Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce Bone.
Joyce, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was a 28-year-old stay at home mom of an 18-month-old, I decided I wanted to become an entrepreneur in order to make some cash for the family budget. I read the book, “Think & Grow Rich” and listened to a Tony Robbin’s program. I set BIG and exciting goals. At first, I didn’t know what I wanted to do but since one of my goals was to make 7 figures in two years I knew slow growth companies and small thinking would not work. It took me about two weeks to come up with my idea. I had seen a business model executed called a “roll up” in the industry I worked in while attending Kennesaw State University full time at night. In the environmental field a bigger company would come in and buy up smaller companies. Once they got to a critical size they would go public on Wall Street. Since I didn’t have a company to sell I decided to become the company that bought smaller companies. My job was to raise money for my venture and secure acquisitions. In 18 months, I went from stay at home mom sitting at my kitchen table trying to figure out what business to start and how to run it to co-founder of a $50 million, multiple states company with 350 employees. It was quite the ride! Once we hit that revenue figure we went public on NASDAQ and moved the company to Texas growing to $125 million. I stayed in Georgia rather than move cashing out and hitting all of my goals in the process.
Fast forward twenty years, I know have three boys-two in high school and one in college. I’ve written a book, gotten my MBA, run a marathon. I love testing myself. I have had a lot of fun in business over the years and have done some interesting deals. Now I am a business coach who also runs “Think & Grow Rich” masterminds in order to help others grow their businesses. I am living proof that ANYONE can reach their dreams no matter how outlandish they may seem on the surface. The key is to set your intention and commit 100% to the outcome. My aim is to help others live bigger, better lives more fulfilling lives.
Has it been a smooth road?
As you can imagine, when I was first starting my first business as a stay at home mom of an 18-month-old and began to explain to people my grand vision of building a company via acquisition ultimately taking it public on Wall Street – the general reaction I received was one of mirth. I literally had several people laugh in my face and say, “Yeah, right. Good luck with that.” Neighbors, family, lawyers, bankers, no one believed I would pull this off. I didn’t care. I used the doubters as motivation. A lot of women are people pleasers. I am not one of those women. I love Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote, “What people think of me is none of my business.” Negative comments are a reflection of the person’s saying them. I ignore criticism or take the lesson and move on without dwelling on it.
Once I had enough money to start I had to convince business owners to sell to me using the vision I had set. This was hard. They looked at me like, “Who is this woman?!” I had to do a lot of persuading upfront! After the first few deals it got easier and easier. Ultimately, business owners were calling me. Then I had to correct and deal with industry practices I was not comfortable with. That cost us significant business revenue but it had to be done. You cannot operate in the dark and expect a positive outcome. What you sow you reap. I also had to learn how to fire people which I found distressing until someone wisely counseled me, “You aren’t firing them. They fired themselves.” I always gave numerous opportunities for correction of problems prior to dropping the ax. That was good advice. Of course, there were changes in our family’s dynamic in addition to work challenges. My husband and I had to navigate significant changes. I went from stay at home mom cooking, cleaning, shopping to an executive of a large company. He has always 100% supportive of me in my business pursuits which is probably why we are celebrating our 25-year anniversary this year!
So yes, tons of obstacles and challenges in this deal and life in general. My attitude is just face them head on and keep moving while remaining optimistic all will work out the way it is meant to work. Some situations are tougher than others. When things are really bad that it is what I call a “getting through time.” My mother used to say this to me when I’d be so tired and worn out from staying up all night with my infant. This was not my favorite time of life. I was so tired! I now tell her that as she suffers from Alzheimer’s and is not faring well. When she asks, “What is wrong with me?” I just reassure her she is here with me and it’s just a getting through time. It helps in hard times to remember that. Life marches on no matter what we are dealing with and one day at a time things a new day will dawn. Life can and will get better.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bone Up On Business – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business is helping others achieve their goals-to become the highest and best versions of themselves. To answer the question, “How do I achieve the goals that will benefit my family, the community, myself?” My Think & Grow Rich mastermind groups are designed to answer these big questions in a safe, uplifting, knowledge-filled way. We are a group of like-minded, action focused individuals dedicated to achieving our best lives. The goal is to design our lives with intention and actualize via commitment. Yes, there are obstacles and challenges but all problems have solutions. We face them together. It is a blessing to have others you can be 100% open with. It is hard for business owners because they are the ones in charge and must maintain appearances with employees. Spouses may or may not be supportive but they aren’t always the best person to bounce business problems off of due to personal concern and the inability to be objective. Our members have a group of smart, business minded people to get feedback, advice, and suggestions from in a supportive, safe environment. It is the best of all world’s networking, connections, and applicable advice to grow your business.
I also offer individual coaching. When coaching one-on-one I blend my talents of sales, mindset, marketing, motivation, operations and funding knowledge to help that individual grow their business. We start with a strategy plan then set goals and began executing for results. Once we get feedback, we adjust, and continue. I like to work in 90 day chunks because a lot can happen in a year if you use every quarter with intention. One on one coaching is for those who prefer concentrated focus. I’ve had clients who have been with me for years choosing to use me as an outside sounding board because of my level of experience and business knowledge.
What sets me apart from others? I was once interviewed on a radio show. The host said, “I have to say, you are one of the most interesting business women I have met. You kick ass in business but are equally warm, caring and family focused. How did this happen?” That made me laugh! It was quite the compliment. I was raised by two loving parents. My dad was a workhorse. I rarely saw him sitting down. My mother had been living as a nun in training for five years and was three months away from being ordained when she met my father. I describe her as a blend between Julie Andrews in a Sound of Music and Mother Theresa. I get my nurturing side from her. I was fortunate to get both their best traits.
I am known for results. In business, nothing else matters but results. You can’t pay your mortgage and buy groceries if you don’t have money. Sales, mindset, and marketing are my sweet spots although I am fluent in all areas of business. Sales make the cash register ring and I am all about that. Mindset is a daily ritual for me and I incorporate that in my masterminds. I excel at drawing the best out of my clients. I have a better track record of proven success than any other business coach that I am aware of in the Atlanta market. I also earned my MBA from Kennesaw State in 2012, my connections are strong and I freely share them. I believe your network determines your net worth. I have also taught entrepreneurship at the college level, sit on entrepreneurship boards at KSU, and Gwinnett Tech. Business is my art form. I adore entrepreneurship. It changes you in a way no corporate job could. Employees are interested in the success of a business. Entrepreneurs are committed to it. They are America’s unsung heroes providing jobs and more taxes than any other segment of society. Hats off to all you entrepreneurs out there!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I grew up in Roswell, Georgia and love the people, nature, and the weather. What do I like the least? The traffic!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joycebone.com
- Phone: 404-480-2728
- Email: joyce@joycebone.com
- Instagram: joyce_bone
- Facebook: Joyce Grimes Bone
- Twitter: Joyce Bone
Two Hosts Speaking In front of the Large Group of People. Horizontal Image Composition
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.
