Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jonica Rowland.
Hi, Dr. Jonica. We’re so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, I am Dr. Jonica Rowland, a Doctor of Business Administration focusing on succession and social impact initiatives such as social responsibility. I always thought I would be a public servant focusing on criminology; then, I would be an aspiring sociologist focusing on deviant behaviors derived from poverty and malnourishment. That path led me to a place of forgiveness toward those who murdered my mother when I was a 10-year-old daughter and my brother.
This 7-year-old wounded son heard the tragedy and was nicked in the hand by a bullet to witness my mother’s death, and a friend of the family who shielded him with her body died in her 60s right before his eyes. I grew up not knowing who to trust but knew that I needed to live to protect and be around for my brother. That was a big responsibility for me, a 10-year-old, while seeing fear on my brother’s face and seeing my grieving grandmother who lost her daughter to murder and her husband to cancer.
Around the late 90s, I went on a central prison tour. I knew I had forgiveness in my heart, but the tour tested my heart. I saw young brown men; some had no role models or parents to guide them. It was as if society failed us, just as I felt growing up in Harlem, New York, when my mom was murdered along with 2 other people. I knew then that I completely forgave my mother’s murderers. One year, my brother stopped contesting the men from being on probation.
Well, a couple of decades ago, I forgave the gang members who murdered my mother, and after that Central Prison tour back in the late 90’s, I realized that being hungry and living in fear would make people do horrible things. I am grateful that I had a grandmother to raise me and a father alive. Forgiveness and learning the art of survival via staying healthy and changing my life helped me arrive at a space where I do not live in fear. I would visit my counselor in the NC State counseling center to process my thoughts, which later led me to believe in Christ after hearing a compelling minister who was a guest speaker at a church in Raleigh, NC.
I discovered that I could understand the pain of many and that I would need to do what I could to help my children and others not become members of the penal system. From my experiences as a wife, daughter, mother, sister, friend, career student, volunteerism, network marketing businesses, and insurance agent background, I learned that business and society need harmony to create a good impact on our children. Later, I went back to earn my MBA and DBA to focus on social impact, help with the sustainability of small business owners, and retire sustainably.
From my Onesheet BIO:
Dr. Jonica Rowland is a dedicated business and financial consultant, certified credit consultant, legacy planner, author, and dynamic keynote speaker. For more than 15 years, this business disruptor has taught business leaders to thrive sustainably in their business and personal endeavors, specifically by focusing on social impact strategies within her clients’ communities. It’s a calling that has been a part of Dr. Rowland’s work in various industries, including banking, corporate security, economic development, and insurance. Through JT Rowland Wholesome Health & Wealth, Dr. Rowland leverages her extensive experience with corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and compliance issues. She is a valuable advisor for an organization wanting to show the public that it cares about more than just profits. She educates and guides families through the process of gaining financial freedom. Dr. Rowland began pushing for social change as a child and has been a partner in the fight for those who could rarely speak for themselves and be heard.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Earlier in my career, my husband and I had to learn how to navigate with my children through a traditional school system; our children had no assistance from grandparents because only one was living with a disability. I had to choose between attending PTA meetings, socializing, and career advancements. Career advancements would have helped financially; however, children do not get to have do-overs in schools that do not understand the value of diversity. As parents, professionals, and entrepreneurs, we must show leadership against the odds so our children can learn to win against the odds. Not having an extended family was a big struggle. We had friends along the way; however, friends moved and changed. We had to bootstrap our businesses along this journey of life. In our household, we had over 9 job layoffs. The entrepreneurial mindset helped me push through the struggles by becoming more robust with a drive to believe that life improves. We learn from our mistakes, and as adults, we keep hope and discover that there is nothing wrong with do-overs, just as having a business is about meeting needs and improving to be competitive. We can only do our best to control ourselves and adjust to external forces such as loving loved ones, tornadoes, discrimination, economic woes, etc. The saying goes, “If it does not break us, it will make us.” I am grateful to God that I learned self-care early in life to overcome the woes.
We’ve been impressed with Dr. Jonica Rowland, Jet R Concepts LLC, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Doctor of Business Administration, not your MD but your doctor who wants to be in people’s personal and professional business. I help my clients strategize on how they will reach their level of success in their personal, experienced, and retired lives. I love innovation and look forward to completing a few patents. I have been acknowledged in four books and completed a forward in one book. I am an author and a volunteer and have served as an executive board member on several boards. My family and I received the 2003 Strengthening the Black Family Traditional Family of the Year award.
I had the advantage of adjusting to a multicultural and multigenerational business and workforce because I had aspired to be a sociologist. I earned a B.S. in Applied Sociology from N.C.State University, Raleigh, NC. Therefore, I specialize in services that lean towards legacy planning. Traditionally, people thought legacy only happens as someone’s demise. However, when people consider leaving their heirs or a charitable organization an inheritance, the legacy planning process began years ago. Passing values, knowledge, and wisdom to the next generations starts now, not at our demise.
As a business and financial consultant, I learned much from the senior population. Yes, I shared my expertise in many nontraditional ways, such as how our behavior determines how we define numbers, money, and success. I worked with adults well into their Medicare and retirement years. I learned that planning means taking action now and not later. No one wants to live in a sea of regret. So, I encourage us all to take that leap of faith to move to the next level of our goals.
What were you like growing up?
I mentioned earlier that I needed to figure out who to trust. So, I had 1-2 close friends. I escaped into education and music. I played the flute and piccolo in school. Staying active helped me to deal with suppressed grief. I was born in Harlem and then moved to Robeson County, NC, one of the most impoverished counties in the USA. Well, you can imagine the cultural shock. However, I learned much from seeing poverty in both places. I always loved humor. An old saying states that laughter is good for the soul, and Proverbs states that a merry heart does good like medicine. I used to be in one extreme or the other – happy or sad from grief. I will supplement my retirement by performing in comedy shows. I will be the clean act, lol. I love to be outdoors walking or on small hikes; I won’t hike in high altitudes, but I will do what I can. I had a friend whom I requested to start walking with me in a walking group; she now runs marathons. Marathons are not my cup of tea, but we must stay active and injury-free so as not to burden the next generation and live a long, healthy life. Research shows that 120 minutes of being out in a green atmosphere improves our health. Staying active and spending time with my husband are two activities that keep me happy. I love sharing what I learn in speaking engagements or creating small groups to encourage others to achieve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jonicarowland.com and https://www.seacretdirect.com/jtrowland
- Instagram: dr.jonicarowland_mba
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrowlandhealthandwealth/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonicarowland/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/@jonicarowland
Image Credits
Headshot with black scarf; I purchased from In His Image Photography & Peak City Headshots 1000 Holtridge Dr, Apex, NC, United States of America
