Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Jonas Gadson, DTM, president and CEO of Partners For Purposeful Living LLC., located in Beaufort, SC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
There are three kinds of people: those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those who wonder, "What happened?" I am a person who makes positive things happen, and I believe that you are too! This is your time, and this is your turn! This is the Decade for the Doers! We help professionals and business owners, authors, and coaches live their dreams, goals, and aspirations by mastering effective communication skills!
My purpose in life is to help you live yours! Our company, Partners For Purposeful Living LLC, specializes in "Speaking, Training and Developing Greatness!" The Book of Lists indicates that public speaking is the number one fear of businesspeople in America. Mr. Warren Buffet, one of the richest men in the world, was asked by business leaders, "What is the number one skill that will ensure success in the 21st Century and beyond?" They expected him to talk about stocks, bonds, and investments. But he said that the number one skill that will help them succeed in the 21st century and beyond is public speaking!
It has been statistically proven that the top reason that causes relationships to break is the lack of effective communication. There are barriers between employees and employers in the workforce because of the lack of effective communication skills. And at our company, we teach effective communication skills to help you “Master Your Message” and “Give A Powerful Presentation!”
Effective communication helps you articulate your thoughts clearly, get a raise, be successful in an interview, get a great job, and present your business and product to your prospects and clients. Maybe you must convince people to invest in your company. You may be a leader in your company, and you must present to your stockholders or your board. You may have the opportunity to persuade others to support your ideas! Effective communication is critical! These skills that would help you become a more effective communicator can be taught and learned. And we teach these skills through individual and group coaching and training.
Communication is 60% listening and 40% speaking. We were given two ears and one mouth. We must listen before we talk, and when we talk, we will have something valuable to say. Effective communication skills help you in your personal and professional life. They are used to express instead of impress! The four principles that all of my positive, powerful, and purposeful messages are based on are: "Education, Inspiration, Transformation, and Motivation!" Bonus From Jonas, “If You Cheat Yourself In Your Preparation, It Will Show Up In Your Presentation!”
Tell us about yourself
What started me in the business is my love for people and helping them find their purpose. I love to help people to “better their best!” When I was a corporate trainer at Eastman Kodak Company, I trained over 8,000 employees from 69 countries, earning the trainer of the year award! The personal and professional development that I invested in helped me contribute to the transformation that occurred in me and the people I trained. I was able to see them go on to become doctors, lawyers, authors, business owners, and successful leaders. And I had helped them clarify their purpose, and I had the privilege to see them succeed! My commitment is to make it a better world, and I choose to do that through speaking!
I am in my calling. I know that I was called to do this. Knowing that I must make it a better world for those coming behind me. I learned a lot from our senior citizens. “I view them as my “Motel 6”; they kept the light on for me! Bonus From Jonas: “When Your Value Is Clear, Your Decision Is Easy!”
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The number of people that I have spoken to and coached positively in a diversity of industries. I have spoken for and trained audiences in corporate America, businesses, colleges and universities, government organizations, community organizations, and conferences and conventions. I pivoted my business in 2020 during the pandemic! I am used to speaking in person. But when we couldn’t travel, I learned about social media and decided to collaborate with 300 other speakers, authors, and coaches to produce four brand new books that are Amazon's best sellers!
I have learned, “Just because you use tech doesn’t mean that you have to lose the human touch!” I have been able to impact people from around the world right from my home office on my laptop! I can work locally and think globally. Now I can coach and train and speak to people on Zoom!
In 2010, I was inducted into the Beaufort High School Alumni Hall of Fame for distinguishing myself in “Profession, Leadership, and Service!” I graduated from Beaufort High School in 1971, and now my picture is on the Wall of Fame inside Beaufort High School! I published my first book in 2010, entitled “How To Fly Like An Eagle With Wings Like A Wimp!” It teaches you to “Take A Chance! Take Charge! And Take Control of Your Life!”
In 2018, I was featured on Beaufort Lifestyle Magazine's cover, which went to over 20,000 readers in Beaufort, SC, and surrounding communities and the Savannah International Airport. I was also hired to deliver the keynote speech to my 40th Anniversary High School Reunion as an International motivational speaker at the Officers Club on the Air Station. Where 40 years earlier, I worked as a janitor at that same Officers Club!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Learning to be a business owner and transform my thinking from an employee to an owner and leader. It is a different set of skills and requires a mindset shift. It was a big step to becoming responsible for managing every aspect of the business. Not just being an expert in my field of speaking and training and stopping there! Learning how to be responsible for my financial success and my life, and then for the financial success of others. It is an ongoing developmental process. As a business owner, you must be prepared and always be on the cutting edge! Bonus From Jonas, “You cannot change your past, but you can change your path!”.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Hire a mentor and a coach to become an effective communicator. Everything that you want is at the end of your communication. It has so many benefits for your success in the 21st century and beyond. People do business with people they know, like, and trust!
- Invest in your personal and professional development. Take courses online. Never stop learning! I have invested over $ 100,000 in my personal and professional development. Sometimes we invest so much on ourselves that we don’t invest in ourselves. Always continue to grow because you can always surpass your best! Bonus From Jonas, “You must work harder on yourself than you do on your job!” In the 21st century, you must become a Laser learner. A laser can cut through steel! Start with that ONE thing! Focus! Identify that ONE thing and stick to it! The more positive skills you achieve, the more valuable you are in the marketplace. Bonus From Jonas, “Invest in the Most Important Person on the Planet, You!”
- Improve your people skills. Working effectively with other people is critical. Bonus From Jonas, “Teamwork makes the Dreamwork!” Having people skills with a positive attitude is critical! What moves our economy is always people! You must come out of your comfort zone!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
This information answers three questions: Why this speaker? Why this subject? Why this time?
I am known as “Mr. Enthusiastic!” an Expert Communication Coach, Corporate Trainer, International Motivational Speaker, Four-Time Amazon Best Selling Author (2021), and Radio Personality. I worked for 30 years for two Fortune 500 companies, Xerox Corporation and Eastman Kodak Company.
When I delivered a motivational message to the Professional Women’s Engineering Group at Delphi Automotive, a manager heard the last ten minutes of my speech and was so impressed that she hired me on the spot! In 2020, I spoke at the Women Tech Virtual Summit in London, England, and the Worldwide Summit reaching professionals from 6 continents! In November 2021, I spoke virtually for the Speakercon Conference, Building Wealth Together Summit, and the Women Entrepreneurs’ Conference!
I'm a Distinguished Toastmaster, a graduate of Dale Carnegie, and earned a Doctorate Degree in Theology. And I was twice nominated for the Beaufort Chamber Lifetime of Leadership Civitas Award. Co-author in these four Amazon 2021 Best Selling books: You Are Enough, Make It Matter, I Am A Victor, and Unleash Your Undeniable Impact.
My motto is: “Since Greatness Is Possible, Excellence Is Not Enough! Go For Greatness!”
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.jonasbonus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partnersforpurposefulliving
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonasbonus2021/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jonas-gadson-dtm/
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