Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Jackson.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my business out of a personal need for more guidance with transitioning into life after school. A few years ago, I graduated from college summa cum laude. At the time I had six job offers and two degrees thinking I would be on top of the world and ahead of the game.
So, you can imagine how shocked I was when I was faced with some of the most challenging times in my life six months later. Although it felt like I had done everything right, it still seemed like I couldn’t get a hang of adulthood.
In those six months after graduation, I moved to a new city, my student loan grace period ended, my car broke down, I was falling behind at work and it seemed like nothing was going right.
I was having to make new decisions that I truly felt unprepared for even though I had done really well in school.
After literally having a panic attack in my office, I felt like I was out of control of my life and I had to take a step back and readjust.
For several months I invested in myself became committed to learning what I didn’t know about finances, personal development.
Afterward, I went back to my alma mater to host my first workshop in an attempt to prepare others for what was to come.
That workshop had 100+ students attend. I had multiple people thank me both professors and students alike for sharing the information. I had no idea at that time I’d still be hosting workshops and teaching students across the country now.
As of today, through my organization ADLT 101, I have been able to help thousands of people both in person and online via workshops, classes, and books. Through these programs I’ve been able to help people pay off over $50,000 in debt, save their first $10,000, improve their credit, shop for health insurance policies, purchase their first cars, set up retirement plans and more!
This year my goal is to take it a step further by launching The Adulting Academy and bringing in more industry experts to help teach some of life‘s most challenging topics.
Has it been a smooth road?
Managing ADLT 101 has definitely not been a smooth road. While I get the most joy and excitement out of connecting with students and young adults, managing a business and the day-to-day operations have been a challenge for me. Although I do have an MBA a lot of the entrepreneurial skills and business techniques, I’ve used to grow my business I’ve had to figure out along the way. I’ve personally invested in classes, sought out mentors and other people around me to help me learn the information I need in order to be successful.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am currently the founder and program director for ADLT 101 and The Adulting Academy. My organization helps students and young adults make the transition into life after college easier by teaching personal finance and personal development. We specialize in working with schools, universities and other young adult serving organizations to empower young people with the knowledge to be able to make better decisions post-graduation.
Some of our coursework includes budgeting, investing, taxes, real estate, student loans, resume writing, etc. Our goal is to provide people the resources they need to be able to successfully navigate some of the most challenging parts of adulthood.
We have also recently expanded to our online school called The Adulting Academy where we help students and young adults with the same material and give them access to the courses and content via an online portal.
Something I’ve been able to do recently that I’m really proud of is provide a student with a scholarship. It means so much to me to be able to come full circle and provide young adults with the resources necessary to be able to further their education and make good life decisions.
I remember not too long ago I was in their shoes so for me to be able to help someone’s life in that way it’s really meaningful and impactful.
The thing that really sets ADLT 101 apart is we really focus on content that’s going to be relatable to our younger audience. A lot of young people are already in school and get spoken to all day.
We pride ourselves on being able to resonate with our students in a familiar way similar to an older sibling or a cousin offering advice. Many of our workshops flow more like a conversation rather than a lecture.
Many of the instructors are recent graduates themselves or are able to speak to young people in a way that really resonates with them.
Our mission is not to preach to people or make them feel like this information difficult is to grasp. We want to make learning these life skills as easeful as possible.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like Atlanta is an excellent place to start a business like mine. There are so many resources available and the majority of the people I meet here genuinely just want to help you and see you succeed.
If someone was just starting out and was looking for a city that is large enough to have a lot of major resources but still feels somewhat like a small town I would definitely suggest coming to Atlanta. I love that Atlanta still has a lot of the southern hospitality that you expect when you’re in the south but also is really looking to invest in entrepreneurship and technology and startups.
I feel like over the last few years I’ve definitely become an ATLlien at heart.
Pricing:
- The Adulting Academy enrollment fee — $37/month or $197 lifetime access
- 90 min One-on-One Strategy Sessions — $147
- Start Here: Money Matters Workbook $15
- Workshops & Programs – contact hello@adlt101 for quotes
Contact Info:
- Website: ADLT101.com
- Phone: 404-954-0180
- Email: jennifer@adlt101.com
- Instagram: @adlt_101
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adlt101/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/adlt_101
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
