Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Riles.
Hi Jordan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a native of Savannah, GA, I grew up singing, being a pageant girl, and a social butterfly naturally. I’ve always loved music and speaking in front of ppl so, Communications was the route I decided to take as a major for undergraduate and grad school degrees. I’ve had much success in scholarship fundraising and on-stage showcasing, in addition to positions that I was voted into. Three-time pageant winner: Miss Ebony Fashion Fair 2008 raising over $11,000, Miss Savannah State Univ. 2010-2011 voted by student body, Miss Black Georgia USA 2013 won by judges’ scoring. I’m an award winning humanitarian, youth empowerment vessel and women’s empowerment leader. In 2016, I founded and created the full curriculum for my etiquette school which is called Impressum School of Social Graces, ie. Impressum Etiquette and as a Certified Etiquette Consultant, my school celebrates 10 years in business this year. Wow! Time has soared!
I’m so grateful God made me a #girlmom to be tasked with helping shape the life and future of his daughter which he gifted me, and I named her Bethany from a previous marriage. She’s 8 going on 28. She’s also been my inspiration for the First Moon: Period Party I recently brought to my hometown to normalize menstrual cycles and remove the stigma from that part of puberty that is seldom talked about publicly so that girls can know there’s no shame in blossoming into the woman you’re determined to be.
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?
Good question. When I look back on my journey, it looks like a breeze, yet when you zoom in with a magnifying glass, meaning, look at it through my eyes, you’ll learn that although I’ve found the resources and the drive to secure my LLC and maintain it annually, come across the venues to host Saturday etiquette sessions within my financial means and sometimes free of cost, found the partnerships to make certain events a success, my resume is long but it looks like I can’t decide whether I want to stay or go. Well, both, I wanted to continue building my resume, but I truly think I’m done with the corporate world and I’m ready to fully bet on myself, the business I’ve built and envisioned, and fully hone in on my skills and talents. It’s time to trust that J. Enterprises, LLC (through etiquette, resumes, speaking engagements, books, events, digital deliverables, etc.) can and will make a lucrative life for me and my child and whomever else decides to join me along the way. I think the challenges are in the uncertainties, but that’s where my faith has to come in. There are still so many things I want to accomplish in this year, and I am challenging myself to double-down and produce in 2026.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Growing up, I was known for always selling something or fundraising. You would’ve thought I’d be in Forbes for accruing millions and investing it wisely by now, but that’s still possible. I would knock on my neighbors’ door for something little like to take a small holiday gift by and he’d be like, “What you selling now?” Although he wasn’t too far off.
I’ve gone from fundraising, to granting awards as a former scholarship pageant director, to compiling lists of sponsors for school district-wide programming and events, to hosting women’s conferences with sponsored giveaways, to etiquette classes and finishing showcases for my students, being a resume writer, and content creator. I’ve slowed down the pace a bit to truly make sure I’m operating in my purposes, because at one point, I didn’t see these things getting me anywhere meaningful, not in my opinion. Awards became not enough for me. The things I was once proud of, I’m now looking to the next big thing to be proud of. I don’t want to hold onto any one moment as the most proud moment of my life for all my life.
I know that my personality and my ability to connect with people from various walks of life sets me apart. I love myself and always have and I know the glow of that goes before me anywhere I go.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Following my divorce in 2019, I did a lot of reading. I credit T.D. Jakes, “Woman Thou Art Healed & Whole,” Keenan Bridges, “90 Days of Power Prayer,” Mary Roach, “For the People,” and Tiara Piggee, “40 Days of Faith” books for prompting me to think and heal, and record my thoughts and stay grounded in the word. I read my Bible a lot more now since then as well.
Pricing:
- Etiquette sessions one-on-one $100/hr
- Resume $350
- Cover Letter $250
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joywithjordan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.riles/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jordanriles
Image Credits
Top professional photo image credt: M Green Studios (MiQuan Green)
