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Continuing our series, let’s meet an analyst who is trying to get her blog and business off the ground while juggling her daily 8-5. Today, YBPGuide introduces Kristyna Jones.

What is your occupation, full title and work week hours?

I am a Senior Development Analyst for Enterprise Community Investments. Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. is a leading real estate investment services company for affordable housing and community development. We provide partners with development capital via equity and debt products, and expertise in community development practices. Enterprise is the industry leader in green affordable housing. I work 40-45 hours a week.

How old are you?

Kristyna Jones

Old, lol. I just turned 31.

If you had to rank the following with regards to importance in your life, how would you (successful career, spiritual clarity, starting your own family, financially well-off)?

Since I graduated from undergrad in 1998, my focus has whole-heartedly been on my career. In the last year, it has become more apparent to me that spiritual clarity and companionship/starting a family are more important right now. I don’t think they can be separated.

For those seriously dating someone: Do you see marriage plans in your future? What makes you sure (or not sure) the person you are with is the one?

I have been in a serious relationship for the last two years, and were both on the marriage track. However, we have been long distance for half of that time and it has been very difficult. Only time will tell if we will remain on the marriage in the future track.

What is one piece of advice you constantly rely upon when making tough career decisions?

One piece of advice, is don’t get caught up in the prestige of a title or working for certain companies. Really think about what types of skills you hope to acquire and what kind of tasks you enjoy. A smaller organization often affords its staff with greater opportunity to take on additional responsibilities.

For those who have been (or currently in) grad school: Why did you choose to go to graduate school?

I finished graduate school last year. I went the New School’s Milano School for Urban Policy and Management in New York. I must say it was the best choice I ever made. Originally, I pursued getting an MBA but in the end chose to pursue a “non-traditional” program geared toward those interested in community development, non-profit management, and social enterprise–sort of like a MBA for community development.

What has been your greatest triumph since ‘coming into your own’?

My greatest triumph is finally working on some of my own entrepreneurial endeavors which are going quite well. I have been so focused on working for the right “best practice” community development organization. While that has afforded me significant insight in some of the challenges of creating successful community development related projects, it has also allowed me to deny my interest in my own social entrepreneurial ideas. Right now, my blog, Cribnotes, is taking off and generating some buzz. Also, I am working on a skin care business in which a significant portion of the sales will go to groups working to empower young women.

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