March 23, 2025 • 20 mins
Journey alongside Courtenie Jackson, founder of Activated Lifestyle, as she shares the remarkable story behind her mission-driven wellness brand. What began as a personal quest to combat inflammation during the pandemic evolved into an extraordinary business venture centered on a powerful three-part philosophy: drink healthy, eat healthy, and think healthy.
Courtenie's transformation started in her own kitchen, where she experimented with natural ingredients to address her health challenges. Through dedicated research and refinement, she developed an impressive collection of 56 juice shot recipes, each targeting specific wellness concerns. But Courtenie's vision extends far beyond beverages – she recognized that true health requires nurturing the mind as much as the body.
This holistic approach led Courtnie to become a two-time author, publishing "30 Quotes for 30 Days" and her inspirational book "Reach for Your Crown: The Power of Hope," which offers 77 days of empowering readings specifically for women. Throughout our conversation, Courtenie shares the pivotal moments in her entrepreneurial journey, from receiving crucial support through an Urban League scholarship program to winning a business pitch competition with no prior experience.
Her story exemplifies the power of taking risks, maintaining integrity, and leveraging community resources. Most strikingly, Courtenie attributes her success to faith and divine guidance, demonstrating how personal healing can transform into a purpose-driven business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, wellness enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration, Courtenie's journey provides valuable insights into building a brand that genuinely improves lives while staying true to your core values. Purchase Book "Reach for Your Crown" on Amazon
Thank you for listening! YouTube - @3KeysforYourJourney -Tune in for a new episode every Sunday. Connect with us at www.ocfo.info
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Greg Jones (00:06):
Our next guest will inspire you to unlock the doors
to health, wellness andempowerment Courtney Jackson,
founder of Activated Lifestyle,a brand born out of her personal
journey towards healthtransformation From embracing a
plant-based lifestyle tobuilding a mission-driven
company focused on quality,sustainability and accessibility
.
Sit back and enjoy ourconversation as we embark on
(00:34):
this journey together.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Are you ready to unlock your potential?
Tune in to Three Keys for yourJourney podcast, where business
owners share invaluable insightsand empowering strategies to
guide you towards success.
Based in Oklahoma City, ourhost, greg T Jones, will inspire
and motivate you every week.
Get ready to join ourconversation as we build
community together.
Greg Jones (01:06):
All right, good, oh good afternoon, good evening.
How you doing, Courtenie.
I am good.
How are you?
I almost, I almost didn'trealize if it was morning or
evening.
Every time I see you got likesunshine, a big smile on your
face.
What, oh, come on, CourtenieJackson.
Come on, Jackson.
Wow, catch us.
Are we going to be?
Well, we're not going live, butyou should try to catch us live
(01:27):
.
It'll be live somewhere.
Courtenie Jackson (01:28):
It'll be live somewhere.
Greg Jones (01:29):
It'll be live somewhere that's right oh okay,
I'm thinking about an old songall the way live, but that you
know All right.
Well, how are you doing?
I'm that you are on Three Keysfor your journey and you know
our show is really aboutcelebrating entrepreneurs,
(01:49):
having entrepreneurs share alittle bit about their story,
who they are and kind of whatthey've been up to, and then
sharing those key nuggets thatyou know so many entrepreneurs
need as they kind of go throughtheir own journey.
And so you know, I've had thepleasure of knowing you,
courtney, for some time, butmost of our audience you know
around the world they don't knowwho you are.
How would you introduceyourself, courtney?
Courtenie Jackson (02:12):
I would say my name is Courtney Jackson and
I'm a mother, a woman, a Blackbusiness owner, and I am a woman
who loves her community, and Iam a woman who loves her
community.
So that's who I am.
Greg Jones (02:26):
Okay, and so you have started an entrepreneurship
journey.
Tell us a little bit aboutActivated Lifestyle.
Courtenie Jackson (02:33):
Okay.
So Activated Lifestyle wasbirthed January 2024.
I was, graciously, a recipientof a scholarship program at the
Urban League for smallbusinesses.
I took this leap of faith.
They went ahead and they dideverything that my business
needed, from getting meregistered with the Secretary of
(02:55):
State to guiding me toproviding me with a website, and
I just, you know, moved onfaith and I was blessed to have
Ms Shana Lewis who came aboard.
She took all my crazy ideas,put it into a business plan and
I'm literally moving in it andwalking in it and still putting
the structure together.
(03:16):
So activated lifestyle, theplatform is drink healthy, eat
healthy and think healthy, andpeople think like that's a lot,
which it is, but it takes all ofthose things to truly have a
healthy lifestyle.
You know you've got to putsomething good in your body
that's fluid, you've got tochange up your eating habits a
little bit, but, moreimportantly, your mental has to
(03:39):
be right.
It's the final part of thestructure is thinking healthy.
Once you become able to thinkhealthy, able to process, to
make good decisions, wisechoices, and surround yourself
with community who can pour intoyou, well, then you can
activate your lifestyle.
Greg Jones (03:55):
Wow, that seems like a recipe for success.
Speaking of recipes, where wefirst met or one of the things
we first met was one of yourlines of business is around
juice shots.
Courtenie Jackson (04:10):
That's right.
Tell us a little bit about that.
So the juice shots originatedwhen, you know I was.
It was during the pandemic andI was eating a lot.
But not just that, I wasinflamed and I was like what,
what am I doing wrong?
What am I eating?
I started switching up what Ieat.
But I started to read and dosome research and I read that
(04:32):
you can implement certainvegetables, certain herbs,
certain fruits in your diet andit would naturally lower your
inflammation.
So I said, okay, I'm going totry this right.
So I started.
Within 30 days of one recipethat I had, I noticed my
inflammation went down.
One of the key components wasginger, including ginger in my
(04:55):
recipes.
And then I said, okay, well,what if I can make it taste good
, because I got tired of havingthe same recipe?
Well, so I started mixingthings and before I knew it, I
had 56 recipes.
Greg Jones (05:06):
Did you say 56?
Courtenie Jackson (05:08):
56 recipes.
Greg Jones (05:09):
Wow.
Courtenie Jackson (05:10):
And it was.
You know, it came from mewanting other people to try it
and they would say, well, howabout you add this fruit?
Or how about you add thisvegetable?
And no, this doesn't taste good, let's try this.
And the more research I did andstudying and watching TikTok
and YouTube and looking at allthese platforms, and I was like
these are shared recipes that weuse and there's a recipe that
(05:32):
can help and assist you withanything that you have going on.
Greg Jones (05:37):
Wow, so, wow, wow, wow, okay.
So when I think about that, andthen obviously there was a
transformation.
What was you know?
I'm trying to get my wordstogether because I'm thinking
that's incredible.
Yeah, that's incredible thatyou would take the opportunity
(06:01):
to research and now you come upwith these recipes, not only to
help yourself, but then to helpothers and then create a
business that actually supportsthat as well.
Yeah, but that's only onecomponent.
Courtenie Jackson (06:16):
That's yeah, that's only one healing journey,
because of what I had wentthrough and how I restored
myself and began to heal myself,is what I learned.
What all I needed toincorporate it to become healed
but still be growing.
And I noticed that I waschanging.
I was eating healthier.
I was putting juice in my body,natural things in my body.
(06:39):
I wanted to be healthy.
I wanted to think healthy,right.
Body, natural things in my body.
I wanted to be healthy.
I wanted to think healthy,right.
Well, the final piece was I hadto think healthy first in order
to even make the decision tochange what I ate, to change
what I drank, to care about howI felt, to care about what I was
putting in my body.
So one of the most importantparts is think healthy.
(07:01):
That is one of the keycomponents, because when we're
not thinking healthy, we're notcaring about what we drink,
we're not caring about what weeat.
Sometimes we're not even caringabout what we say to others to
(07:23):
pour into your community.
But also, by thinking healthy,whenever you need a resource or
you need something, someupliftment, or maybe you need
some help, when you thinkhealthy, you'll know that I have
a community here that I canrely on.
That's what led me to my bookReach for your Crown the Power
of Hope, because every day, weshould be reaching for our
crowns, not to reach for it asif it's gone somewhere, but to
(07:43):
reach and touch, to remindyourself that I'm a king, I'm a
queen and I'm wearing my crownby you uplifting your hand.
It allows you to think and itallows you to tap into yourself
and say, yeah, I am inspired.
I do remember who I am.
Greg Jones (08:00):
So you're saying you've also written a book and
you, those of our listeningaudience, that you can't see
this.
She's got this book and it'scalled Reach for your Crown, the
Power of Hope.
Courtenie Jackson (08:09):
Reach for your Crown, the Power of Hope.
It was written to empower thefoundation of our life, the
creators, the ones who give life.
I thought about it like howshould I start this book, my
first book?
I had a lot of conversationswith God in it and I said, girl,
(08:30):
you have to start with thewomen.
Talk to your people first andtalk to women as a sister.
Talk to women so we can startback building fellowship with
women.
You might not have anyone topour into you daily, not to say
my sister, good morning, how areyou today, my sister?
Did you lean on God today?
I know today is going to be alittle rocky, but lean on God,
(08:53):
lean in.
Don't forget who you are.
Remember what you've beenthrough and what you've overcame
and allow that to be your hope.
And every day it's someonespeaking to you and it's me, and
it's coming from my heart,sweet sister of truth.
It's me just speaking reallygraciously to you, but also to
let you know, conquer the day,my sister.
Every day, every day that youread, it's 77 days of reading in
(09:17):
here, starting off withbuilding your foundation with
grace, starting off like thatand ending with walking fully in
your purpose.
And it's just.
It allows women to feelempowered, because we all need
to feel empowered, but sometimeswe just need to know.
It's a woman that's right here,who has been through something
(09:40):
but also who has learned thatthrough inspiration, motivation,
upliftment in God, that youknow you can make it through.
Greg Jones (09:49):
All things are possible.
That's right, wow.
And so you have put your headdown and you have gotten this
done.
It's incredible, and I rememberjust a little while ago you had
even out on social media youposed with.
That Was some of that, from theactual book as well.
Courtenie Jackson (10:06):
No, it's not so.
The first book that I wrote wascalled 30 Quotes for 30 Days,
and initially I wanted to put abook out that doesn't stress
people out to read it.
You know we all have highlevels of stress going on.
We don't want to commit to toomuch, you know.
So I was like 30 quotes, 30days, we could do that.
And I was like, no, when yougive something, first give it
(10:29):
for free, allow people to firstknow that this is something that
you're doing, but also to knowthat here here's a gift to you
and if you would like tocontinue and walk on my book
journeys as an author, then wecan do this together.
So for 30 days I posted onsocial media 30 quotes spoken
from me but spoken through me byGod.
(10:52):
Just inspiration for people,and many people followed the
journey.
It's still available.
I, you know.
I even let people know in theirinbox.
I can send it to you virtuallyif this is something that you
would like as well.
But I wanted people to feelinspired because I remember,
through my own journey, lack ofpeople telling you like it's
(11:13):
going to be okay, you could doit and, girl, you got this.
You know that made me have along journey to get here.
So I decided I was going to usethat pain to fulfill my purpose
.
You know, had I not gonethrough that, I wouldn't have
written a book to inspire, Imight have just went on my happy
way and been doing somethingelse.
(11:34):
But through all of my pain I'velearned that you've got to help
others, you've got to reach tothe community.
But you don't just do better,get better and seek more pain.
You take the key, you reachback, you open the door for your
community and let others in.
Greg Jones (11:50):
Well, you're dropping all kinds of keys.
I haven't even got to the threekey question yet.
Wow, so you are a two timeauthor.
Courtenie Jackson (11:58):
Yes, sir, you're not just an author,
you're a two time author.
Greg Jones (12:02):
Wow, this is incredible.
Ok, so the question I alwaysask our guests is to give us
some keys, and you've obviouslygiven us a couple, but is there
anything else?
I know we were talking oncebefore and you were telling me
one is taking the risk.
Definitely that it's importantto step out and take the risk.
Courtenie Jackson (12:24):
Definitely take the risk, even when it
hurts and it doesn't make sense.
Take the risk, that is onething, and it doesn't make sense
.
Take the risk, that is onething that I had to learn to do.
Living in fear, false evidenceappearing real, will delay.
You, will keep you behind.
The first thing in business istaking the risk Believing in
yourself when no one elsebelieves in you, remaining
(12:44):
passionate but also havingintegrity that carries you a
long way.
What you put into your business, you will receive back.
Make integrable decisions, evenwhen something comes easy back
up off of it.
Make the right decision.
Greg Jones (13:02):
Wow, and you mentioned this earlier using
your community resources.
Courtenie Jackson (13:07):
Oh yeah, you know, my business would not be
here without it.
You know, when I heard aboutthe Urban Leagues program, I
didn't know how to start.
I hadn't even named thebusiness.
They helped me name it.
I was like, is this a good name?
Is this a good name BecauseI've got ideas?
But how do I put together formy business the foundation of it
?
I leaned literally on thecommunity and they walked me
(13:29):
through it.
Then I got to meet the great MrJones, okay, the small business
guru.
Nobody told me, you know, thatI would have won a pitch night
from practicing and learning andbeing open and teachable and
leaning on these communityresources, like from my website
to my advisement that you gaveme, you know, to the Oklahoma
(13:52):
Small Business DevelopmentCenter and through the Urban
League.
All of these things cametogether and OMFA and I'm like
I'm walking in something Ihaven't been taught, didn't grow
up knowing about, but justhaving to be honest, teachable
and you know, but just having tobe honest teachable and, you
know, taking the risk.
Greg Jones (14:18):
Let's talk a little bit about that pitch competition
, because when you shared thatyou were an individual, if I, if
I remember this right, I hadnever gotten in front of an
audience to pitch anything notto mention your business.
Talk about the process that youwent through to prepare
yourself.
When you talk about leaning onthe community, but even for
yourself to give yourself enoughconfidence to do something like
that.
Courtenie Jackson (14:37):
Oh my gosh, research is my thing.
I have no problem learning fromthe greats that.
I appreciate God for humblingme to be able to do stuff like
that.
Of course I reached out to MrJones, you for advisement, but
then I did my own research and Istarted watching TED Talks and
studying pitch competitions, butthen studying elevator pitches,
(15:00):
studying successful pitches.
I started studying thestructure and outlines of
pitches and digging deep into itand I even attended other pitch
nights that people were doingin the city who had had
businesses for years.
So it was just a lot oflearning and eagerness and drive
(15:22):
.
You know that helped me.
Greg Jones (15:24):
Well, I say that and I'm glad you share that.
Thank you so much, because Ithink sometimes people think I
don't know if I have what ittakes.
But your first key was I got totake a risk.
Your second key there was usingyour community resources.
There's always someone that maybe a little further along in the
journey in certain areas thanyou are and to be able to lean
(15:46):
on them than you are and to beable to lean on them.
But I love what you said thenwas you gained confidence
because you had done yourresearch, you had taken
initiative and, if I may evenjust say it, I mean that's what
faith is.
It's not just thinking aboutsomething, it's actually trying
to walk in it.
And you know, for our listeningaudience, Courtney went up on
(16:10):
that stage and blew folks awayand walked away as one of the
winners.
Courtenie Jackson (16:14):
And that was only the beginning.
Greg Jones (16:16):
Now she's a two time author.
It's incredible.
Is there anything next?
What is next?
Courtenie Jackson (16:26):
We'll have to ask God, because you know he'll
just put something in me andtell me what to do.
And I've learned you betterlisten.
When God tells you to dosomething, you better listen.
And when he says, do it now, doit now.
It might not make sense.
You might have been over herebaking a cake and if he says put
that cake down and open thatdoor, you go over there and open
that door.
So I just lean on God andlisten.
Greg Jones (16:50):
Wow, if you can't take that to the bank, I don't
know what you can take to thebank.
Okay, so this has beenabsolutely wonderful.
Anything else that you canshare?
Number one I'm going to ask youin a minute, like how can
people get in touch with you and, you know, find the books that
you've written and all thatstuff, but is there anything
else that you want to share?
Courtenie Jackson (17:15):
Take advantage of your community.
If you are going throughanything or you know somebody
who is, or you have a familymember who you see struggling,
lean on your community.
Communities are state-funded tohelp us in every area we just
don't know.
Reach out to an organization,google, local nonprofits Ask for
(17:40):
help.
You know the Oklahoma communityactually loves its people,
especially the Eastside.
You know, and I'm an Eastsideresident too and I just I've
learned that you things do nothave to be as hard as we make
them.
Lean on community trust and goafter the things that you want.
Greg Jones (18:02):
Courtney, I mean, as you continue to blow up, I
guess I got to get my.
I better get my signed copy ofthis book now.
Lord have mercy.
Courtenie Jackson (18:10):
Yes please get your signed copy, oh my gosh
.
It's great, it's a daily reading.
You know what I've been tellingwomen?
I say, sister, you don't haveto read this every day.
Whenever you're having a day oryou're not feeling like your
best self, pick it up and read apage.
It'll inspire you, you'll feelbetter.
I've been telling men.
(18:31):
I say you better get this foryour mom, for your sister, for
your woman, because it isinspiring.
They will truly feel by the endof reading this book, they will
be even just more excited to bearound you because you thought
about them and got this for them.
Because you thought about themand got this for them, I am
having a book signing March 29that noon, barnes and Noble, the
(18:54):
one off 63rd in May.
I'll be there signing books.
Please come, we can talk.
You could get a book we couldsign.
I'll sign it for you.
Feel free to come out.
It's open to the community, youknow so, and let's bring you
(19:18):
know, back the light on reading.
Greg Jones (19:19):
I like that, and for some of the folks that might be
in other places, how can theyget a copy of your book?
Courtenie Jackson (19:22):
So my book is on Amazon.
All you have to do is go rightto your Amazon box Type in Reach
for your Crown.
Instantly it's going to pop up.
Greg Jones (19:34):
All right, fantastic .
Well, courtney, thank you somuch.
I always tell our guests this,and I know you will do this as
you.
I feel like maybe in a month orso, or two months from now, you
might have three more books, soI don't know.
Stop by anytime and let us knowhow you're doing.
We're so very, very, very proudof what you're doing and I love
(19:56):
the fact that you're walking byfaith.
You're listening to the wordsof the Lord that's putting into
your ear and you're just beingobedient, and I believe for that
you're going to be extremelyblessed throughout your course
of your life.
And so thank you for just beingan obedient servant, thank you
for being a guest on our showand just love and adore what
you're doing.
Courtenie Jackson (20:16):
Thank you, mr Joe, all right.
Greg Jones (20:18):
We'll see you next time on Three Keys for your
Journey.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
Thanks for joining Three Keys for your Journey.
Tune in next time for anotherepisode.
Our next guest will inspire you to unlock the doors
to health, wellness andempowerment Courtney Jackson,
founder of Activated Lifestyle,a brand born out of her personal
journey towards healthtransformation From embracing a
plant-based lifestyle tobuilding a mission-driven
company focused on quality,sustainability and accessibility
.
Sit back and enjoy ourconversation as we embark on
(00:34):
this journey together.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Are you ready to unlock your potential?
Tune in to Three Keys for yourJourney podcast, where business
owners share invaluable insightsand empowering strategies to
guide you towards success.
Based in Oklahoma City, ourhost, greg T Jones, will inspire
and motivate you every week.
Get ready to join ourconversation as we build
community together.
Greg Jones (01:06):
All right, good, oh good afternoon, good evening.
How you doing, Courtenie.
I am good.
How are you?
I almost, I almost didn'trealize if it was morning or
evening.
Every time I see you got likesunshine, a big smile on your
face.
What, oh, come on, CourtenieJackson.
Come on, Jackson.
Wow, catch us.
Are we going to be?
Well, we're not going live, butyou should try to catch us live
(01:27):
.
It'll be live somewhere.
Courtenie Jackson (01:28):
It'll be live somewhere.
Greg Jones (01:29):
It'll be live somewhere that's right oh okay,
I'm thinking about an old songall the way live, but that you
know All right.
Well, how are you doing?
I'm that you are on Three Keysfor your journey and you know
our show is really aboutcelebrating entrepreneurs,
(01:49):
having entrepreneurs share alittle bit about their story,
who they are and kind of whatthey've been up to, and then
sharing those key nuggets thatyou know so many entrepreneurs
need as they kind of go throughtheir own journey.
And so you know, I've had thepleasure of knowing you,
courtney, for some time, butmost of our audience you know
around the world they don't knowwho you are.
How would you introduceyourself, courtney?
Courtenie Jackson (02:12):
I would say my name is Courtney Jackson and
I'm a mother, a woman, a Blackbusiness owner, and I am a woman
who loves her community, and Iam a woman who loves her
community.
So that's who I am.
Greg Jones (02:26):
Okay, and so you have started an entrepreneurship
journey.
Tell us a little bit aboutActivated Lifestyle.
Courtenie Jackson (02:33):
Okay.
So Activated Lifestyle wasbirthed January 2024.
I was, graciously, a recipientof a scholarship program at the
Urban League for smallbusinesses.
I took this leap of faith.
They went ahead and they dideverything that my business
needed, from getting meregistered with the Secretary of
(02:55):
State to guiding me toproviding me with a website, and
I just, you know, moved onfaith and I was blessed to have
Ms Shana Lewis who came aboard.
She took all my crazy ideas,put it into a business plan and
I'm literally moving in it andwalking in it and still putting
the structure together.
(03:16):
So activated lifestyle, theplatform is drink healthy, eat
healthy and think healthy, andpeople think like that's a lot,
which it is, but it takes all ofthose things to truly have a
healthy lifestyle.
You know you've got to putsomething good in your body
that's fluid, you've got tochange up your eating habits a
little bit, but, moreimportantly, your mental has to
(03:39):
be right.
It's the final part of thestructure is thinking healthy.
Once you become able to thinkhealthy, able to process, to
make good decisions, wisechoices, and surround yourself
with community who can pour intoyou, well, then you can
activate your lifestyle.
Greg Jones (03:55):
Wow, that seems like a recipe for success.
Speaking of recipes, where wefirst met or one of the things
we first met was one of yourlines of business is around
juice shots.
Courtenie Jackson (04:10):
That's right.
Tell us a little bit about that.
So the juice shots originatedwhen, you know I was.
It was during the pandemic andI was eating a lot.
But not just that, I wasinflamed and I was like what,
what am I doing wrong?
What am I eating?
I started switching up what Ieat.
But I started to read and dosome research and I read that
(04:32):
you can implement certainvegetables, certain herbs,
certain fruits in your diet andit would naturally lower your
inflammation.
So I said, okay, I'm going totry this right.
So I started.
Within 30 days of one recipethat I had, I noticed my
inflammation went down.
One of the key components wasginger, including ginger in my
(04:55):
recipes.
And then I said, okay, well,what if I can make it taste good
, because I got tired of havingthe same recipe?
Well, so I started mixingthings and before I knew it, I
had 56 recipes.
Greg Jones (05:06):
Did you say 56?
Courtenie Jackson (05:08):
56 recipes.
Greg Jones (05:09):
Wow.
Courtenie Jackson (05:10):
And it was.
You know, it came from mewanting other people to try it
and they would say, well, howabout you add this fruit?
Or how about you add thisvegetable?
And no, this doesn't taste good, let's try this.
And the more research I did andstudying and watching TikTok
and YouTube and looking at allthese platforms, and I was like
these are shared recipes that weuse and there's a recipe that
(05:32):
can help and assist you withanything that you have going on.
Greg Jones (05:37):
Wow, so, wow, wow, wow, okay.
So when I think about that, andthen obviously there was a
transformation.
What was you know?
I'm trying to get my wordstogether because I'm thinking
that's incredible.
Yeah, that's incredible thatyou would take the opportunity
(06:01):
to research and now you come upwith these recipes, not only to
help yourself, but then to helpothers and then create a
business that actually supportsthat as well.
Yeah, but that's only onecomponent.
Courtenie Jackson (06:16):
That's yeah, that's only one healing journey,
because of what I had wentthrough and how I restored
myself and began to heal myself,is what I learned.
What all I needed toincorporate it to become healed
but still be growing.
And I noticed that I waschanging.
I was eating healthier.
I was putting juice in my body,natural things in my body.
(06:39):
I wanted to be healthy.
I wanted to think healthy,right.
Body, natural things in my body.
I wanted to be healthy.
I wanted to think healthy,right.
Well, the final piece was I hadto think healthy first in order
to even make the decision tochange what I ate, to change
what I drank, to care about howI felt, to care about what I was
putting in my body.
So one of the most importantparts is think healthy.
(07:01):
That is one of the keycomponents, because when we're
not thinking healthy, we're notcaring about what we drink,
we're not caring about what weeat.
Sometimes we're not even caringabout what we say to others to
(07:23):
pour into your community.
But also, by thinking healthy,whenever you need a resource or
you need something, someupliftment, or maybe you need
some help, when you thinkhealthy, you'll know that I have
a community here that I canrely on.
That's what led me to my bookReach for your Crown the Power
of Hope, because every day, weshould be reaching for our
crowns, not to reach for it asif it's gone somewhere, but to
(07:43):
reach and touch, to remindyourself that I'm a king, I'm a
queen and I'm wearing my crownby you uplifting your hand.
It allows you to think and itallows you to tap into yourself
and say, yeah, I am inspired.
I do remember who I am.
Greg Jones (08:00):
So you're saying you've also written a book and
you, those of our listeningaudience, that you can't see
this.
She's got this book and it'scalled Reach for your Crown, the
Power of Hope.
Courtenie Jackson (08:09):
Reach for your Crown, the Power of Hope.
It was written to empower thefoundation of our life, the
creators, the ones who give life.
I thought about it like howshould I start this book, my
first book?
I had a lot of conversationswith God in it and I said, girl,
(08:30):
you have to start with thewomen.
Talk to your people first andtalk to women as a sister.
Talk to women so we can startback building fellowship with
women.
You might not have anyone topour into you daily, not to say
my sister, good morning, how areyou today, my sister?
Did you lean on God today?
I know today is going to be alittle rocky, but lean on God,
(08:53):
lean in.
Don't forget who you are.
Remember what you've beenthrough and what you've overcame
and allow that to be your hope.
And every day it's someonespeaking to you and it's me, and
it's coming from my heart,sweet sister of truth.
It's me just speaking reallygraciously to you, but also to
let you know, conquer the day,my sister.
Every day, every day that youread, it's 77 days of reading in
(09:17):
here, starting off withbuilding your foundation with
grace, starting off like thatand ending with walking fully in
your purpose.
And it's just.
It allows women to feelempowered, because we all need
to feel empowered, but sometimeswe just need to know.
It's a woman that's right here,who has been through something
(09:40):
but also who has learned thatthrough inspiration, motivation,
upliftment in God, that youknow you can make it through.
Greg Jones (09:49):
All things are possible.
That's right, wow.
And so you have put your headdown and you have gotten this
done.
It's incredible, and I rememberjust a little while ago you had
even out on social media youposed with.
That Was some of that, from theactual book as well.
Courtenie Jackson (10:06):
No, it's not so.
The first book that I wrote wascalled 30 Quotes for 30 Days,
and initially I wanted to put abook out that doesn't stress
people out to read it.
You know we all have highlevels of stress going on.
We don't want to commit to toomuch, you know.
So I was like 30 quotes, 30days, we could do that.
And I was like, no, when yougive something, first give it
(10:29):
for free, allow people to firstknow that this is something that
you're doing, but also to knowthat here here's a gift to you
and if you would like tocontinue and walk on my book
journeys as an author, then wecan do this together.
So for 30 days I posted onsocial media 30 quotes spoken
from me but spoken through me byGod.
(10:52):
Just inspiration for people,and many people followed the
journey.
It's still available.
I, you know.
I even let people know in theirinbox.
I can send it to you virtuallyif this is something that you
would like as well.
But I wanted people to feelinspired because I remember,
through my own journey, lack ofpeople telling you like it's
(11:13):
going to be okay, you could doit and, girl, you got this.
You know that made me have along journey to get here.
So I decided I was going to usethat pain to fulfill my purpose
.
You know, had I not gonethrough that, I wouldn't have
written a book to inspire, Imight have just went on my happy
way and been doing somethingelse.
(11:34):
But through all of my pain I'velearned that you've got to help
others, you've got to reach tothe community.
But you don't just do better,get better and seek more pain.
You take the key, you reachback, you open the door for your
community and let others in.
Greg Jones (11:50):
Well, you're dropping all kinds of keys.
I haven't even got to the threekey question yet.
Wow, so you are a two timeauthor.
Courtenie Jackson (11:58):
Yes, sir, you're not just an author,
you're a two time author.
Greg Jones (12:02):
Wow, this is incredible.
Ok, so the question I alwaysask our guests is to give us
some keys, and you've obviouslygiven us a couple, but is there
anything else?
I know we were talking oncebefore and you were telling me
one is taking the risk.
Definitely that it's importantto step out and take the risk.
Courtenie Jackson (12:24):
Definitely take the risk, even when it
hurts and it doesn't make sense.
Take the risk, that is onething, and it doesn't make sense
.
Take the risk, that is onething that I had to learn to do.
Living in fear, false evidenceappearing real, will delay.
You, will keep you behind.
The first thing in business istaking the risk Believing in
yourself when no one elsebelieves in you, remaining
(12:44):
passionate but also havingintegrity that carries you a
long way.
What you put into your business, you will receive back.
Make integrable decisions, evenwhen something comes easy back
up off of it.
Make the right decision.
Greg Jones (13:02):
Wow, and you mentioned this earlier using
your community resources.
Courtenie Jackson (13:07):
Oh yeah, you know, my business would not be
here without it.
You know, when I heard aboutthe Urban Leagues program, I
didn't know how to start.
I hadn't even named thebusiness.
They helped me name it.
I was like, is this a good name?
Is this a good name BecauseI've got ideas?
But how do I put together formy business the foundation of it
?
I leaned literally on thecommunity and they walked me
(13:29):
through it.
Then I got to meet the great MrJones, okay, the small business
guru.
Nobody told me, you know, thatI would have won a pitch night
from practicing and learning andbeing open and teachable and
leaning on these communityresources, like from my website
to my advisement that you gaveme, you know, to the Oklahoma
(13:52):
Small Business DevelopmentCenter and through the Urban
League.
All of these things cametogether and OMFA and I'm like
I'm walking in something Ihaven't been taught, didn't grow
up knowing about, but justhaving to be honest, teachable
and you know, but just having tobe honest teachable and, you
know, taking the risk.
Greg Jones (14:18):
Let's talk a little bit about that pitch competition
, because when you shared thatyou were an individual, if I, if
I remember this right, I hadnever gotten in front of an
audience to pitch anything notto mention your business.
Talk about the process that youwent through to prepare
yourself.
When you talk about leaning onthe community, but even for
yourself to give yourself enoughconfidence to do something like
that.
Courtenie Jackson (14:37):
Oh my gosh, research is my thing.
I have no problem learning fromthe greats that.
I appreciate God for humblingme to be able to do stuff like
that.
Of course I reached out to MrJones, you for advisement, but
then I did my own research and Istarted watching TED Talks and
studying pitch competitions, butthen studying elevator pitches,
(15:00):
studying successful pitches.
I started studying thestructure and outlines of
pitches and digging deep into itand I even attended other pitch
nights that people were doingin the city who had had
businesses for years.
So it was just a lot oflearning and eagerness and drive
(15:22):
.
You know that helped me.
Greg Jones (15:24):
Well, I say that and I'm glad you share that.
Thank you so much, because Ithink sometimes people think I
don't know if I have what ittakes.
But your first key was I got totake a risk.
Your second key there was usingyour community resources.
There's always someone that maybe a little further along in the
journey in certain areas thanyou are and to be able to lean
(15:46):
on them than you are and to beable to lean on them.
But I love what you said thenwas you gained confidence
because you had done yourresearch, you had taken
initiative and, if I may evenjust say it, I mean that's what
faith is.
It's not just thinking aboutsomething, it's actually trying
to walk in it.
And you know, for our listeningaudience, Courtney went up on
(16:10):
that stage and blew folks awayand walked away as one of the
winners.
Courtenie Jackson (16:14):
And that was only the beginning.
Greg Jones (16:16):
Now she's a two time author.
It's incredible.
Is there anything next?
What is next?
Courtenie Jackson (16:26):
We'll have to ask God, because you know he'll
just put something in me andtell me what to do.
And I've learned you betterlisten.
When God tells you to dosomething, you better listen.
And when he says, do it now, doit now.
It might not make sense.
You might have been over herebaking a cake and if he says put
that cake down and open thatdoor, you go over there and open
that door.
So I just lean on God andlisten.
Greg Jones (16:50):
Wow, if you can't take that to the bank, I don't
know what you can take to thebank.
Okay, so this has beenabsolutely wonderful.
Anything else that you canshare?
Number one I'm going to ask youin a minute, like how can
people get in touch with you and, you know, find the books that
you've written and all thatstuff, but is there anything
else that you want to share?
Courtenie Jackson (17:15):
Take advantage of your community.
If you are going throughanything or you know somebody
who is, or you have a familymember who you see struggling,
lean on your community.
Communities are state-funded tohelp us in every area we just
don't know.
Reach out to an organization,google, local nonprofits Ask for
(17:40):
help.
You know the Oklahoma communityactually loves its people,
especially the Eastside.
You know, and I'm an Eastsideresident too and I just I've
learned that you things do nothave to be as hard as we make
them.
Lean on community trust and goafter the things that you want.
Greg Jones (18:02):
Courtney, I mean, as you continue to blow up, I
guess I got to get my.
I better get my signed copy ofthis book now.
Lord have mercy.
Courtenie Jackson (18:10):
Yes please get your signed copy, oh my gosh
.
It's great, it's a daily reading.
You know what I've been tellingwomen?
I say, sister, you don't haveto read this every day.
Whenever you're having a day oryou're not feeling like your
best self, pick it up and read apage.
It'll inspire you, you'll feelbetter.
I've been telling men.
(18:31):
I say you better get this foryour mom, for your sister, for
your woman, because it isinspiring.
They will truly feel by the endof reading this book, they will
be even just more excited to bearound you because you thought
about them and got this for them.
Because you thought about themand got this for them, I am
having a book signing March 29that noon, barnes and Noble, the
(18:54):
one off 63rd in May.
I'll be there signing books.
Please come, we can talk.
You could get a book we couldsign.
I'll sign it for you.
Feel free to come out.
It's open to the community, youknow so, and let's bring you
(19:18):
know, back the light on reading.
Greg Jones (19:19):
I like that, and for some of the folks that might be
in other places, how can theyget a copy of your book?
Courtenie Jackson (19:22):
So my book is on Amazon.
All you have to do is go rightto your Amazon box Type in Reach
for your Crown.
Instantly it's going to pop up.
Greg Jones (19:34):
All right, fantastic .
Well, courtney, thank you somuch.
I always tell our guests this,and I know you will do this as
you.
I feel like maybe in a month orso, or two months from now, you
might have three more books, soI don't know.
Stop by anytime and let us knowhow you're doing.
We're so very, very, very proudof what you're doing and I love
(19:56):
the fact that you're walking byfaith.
You're listening to the wordsof the Lord that's putting into
your ear and you're just beingobedient, and I believe for that
you're going to be extremelyblessed throughout your course
of your life.
And so thank you for just beingan obedient servant, thank you
for being a guest on our showand just love and adore what
you're doing.
Courtenie Jackson (20:16):
Thank you, mr Joe, all right.
Greg Jones (20:18):
We'll see you next time on Three Keys for your
Journey.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
Thanks for joining Three Keys for your Journey.
Tune in next time for anotherepisode.
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