Today we’d like to introduce you to AnTonia Jackson.
Hi AnTonia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started at the age of 12 going out into the community with my mother to give back, volunteer and attend her speaking engagements. One day she entered me into an SCLC youth oratorical contest where I spoke on youth violence in the community. I won first place and soon after, I became a youth advocate speaking out on different issues in the community.
I loved speaking so much that after watching a spoken word clip that popped up on my feed, I then got into spoken word. I later became known as Awoken Voice the Spoken Word Artist. At the age of 15 years old, I wrote my first book ‘Answers from God’. A year later, I wrote my second book ‘Call On Me’. In between all of that, I’ve won several competitions: Hank Stewart Foundation, Omega Psi Phi, Therrell High Talent Show, SCLC Youth Oratorical Contest, RTB Virtual Talent Show, etc. I have also performed on many stages.
Fast forward, the summer of 2020, I started my entrepreneurial journey and published more books. I released my first children’s book in June of 2020 titled I’m Flawsome which is about ten kids who talks about their flaws and insecurities and how they overcame them because regardless of their flaws, they are still awesome. From that, I branched off and created I’m Flawsome Children’s Book Publishing where I help the youth become authors at a young age. Shortly after, I released my fourth book Sista Gurl: Soul Conversations Self Help Guide for young ladies ages 16-21 who are experiencing or have experienced a situation they feel as if they can’t get out of. The guide is to help them realize who they are and that they are in control of their life.
I love taking pictures so much and love the final look of how a professional photo turns out that around July/August 2020, I decided to start my own photography business called Catch My Vibe Photography where I serve Atlanta, Hinesville & Savannah, GA. Having so many businesses and side hustles also comes with having graphic designs and websites. So, I also learned how to design websites and graphics which has been a great side hustle and money saver.
In October of last year, I got married to my amazing husband Richard Jackson who is an Army Soldier. I then parted ways with my family to move to Washington State where my husband was stationed.
Something happened to me one day where I feel as if it made my purpose even clearer. I was riding in the car with my husband and out of the blue, I blurted “I WANT TO CREATE A BOARD GAME.” I have no idea where that thought came from and I definitely knew nothing about board games except how to play them. After careful thought, I knew it was a vision from God. It was as if He spoke through me. Then I thought, what will it be about? Where do I even start? Will it even succeed? All these thoughts and questions flooded my mind. I was anxious, nervous, excited all at the same time. That’s when it hit me, it’ll be named Accountability Money Box and the game will be based off the three life lessons I learned as a homeless youth.
When I started doing research about how to start the process, I was shocked. Designing a board is not only challenging but it’s expensive. My faith dropped but I knew I still had a vision to carry out so I went the easy way and created the game by hand. Once I was finished with the box design, I sent a photo of it to my mom and she called and said “No. This game is a great game… from the title to the concept. Step out on faith and get it done correctly.” By my mom being my mentor since I was a youngin, I knew she was right. I stepped out on the littlest faith I had and got it done correctly.
Here I am investing the most I’ve ever invested business-wise and came out with the first prototype of Accountability Money Box. I launched a Kickstarter at the very beginning of the year. Campaign ended and I didn’t reach my goal but I still stayed the course. I then put outposts in different Facebook groups once again letting people know about my game. So many were interested and I decided to do pre-orders for one month. BIG MISTAKE, but I really wanted to get my game out to families for them to try it out. Because I didn’t have the funds to get my game produced in bulk from overseas at a low cost I had to get it produced here in the states, and IT IS EXPENSIVE. BUT I DID IT. One game costing roughly $47 to make and only pricing it at $24.99 but I still went through with it. At the end of that pre-order sale, I gained nothing and LOST A-LOT, but I did it. With that big of a loss, I was devastated but glad I did it because I started to get feedback. With the help and advice from parents, investors and potential consumers, through bootstrapping I was able to revamp Accountability Money Box to better fit the concerns of parents and needs of children. Same logo & similar concept but BETTER!
Accountability Money Box – THE TABLETOP GAME THAT TEACHES CHILDREN THREE MAJOR LIFE LESSONS:
1. How To Think Positive About Yourself
2. How To Invest
3. How To Give Back
I currently have a crowdfunding campaign going on so that I can raise the necessary funds to get my game produced in bulk so that I can start taking orders. In the midst of working on my game, I recently released two children coloring books one in relation to my tabletop game and the other in relation to my Non-Profit that I will be launching next year. Now, as my husband and I are back in our home state and only four hours away from my city, Atlanta, I have a lot in store for the upcoming year 2022.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. My family and I were homeless when I was around five years old for roughly 3-4 years. It was just my mom and her six children. We didn’t have it all, but the main thing we had was love. I truly believe love along with the other lessons our mother taught us is what kept each of us sane and made us into who we are today. Even now, as a young adult, it’s not easy. You never know the way your life can make a turn unexpectedly whether it’s medically, physically, financially, emotionally or even spiritually. Especially now since COVID came about, it’s been rough but as long as I keep pushing and staying the course things will get better.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My main business right now is Accountability Money Box LLC which is a tabletop game written and designed by me. Accountability Money Box teaches children ages 10+ three major life lessons:
1. How To Think Positive About Yourself
2. How To Invest
3. How To Give
Accountability Money Box is quite unique from the average tabletop game. It’s proven to be factual because those same lessons made me along with my five siblings into who we are today. I can’t change the world and I can’t help everyone but I know I’ve done a job well done if I help someone.
Any big plans?
My plans for the near future is to get Accountability Money Box into major retail stores and to create an app version of the game. I am also planning on launching my Non Profit, Youth Leaders By Design Inc. the beginning of next year.
Contact Info:
- Email: antoniaj@consultant.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Antoniaj
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ambgame?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ton.will.984
Image Credits
Sofia Shultz Photography
