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Daring to dream big shapes business into powerhouse
When Chattanoogan Carolyn Jones started her Chattanooga-based company, C.J. Enterprises, in 1980, she brought with her the secretarial and management skills she learned working at Motown Records in Detroit back in the late 1960s.
“I didn’t realize I was in the midst of history,” she said, noting that she worked for Motown founder Barry Gordy’s sister.
“I learned a lot about management and record-keeping at Motown that plays a roll in what I’m doing today,” Ms. Jones said.
C.J. Enterprises specializes in information management and administrative services including consulting, Web development, technical assistance and training.
After moving back to Chattanooga in 1970, Ms. Jones commuted to Emory University in Atlanta where she earned an associate degree in medical records. She later established a medical records program at Chattanooga State Technical University.
In 1980, Ms. Jones founded C.J. Health Records Consulting Services. The company’s services broadened, and the name was changed to C.J. Enterprises.
About her
* Name: Carolyn Jones
* Age: 65
* Occupation: President and CEO of C.J. Enterprises
* Family: Husband, 4 children, 9 grandchildren
* Claim to fame: Founded medical records program at Chattanooga State; her company was the first of its kind in the southeastern United States
Today, Ms. Jones has more than 100 employees with clients including contracts with the United States Air Force and the General Service Administration.
She has been recognized by many organizations for her business acumen and community commitment. Most recently, Ms. Jones was named the 2008 recipient of Girls Inc.’s “UnBought and UnBossed” award, a motto attributed to the late U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisolm, the first black woman elected to U.S. Congress.
“Carolyn Jones is the type of professional role model that we want for our young women at Girls Inc.,” said the agency’s president and CEO Bea Lurie. “She dares to dream big and is determined to be a success. Those are character traits we recognize for ‘Unbought and UnBossed.’”
Ms. Jones plans to hand over the company in 2012 to her son, Charles Jones. But retirement isn’t in her long-range plans — she will start a youth program at her church.
“I want to instill something good in (young people) — a work ethic and an interest in going to college.”
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