Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonas Oglesby.
Hi Jonas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Well, I worked in corporate America for 20 years in the healthcare field dealing with client reporting and data analytics regarding Medicare claims to private insurance company behavioral claims. And during that time, I had many side hustles ranging from travel car detailing, financial planning, making mixed CDs, doing home improvement jobs, to making t-shirts.
Each year is was about growth, being of service to the next person, and laying a foundation for the next generation really focusing on the steps necessary to build generational wealth.
On June 1st, 2020, I got up and went to work like any other day, but by lunch, I was called into VP’s office via video conference and was informed that my position was being eliminated due to the company’s restructuring adapting to the constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic.
I took the news in stride as I had received similar news 5.5 years prior from my previous company. So my wife Corell and I discussed our options to see what made sense for our family; do I get back on the rat wheel of corporate America or do I bet on myself to grow something that would be ours? That’s when I decided to start JS Enterprises LLC TN which is a series LLC and I figured I would turn my experiences from corporate America and the years of my side hustles and turn them into multiple businesses. The 1st business pushed out was J Squared Designs TN which is the embroidery business that we officially launched in December of 2020.
The 2nd business launched was J Squared WorX which provides handyman home improvement services and currently, we are going through the process of starting a notary signing business. On February 24, 2022, I was approved as a Notary Public and working on certification to be a signing agent. It is often asked if I would go back to corporate America my response has always been the goal is to grow my businesses so I wouldn’t have to.
There is a fourth business which is J Squared Consulting that leverages my 20 plus in the corporate healthcare arena that is available for any company’s needs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say everything has been smooth sailing.
One of the biggest struggles I have had to contend with was changing my way of thinking. I’ve worked since I was 14 years old and being out of work and having low periods of work coming in now even was a struggle at first. I had concerns about my wife being upset with your work and me sitting on the couch even though she has always been nothing but supportive of the directions I have taken in my career. However, for me personally, it was always a concern and something I struggled with early on.
The other thing was changing my 20 year routine of commuting to work and punching a clock. In corporate my day-to-day was always different based on the challenges the company was facing that day. Now, I was not only responsible for getting the work done; I’m actually now finding the work, promoting the company, administratively handling the books, etc.
So that was a big change in the thought process in how I viewed my days.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We’re a company looking to make the lives easier of the community around us by bringing your visions into reality whether that is through embroidery, home improvement, data analytics, or notary services we are here to help.
The thing that sets us apart is we’re able to relate to the client and work alongside them to bring their visions into reality. To be able to make a client’s day performing a task such as putting together a wardrobe for an elderly citizen that other companies felt the job was too small is rewarding.
Everything that we do we treat as if we were doing it for ourselves, so we definitely pride ourselves on quality and transparency.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
First and foremost I give credit to God for just preparing me for this journey through life experiences and providing me the blessings to continue to move forward.
My family especially my wife Corell Oglesby has been my biggest and brightest supporter. She has helped me talk through issues and be the sounding board for many of the crazy ideas I’ve come up with over the years. When all else fails I know she will be there to help me make sense of it all. And my kids Caleb and Cadence will be there to brighten my day.
My fraternity/masonic brother James E. Callahan III has been a great mentor in the sense that he is always pushing me out of my comfort zone. He always makes a connection or introduction to someone that could potentially lead to something in one of my businesses.
The Brothers of the Eta Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. have been a blessing to me by not only supporting my businesses through patronizing them but also by promoting and marketing my businesses through the Bigger Better Business initiatives of our fraternity. GOMAB.
Other organizations that have supported me and my businesses are the brothers of the Kirjathjearim Lodge No. 104, the sisters of Electa Chapter No.1, and the entire Nashville Masonic District has supported my business in various business dealings and transactions.
Contact Info:
- Email: JSquaredDesignsTN@gmail.com
- Phone: 615.696.9744
- Website: www.bit.ly/J2DTN
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/J2_Designs_TN
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/J2WorX
Image Credits
Deandra LeCole Photography
