Named three consecutive years as Cambridge Who’s Who Education Professional of the Year, Hood Martin has served in higher education as an Associate Dean of Instruction; Dean of Career Programs; and College Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs within the City Colleges of Chicago education system.
Dr. Jacquie Hood Martin, is an Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Trainer, and Leader, holding a Six-Sigma Green-Belt Certification, and a Master Coach Certification with specializations Leadership, Professional Development, and Balanced Living. She holds an earned Doctorate of Philosophy, in addition to four other degrees.
Her company J. Hood & Associates is a Life Management Firm where she uses her skill set to help others propel their lives forward as a 501c(3) recognized organization.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I have been self-employed professionally since 1990. However, even as a pre-teen I started a hair-combing and braiding business for the neighborhood parents and their children. I always enjoyed having my own money and was not really a fan of chores. In my teenage years, I continued with projects that allowed me the flexibility to do well in school, hang out with friends, and travel.
Working for myself and helping others find their path in life is what motivates and inspires me. There is no greater joy than when an individual or family has an ‘Aha’ or ‘light-bulb’ moment. There is something freeing and liberating about finding your voice, owning it, and acting upon it.
My first professional business was D.O.C. (Dental Office Concepts). I started it right while in college. I used my financial aid refunds to pour into and invest in myself and dreams. I went to High School for Health Professions in Houston, TX and the use of science and technology intrigued me.
I coupled my gift of administration with the invention of the computer in the late ‘80’s and revolutionized offices, helping turn paper files into computer files. I was a MAC/APPLE, early adopter. My company handled staffing and training for persons in the health field ready to bridge the technology gap within the health care industry.
In my 20’s I started my first ministry endeavor and Jacquie Hood Ministries was born. I’ve had a website since the invention of the internet and AOL.
I’ve been branding since the beginning because I understood that your name is all you have and is what sets the tone for everything else. How you carry yourself determines the kinds of clients you attract.
Tell us about your business.
The company has always carried my name. I am my brand. Currently J. Hood & Associates offers training, consulting, coaching, teaching, and speaking to individuals, corporations, and organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors for 30-years.
We are a professional development non-profit with 501(c)3 status. Individual and corporation registration and participation in our live online, and face-to-face offerings provide training and development for children, youth, women, and men who ordinarily would not have access to training resources.
Our services cross business and industry sectors from home-life management dealing with parents, children, and school concerns to project management, career engagement, community relationship building, coaching services, leadership skill building, professional development training, and Coach Certification Credentialing.
We are a well-rounded, full-service organization.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
We are currently offering for 2018 a half dozen training and leadership courses through our online Live Webinar Platform The courses are offered at a 50% savings. $75 per course.
- LIVE WEBINARS; Details are available at www.jhoodandassociates.org/put-your-dream-to-the-test.
- COACHING CERTIFICATIONS: Details are available at www.jhoodandassociates.org/coaching-certifications.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- Cambridge Who’s Who Education Professional of the Year
- Master Coach Certification
- Professional Life Coach
- Leadership Certification
- Creator, Balanced Living Coach Certification
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- Author (5 books)
- Five earned Degrees [Associates, Bachelors, Masters(2), PhD
Where is your business based?
I do a good bulk of business online. Although I have offices in Houston and Dallas, TX; Chicago, Illinois; and Leesburg, VA. We prefer to operate online, providing some offerings face-to-face when contracted out to do so.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
My very first step I took to get my business running was to go to the county courthouse and file for a DBA (Doing Business As) registration. The only way for people and potential clients to take you serious as a business, is to become a legitimate business.
Once I filed for a name, I ordered business cards and began to tell everyone that would listen. People always ask everyone the same question no matter how many times they run into you “What are you up to these days?” Well, let me tell you, you should always be ready with an answer that relates to building your business and your brand.
I attended all sorts of events during the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and even more to this day. Networking is a key component to growing and sustaining your business. You are the face of your company. And, it is up to you to continue to tell your story.
One thing you will never hear me say is ‘what I used to do’. I refuse to be a ‘has been’. I usually say I started out in business in my youth and have managed to evolve with the times so I can remain relevant from generation to generation. Let me ask you, “Who is telling your story?”
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
In the 21st Century, one of the most effective ways has been social media which is the new form of “word of mouth”.
- I utilize FBLive to share live original content.
- I use Instagram to take my followers through growth-related information.
- I also use Instagram and our subscriptions database to send out graphics that depict our upcoming courses, events, and where I’ll be speaking.
- I use LinkedIn professionally to engage Colleges, Universities, Companies, and Corporations.
Each social media outlet has its purpose and platform to meet my company needs. I have a degree in Marketing and Management so using social media is akin to using leads and cold calling. I am very adept at engaging people.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
One of the key challenges is navigating the fluidity of the landscape of connecting with people.
Even though Social Media is an amazing platform for engagement, often times converting engagement and ‘likes’ into paying clients can be tricky. Everyone is looking for something to get them ahead. My content provides such a vehicle.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Overcoming the aforementioned challenge was accomplished by providing some user friendly content that meets each person and organization where they are in their growth journey. Me meeting them on their pathway affirms there ability to have some level of success as they put in the effort.
We offer free content on all social media platforms, as well as, keep archives on one of the websites, www.jacquiehood.com. People can access it on the site and on YouTube.
Another way too, is diversification. I have two business sites, one of my own and one I co-own with my husband. The media company allows me to shine in another way as an entrepreneur offering print, visual, and audio content of events we host, support, or sponsor. You can check it out at allthat.tv.
Growing your brand is key to maintaining your space in the digital marketplace.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I am motivated by my purpose. I am here to do one thing on this earth, which is to help people live their purpose.
Now, helping other people learn how to help themselves requires a skillset that is broad, flexible, adaptable, people-centered, goal oriented, and success driven. I continue daily to learn information in order to meet people where they are and move them to where they need to or are destined to be.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I have no competitors. I do not do comparisons. I am not in competition with any one. My gifts talents and abilities are uniquely mine and given to me by God.
Sure, there are thousands of authors, speakers, teachers, trainers, leaders, coaches, women, college Vice Presidents, Deans, and so on in the world, and more are being born every day. However, I am the only one who can do what I do, like I do it!
When I look in the mirror I see me. I see the person God put on this earth to meet a specific need, for a specific group of people, in a specific season on the continuum of their lives.
And, as long as there are people on this earth, there will always be a need for them to be helped along the way to wherever they see the need to be.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
The best advice I received recently was in April 2018 from Tyler Perry. He simply said ‘Whatever you do or don’t do, own it!’
His words reaffirmed a process I had already started when I decided to shift some of my business focus. The statement rallied me to check myself to be certain that I have balance within myself, boundaries with others, that I have no regret, and to clarity that I have not done something, or even have started something because of fear.
When you have a clear conscious you are able to operate better in your daily dealings in your personal and professional life.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
I would say to other entrepreneurs to look within yourself and find the good, find your light, find yourself. Dig deep beneath all the crap and explore what makes you, you. And, when you find that person, then you can move forward without hesitation and trepidation.
Getting ahead and staying ahead in life is not rocket science. It is simply the art of identifying who are, what is keeping you from being that person, then moving strategically forward to live your life to the fullest.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
My favorite business resource is research. In the age of misinformation, good old fashion leg work, library research, internet engagement to get the facts and accurate information is important as an entrepreneur.
Hearsay is dangerous. Fake news is dangerous. Believing everything you hear, read, and see without first checking and verifying will be the ruin of an entrepreneur.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I am musing over Tyler Perry’s book Higher is Waiting. The book is engaging because it is allowing me to see what things in my past have shaped me that are tripping me up from being the best version of myself.
If we are honest with ourselves we have been taught some foolishness in our lifetime and it has warped our thinking, belief, and values. It’s time we got our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional house in order.
Many of us have more life behind us than that in front of us. And, for the young, let me encourage you to think forward so that your future life is not hindered by your present actions.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I recently opened up a new department in my company to focus more on business-to-business engagement. My goal is to assist small to medium companies with identifying and training key talent.
If companies would like to hire J. Hood & Associates to offer leadership training, create content, or present Coaching Certifications to key staff then reach out at www.jacquiehood.com/contact.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
The 2018-2019 goals are to garner new business-to-business clients that are seeking what we offer, as well as, train coaches in our Professional or Balanced Living Coach Certification Program. Our Live Webinar training platform is the where I teach leadership style courses to help others develop their leadership ability and see leadership qualities in others.
The marketing strategy we use is both direct and indirect on social media, subscriber newsletters, and video on a host of sites. We firmly believe that there is untapped talent out there that has yet to reach its full potential personally and professionally. I welcome people to register and participant in our live online webinar courses.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @jhoodmartin
Twitter @jhoodmartin, @ibalanceme
Facebook jacquiehoodmartin
Website www.jhoodandassociates.org
Email jacquie@jacquiehood.com