Today we’d like to introduce you to Jolanda Logan.
Hi Jolanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I’m asked, “Who is Jolanda?” My response is…Jolanda “Jo” Logan is a no-nonsense lover of God with a heart for helping others and is FOCUSED ON PURPOSE! I believe that one of the gifts God has given me is the ability to “connect good people with good people!” My greatest desire is to fulfill ALL that God has ordained for me to do. I am on a quest to become the best version of me that God created me to be!
My fascination with all things business started as a child! At eight years old, I knew two things — 1) I could not/would not stay in my small hometown and 2) I was going to work in a high-rise building and wear heels and suits to work!
I grew up in Southeast Louisiana, the third child of Clarence and Noel Stewart, a pastor and teacher. While my dad served as senior pastor to two ministries, he also held a full-time job as the city electrician AND ran his own electrical business on the side. In addition to that, he would also cut grass on weekends. His drive influenced me a great deal and he was my biggest cheerleader and one of my greatest influences.
My Dad’s youngest brother/my uncle CJ was an airman in the U.S. Air Force and along with cassette tapes of music, he would send me postcards and letters detailing his experiences in the many cities and countries where he was stationed. These things gave me a glimpse into what life was like in other places. I would fantasize about 1) being a DJ on the radio and 2) wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase to my job in a tall building!
Fast-forward as a pre-teen and teenager, during the summer, I would visit my Uncle Donald in Chicago. The skyscrapers, and rush hour traffic — I fell in love! My dream became reality after graduating high school, I worked in the Communications division of The American Bar Association for the entire summer.
As the daughter of a pastor and an educator, I worked within the ministry in a variety of capacities for most of my life. My early introduction included typing and folding programs for various church activities and events. I now recognize that my strength and resilience were built watching my mother Noel serve the church and care for her family with grace and a lot of prayer!
Unbeknownst to me, years later the intersection between my love for business and experience in ministry would intersect leading to the launch of my business.
Throughout my corporate career, I have been fortunate to work with some of the biggest and most celebrated brands and personalities. During my tenure with Walmart Stores, Inc., and the Sam’s Club wholesale division, I helped to launch and implement campaigns for the exclusive in-store merchandising of licensed products from BET, Vh1 and CMT. I also helped to launch a limited run of the Todd Smith (aka LL Cool J) apparel line in Sam’s.
I have appeared on ABC’s The View, CBS’ Early Show and The Tyra Banks Show as a spokesperson and product representative. In addition, I’ve led communications teams in agency and corporate environments including tenures with Saatchi & Saatchi X, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., SAM’S CLUB and Habitat for Humanity International.
On the personal front, despite a battle with infertility, God blessed my husband and I with a son. After having my son in 2011, I decided to be a stay-at-home mom. It was important to me that I pour into my son and educate him prior to his entry into the school system. The return on that 3-year investment is priceless!
When I returned to the workforce in 2014, I accepted a full-time position in ministry as the Senior Administrator at Berean Christian Church Gwinnett. I did so because God told me that it was my assignment. Fast forward to 2017 and I clearly heard from Holy Spirit that my assignment was over! Imagine my surprise (and confusion!). Things were made clear at the end of the following year when it was communicated that the ministry was going in a different direction and as a result, my role and others were being eliminated. I actually laughed aloud – not from hysteria, but because I marveled at how God accomplishes His will for our lives.
Despite having done project-based consulting as a side hustle for years, it was not until this season that my business was formally birthed.
Jolanda Logan Consulting (JLC) is a boutique agency and as principal and CEO, I help to improve operations, increase efficiency, and successfully implement change. Some clients lovingly refer to me as their “Pocket COO (Chief Operating Officer!). At JLC, we focus on assisting organizations in the areas of Communication, Administration, Operations and Leadership. We work with faith-based agencies and corporate entities to provide counsel and strategies to execute the plans we co-create with them.
In my day job, I make use of more than 29-plus years of experience in Corporate Communications, Media & Public Relations, Administration, Project Management, and Product Marketing for Fortune 100 companies. In my role as the CEO of my firm, I get joy from seeing the results and wins that my clients get from working with us!
God has blessed me tremendously! To date, the majority of my clients are referrals and God continues to sustain us and provide exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask for or think. He’s graced me with the opportunity to be a first-time author with the 2022 launch of the Amazon Best Selling anthology “Girl, Don’t Count Yourself Out! You are Resilient, Tenacious & Faithful!” This project was birthed by visionary Sabrina Thomas and is a collection of powerful, inspiring stories from 12 amazing, gifted ladies! I was so honored to be a part of this project. My participation was my living testament to my son that you can make your dreams come true!
A graduate of the University of New Orleans, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. My work in communications has garnered an Addy from the New Orleans Ad Club and a Bronze Quill bestowed by the International Association of Business Communicators.
Music and ministering are my jams! I’ve served as worship leader in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Georgia in addition to past stints serving as a background singer for Bishop William Murphy, Pastor Micah Stampley, and Pastor Smokie Norful.
My love of music and dreams of being a radio host are still REAL! I anticipate seeing my dream become a reality with the upcoming launch of my podcast “Jo’s Gym” where my guests and I will share ‘gems’ to help build your mindset muscles and transform your life! I believe in wholistic solutions and wellness so your transformation will be a result of my direct but loving and practical strategies that you can implement in life, ministry, AND business!
My to die for moments that will forever stick with me include the opportunity to meet Ms. Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, in addition to working and hanging out with Todd “LL Cool J” Smith! However, my greatest accomplishment and biggest blessing is my son Christopher.
March 31 marked 16 years that I have been happily married to my husband Christopher, a Brooklyn born and bred educator and die-hard NY Knicks fan. We were introduced by his cousin and met on a blind date in Manhattan. Residents of Lawrenceville, Georgia, we share the joy of parenting our 11-year-old gifted son CJ along with his fur baby brother Biscuit, a Yorkie/Bichon Frise mix who believes that he is human!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Gospel legend James Cleveland penned a song “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired.” The lyrics of that song include the lines:
“Nobody told me
The road would be easy
And I don’t believe He’s brought me this far
To leave me”
This refrain is a summary of the many roads I’ve traveled in life, ministry and business. My entrepreneurial journey, while rewarding, is not always easy and can be isolating. Current social media can sometimes create levels of glamour and grandeur that are simply NOT reality when one is starting and growing a business. In addition, many BIPOC entrepreneurs do not have equal access to capital and resources that are available to other populations. Scaling and removing myself from daily operations has been challenging for me as I look to grow my practice in order to focus more on strategy and client relations.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m going to say it again for the people in the back LOL!
Jolanda Logan Consulting (JLC) is a boutique agency and as principal and CEO, I help to improve operations, increase efficiency, and successfully implement change. Some clients lovingly refer to me as their “Pocket COO (Chief Operating Officer!). At JLC, we focus on assisting organizations in the areas of Communication, Administration, Operations and Leadership. We work with individuals as well as corporate and non-profit organizations to provide counsel and strategies to execute the plans we co-create with them. One of our specialty niches is faith-based organizations and ministries.
In my day job, I make use of more than 29-plus years of experience in Corporate Communications, Media & Public Relations, Administration, Project Management, and Product Marketing for Fortune 100 companies. In my role as the CEO of my firm, I get joy from seeing the results and wins that my clients get from collaborating with us!
My varied experience in Retail, Ministry and Agency has equipped me with a unique, almost 360-skill set that allows me to assess multiple angles when finding solutions. My viewpoint incorporates the People, Processes and the Systems which allows clients to really see how all the pieces and parts work together to ensure success.
We offer exhaustive multi-year strategy plans as well as streamlined playbooks. Our engagements with clients are a minimum of six months and we have had some clients that have been with us as long as four years! I want readers and potential clients to know that we don’t do cookie-cutter solutions! Each of our plans and campaigns is custom-made to meet the individual client’s needs and work to achieve their desired outcomes.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My late father Clarence was a huge baseball fan! A lifelong lover of the (formerly Brooklyn) Dodgers, he would sometimes reference the game when talking about life. Borrowing from his habit, my views on risk taking can be summed up in this quote. “Progress always involves risk; you can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.” The same is true in life and business. You have to make a move, or you remain stuck, never knowing or experiencing the possibilities and opportunities that can result from taking a risk.
Yes, I have taken major risks! The decision to become a full-time entrepreneur, having never done so before, was the biggest risk I took! It’s a 180 from the corporate career that I’d had for years. There is no hierarchy, no departments, no mid-level manager! The buck, profit and loss; starts and stops with M.E. and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jolandalogan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolandalogan_changeagent/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JolandaLoganConsulting/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandalogan/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLConsul
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy1mAeAHDW2juHZR4_IIxdg
Image Credits
FlossinImages
