I opened Erin Jones LLC in 2017, after working in K-12 education for 25 years and losing my bid for State Superintendent (by less than 1%). I started consulting in the areas of teacher education, student inspiration and diversity•equity•inclusion for government agencies and non-profits. I was a solo act. Most of my consulting work happened on the west side of the state of Washington, somewhere along the I-5 corridor. I took phone calls from prospective clients. I filled out contracts and managed my schedule. I drove myself to every locations, no matter the distance. I presented for an hour…or five, and then I drove home. 

I was doing good work, but I was exhausted.

During that time, a dear friend from my church was watching and concerned about the amount of time I was driving on my own in the dark, after long hours of speaking and training. This friend loves to drive and offered to be my driver whenever I had events that were far away. She drove me once…and then a second time. One day, just weeks later, we had the same idea – what if she could become part of the team and work as my full-time companion? I had no idea how I was going to pay my friend, but we both decided to throw caution to the wind. 

In March of 2018, Ty Shadlow officially joined the Erin Jones LLC team. At first, she was my driver and companion. After watching me try to prepare for presentations and then deliver them, she realized she could use her administrative skills to support me as well. She became my administrative assistant, driver, and companion.

Although, like most businesses, we were severely impacted when COVID hit, once things opened up again, we became busier than ever. I wasn’t traveling as much, but contracts were becoming frequent and more complicated.

Over the next couple years, Ty would pass along tasks to a young woman she was mentoring, who lived in an extra bedroom in her house. By 2022, the work was so great, we added that mentee, Kali Boyle, to our team. If you have scheduled an event with me in the last two years, you have likely interacted with Kali, who has now taken on many of the administrative tasks and who has now become my primary driver. Ty has transitioned to a manager role and does the heavy lifting of ensuring taxes are filed and paid, contracts are delivered and all trains are running on time.

Flash forward to 2024…

Always in the background, providing insights and offering suggestions (as well as serving as driver and companion on occasion), was Ty’s middle child, Hannah Shadlow, who I have known since she was a little girl. Just this summer, Hannah joined our team to support our social media efforts with her youthful perspective and graphic arts talents.

Without these three, I could not be my best self. To each one, I am grateful for the commitment, passion and love they bring to my work each day.

Meet the Erin Jones Dreams team: 

Ty Shadlow, Manager

Kali Boyle, Executive Services Administrator and Personal Assistant

Hannah Shadlow, Social Media Director and Graphic Design Specialist