May 19, 2025 • 10 mins
We spoke with Rolanda Jones, Managing Director about her business of event planning, upcoming events and advice to those building black owned businesses.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning. Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guest today is ROLANDA. Jones. She is managing director of
Elite Source LLC.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning, good morning, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
You have quite the impressive background. Before we get into
what you do, tell people. Where did you go to school?
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Thank you. I went to undergrad and Howard University. I
left there in two thousand and one. I came back.
I was had a background in political science. Unfortunately, during
that time, in the late nineties early two thousand, there
was more students in law school than there was actual lawyers.
The demand was actually high, and I didn't really have
(00:40):
that passion for it. So I came back home, you know,
kind to recollect and kind of discover what it is
that I didn't want to do with myself. But during
that time, I ended up having my son, so I
had to end up, you know, doing things a little
bit faster than I anticipated. So I went back to
school for business management. I knew that I wanted to
do being business. I was very business minded, like minded,
(01:03):
so I went back to get my I went to
good One which is now Goodwin University, but back then
it was Goodwin College for Business administration. So I completed that,
I ended up in procurement. I just it back then
during that time, it wasn't as lucrative and as big
as it is now with supply chain. So I started
there a Connecticut Transit as a purchasing agent and it
(01:23):
was just something that I was really good at. I
really enjoyed it because no day was the same. I'm
not sure if you're familiar with procurement, but it's basically
supply chain buying for whatever entity that you're for and
that sort of thing. But during my time there, I
was kind of bas slash administrative assistant, so I was
in charge of, you know, doing different events and activities
(01:45):
for my department at that time, and also doing kind
of like retirement parties and that sort of thing. So
that's kind of when I got the bug for it.
But fast forwarding to about twenty twenty one, my parents
had their fiftieth anniversary and it was, you know, kind
of like be doing a wedding all over again. It
was a lot of time, took a great deal of effort,
(02:05):
and it was something that I enjoyed and I ended
up being really good at it. And then I noticed
when I was at work because now I'm in supply
chain management. If we had events or kind of like
workshops or something different for like the holidays, it kind
of it was a stretch for a smaller and mid
size company to really have their employees do something to
(02:26):
execute these events, because I mean, we're there to work.
We really don't have the time to really put all
our eggs in one basket to make this event what
was needed. So that's kind of when I got the
idea for this company. In between, I was doing different
events and things for family and friends. Again, fast forward
to this past year where I was the fly chain
(02:47):
manager in aerospace, and during I guess it was saying
November December, I ended up getting laid off and I
wasn't upset about it. I was kind of it felt
like corporate wasn't where I wanted to be. I felt
like I had more to offer, just wouldn't being utilized
for everything that I could do. So I said, you
know what, let me start going into business for myself.
(03:09):
You know, I'm very as I said before, very business minded.
I know how the structures and entities of a business
should work.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
So all of those things had to happen in order
for you to be in the place where you are today.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
I enjoy doing event planning, the whole kit and kaboodle
that it takes to get an event together, the effort be,
you know, finding the resources. It's just it's just my bag.
I'm just really great at it. So I said, you know,
why don't I stop using these resources for other people
and kind of make them, you know, make it work
for myself. I also noticed during that time that, you know,
(03:43):
there's a lot of small businesses Connecticut, and there's a
lot of minority businesses, but I don't see any events
or any let's say, productions where they can come together
and kind of really network. And another thing is you
kind of see the same people in this area doing
different things during the same things, kind of over and
over and nearly. So I wanted to do something fresh,
(04:04):
something new, offer something different. There are a lot of
event planners, but it's more for personable for like weddings,
anniversaries and that type of thing, which I do do.
But I think I don't think there's a niche for businesses,
so to speak, because businesses need something different than what
a personal event would need. And I just felt like,
you know, what this is a niche that I don't
(04:24):
really see anyone in this area kind of tapping into.
So that's kind of where I got the idea from.
And then I also realized starting a new business, there's
not many avenues for people out here who are trying
to start from scratch then there before the first three
to five years. So that kind of put the idea
in for my next event that I'm having in August,
(04:45):
which is Entrepreneur Exchange, in which, you know, smaller businesses
are people that want to go into business for themselves,
can kind of know where to start, get the mentality
of how to start a business, what it takes to
be a leader. And that's where I kind of found
different group of people that can that are experienced and
can express and kind of show these people where they
(05:06):
need to start and how to be better, you know
in small businesses. If that answers the question, well.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
You've really taken the gifts that have been placed inside
of you, your gift to understand business and event planning,
and you put this business together. You offer so many
services I know you can't maybe mention all of them.
By the way, you can go to Elite source dot LLC.
If you're following along, this is the website, but she
has a bunch of different services and packages as well.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
The packages they vary, this basic depends on the person's budget,
the business's budget, what exactly that they're looking for. I
try to offer a comprehensive, you know, diverse array of
packages because you know, everyone's needs are different. People are
working with different budgets, and I don't want, you know,
people whose budgets aren't so large to be intimidated, like
(05:56):
you know that they can't get a great service for
their size budget. My packages they range from personal you
can do you know, weddings, anniversaries, cantianios, those type of events,
up to you know, standard business events such as you know,
conferences or business meetings, or even just an outing for
(06:18):
your business if you want to, you know, congratulate your
employees with doing something fun. You know, I have different
resources and stuff to make that happen as well.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
If you go to the website again, it's a link
source at LLC, you can see all of the services
and packages. It's absolutely amazing. You're a Connecticut girl, and
if I were going to do an event, I would
absolutely have you do it.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Thank you. I appreciate that. You know, it's just in
this line of business you kind of see what people
kind of draw to and what you know, brings people
in and what they're kind of looking for. I believe
in being observant before just kind of going out there
and you know, doing things kind of off the cuff,
kind of have to investigate and really study and learn
(07:01):
what it is that people need to stay in time,
especially with the way that the economy is changing. You know,
people are losing their jobs. They're looking for a different
way to you know, provide for themselves and their families.
So and with that being said, also I kind of
want this business to be you know, integrated in the community.
Sort of people that can you know, know that this
(07:21):
business is a resource that they can reach out to.
It may not be that they need the services, but
you know, I can lead them in the right direction
to where they feel more comfortable or for whatever they
may need.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
You mentioned your Entrepreneur Exchange twenty twenty five going on
August twenty second. Any advice you have where people can
get help and resources to build black owned businesses.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yes, and that's support the purpose of this Entrepreneur Exchange
because I will have I'm not sure if you're aware
of head Co and Harford different financial institutions where you know,
they can help people understand how they can start getting
their businesses off the ground. You know, maybe if they
need financial help, that type of thing. I also plan
(08:02):
to have vendors, business vendors, even simple vendors such as W. B. Mason.
Hopefully we can get them in the building for people
that are starting up their new businesses and don't really
know where they can reach out or who they can
talk to to get their business needs as far as
vendorship may go. So the purpose of this is also
for them to I plan to have what's called a summit,
(08:25):
which is a group of gentlemen that give a workshop
on leadership skills, what was needed in this market to
make it, how to become successful, to be more confident
in your idea, just to get people, you know, that
first step into getting their ideas into fruition. If that
makes sense.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Absolutely. You also have another event called the Charity Drive
that's going to be happening.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yeah, so that was kind of something personal close to
my heart. I'm a mother of a special needs child.
Son has autism and he's currently enrolled in the Jinger
Center and he's been there since he's five or six
years old. And when I tell you, I can not
have asked for a better group or a better system
for my son and his needs. And I just want
(09:10):
to be able to bring this to the light for
people to see that, you know, not to be discouraged
if they do have children with special needs. And a
lot of children out here with specialties don't have access
or their you know, caregivers or their parents don't know
who they can go to to talk to to get
them the services that they need. So this is a
great organization that all the proceeds will be going to.
(09:32):
It's a charity, but it's also something fun. I'm a gearhead,
I love cars and I've always had a dream of racing.
So you know, it's just a good, nice, fun day
for people to enjoy while giving back to a great cause.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Wonderful and speaking with Rolanda Jones. She is managing director
of Elite Source LLC. Again, you can go to Elite
Source dot llc for all of this information about her business,
the services, the packages that you offers, the upcoming events
and more.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
These are very good causes and I think they would
be very beneficial to people, so, you know, just check
them out. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to reach out to me via phone or email,
and I'm very happy to speak with anyone.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Thank you so much for being here and for serving
the community.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Thank you
Good morning. Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guest today is ROLANDA. Jones. She is managing director of
Elite Source LLC.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning, good morning, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
You have quite the impressive background. Before we get into
what you do, tell people. Where did you go to school?
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Thank you. I went to undergrad and Howard University. I
left there in two thousand and one. I came back.
I was had a background in political science. Unfortunately, during
that time, in the late nineties early two thousand, there
was more students in law school than there was actual lawyers.
The demand was actually high, and I didn't really have
(00:40):
that passion for it. So I came back home, you know,
kind to recollect and kind of discover what it is
that I didn't want to do with myself. But during
that time, I ended up having my son, so I
had to end up, you know, doing things a little
bit faster than I anticipated. So I went back to
school for business management. I knew that I wanted to
do being business. I was very business minded, like minded,
(01:03):
so I went back to get my I went to
good One which is now Goodwin University, but back then
it was Goodwin College for Business administration. So I completed that,
I ended up in procurement. I just it back then
during that time, it wasn't as lucrative and as big
as it is now with supply chain. So I started
there a Connecticut Transit as a purchasing agent and it
(01:23):
was just something that I was really good at. I
really enjoyed it because no day was the same. I'm
not sure if you're familiar with procurement, but it's basically
supply chain buying for whatever entity that you're for and
that sort of thing. But during my time there, I
was kind of bas slash administrative assistant, so I was
in charge of, you know, doing different events and activities
(01:45):
for my department at that time, and also doing kind
of like retirement parties and that sort of thing. So
that's kind of when I got the bug for it.
But fast forwarding to about twenty twenty one, my parents
had their fiftieth anniversary and it was, you know, kind
of like be doing a wedding all over again. It
was a lot of time, took a great deal of effort,
(02:05):
and it was something that I enjoyed and I ended
up being really good at it. And then I noticed
when I was at work because now I'm in supply
chain management. If we had events or kind of like
workshops or something different for like the holidays, it kind
of it was a stretch for a smaller and mid
size company to really have their employees do something to
(02:26):
execute these events, because I mean, we're there to work.
We really don't have the time to really put all
our eggs in one basket to make this event what
was needed. So that's kind of when I got the
idea for this company. In between, I was doing different
events and things for family and friends. Again, fast forward
to this past year where I was the fly chain
(02:47):
manager in aerospace, and during I guess it was saying
November December, I ended up getting laid off and I
wasn't upset about it. I was kind of it felt
like corporate wasn't where I wanted to be. I felt
like I had more to offer, just wouldn't being utilized
for everything that I could do. So I said, you
know what, let me start going into business for myself.
(03:09):
You know, I'm very as I said before, very business minded.
I know how the structures and entities of a business
should work.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
So all of those things had to happen in order
for you to be in the place where you are today.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
I enjoy doing event planning, the whole kit and kaboodle
that it takes to get an event together, the effort be,
you know, finding the resources. It's just it's just my bag.
I'm just really great at it. So I said, you know,
why don't I stop using these resources for other people
and kind of make them, you know, make it work
for myself. I also noticed during that time that, you know,
(03:43):
there's a lot of small businesses Connecticut, and there's a
lot of minority businesses, but I don't see any events
or any let's say, productions where they can come together
and kind of really network. And another thing is you
kind of see the same people in this area doing
different things during the same things, kind of over and
over and nearly. So I wanted to do something fresh,
(04:04):
something new, offer something different. There are a lot of
event planners, but it's more for personable for like weddings,
anniversaries and that type of thing, which I do do.
But I think I don't think there's a niche for businesses,
so to speak, because businesses need something different than what
a personal event would need. And I just felt like,
you know, what this is a niche that I don't
(04:24):
really see anyone in this area kind of tapping into.
So that's kind of where I got the idea from.
And then I also realized starting a new business, there's
not many avenues for people out here who are trying
to start from scratch then there before the first three
to five years. So that kind of put the idea
in for my next event that I'm having in August,
(04:45):
which is Entrepreneur Exchange, in which, you know, smaller businesses
are people that want to go into business for themselves,
can kind of know where to start, get the mentality
of how to start a business, what it takes to
be a leader. And that's where I kind of found
different group of people that can that are experienced and
can express and kind of show these people where they
(05:06):
need to start and how to be better, you know
in small businesses. If that answers the question, well.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
You've really taken the gifts that have been placed inside
of you, your gift to understand business and event planning,
and you put this business together. You offer so many
services I know you can't maybe mention all of them.
By the way, you can go to Elite source dot LLC.
If you're following along, this is the website, but she
has a bunch of different services and packages as well.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
The packages they vary, this basic depends on the person's budget,
the business's budget, what exactly that they're looking for. I
try to offer a comprehensive, you know, diverse array of
packages because you know, everyone's needs are different. People are
working with different budgets, and I don't want, you know,
people whose budgets aren't so large to be intimidated, like
(05:56):
you know that they can't get a great service for
their size budget. My packages they range from personal you
can do you know, weddings, anniversaries, cantianios, those type of events,
up to you know, standard business events such as you know,
conferences or business meetings, or even just an outing for
(06:18):
your business if you want to, you know, congratulate your
employees with doing something fun. You know, I have different
resources and stuff to make that happen as well.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
If you go to the website again, it's a link
source at LLC, you can see all of the services
and packages. It's absolutely amazing. You're a Connecticut girl, and
if I were going to do an event, I would
absolutely have you do it.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Thank you. I appreciate that. You know, it's just in
this line of business you kind of see what people
kind of draw to and what you know, brings people
in and what they're kind of looking for. I believe
in being observant before just kind of going out there
and you know, doing things kind of off the cuff,
kind of have to investigate and really study and learn
(07:01):
what it is that people need to stay in time,
especially with the way that the economy is changing. You know,
people are losing their jobs. They're looking for a different
way to you know, provide for themselves and their families.
So and with that being said, also I kind of
want this business to be you know, integrated in the community.
Sort of people that can you know, know that this
(07:21):
business is a resource that they can reach out to.
It may not be that they need the services, but
you know, I can lead them in the right direction
to where they feel more comfortable or for whatever they
may need.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
You mentioned your Entrepreneur Exchange twenty twenty five going on
August twenty second. Any advice you have where people can
get help and resources to build black owned businesses.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yes, and that's support the purpose of this Entrepreneur Exchange
because I will have I'm not sure if you're aware
of head Co and Harford different financial institutions where you know,
they can help people understand how they can start getting
their businesses off the ground. You know, maybe if they
need financial help, that type of thing. I also plan
(08:02):
to have vendors, business vendors, even simple vendors such as W. B. Mason.
Hopefully we can get them in the building for people
that are starting up their new businesses and don't really
know where they can reach out or who they can
talk to to get their business needs as far as
vendorship may go. So the purpose of this is also
for them to I plan to have what's called a summit,
(08:25):
which is a group of gentlemen that give a workshop
on leadership skills, what was needed in this market to
make it, how to become successful, to be more confident
in your idea, just to get people, you know, that
first step into getting their ideas into fruition. If that
makes sense.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Absolutely. You also have another event called the Charity Drive
that's going to be happening.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yeah, so that was kind of something personal close to
my heart. I'm a mother of a special needs child.
Son has autism and he's currently enrolled in the Jinger
Center and he's been there since he's five or six
years old. And when I tell you, I can not
have asked for a better group or a better system
for my son and his needs. And I just want
(09:10):
to be able to bring this to the light for
people to see that, you know, not to be discouraged
if they do have children with special needs. And a
lot of children out here with specialties don't have access
or their you know, caregivers or their parents don't know
who they can go to to talk to to get
them the services that they need. So this is a
great organization that all the proceeds will be going to.
(09:32):
It's a charity, but it's also something fun. I'm a gearhead,
I love cars and I've always had a dream of racing.
So you know, it's just a good, nice, fun day
for people to enjoy while giving back to a great cause.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Wonderful and speaking with Rolanda Jones. She is managing director
of Elite Source LLC. Again, you can go to Elite
Source dot llc for all of this information about her business,
the services, the packages that you offers, the upcoming events
and more.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
These are very good causes and I think they would
be very beneficial to people, so, you know, just check
them out. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to reach out to me via phone or email,
and I'm very happy to speak with anyone.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Thank you so much for being here and for serving
the community.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Thank you
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