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ARTICLES • PODCASTS • VIDEOS
You don't INSPIRE OTHERS by being perfect.
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You inspire them by HOW YOU DEAL with your imperfections.
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You don't INSPIRE OTHERS by being perfect. • You inspire them by HOW YOU DEAL with your imperfections. •
ARTICLES
Power Of Online Community-Based Businesses:
How It Creates Success
Courtlyn Jones, founder of The Design Database, developed an online community and job platform for female creatives to support women in the arts. As a creative, she faced discrimination and disparity regarding job opportunities and autonomy over projects in the workplace. The entrepreneur decided it was time for her to build a solution to the problem that many female creatives face daily.
In two months, Jones had a beta site up and running in 2021. She explains the challenges she faced, “The first beta site was a disaster…
Courtlyn Jones: How My Experience in Athletics Trained Me to Become a Better Leader
Vanessa Ogle
Athletes, from amateur levels to professional arenas, often encounter situations that test their limits and require them to step up in ways that mirror the challenges faced by leaders in various fields. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Courtlyn Jones.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the most unexpected turning points came after I tore my hamstring while training for my first marathon. I had been doing everything “right” — physical therapy, rest, recovery — but I wasn’t healing. I felt dismissed, unheard, and honestly, defeated. I was already living with RA and recovering from cancer; this felt like another blow.
But instead of giving up, I decided to become the expert on my own body. I studied hard and earned two fitness professional certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) — not to change careers, but to take my healing into my own hands…
The One Decision That Changed Everything: Courtlyn Jones On How a Single Choice Can Redefine A Leadership Journey
Cynthia Corsetti
For years, I poured everything into building that ecosystem — one where women could thrive in spaces where we’re often underrepresented and undervalued.
Behind the scenes, though, I was also navigating a 14-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis, a thyroid cancer diagnosis, and recurring injuries. I was managing a growing business while also managing chronic pain and a body that didn’t always cooperate.
In 2024, while training for my first marathon, I tore my hamstring. Months of ineffective rehab left me frustrated and dismissed. That was the moment I realized no one knew my body better than I did…
Meet Courtlyn Jones
Courtlyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was deciding to pivot from the creative industry into the fitness and wellness space—and choosing to take my healing into my own hands.
It might not sound like a traditional business risk, but it changed everything: my health, my identity, my leadership, and ultimately the trajectory of my work.
For over 14 years, I lived with rheumatoid arthritis—pushing through pain, chronic fatigue, and later, a thyroid cancer diagnosis—while building my first company, The Design Database. I was creating a platform for women in the arts, all while masking what I was going through physically…
Meet Courtlyn Jones
Hi Courtlyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2023, after being diagnosed with atlantoaxial instability and later tearing my hamstring in 2024 while training for my first marathon, I hit a breaking point. When physical therapy didn’t help, I decided to take my healing into my own hands. I got certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in personal training and corrective exercise and began rebuilding my body from the inside out.
That journey inspired The CRTLYN Edit, my podcast and newsletter where I share honest stories about healing, identity, and self-leadership. I also interview women athletes and changemakers, and create wellness content in partnership with brands like Magna, Pure Encapsulations, and now Athleta as one of their Creators…
Meet Courtlyn Jones
The most important factor behind my success has been my ability to keep showing up with honesty and intention—especially when things don’t go according to plan.
So much of my work has been built in seasons where I was healing, navigating uncertainty, or rebuilding from the ground up. I’ve learned that success isn’t about having the perfect strategy—it’s about staying connected to your “why,” even when the path shifts. For me, that “why” has always been about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to lead from exactly where they are.
Whether I was founding The Design Database to uplift women in the creative industry, or launching The CRTLYN Edit to explore what healing and leadership really look like in real time…
Meet Courtlyn Jones
Being the only one in the room is something I’ve grown used to—especially as a Black woman navigating the creative industry, the wellness space, and now, the fitness world. It’s never easy, but over time I’ve learned that my difference is not a disadvantage—it’s a depth. It’s a lens, a lived experience, and a strength that brings something to the table no one else can.
Early in my career, I tried to blend in. I softened my voice, I overachieved, I shrunk myself to fit into spaces that were never built for me. But chronic illness taught me that I don’t have the energy to pretend anymore. And leadership taught me that I don’t need to.
Now, I walk into those rooms knowing that my presence alone is powerful. I prepare deeply. I lead with clarity. I speak with care—but I speak. And when I feel small, I remind myself that someone else might feel seen because I chose to show up…
From Adversity to Advocacy: Courtlyn Jones' Mission for Inclusive Creativity
Courtlyn Jones, Founder and CEO of The Design Database, stands as a leading advocate and driving force for female and non-binary creatives.
The start of The Design Database stemmed from a significant personal and professional shift in Courtlyn's life. Achieving her long-awaited dream job in graphic design was abruptly overshadowed by a life-altering diagnosis of thyroid cancer. This unexpected event, combined with an environment that undervalued female creatives, sparked the crucial need for change. The solution emerged as The Design Database, an online community and job space dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive environment for women and non-binary individuals in the creative field…
Courtlyn Jones, Founder & CEO of The Design Database, Awarded for Excellence
Megan Bozzuto
Courtlyn, a passionate artist herself, found that the corporate world often stripped away the joy of creating art for her. Recognizing the undervaluation and isolation many women in the arts experience, she embarked on a mission to build a supportive community.
Courtlyn's path to founding The Design Database was shaped by several pivotal events, including her dissatisfaction with her corporate job as a graphic designer, a diagnosis of thyroid cancer, and a spiritual awakening. It was these life-changing moments that propelled her to seek a fulfilling path and help others do the same. She realized she loved designing and creating art but found true satisfaction working for herself or with clients who valued her talents.
One crucial turning point for Courtlyn was connecting with other women in the arts who shared their experiences and insights. This support network made her recognize her own value and potential…
5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Began Leading My Company
As part of our interview series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Courtlyn Jones.
Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey?
“Starting this journey was like stepping into a storm; the sleepless nights weren’t just a cliche — they were a reality. Anxiety attacks became consistent, and the weight of responsibility felt like a heavy cloak.
What made it tougher was the sense of isolation — feeling like those close to me were suddenly rooting against or doubting me. Trusting in my dream when others were telling me to wake up was a lonely, daunting road. It’s a different kind of challenge when the struggle isn’t just financial but feels personal, like a battle against doubt and external skepticism…
Female Founders: Courtlyn Jones of The Design Database On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman Founder
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Absolutely, there’s someone I am profoundly grateful for — my dear friend who ignited the spark that led to building this company. His unwavering belief in my ability to bring people together, coupled with constant inspiration to push beyond my limits, played a pivotal role in shaping my entrepreneurial journey.
He became a constant source of encouragement, challenging me to overcome fears and strive for greatness. It was his belief in my gift of fostering connections that ultimately motivated me to embark on the venture. For his enduring support and belief in my potential, I am immensely grateful…
In Her Own Words: LinkedIn + Kickstarter + determination = Courtlyn Jones, CEO
What happens when the job of your dreams turns into a nightmare? After a series of what she calls “life altering events,” including Covid-19, graphic designer Courtlyn Jones created a new vision for herself and built her own company.
In 2020, the world faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a year filled with uncertainty and upheaval, and for me, it marked the beginning of a transformative journey.
This is the story of how I, a graphic designer turned founder and CEO, overcame adversity, battled cancer, and emerged triumphant with the creation of The Design Database, a pioneering online community and job platform for female and non-binary creatives…
Daily Inspiration: Meet Courtlyn Jones
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One lesson I’ve learned is: It’s okay to pivot and you’re probably going to need to pivot many times throughout your entrepreneurial journey.
I’ve pivoted at least four times now and I am about to make my fifth pivot very soon. When you’re building a business, or anything new, you’re always testing things out and seeing what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes people keep seeing things aren’t working and they view that as failure, so instead of pivoting, they stop. I’ve learned that we are meant to face these challenges and keep pushing to find ways around them. Yes, sometimes it might be time to stop, but whenever I hit a roadblock, I just find a way to pivot and make it work. Nothing has stopped me yet…
High-Powered Women Share the Most Important Boundaries They’ve Ever Set (So You Can Set Them Too)
For many of us, setting boundaries isn’t second nature. Simultaneously, we may have also found out, sometimes the hard way, that doing so is an essential part of living a happy, well-balanced life.
Good news: If you’re feeling unsure about how and which boundaries to set, take inspiration from these 45 impressive women from the Dreamers & Doers collective. They shared the most trajectory-shifting boundaries they’ve set, enabling them to become the successful leaders they are today.
Whether it’s starting their days later, clearly communicating their work hours (and sticking to it!), or choosing to invest in themselves and their families, these inspiring women set lines that have transformed their work-life balance. These tips and strategies may be just the key you need to identify important boundaries for yourself…
Welcome to Bold Journey: Meet Courtlyn Jones
Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I love this question and it’s something that I’ve been more aware of these days. I was speaking about this recently on my podcast, “Fearless Narratives,” with my co-host Kia Minor and one of our guests. The topic of discussion was about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. I remember saying, “Whenever I enter a room, whether at a party or a conference, the FIRST thing I do is scan the room to see if there is another person of color.” We found out that day that all three of us do that. It’s a reflex.
As a young Black female entrepreneur, I have been put into more spaces where I am the only one who looks like me. It’s something I have also struggled with when I worked in corporate. I was the only Black person…
Meet Courtlyn Jones | Founder & CEO of The Design Database | Podcast Host & Creator of Fearless Narratives”
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I always credit my dad for encouraging me to pursue art, but my mom deserves this shoutout.
My mom has been my biggest supporter and best friend since Day 1. She’s shown up at every one of my art shows, never held back on her honest feedback when I showed her my portfolio pieces which helped me to get better every time, paid for my art supplies when I couldn’t afford them for school, and most importantly, she always hangs up my artwork to show how proud she is of my talent…
Exclusive Interview With Courtlyn Jones – Founder Of The Design Database
I love that it’s a support system. That’s a great way of describing it. We all need to support each other more. Tell us a little more about how your company provides to the community and who is your target audience?
I have founded The Design Database intending to provide Creatives with an environment that would nurture their growth and help them cultivate connections. I really wanted to build a place for Creatives to connect with other Creatives because no other freelance platform really offers that. It’s mostly about client and Creative connections instead. This allows Creatives to make new friends, find inspiration, gain mentorship, and support one another. The response so far proves that I am on the right path.
The Design Database aims to build a community where Creatives can build confidence in their craft and feel valued. The platform works as a marketplace for businesses and creative professionals to meet. Companies can easily reach out to the Creative that fits the role they want to fill…
Canvas Rebel Magazine: Meet Courtlyn Jones
Courtlyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am very proud of my work with The Design Database because it’s something that I wish I had when I was starting out as an artist. There are so many platforms out there today that prey on newbie artists and freelancers because we were never properly taught how to price our work correctly or know our worth. When I started out as a graphic designer working in the real-world, I quickly learned how unprepared I was because we weren’t taught in school anything about how to earn the right wages for our talent. We were taught mainly about how the creative industry is tough and we knew some of us would make it and most of us wouldn’t. I think it all falls under the “starving artist” narrative…
PODCASTS
VIDEOS
WEROC Fall 2022 Conference —
Salt Lake City, UT
Presenter: Courtlyn Jones, Founder & CEO of The Design Database, delivered a presentation to a room of investors and fellow entrepreneurs at the Women Entrepreneurs Realizing Opportunities for Capital (WEROC) conference in Utah.
Mind Your HeART Panel & Fundraiser — NYC
Panelist: Courtlyn Jones, founder of The Design Database, shares insights on the powerful connection between art and mental health during the Mind Your HeART panel and fundraiser in support of Tay-Sachs disease awareness.
2022 Inspirational Influencer Awards — Las Vegas, NV
Honoree: Courtlyn Jones, Founder & CEO of The Design Database, was awarded the Inspirational Influencer Award for Outstanding Woman Business Owner by the International Association of Women in Las Vegas, NV.
Marketing 2.0 Conference (2021) —
Las Vegas, NV
Honoree: Courtlyn Jones, CEO & Founder of The Design Database shares her experience on receiving the Outstanding Leadership Award, conferred at the Marketing 2.0 Conference held at The Mirage, Las Vegas, USA.