Through her work as a Certified Etiquette Expert/Consultant, Best Selling Author, and community leader, Jackie Vernon Thompson has dedicated her life to preparing others for success. In addition to becoming certified, she has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication and feels her schooling has certainly assisted in effectively conveying the information of etiquette to her students. She is no stranger to entrepreneurship, as she has been an Independent Licensed Real Estate Agent for the past 21 years. She also is the founder of From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette where she teaches children and adults, effective communication, business etiquette, body positivity, table manners (both American and European), traditional etiquette for men/boys and much more.
FWM: Thank you for taking the time to share your experience as an Etiquette Expert/Consultant. Please Share your background.
I was born in the beautiful island of Jamaica and moved to South Florida at the tender age of seven. My extraordinary mother reared five children of which I am the youngest. My father moved away when I was three years old leaving me with no memory of the times spent with him prior to his departure. Due to the absence of my father, I became extremely angry and bitter at him and life. That bitterness lasted well into my adulthood. Let us say I knew how to function in my dysfunction. One day I experienced a series of events that immediately led me to forgive my father for leaving my mom, my siblings and me. The life changing experience unfolds in chapter one of my book, TRANSFORMATIVE ETIQUETTE. After forgiving my dad, we began to develop an organic and loving relationship. I began to mentor girls, primarily girls who were growing up without a father or even a mother in their life. Doing that, propelled me into becoming an Etiquette Consultant. God whispered in my ear that this was the road He created me to travel. I expound in detail in my book. My school, From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette, has grown substantially since its inception and not only do I certify Consultants internationally, I also teach etiquette internationally to children and adults. I honestly believe I am walking in my purpose because I am completely fulfilled when I realize that I have helped to change the trajectory of the lives of countless youth and adults. I have been married 10 years now and I have the full support of my husband. I have one stepdaughter who is 13. I absolutely love my family and I am very much involved in my church and allows God to direct my every step.
FWM: Tell us about the Transformative Etiquette- From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette.
Once a person begins to apply and implement the protocols I mentioned in my book, there is no way they will not transform into a more refined and well-rounded individual. The information I share is to take a person from a place of insecurity about their presentation, dining habits, grammar and so much more to a place where they are completely secure and confident when given the opportunity to shine in those areas. This book will leave you with many aha moments because you will learn protocols, techniques, and strategies you never imagined. It will indeed change the reader’s life.
FWM: When working with young people and adults regarding etiquette, where do you begin?
It is essential to begin with the inner person, hence, the name of my school, From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette. I believe if a person does not believe it for themselves and does not feel they are good enough for the finer things in life, they will not apply the protocols and strategies I teach them. Therefore, I typically begin with Increasing Self-Esteem. This allows me to help them do away with the negative thoughts they have of themselves and begin to adopt the habit of speaking daily affirmations. I love to do a particular exercise with them. I allow them to write all the negatives they think of themselves. We then dissect each and dispel them. After which, I allow them to rip that paper of negatives to shreds while saying “Lies, lies, lies.” That is very symbolic. Then, we counteract that list by writing a list of positive thoughts and we preserve that list and build on it. After that and other exercises, they realize how extraordinary they are or can be. They are ready to apply and position themselves as a student. It’s a powerful experience for both children and adults. The second-best workshop to begin my sessions with is Greeting and Communicating Effectively, which helps break the ice and allows communication to be fluent. It builds that trust factor as well.
FWM: Why is etiquette critical to success?
Etiquette is all about deportment; one’s conduct in any given environment. The basic definition of etiquette is, conducting yourself in a way that does not offend others. Therefore, proper etiquette allows a person to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Not only that, proper etiquette also allows one to respect boundaries and be concerned about how their conduct will impact or affect another. Proper etiquette is needed for male and females. You see, etiquette is not a gender thing. It is a human thing. For a person to be successful, especially if they interact with individuals virtually or in person, one must know how to address individuals, how to respond to them, how to present themselves as a professional, how to dress professionally, even how to dine while having a meeting over lunch and so much more. Proper etiquette is a requirement for success in most cases.
FWM: The journey to refinement and confidence is seldom easy. Take us through the topics of your workshops, DVD Series, and offerings of your school.
You are absolutely correct; the journey is seldom easy. Many parents request selected topics for their child just as adults select for themselves. Our topics of focus are as follows:
1. Honoring Your Body
2. Table Etiquette & Protocol
3. Greeting and Communicating Effectively
4. Maintaining Personal Hygiene
5. Sitting and Walking gracefully
6. Embracing Celibacy
7. Increase Self-Esteem
8. Honoring God Daily in Lifestyle
9. Business Etiquette
10. Chivalry
11. Public Speaking
12. Restaurant Etiquette
13. Wedding Etiquette
14. Tea Party Etiquette
15. Athletes Pre-Pro Etiquette Blueprint
16. Things Children Should Know Before Age 10
17. Business Execution (Online Self-Paced Master Class) www.buildyourbusinessacademy.com
Our illustrative DVDs for shipment and Downloads of the first eight topics for immediate access are available on our website www.fromtheinsideoutsoe.com
We also customize workshops to the needs of the client. The fact is etiquette is needed in every circumstance. With that said, regardless of the topic, there are protocols for it.
FWM: For busy parents, why is your school important? Please share your achievements.
It is extremely important for my school to be a tool in the toolbox of rearing a child, especially if parents find they are overwhelmed and cannot find the time to invest as they should to teach their child the essential skills and lessons for healthy development and proper deportment. It is crucial that we take the time, however possible, to educate our children on the necessary information needed to excel and be the best version of themselves. If parents are unable to do that on their own, contacting me to step into that position to play that role is most definitely an option.
A FEW OF MY ACHIEVEMENTS
I have assisted countless students to change the way they live life and become the confident individual they were meant to be. Due to the work that I do, I was driven to create a non-profit 501c3 organization called Youth Empowerment Village, Inc. This organization, I am most proud of. It was established to create youth master communicators through a very intense five-week summer camp. During this camp, we focus heavily on Public Speaking, Professionalism, Entrepreneurship, and Proper Etiquette. By the end of the five weeks, our students can deliver a speech with ease demonstrating confidence and the techniques and strategies they learned.
In addition, I have developed a wonderful and trusting relationship with the Broward and Miami/Dade County public school systems where I often am given the opportunity to work with students from elementary to high teaching them protocols, they more than likely would not learn otherwise. I have been awarded multiple times as one who has helped change the trajectory of the lives of our students. In addition to many organizations recognizing the work I do with the youth and young adults over the years, the City of Lauderhill in the state of Florida has recognized me as an Honoree of Women’s History Month. The Kiwanis Club of the beautiful city where I grew up, named me Woman of Distinction due to the work I do with the youth of the community. Simply put, I am awarded daily as I witness my students evolve and blossom into the phenomenal people they are. It endorses the fact that I am indeed doing what I was placed on this earth to do!
FWM: Tell us about your book, Transformative Etiquette and why it is a A Guide to Love and Refining Self.
Without giving away the details of this great read, Transformative Etiquette indeed provides a guide to find love in a very organic way. First, my readers will learn of the early part of my life that led me down a path of bitterness, anger, and defeat. I was broken for a significant part of my life. Through that brokenness, I learned the importance of forgiveness. I share with my readers that there is no way one can discover their purpose until they are rid of unforgiveness or the pains and hurts of the past. It is when that is released, one is free to walk in their purpose. Then and only then will God reveal His purpose for creating them. We all have a purpose. We must be ready to fulfill it. I learned that lesson in a very organic and transparent way. In my book, I share the details and more of the lessons learned.
Not only are you free to walk in your purpose, but you are also then free to genuinely love another person and be open to receive love from that significant other. I share that I had the audacity to search for a husband amid my bitterness and anger. I was fooling myself. After achieving forgiveness and finding freedom emotionally and mentally, I was able to not only walk in my purpose, but I was also able to make myself available for my now husband. It was all about forgiveness, shifting my mindset and achieving the confidence that was necessary to move to the next level in life. This journey was the beginning of my walk into the etiquette industry.
The topics of my book are:
1. Where It All Began- My journey and experiences that propelled me into this wonderful industry.
2. Pursuing My Purpose – FORGIVENESS=FREEDOME AND PURPOSE
3. What Really Is Etiquette? I share with my readers the meaning of etiquette and the reason it is crucial for us to demonstrate to prevent offending our neighbors.
4. Mindset – I share strategies on shifting one’s mindset to believe he or she deserves this transformation and the finer things in life.
5. Self-Esteem Boost – I share why an increased self-esteem is also extremely necessary to develop in a healthy way because it allows you to set your standards and make every effort to accomplish your goals including the protocols they will learn in this book.
6. Honor Your Body – This chapter speaks on one’s appearance (male and female), elegance, class, first impressions, shoe etiquette for women and more.
7. Sitting & Walking Gracefully – What is the most appropriate way a lady should sit. How should she enter and exit a car ensuring there is no exposure? How does a lady pick something up from the floor and how does a lady walk to demonstrate confidence and grace?
8. Exuding Confidence – This is an absolute necessity to excel in life and take advantage of opportunities available.
9. Purse Etiquette – This is an especially important subject because the average lady struggles to find a good and clean place to rest her purse at times.
10. Dating & Requiring Chivalry-This chapter speaks of all the protocols a gentleman should know when dating a young lady. Not only that, this chapter shares with a single female what to expect from a gentleman and how she should interact with him and so much more.
11. Table Etiquette & Protocol – This chapter is all things table etiquette and the American and European styles. I share the duties of various staff members of a restaurant and how to properly interact with the staff and what to expect from them. Essentially, this chapter will boost the confidence of my readers when dining in any environment with any caliber of guests.
12. Effective Communication- In this chapter, I not only discuss using words in the right context and how to communicate effectively, in person, via video platforms, social media, and email; I share how society has generalized certain words and have accepted the way they are used. However, they are completely incorrect in context. In a great portion of this topic, we discuss the redundancies that are accepted because they are so commonly used. I also shared various strategies on how to greet people, the most appropriate and professional way to introduce yourself, how to remember someone’s name, how to engage a couple, and so much more in reference to effective communication.
13. Networking Etiquette – I share components of one’s elevator pitch and the delivery when in a networking event. Not only that, but I also share how to engage others in the room and what is appropriate and when. I share the most appropriate and professional way to give someone your business card. I even share how to conduct yourself even when you see an acquaintance in a restaurant.
14. Time to Apply – I encourage readers to now apply what I have shared and remind them that they are good enough to apply the transformative protocols shared. I leave them with a list of practical affirmations that will motivate the reader to become transformed and their best self.
There is much more in each chapter that one will indeed find to be transformative.
After reading this book, there is no way the reader will not be transformed.
FWM: Throughout your career, what has surprised you the most about working with others on etiquette?
Throughout my journey in this industry, it has been most surprising to me when I see the tremendous number of students that just do not know the basics in life in countless areas. I am referring to children and adults. It gives me joy when I can impart the knowledge to my students and help boost their confidence and position them in a place where they are able to function in a more professional and effective manner.
FWM: You also actively train and certify aspiring Etiquette Consultants through a 5-week Certification Master Class. Take us through the process.
Every six weeks we begin a new 5-week Certification Master Class. I conduct this class via zoom to allow individuals globally to participate. We have Etiquette Consultants in Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Thomas, Jamaica, Canada, throughout the United States and many other countries. We are a community with the primary goal to improve society. This class is designed to teach aspiring Etiquette Consultants all things etiquette and how to teach etiquette protocols in-person and online. We meet every Monday and Thursday at 7:30pm EST. Our students are typically ladies. However, the door is certainly open to men. During the class, I cover the most requested topics. I teach the certification students how to teach these topics and the intricacies of each. It is important to not only teach them. It is also important to apply the protocols to their lives to teach with ease and conviction. The topics are as follows:
*TABLE ETIQUETTE PROTOCOL
*GREETING & COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY
*SITTING & WALKING GRACEFULLY
*CHIVALRY
*BUSINESS ETIQUETTE*TEA PARTY ETIQUETTE
*ONGOING TRAINING TO CREATE FUN AND INTERACTIVE POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS
Not only do I teach several topics of etiquette, from the beginning of the five weeks, I teach students how to create innovative, interactive, and fun power point presentations to stimulate the minds of students and maintain their interest. It is extremely important for students to identify with each slide. Every topic I teach, each student in my certification class must create an effective presentation to show they understand the protocols and can teach them.
*THOROUGH ZOOM TRAINING FOR VIRTUAL CLASSES
Students are also taught how to effectively and fluently utilize zoom to instruct individual students and groups. I teach them features of zoom, which will give them confidence when teaching virtually and fluidity.
*ETIQUETTE PACKAGE FOR POTENTIAL CLIENTS
I teach the students how to create a thorough package sharing exactly what they do, the topics, , credentials, etc. This package will be sent to potential clients, interested parties and whomever they choose. It makes the Consultant seem more professional, organized, and polished.
*PRICE & STRUCTURE FOR CLASSES
I conduct an entire class on pricing to ensure the students to be certified Consultants feel comfortable when charging clients and students for their classes. This is crucial. I advise them on how to research their competition and the importance of the research.
*LIFE-TIME MENTORSHIP BY ME!
I am available to my students and continue to mentor them even after the class. They also become members of our private Facebook group where the Consultants are motivated and share information to assist their fellow Consultants. It is where I share progressive information and enlighten them on strategies, they can practice and tips on building their etiquette business.
*RECEIVE YOUR CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETION
At the end of the five-weeks, each student who fully participated will receive a digital certification and a hard copy with wet signature and seal. Along with the certification, those who invested in full, receives the entire series of my DVDs or downloads for their library.
