of a disabled parent. I also battle with depression and anxiety. I have been put on meds for both but I have learned how to better cope with what I have going on. I also have never had a coach nor did I go to college for any of the talents that I have with growing businesses on social media. This can be challenging because some companies do want to see the credentials behind the results even if you show them your exact steps to success.
Please tell us about Blue Monet Media. What should we know?
I’m the CEO of Blue Monet Media. BMM is market research, ad funnels agency whose mission is to help connect brands with their ideal customers online and on social media. I help businesses to grow their brand and bank accounts monthly by understanding who their target is, what products they want, and how much they are willing to pay.
BMM began because with the rise of social media, businesses and entrepreneurs are struggling to find ways to connect with their audience on a more personal level and aren’t sure how to use the internet and social media to research, get qualifying leads, and sales consistently.
There are not many African American market researchers giving out their strategies for free, which is why I created BMM. There is a rise of black entrepreneurship but not enough of them know the importance of market research to their business. Many of them do not even understand how they would use the information to gain more leads and sales. With my target being small businesses and entrepreneurs between the ages of 25 and 34, I am able to teach them in a way that they will be able to relate to and implement what I have taught into their business.
Many of my clients and followers say that they enjoy following and learning from me because I break things down in an away that makes it seem easier to navigate their business with social media.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes. I feel that Atlanta is a great place for entrepreneurs and small businesses to start in. The reason I say this is because stats have shown that businesses are thriving the most there which means that there is most likely an audience for everyone somewhere in GA. I also recommend it because there are so many great business opportunities, conferences, and networking chances that one could get from just going to one social setting. ATL is a great place for networking because there are always people from around the globe coming and going so there is no telling what type of business ventures you may be able to create.
Pricing:
- I offer Market Research starting at $199
- I set up email & text list building funnels starting at $299
- I offer marketing strategies starting at $79
- Ebooks on various social media growth topics $10-27
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bluemonetmedia.com
- Phone: 910-390-0501
- Email: bluemonetmedia@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bluemonetmedia
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bluemonetmedia
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/bluemonetmedia
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