Today we’d like to introduce you to Jolanta Kissoon Young. She shares her story with us below:
My name is Jolanta Kissoon Young. I’m a content creator, speaker, and podcast host from snowy Minnesota. I come from a background of technical and creatives in my family. I am a first generation Trinidadian/American. I have a natural knack and love of learning and I give 100 % into what I do.
I learned how to code when I was in school. I started with CSS/HTML and other layouts. Many websites have made it easy to code now with pre-made layouts. I get excited about colours, schemes and font designs that look attractive to the eye.
I graduated from Metropolitan State University, with a bachelors degree in Mass Media and Communication Studies where, I received my training. I started freelancing and collaborating with other people on projects to reach a goal It’s a great way to continue building my skills and to gain real world experience outside of the classroom. You see other people bloom which is the coolest thing.
My love of photography and film helped me grow into other creative aspects of my life. You can find a variety of my work have been published in online and print magazine international platforms like kavyar.com and on my website at jolantayoungphotography.com
From a very young age, I have always had a desire to work in media and broadcast. Now, I have an opportunity to reach people like I have never had before with my podcast. I started working in media because of my dad, he was a Camera Operator and Master Sound Control at Trinidad and Tobago Television. He is unfortunately no longer with us but I know he passed those skills to me.
I am launching a go fund to celebrate my dad’s life. If you feel it in your heart please kindly make a donation we are trying to reach a goal. https:// speakthinkcreate.wixsite.com/helpforjames I am fighting to get something changed in honor of my dad and other families who had similar issues with the level of care received in hospitals.
I started my podcast to form a community as an extension of my other creative outlets. Podcasting is super interesting especially coming up with topics to talk about. I highlight guest speakers who provide motivational, inspiring, or business growth hacks. You can find my show on speakthinkcreate.com and also catch a weekly show on Clubhouse under the Strategic Mindset room every Tuesday at 1:00 pm / 10am pst we talk about different strategies and network as well to help each other out.
I am servant leader and volunteer regularly while holding various chair positions at non-profits. I was very involved in my school and served on a couple of different committees:
Distirct 6 Toastmasters – Webmaster and PR committee
Metrostate Alumni Board Member Events and Communications Committee Chair Chapter member for the Business and Accounting club with Mr. Gerald Swarsenski and worked hands on with Mr. Swarenski to build the club, now called DECA. Asian Connections team member network at Wells Fargo Bank where I served as their Communication Chair.
I am pretty sure there are more boards than this. But, I don’t remember them all!
I am actively involved in Toastmasters International where I have developed and grown my communication, leadership, and self development skills that I can apply in everyday life situations. I’m also looking for speaking summits or stages to speak on. Toastmasters has also helped me tremendously. I have made life long connections along the way. I am a 2021/2022 Triple Crown award recipient and Toastmaster of the year. I serve on the District 6 team as their webmaster/public relations board.
I’m here to serve. I built my business around love and a passion for what’s possible.
Jolanta Kissoon Young has been featured in The Momprenure Breakthrough Summit
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
When you’re starting out as a new business you will always meet challenges along the way. I learned to watch out for red flags on how to be cautious with collaborating with people. Make sure people have the right intention and they match your brand.
If I could go back in time and give myself my own advice I would be a little more cautious who I open myself up to. I have certainly come along way with by not putting my eggs all in one basket. I have had people made promises and not keep them on projects. Don’t let people take you for granted and allow them to think you have to prove something to others. That is one of the biggest lessons for me. Every project is a lesson to learn from.
I worked hard to get where I am today by not falling trap to online trends or by listening to people who think they know everything. I let go of people who were controlling and didn’t vibe well with me. It is the best freeing feeling in the world and. There will always be people out there that will try to break you and bring you down. I keep my head up and move on to other things in life that I am passionate about.
It gets better if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to building your empire. The hurdles you go through in the beginning helps you and you can help others as well in the process. Having a mentor helps as well guide you in areas to grow your business and be a better business owner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am open to networking and collaborating if they align with my interest and passions. I am looking to coach and teach others. I’m upbeat, energetic, and will go the distance in anything that I put my mind to.
I am also a blogger on medium.com I have fallen into something that I didn’t originally ask for on my journey in working in media.
“ If you chase after success, success doesn’t chase after you. Chasing after after a dream that wasn’t meant for me. “ – Jolanta Kissoon Young
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think audio/podcasting is the future of advertising. I see it sticking around. Apps like Clubhouse is here to stay. I feel that it gives people more intimacy than the more traditional social media outlets. There will always be newer trends and more apps that can compete with each other. I am going to see audio as a bigger medium than TV or Radio ads. Podcasting is definitely the way to go. Gives you more variety and audience reach.
Contact Info:
- Email: speakthinkcreate@gmail.com
- Website: speakthinkcreate.com
- Instagram: speakthinkcreate
- Facebook: speakthinkcreate
Image Credits
Brad Sigal (Sigal Photos)
