Meet Ms. Ojay Jones of Gwinnett County Georgia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ms. Ojay Jones.

Hi Ms. Ojay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey with books began all the way back in 1994.

After the birth of my daughter, I knew I needed an additional source of income to support us. Using my income tax refund — which was all I had — I invested in a book software program that allowed me to create personalized inspirational and educational children’s books. I began setting up at parks, churches, expos, and community events, sharing these books with families and seeing firsthand how a simple story could boost a child’s confidence and joy. That’s when I caught the “book bug,” and my lifelong passion for inspiring and educating through books truly began.

Fast forward to 2021 during the pandemic: the world was shutting down, but something in me was waking back up. With no outside funding, no investors, and no guarantees, I stepped out on faith and opened Rejoice Christian Books & Gift Shop. It quickly grew into a space of hope, encouragement, and literacy for children and adults.

As a self-funded Black woman entrepreneur, traditional doors didn’t always open. But grace, resilience, and community support pushed me forward. Along the way, I was honored with recognitions that confirmed the impact of this mission:

Best of Gwinnett Bookstore Award, standing alongside major chains like Barnes & Noble
Nominee for Best of Gwinnett 2025
Neighborhood Fave Award on Nextdoor for 3 consecutive years
Two-time nominee for the New Launched Business of the Year Award with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Two-time nominee for the Moxie Pay It Forward Award
Positive Google reviews, highlighting the community impact
Two appearances on The Jennifer Hudson Show, where Ms. Hudson personally encouraged and supported my Community Bookmobile mission
I also became an author of two children’s books in 2023, continuing my commitment to literacy and inspiration:

“Lily’s Land of Love” (2023)
A heartwarming story that teaches children about God’s love, family, friendship, and the importance of loving themselves because they were fearfully and wonderfully made.

“Manny’s Manners Matter the Most” (2023)
A charming tale for ages 2–8 that celebrates kindness, respect, good manners, and strong character — showing young readers how politeness can change hearts and open doors.

Both books help support my bookstore journey and allow me to continue creating content that uplifts children and families.

I am now raising support for a new permanent bookstore location and a Community Bookmobile van — an initiative designed to deliver free schoolbooks, story time, and joy to youth and seniors across multiple counties. This mission was amplified by Ms. Jennifer Hudson’s public call for support during my appearances on her show.

In addition, I continue to run programs close to my heart:

Adopt-a-Senior Program — providing our elders with essential items, comfort gifts, and a book
Youth Workforce Development Training — in partnership with the City of Lawrenceville and Impact46, preparing teens with real-world job skills

My story hasn’t followed the traditional business path, but it has always been purposeful. I started with my personal single tax refund in 1994 and a desire to inspire my daughter. Today, I stand today with a passion for literacy, community support, and the belief that books have the power to change and inspire our lives.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? No, not at all — but purposeful? Absolutely.

One of the biggest lessons I learned on this journey is that support is more than what people say… it’s what people do. I expected that earning awards, serving the community, and pouring from my heart would naturally attract strong support. I thought the accolades and impact would open doors quickly — but sometimes those doors stayed closed.

As a self-funded Black woman entrepreneur, securing funding, resources, and practical help has been one of my greatest challenges even with a good portfolio and completing numerous business classes & workshops. I searched for support that matched my heart for community engagement, literacy, and service — support that felt like my mission. But instead, I often found myself walking this journey alone, with nothing but faith, determination, and a calling that wouldn’t let me quit.

Those moments taught me something deeper:
Trust God. Follow His guidance. Keep standing, even when standing feels like the hardest thing to do. And while you stand — work. Work hard. Learn. Grow. Adjust.

My Pastor, Bishop Steven Glover, always says, “Failure is the backdoor to success. and To Keep My Eyes on Jesus”
I had to learn that personally. What looked like failure — losing a store location, being overlooked for funding, or watching doors close — became lessons, redirections, and training ground. Each setback pushed me forward, helped me grow wiser, and strengthened my resolve to serve the community with excellence.

No, it hasn’t been smooth. But every challenge sharpened me, matured me, and reminded me that the right door will open at the right time — and when it does, it will not just be a door, it will be doors that will be opened to bless many. It will be one God prepared for me all along.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I’m most proud of isn’t an award or a title — it’s the moments when my life or my story helped someone else heal, move forward, or believe again.
I’ve had countless interactions in the store and in everyday life where someone shares their struggle, and somehow my experience gives them hope. Those moments matter more than anything.

Part of what sets me apart is that my journey hasn’t been traditional.
I’ve been on my own since I was 17 years old. I started with nothing — no money, no safety net, no connections. Yet as a senior in high school, God blessed me with both a job and an apartment. That was the beginning of a lifelong testimony of provision, protection, and purpose.

I did not have a college degree, but God opened doors for me that people openly told me I wasn’t qualified for. I would walk into interviews afraid that I couldn’t do it, and somehow I’d walk out hired — and every one of those high-paying jobs became the foundation that allowed me to self-fund my bookstore in 2021.

Now, in my late 50s, I am finally in college, graduating this coming December. Learning at this age feels different — I appreciate every lesson in a way I couldn’t have when I was younger. What used to feel impossible now feels like redemption.

Another thing that sets me apart is spiritual stability. I’ve been a faithful member of my church for more than 30 years. That longevity, loyalty, and consistency taught me discipline, commitment, service, and the value of staying grounded in the Word of God. The Bible has been my guidebook for life, my compass, and my strength — and it’s the same foundation I bring into my business and community work.

At the end of the day, I do more than run a bookstore.
I build hope. I hold space for people. I help children fall in love with reading. I support seniors. I encourage families. I walk with people through their challenges. I show what faith and perseverance can build — even when you start with nothing but God and a dream.

What does success mean to you?
To me, success is not measured by money, titles, or status — it’s measured by resilience, purpose, and impact.

Success is when a person can fall, fail, get discouraged, or feel overlooked… and still get back up again. It’s the ability to persevere when every reason to quit is staring you in the face. Success is continuing the journey even when the road is hard, confusing, or lonely — because you know God is guiding your steps.

Success is also about service. It’s not just reaching a goal; it’s who you help along the way. It’s lifting someone else while you’re still climbing. It’s making a difference in someone’s life — even if it’s just one child, one senior, one family — and knowing that your journey wasn’t only about you.

My life has taught me that success is also obedience: trusting God’s direction, even when it doesn’t match the world’s standards. It’s saying “yes” to the call, even when you don’t feel qualified. It’s staying faithful, working hard, and showing up with integrity and compassion.

Success is surviving what was meant to break you…
and becoming stronger, wiser, and more impactful because of it.

True success is not tangible; it is divine. It is something God shapes in you long before anyone else can see it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shoprejoice.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rejoicebooksandgifts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rejoicebooksandgifts