Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dennis Merritt Jones, Founder of DMJ Presentations LLC., located in St. Petersburg, FL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am an Award-winning Author and Writer, Keynote Speaker, and Mentor.

  • As an Author, my customer is anyone who is looking for inspiration, motivation, purpose, and simply a better way to live a life of purpose and meaning.
  • As a Keynote Speaker, my customers are motivated to participate in lectures and experiential workshops that generate and deepen their personal vision, passion, and joy; to manifest a life worth living.
  • As a Mentor, my clients are generally professionals seeking to establish their platform for taking their message and business to the world. Developing a Vision and Mission statement is among the first goals set. Writers, teachers, ministers, and other professionals who wish to learn how to speak publicly, write a book and deepen their sense of confidence and purpose love working with me.

Tell us about yourself

My motto is “Teach what you need to learn.” I began my journey as a writer and teacher with one desire; to get my own “house” in order—to put out the flames of a fire that metaphorically was consuming me. As I grew, I learned that I was, by far, not alone on this journey. Those flames are extinguished now. What motivates me today is seeing the “lights” come on in my client’s eyes when they get it; that they, and they alone, control their destiny, and determine what success looks like.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Three of my six books are Nautilus Award-winners and have been used by countless people to enhance their own journeys. Many of my books have been translated into foreign languages. I have discovered that creating passive income is wonderful—but so too is spending time with individuals who wish to leave the planet a better place than when they arrived here.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Learning how to handle rejection as a writer while maintaining forward momentum. Also, learning how to say “no” without attachment to the opinion of others was a big one.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Have a clear vision of where you want to go and develop a Mission Statement that puts wheels on that Vision.
  2. Make sure that passion is found at the center and circumference of what you are doing.
  3. Have fun, commit to growing every day, and be sure to lift, inspire and love others along the way.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Just remember that who you are matters. Even more so, what you DO with who you are matters…you are not here by mistake or accident. The “ripple effect” of you goes far beyond the time you spend living in human skin.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dennismerrittjones.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DennisMerrittJones
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennismerrittjones/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DMerrittJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismerrittjones/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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