Check Out Jon Dabney’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Dabney.

Hi Jon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Since an early age, I’ve been an athlete and sneakerhead with unwavering support from my family. As an athlete, with a love of multiple sports; swimming, baseball, basketball, football, golf, track, and field, I’ve always led by example, a team player, extremely disciplined and committed with high expectations around winning.

Also, the young entrepreneur-minded sneakerhead collecting and reselling the hottest and most sought-after sneakers.

Entering high school, I made a commitment to focus on one sport, basketball. At that time my short-term goal was to play at the collegiate level with a long-term goal, to play professionally in the NBA. But once I reached my junior year, the love for basketball and sneakers collided with social media via YouTube.

YouTube offered the athlete, basketball player and sneakerhead a platform to connect with large audiences, create content around my interests, build my brand and credibility.

As a collector and reseller, YouTube gave me access to other sneakerheads, the opportunity to create humorous content around my sneaker unboxing, reviews, and share vlogs from sneaker conventions.

In the fall of 2017, I entered Georgia State as a freshman. After a lot of honest soul searching, I realized playing basketball professionally would no longer be my path. I decided to major in Business Administration, focus on entrepreneurship and learning photography, videography, editing and recording my own videos.

A “shift” had occurred in the form of YouTube and redirected my focus from my studies. My grades dropped tremendously. I knew the “talk” with my parents was inevitable. It was time for me to step out on faith. More importantly, discuss my desire to become an entrepreneur, YouTuber and sell my business plan to my parents. Looking at this from an athletic perspective, success as a YouTuber would require the same commitment, focus, discipline, time to develop meaningful content and their full support.

To my surprise, both of my parents were onboard.

My mom gave me a few conditions: Create a business plan, monthly updates; 6 months to focus on YouTube full-time and within that time timeframe legitimatize and monetize my channel.

My plan included- transitioning and creating content that was humorous, high energy, vlogs the captured daily life activities, lifestyles, entertainment, music and introducing my subscribers to my mother Kim and brother Dylan- The Jon Family.

Fast forward, 4 year later, my channel is authentically Jon- It’s a unique mix of content and activities I consider fun; showcasing my comedy, acting, and modeling skills- collaborations with friends, YouTubers industry celebrities and of course my family. Today, I’ve reached my biggest milestone of 100K subscribers while honoring the commitment and promise made to my mother.

The road wasn’t easy, but I have no regrets. This journey is a testament of hard work, dedication, taking risks, but more importantly the confidence I discovered within to succeed

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Financial Hurdles-Funds to create the videos
Seeing my family struggle
Acquiring the equipment/tech/software ( Start-up )
Setbacks- Damaged and broken equipment
“Learning Curve” Finding my flow
Lack of motivation/ frustration
Depression / Overthinking/ Self Doubt
Public Opinion/ Lack Support
Going in circles- Feeling stuck
Change-People leaving your life
“Brain Fog “Creativity Anxiety- Content/ Viewership

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am social media Influencer, YouTube video content creator, actor, model; specializing in vlogs, pranks, fitness/sports, experiencing new adventures while enjoying life.

The Jon Family channel spotlights what I’m known for: high energy, comedy, vlogs, pranks, basketball content, collaboration with my family, other social media influencers and celebrities.

I am most proud of my resilience and determination to succeed. Peculiar creatively, quick wits, and out the box thinking sets me apart from others.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Books
-Total Makeover- Dave Ramsey
-Money Master The Game- Tony Robbins
-The Teen Money Manual- Kara F McGuire

My Apps
-Amazon
-Grailed
-Instagram
-Netflix
-Nike SNKR
-Spotify
-Twitter
-YouTube

Podcast
-Peer 2 Peer Podcast

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nnnoj/
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_nnnoj
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCTd3-4aI3GnVttYpKxCUt6A