In her own words: Coach, consultant Valory Jones

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your business and the duties of your position.

Valory Jones: My business is the unique combination of professional life/business coaching and personal image consulting. By combining these two, I assist my clients in achieving higher levels of confidence and excellence, producing greater results and productivity in all areas of their lives.

NNBW: How did you enter this profession?

Jones: I discovered an international company that focused on corporate image consulting, (I got my certification) and then fell in love with helping people to look their best, feel fabulous and confident. That led to building and coaching a team of 350 women, and then I added my license in skin care so I could deliver result-oriented skin care therapies to my program. I focus mostly on baby boomers and anti-aging strategies.

NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?

Jones: What a powerful and positive affect you can have on others. Making them feel better about themselves and increasing their confidence levels. Knowing what a difference I can make by being a motivating support system to others and giving a client a place to be honest and focus on what they really want in a safe environment without judgment.

NNBW: What's changed about your job over the years?

Jones: I have re-focused and brought back some of my prior services and tools to offer in my business. I have also started offering my seminars again to businesses and groups.

NNBW: What was your first job?

Jones: Working as a medical assistant in the field of internal medicine and geriatrics.

NNBW: Tell us about your dream job. Why aren't you working it?

Jones: My dream job is combining all my services, businesses skills and tools into one great package. I am very lucky I am doing my dream job!

NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?

Jones: You must love people and really enjoy helping them and watching them bloom.

NNBW: Tell us about the most fun you have had on the job.

Jones: My joy in my job is watching people discover just how fabulous they really are. An example: recently I did a facial on a client's grandmother who is 84 years old and had never had a facial or any type of "touch therapy." Watching her go from nervous and intimidated to relaxed and very happy and enthusiastic about how incredible the experience was and how wonderful her skin felt. That was a treat I will not forget. Plus, she has already returned to celebrate her 85th birthday with another facial!

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Jones: Follow your heart and do what you love.

NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Jones: I wouldn't change a thing because all my experiences (rewarding or challenging) have made me who I am and have been a part of creating the wonderful, happy life that I now enjoy.

NNBW: What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Jones: Being laid off after three years from my first job when my boss semi-retired and downsized his office.

NNBW: What can you do that someone else can't?

Jones: I have a gift to shine a light on people and let them see how special they really are when I show them a glimpse of themselves through my eyes.

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from work?

Jones: I love to travel with my husband. I also make jewelry, do photography, and I enjoy being outdoors, walking and reading.

NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? Why or why not?

Jones: I would not retire because I love what I do and I believe working gives a life purpose and meaning. What I would do is condense my work schedule into blocks of time that would allow me to travel more.

NNBW: What's the last concert or sporting event you attended?

Jones: Benise at the El Dorado and a baseball game in Phoenix (Diamondbacks vs. SF Giants).

NNBW: What's your perfect vacation spot?

Jones: Stowe, Vt. in the fall, and Hawaii or the Caribbean when it's cold and snowy in Reno.

NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working and living here?

Jones: We made a lifestyle change 18 years ago to escape the insanity of Southern California for a better quality of life, and to have four seasons. I was born in Boulder, Colo., and Reno reminds me a little bit of that with being nestled in the foothills below the magnificent Sierras. And we really enjoy the people here.

The basics:

Name: Valory Jones, owner, Enhanced Images, Image & Productivity Consulting

How long have you been in this job? 25 years

How long in the profession? 25 years

Education: Certified professional life coach, licensed aesthetician (NV & CA), certified image consultant

Last book read? "One Good Dog" by Susan Wilson

Favorite movie? "The Way We Were," "Ghost"

What's on your iPod? Country music and soft jazz

Spouse/kids/pets? Husband and CPA extraordinaire Jerry, and Sophie, our sweet black Lab mix