Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaye Washington.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jaye. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As much as I wish I could say I’ve always dreamed of full-time entrepreneurship, that is not the case. Since about 2014, though, I’ve always had a side hustle writing resumes, editing papers, and helping others develop strong messaging, but it never dawned on me that I could turn this natural gift and talent into an established business. While I knew I wanted to do something for myself, I wasn’t sure what that looked like because I was ok simply side hustling. Plus, at that time, I didn’t know what consultants were or even how to scale my business for full-time profit and growth.
But all of that changed in 2019 when I was unjustly fired from my “dream job” working as an Outreach and Communications Coordinator in local government. In the chaos of having just relocated for this job and not having much luck finding another one, a colleague asked me to join her State Senate campaign team as an independent contractor working as her Communications Coordinator. It’s almost as if a lightbulb went off. It was only then that I felt pushed (more like shoved) into entrepreneurship full-time because my skills were literally all I had. Two months later, I decided it was time to legitimately monetize my skillset. I had no idea this decision would open the doors it has, but I put my faith in God and trusted that He’d make it all make sense.
And that He has! Now, I realize that the last six years of portfolio building, networking, and growth positioned me to launch a multi-faceted consulting business that has made room for me to not only work full-time as an entrepreneur but to also offer internships and part-time employment to others. As I think back on where I truly started, I can say that I got here by way of two things- those small seeds and lessons over time, literally since a young girl, and every single closed door and failure. I can honestly say, my business would not exist had I not lost what felt like a “dream job.”
Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth? Absolutely not! I don’t think anything about entrepreneurship is smooth. Lol! Are there good days? YES! Do invoice payments make me happy? You know it! But smooth? Not at all.
Being a business owner comes with so many struggles I don’t even know where to begin. I know personally, I’ve had to face the constant battle of still feeling the need to have full-time employment as stability. It’s funny, though because out of the literal hundreds of jobs I’ve applied to since October 2019, I’ve had about ten interviews and only two job offers that eventually didn’t work out. That was a true struggle for me initially. I’ve been working since 16 years old and had no idea how to detach me from the need to be on someone else’s payroll. It seemed that every single door I thought was for me just would not open. It’s taken a lot of faith to accept and adjust to the reality that I’m on my own payroll. But I can say it’s definitely been worth it.
Learning how to take a break, rest, and still exist outside of “entrepreneur mode” has also been a struggle. When you start a business, it’s your baby- literally! I would be up at 8 am working until 3 am, cancelling on friends, and passing up on dates all in the name of The Savvy Solution. It wasn’t until I almost passed out one evening that I realized I was doing way to much and not taking care of ME. I think a lot of entrepreneurs experience this because we get so caught up in the vision and the goal. But I’m learning the importance of self-care. The business will be there.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Savvy Solution story. Tell us more about the business.
The Savvy Solution is a multi-faceted consulting business that provides high-level business strategy support and personal development tools and resources. We exist to elevate and empower individuals and businesses to make- and surpass- goals made in (hashtag) crazy faith.
Our Services:
-Communications and Business Strategy for businesses, brands, and organizations
-Miss Jaye’s Resumes, resume writing and editing services
-The School of Life Podcast, a transparent and uncut safe space for all things adulting
-The School of Life Academy, an online academy that provides courses, resources, and more on all things adulting (launching 2021)
As a company, I am most proud that we do everything with transparency, growth, and collaboration in mind. There is not a decision made, invoice sent, or presentation given without these three values at the forefront. Because of this, we have experienced a growth I could not imagine and touched lives I may never meet. That has also made me proud and humbled.
A few things set us apart from the noise! Firstly, we boldly operate in faith and are not afraid to talk about our foundation in God. Secondly, while we aim to make a profit, impact is so much greater to us. Our clients’ baby becomes our baby. We truly immerse ourselves into every project, every interview, every eBook, etc. because we want it to be known that we are right there with you. Lastly, we are real. I truly believe that our transparency both on and off social media keeps us relatable and trustworthy.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I definitely see the business strategy, podcasting, and online courses community and industry growing exponentially in the next 5-10 years.
As technology continues to take over our means of communication, businesses and individuals will need even more strategic and unique ways to connect with their target audiences both here- and abroad.
Currently, more and more entrepreneurs in the marketing and strategy realm are tapping into ways to further monetize their skills and knowledge, which itself is a big trend. This has birth the rise in eCourses, eBooks, virtual masterclasses, and so much more. As I mentioned in a previous answer, I’ll be launching an online academy in 2021 that offers many of these things. That idea was partially birth because of this trend.
If a business owner is struggling to find their audience and/or monetize their skills, NOW is the time to learn, invest in a strategy coach, and map out how to grow in this area. In 5-10 years, the way we communicate and learn will look even more different than what we’re experiencing today.
Pricing:
- Consultations- FREE
- Communications and Business Strategy Support- One-on-One, 6 weeks/$750
- Miss Jaye’s Resumes (resume writing)- $85
- Podcast Advertisement- $200/month (2 episodes)/30 seconds at beginning of show
- Podcast Advertisement- $150/month (2 episodes)/15 seconds, middle of show
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesavvysolutionllc.com/
- Phone: 770-280-1087
- Email: jaye@thesavvysolutionllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_missjaye/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacquaniese.washington
- Other: Podcast- https://schooloflifepod.libsyn.com
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