Wendell Jones is a true champion for entrepreneurs because he is one himself. Seeing the bigger picture concerning small businesses in South Carolina, Wendell focuses on building up the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Upstate through the Wendell Jones Leadership Institute. At the WJLI, Wendell helps entrepreneurs build strong, effective businesses that he hopes will provide economic stability and community growth for years to come. As a legislator, Wendell aspires to level the playing field and give more resources to entrepreneurs so more businesses can thrive in the South.
What inspired you to start your company?
Transitioning from my role as a commercial banker to becoming an entrepreneur was a pivotal moment that made me realize I had operated mainly in theory for several years. I hadn't fully considered the significant departure between the mindset of a banker and that of an actual entrepreneur. What I had prioritized as a banker was now something I sought in the midst of my entrepreneurial journey, not at its outset. This revelation led me to believe that others might share a similar experience, prompting me to invest in helping both myself and others in this transition.
I ventured to Kansas City to become a certified entrepreneurial coach, equipping myself with valuable insights to apply to my own business. Simultaneously, I aspired to launch a venture dedicated to supporting small businesses, a passion of mine for a long time. Through this endeavor, I aimed to bridge the emotional and practical gaps that I had personally encountered when transitioning from banking to entrepreneurship, helping others navigate this journey more effectively. And so that's what gave birth to the Wendell Jones Leadership Institute.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your founder journey?
One of the most gratifying aspects of this journey is witnessing the moments of clarity in the eyes of CEOs when they realize they have a valuable product or service, yet they may lack the knowledge of how to shape a successful business around it. Often, they are unaware of what they don't know. When they grasp that success is rooted in fundamental principles, it's inspiring to observe their newfound confidence. Watching them embrace these principles and witnessing their transformation, not only in their companies but also as individuals, over the course of a year or two is truly remarkable and rewarding.
Any lessons learned that you would like to share?
I’ve learned that business looks very sexy from the outside. But from the inside, it's a whole bunch of blocking and tackling. What I mean by that is that business is actually a continuous cycle of fundamental, disciplined tasks that demand daily attention and perseverance.
And if you're consistent with those tasks, then the business itself begins to gain momentum. As the foundational structures of the organization become more sound, the undergirding structures of your organization become solidified and the business begins to take on a life of its own. This shift frees the entrepreneur to fulfill their role as a forward thinker, focusing on the evolving landscape and adapting their business accordingly.
The most enlightening aspect of this journey is the realization that, internally, it involves a lot of groundwork—a stark contrast to its outward appearance. By concentrating on these repetitive tasks, however, the business can generate exceptional results over time.
Our media company’s motto is, “Where aha meets oh shit.” Tell us about your biggest aha moments. Tell us about your biggest oh shit moments.
My "aha" and "oh shit" moments are essentially the same moment: the moment you realize as a business owner that you can do what you set out to do. It's not just wonderful for me, but also incredibly rewarding to witness in others. I often share with my students that I want to introduce them to a new fear. Many are consumed by the fear of failure, but I want them to experience the fear of realizing, "Oh my God, I can do this."
When entrepreneurs focus on mastering these principles, they gain the power to steer their business. Many entrepreneurs find themselves driven by their
businesses, but by mastering these principles, you can take control of the direction, culture, and impact your business has on the community. You become the one in the driver's seat, and when entrepreneurs grasp this, the two moments merge into one.
Do you have a personal mantra or motto?
I made a promise to God that I wanted to live a life where I fully utilized every gift He had bestowed upon me. This commitment is what motivates me. I am very introspective, perhaps even to a fault, always seeking ways to tap into my potential to serve and impact the lives of others in new and meaningful ways. My aim is to ensure that when my time comes to leave this world, I won't have many regrets and won't feel like I didn't give my all.
Did you have any “game-changing” resources or tools that helped you start or grow? Why was that resource a game-changer for you?
The true game-changer, I believe, is nurturing our relationships. It's not about being a mere taker but a giver, showing up to serve and help others. When you approach relationships in this way, you'll never find yourself empty-handed. Reciprocity naturally follows when you invest in others.
I've seen the relationships I've cared for pay dividends, whether that's in personal or business deals, making valuable introductions, or simply having the opportunity to learn from being in a room with influential people. The key message: Take care of your relationships—they're your most valuable asset.
Thinking about the local entrepreneurial community or ecosystem, what do you believe is working well? What do you think is missing or a gap that needs to be filled?
One of the things I've become a champion for, especially now as a state legislator, is recognizing the often-overlooked importance of our small business communities. While they
statistically form the backbone of our economy, we tend to take them for granted. In South Carolina, approximately 43 percent of the workforce is employed by small businesses.
On a political level, I'd like to see local municipalities and the state itself come up with innovative ways to offer greater incentives to budding entrepreneurs and existing small businesses. These incentives could include tax benefits and creative support mechanisms to help them scale and grow. I believe we should approach supporting small businesses with the same enthusiasm and commitment that we do when recruiting larger corporations.
While I am grateful for the contributions of companies like BMW, I also want to ensure that our smaller businesses receive equal consideration. Their success is vital for stabilizing our communities economically, regardless of their makeup. What's often overlooked is the immense inspiration they provide, helping us continually adapt and develop our communities. This is what I hope to see more of in our efforts.
The encouraging aspect is that we're now starting to have these conversations, and that's a positive step in the right direction.
What do you want your company to look like a year from now – from the market, your product or service, your team or people, the culture, or revenue – describe how you would like things to look a year or two from now. What have you put in place – or going to put in place – to make that a reality?
In the coming year, my commitment remains steadfast in collaborating with our local chambers. I intend to continue serving as a facilitator, and I'm looking to expand the team with additional facilitators. One particular area of focus is to leverage my experience in the political arena. I plan to offer consultation services to municipalities and surrounding states in the Southeast, emphasizing ways to support their small business communities.
The goal is to highlight the essential role small businesses already play and underscore how much they depend on them. I aim to assist in crafting ordinances, policies, and tax incentives that will empower these small businesses to grow and, in turn, provide employment opportunities for our citizens.
If you could hit rewind, is there anything you would do differently?
I'm 52 now, and I wouldn't change a thing about my journey. I've come to understand that things tend to work out the way they should. There was a moment when I was having a bit of a pity party for myself, thinking, "I wish I had known all this years ago." But then, it felt like a revelation, almost a message from a higher power. I heard a voice in my head saying, "You didn't have the maturity to appreciate this back then." It took time, experiences, highs, lows, wins, and losses to bring me to a point where I can truly value what I receive in the present.
Now, instead of dwelling on regrets, I focus on being content and fully absorbing the lessons each moment offers. I've learned to appreciate what comes my way, knowing that everything happens in its own time.