Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Jones.
Hi Donna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a show creator, host, and producer with a lifelong love of the entertainment industry, all of which inspired me to found my own production company, AOSTL Productions.
Being a creative is something special. Someone who has a vision and is able to make it become a reality is something special and exciting. I started my career at a local cable station, producing my first talk shows, which led to me receiving local awards for those shows. Back then, I wore many hats. I served as a host, booked talent, and everything in between, which led to covering red carpets and interviewing celebrities. Then, I had the opportunity to take my interviews to a local network DCW50 where I also provided content. It was definitely a struggle every step of the way, but I knew in my heart I wanted to be in entertainment. I loved interviewing and talking to people about their lives. Being able to get celebrities to open up within the first few minutes was something I simply loved to do. Making a guest feel comfortable and safe enough to open up and tell their stories came naturally to me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
On my road toward my goals has definitely not been easy. I think the most important quality you need is resilience. I will simply state that, in general, I have heard the word “no” SO many times, BUT I never allow that word to stop or deter me. The fact that I believe in my abilities as well as in the projects that I create as a show creator, keeps me focused. Although the step-by-step process of getting to that key “yes” can be painstaking, and it can take time, my vision remains clear and consistent throughout, which makes all the difference.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a show creator, host, and producer with a lifelong love of the entertainment industry, all of which inspired me to found my own production company, AOSTL Productions, three years ago. Being a creative is something special. Someone who has a vision and is able to make it become a reality is something special and exciting. I started my career at a local cable station, producing my first talk shows, which led to me receiving local awards for those shows. Back then, I wore many hats. I served as a host, booked talent, and everything in between, which led to covering red carpets and interviewing celebrities. Then, I had the opportunity to take my interviews to a local network where I also provided content. It was definitely a struggle every step of the way, but I knew in my heart I wanted to be in entertainment. I loved interviewing and talking to people about their lives. Being able to get celebrities to open up within the first few minutes was something I simply loved to do. Making a guest feel comfortable and safe enough to open up and tell their stories came naturally to me — (and I also always made certain to do my research to enhance my interviews). Besides loving it, I found I was really good at it all.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was funny and loved to laugh I left home at an early age and have been on my own ever since. At the age of seventeen, I bounced from place to place and had a lot of rough years trying to find myself and the direction for my life. When entertainment found me, I knew this was what I was supposed to be doing, and even though it has been a lot of work and dedication, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://donnajoneslive.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnajoneslive/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-jones-18349363/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DROPNETWORK
