Dream Journey Jones
Startup Founder, Product Manager, and futurist in Richmond, VA
MY MISSION:
Help co-create the evolution of Capitalism through the power of entrepreneurship eSports, experimental economics, & community building.
Offer alternative pathways for creators to become their best self.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS:
My entrepreneurship journey started out in 2010 as a college dropout, former sales rep, and ex-offender (cannabis distribution) who dared to take a daunting leap of faith; let go of my reality as an employee and fully depend on the sharing economy to kickstart my dream of becoming an author and a startup founder.
This entailed giving away 90% of my belongings to the homeless (only minimalist living), having no home of my own (only couchsurfing), and having no guaranteed income (only freelancing, bartering, and gifting).
In exchange for room and board from my supporters, I offered my skills to help them begin building their startup ideas. This three year challenge was documented as a YouTube series called “The Dream Journey”.
INTERESTS:
After growing up as a basketball player, my love for the game shifted into a passion for music creation, storytelling, business, self-development, technology, and futurism. All of those interests are now put to great use as the Product Manager of my second startup, SEEDstudio.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
In 2013, I self-published a book called "Producism: A New Game for a New Economy". It was about highlighting the problems of society’s current economic system and the rapid shift from a consumer-based education system and economy to one that is more creator-based, where innovation meets sustainability.
After the book’s release to the public, I was invited to become a panelist at various events such as SEED @ Harvard, Penn Microfinance Annual Conference @ the Wharton School of Business, InfluencerCon NYC, Shareable Magazine’s SHARE NY @ Parson's New School of Design, InsideBitcoin NYC & Las Vegas, and The Future of Money and Technology Conference.
Additionally in 2014, my first startup received a $50,000 grant for a pilot project called "Producia". It was a social marketplace for cash-strapped college students to find resources to build their creative projects. It used a time-based digital currency instead of traditional money.
My 2nd upcoming book is "Co-Create Can't Wait: How the Evolution of Capitalism Birthed Entrepreneurship eSports." The release of this book is also celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Producism model on Labor Day 2020.