Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtlyn Jones.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Design Database is my first-born child! I created it out of personal need, but also out of my need and desire to help and give back to others. Although I love art deeply, combining it with work and being a creative employee in corporate took the fun out of being an artist for me. Women in the arts are extremely overlooked and undervalued, especially in corporate, and it can be extremely lonely, especially as a freelancer.
To give you a brief overview of my company:
The Design Database is the premier online community and job platform exclusively catered to female Creatives. Our mission is to provide a supportive and empowering space where talented women can showcase their work, connect with like-minded individuals, and ultimately create their dream careers.
But The Design Database is more than just a job platform. Think “Indeed Meets Instagram.” It’s a vibrant community where you can make meaningful connections with fellow Creatives who share your passion for innovation and collaboration.
There were a couple of traumatic events that led me to quitting my job as a graphic designer in corporate and starting this venture. One is landing my first real full-time designer job and hating it, two would be being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and having a spiritual awakening that told me I needed to change my life and do something that made me happy; three would be being laid off from the job I hated due to COVID-19, and four would be landing a job at my “dream company” as a graphic designer and absolutely hating that job too.
I needed to wake up. I realized I LOVE designing and creating art, but ONLY when I’m designing for myself or for clients who value me and my talent. I was also being paid terribly because I didn’t know what I deserved. It wasn’t until I met other women in the arts, from other departments within my company that I learned how I was undervaluing MYSELF. Having that guidance and support from other women who knew better was a game-changer for me and I knew if I could make a community like this of female Creatives supporting each other worldwide, I could make a difference and help others from making the same mistakes I made.
Most importantly, I wanted to bring the fun back into art and make it so that we continue to love what we do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One lesson I’ve learned is: It’s okay to pivot and you’re probably going to need to pivot many times throughout your entrepreneurial journey.
I’ve pivoted at least four times now and I am about to make my fifth pivot very soon. When you’re building a business, or anything new, you’re always testing things out and seeing what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes people keep seeing things aren’t working and they view that as failure, so instead of pivoting, they stop. I’ve learned that we are meant to face these challenges and keep pushing to find ways around them. Yes, sometimes it might be time to stop, but whenever I hit a roadblock, I just find a way to pivot and make it work. Nothing has stopped me yet.
Another lesson I’ve learned is: Slow down.
When I launched the first version of The Design Database in 2021, it was very rushed and a total disaster. I had the idea in May and launched in July. Super quick!
This time around, I took my time. I spent the last two years going to conferences, meeting other founders, participating in accelerator programs, talking to investors, and soaking in as much information as I could. I couldn’t find a developer or investor to help me rebuild the platform and I had no money, but because I took the time to sit, watch, and learn, I was able to find my own solution.
I learned how to code and I rebuilt the new platform entirely on my own. Now it’s fully-functioning, absolutely gorgeous, and better than ever. I’m extremely proud of myself for this achievement and for taking the time to slow down and learn what I didn’t know.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an artist first, an entrepreneur second, a podcast host third, and now the creator of my own digital magazine, “Design Empower,” showcasing the beautiful work of the Creatives in my community.
To me, art is the most beautiful thing about life and it’s become the only way I know how to express myself fully. I used to find the most joy solely in drawing or painting, but recently, I’ve also fallen in love with writing. I’m not the strongest speaker, although people around me may disagree, and I’m known to stutter and choke on my words, so being able to write down the words that I physically or emotionally have trouble saying aloud, has been very cathartic. I’ve started writing my first book, an autobiography, and it’s been a lot easier than I thought because the words have just flown out of me.
However, my first love will always be fine arts. I love getting lost in a painting for hours or drawing a self-portrait and seeing new features I’ve developed over the years. I make it a point to draw myself at least once a year to see, not only how my face has changed, but also how my hand skills have changed. Sometimes, I’m rusty and my drawing comes out a little wonky, and sometimes I can see how my skills have elevated and my drawing comes out better than ever. Art is a true passion and will always be special to me.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was very small and very shy, but my teachers always saw something great in me and would tell me and my parents all the time. Unfortunately, as a shy kid, that only made me want to hide even more. I think of little Courtlyn as a turtle sometimes. I didn’t like coming out of my shell. I think what made it worse is that my classmates always found a way to make fun of me for being “too smart”, “being perfect” or for the way I talked because it made me sound “white-washed.” All of that being said, I spent most of my time drawing because that’s where I felt safe. I’d come home from school, do my homework, then start drawing something while I watched TV.
As the youngest of four girls, I felt shy to speak up even in my own home. When I think about little Courtlyn and compare her to who I am today, it’s like night and day. I’m still shy and still don’t like to speak, but I ALWAYS speak up when I need to and I know using my voice matters now more than ever.
That’s why I now have my own podcast, “Fearless Narratives,” (co-hosted with my friend, Kia Minor), that spotlights women in the arts and female founders who are changing the world today. I love being able to not only share my story but to help other women get their voices out there as well.
https://open.spotify.com/show/0mf5tPThqKJOBFtoXxqMvp?si=5f329435dddc4c1b
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thedesigndatabase.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtlyn.jones OR www.instagram.com/thedesigndatabase
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedesigndatabase
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/courtlynjones
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/thedsgndatabase
- Other: Design Empower Magazine: https://issuu.com/thedesigndatabase/docs/tdd_magazine_8_
