Life & Work with Betty Jackson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty Jackson.

Hi Betty, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

My journey began in rural Eastern North Carolina.  Growing up in a rural area introduced me to working in the tobacco fields, cucumber fields and living in a home with no indoor plumbing. We had our own livestock, chicken, pigs, a horse and we produced our own crops. Those humble beginnings impacted me greatly and served as motivation. I wasn’t aware then, but later realized that my family were business owners, entrepreneurs. My parents used the resources that they had to make the best for us, despite the difficulty. Though we were hungry and cold at times, we were family.

The resilience that my parents and others embodied has always been a major part of my development.  However, at times, what I wanted to do would have to take a back seat. I would emerge at times and produce events.  On other occasions, I would create projects, play a behind the scene role and receive no recognition. The year 2018 would be the turning point for me when I determined that I could no longer live SMALL. My mother and brother both had cancer. My oldest brother died May 2018 and four weeks after we buried my brother my mom died. We learned about my brother having cancer in March/April 2018 and we discovered that my mother had cancer in the same week that my brother passed away.

I came to understand that trauma can turn your life upside down. A few months after they transitioned, I opened up my computer to one note and I started to revisit my plans for my business ideas.  I was determined that I would no longer put off my dreams. I wanted to create something that would bring us all together.

Jo Howell Home Accessories and Candle Collection, encompasses elements that enhance every living space. Our business is essentially a three-woman operation. I’m fortunate to have the best team on earth. My two daughters, Kiyani Winborne and Damaris Jackson, are pivotal in the operations. These three interdependently working parts can be compared to a volcano eruption. That is, creative ideas and energy that erupts in something beautiful. I love working with them. My son, Carlos is more like a silent partner; we run ideas by him to get a male perspective. My goal was to create a business that I could work with my children and we can pass down for generations to come.

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?

Creating JH has had plenty of obstacles and challenges. I was laid off from my job in the Technology industry in 2019. I didn’t have resources that I could direct to that, but I knew that I had to do this. I prayed about it and I also knew that God wouldn’t give me the vision if he wasn’t going to make provision for me. I had to step out on faith and know that God would take care of me. So, I took my stimulus check and launched our business. Stepping out on faith, I was able to land a job a few weeks subsequent to that.

Additionally, COVID-19 was also detrimental because supplies were hard to obtain. We were able to have a successful launch; however, as the months went on, our vendors didn’t have all our products in stock. This really hurt us in December because our supplies were in containers at docks. We couldn’t meet the demand because our supplies were short. As a new emerging business, funds weren’t quite there yet, so we continued to use our personal funds to scale the business.  Fortunately, things are trending upward as our team streamlined our operation to effectively and efficiently service our clients and customers.  

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

Interestingly, my degree is in Hospitality Management. However, I work in the Technology Industry. I have experience working with both internal-facing (employee) and external-facing (customers) clients to bring people together, add value, and drive profit.

My skills and talents in various industries have allowed me to create the Red Carpet Lounge & Designer Showcase at the Carolina Music Awards for a number of years. I also served as Social Media Engagement for Word of God Fellowship Church, Raleigh NC. I’ve created and designed sermon message graphics as well as conducting in-house interviews for media production. Furthermore, I successfully managed these platforms for many years. I also serve as Community Leader for BlueStone House Church.  One of my key responsibilities in the BlueStone Church is to minister faith, hope, and healing to women who face challenging situations. I’m most proud of being a mentor and showing men and women that the beauty of broken pieces is that when they are properly assembled, they can make you whole.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

I am a Divorced mother of three amazing young adults.  Namely, Kiyani, Damaris and Carlos III. I have an organization that I just created called WOVEN that brings all of us together. I wanted our readers to know that our business is  family-owned and operated. The first phase of our business is candles. Our candles are hand-poured with Love, Peace, Purpose.  Yet, there are additional phases of our business that we will roll out in 2022.  

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.thejohowell.com
• Instagram: @thejohowell
• Facebook: @thejohowellhome