Michelle Jones shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Michelle, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently completed the 10-week Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which was a moment that made me feel genuinely proud. It was intense, practical, and challenged me to step back and look at the business at a much higher level. But it also challenged me to look at all I’ve accomplished with M|J Creative over the past ten years. And as a business, we don’t often take those opportunities to reflect on our accomplishments. It was a strong reminder of why I started and where I want to take both my business and my personal growth next.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Michelle Jones, founder and creative director of M|J Creative. Our boutique web design and development studio in Charlotte works with businesses and organizations who have outgrown their existing websites. I’m especially interested in the intersection of design, structure, and strategy, and in helping clients feel confident using and evolving their sites long after launch.
On a more personal level, I’m someone who enjoys building systems, asking thoughtful questions, and figuring out how things can work better over time. I come from a city planning background, which heavily influences how I approach both design and business. Right now, much of my focus is on building more sustainable, long-term partnerships with clients and creating work that supports growth without unnecessary complexity.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that truly shaped how I see the world was my first trip to Paris when I was sixteen. I had never traveled before and had never even been on an airplane. Coming from a small Southern hometown, that experience completely expanded my perspective. It showed me that there was so much more beauty, culture, and possibility in the world than I had ever imagined. That early exposure to a broader way of living and thinking stayed with me and continues to influence how curious I am, how open I try to remain, and how I approach my work and life today. And made me fall in love with French pastries and croissants.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was sad or scared as a child, drawing and painting were what helped most. Creating something with my hands gave me a sense of calm and control when I didn’t always have the words to explain how I was feeling. Recently, I’ve returned to painting after some time away, and it’s become an important way to manage stress and anxiety that comes with running a business. It’s a reminder that creativity isn’t just part of my work, it’s also something I rely on personally to reset and stay grounded.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire my dad for his character. He owned and ran a business for more than forty-five years and built his reputation by doing the right thing, even when it wasn’t the easiest or most visible choice. He didn’t rely on marketing or a big personality as he is a relatively quiet, gentle person. He earned trust through consistency, integrity, and how he treated people over time. Watching that firsthand shaped how I think about leadership and what it really means to build something that lasts.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. I could, and often do. I don’t do my best for praise or recognition. I work hard because it’s part of who I am and how I’m wired. I put 110% effort into everything I do, both personally and professionally, because that’s what feels right to me. My sense of satisfaction comes from knowing I showed up fully, not from external validation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellejonescreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjcreativeclt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmichellejones/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjcreativeCLT
Image Credits
Some photos by Julia Fay Photography
