From homeless teenager to successful entrepreneur

DOUG SCHRODER PHOTO The Gazette
Justin Jones at his booth last week during the Winnebago County Fair. Jones has come a long way from his beginning in life to get where he is.

By Doug Schroder
CORRESPONDENT
Last week during the Winnebago County Fair you might have seen Pecatonica resident Justin Jones at his Edward Jones booth in Moss Hall at the fairgrounds. He was there to give information out, and attract new customers in to his newfound career of choice as a financial advisor.
It is the third different career change for the 34-year old. Jones had already built up and sold two successful businesses. The first business was a company that took care of foreclosed properties, the second being a pizza restaurant. These days he is using the knowledge he has gained from owning those businesses to help people make sound financial decisions with their money. It is a long, long ways away from the time in Jones’ life when he was a homeless teenager with nary two coins to rub together.
Jones life growing up in Pecatonica was pretty much normal. He lived with his mom and dad and did things kids in Pec usually do. During his 8th grade year his mother told the family that she had won a lawsuit she was involved in and had received a large sum of cash. Life seemed good to Jones.
That all changed shortly before his freshman year of high school was to start, when Jones’ mother was arrested after robbing a bank, the second of two bank robberies she ended up being convicted for.
It was his father’s birthday and Justin and his parents were coming home from Freeport, with Justin and his dad in one vehicle, and his mother following along in another vehicle. As they approached Pec Corners Justin and his dad noticed that Mrs. Jones had been pulled over. The two had already turned to go into Pec, but then doubled back to Rt. 20 to see what was happening. By this time eight or nine police vehicles had surrounded Mrs. Jones’ vehicle. Mr. Jones parked and exited his vehicle, leaving Justin inside. Justin looked in the driver’s side rear view mirror and saw his father being taken to the ground by police officials. Justin then looked into the passenger side rear view mirror and saw the SWAT team with guns drawn coming at his side of the car. To his horror he was yanked out of the car and roughly put on the ground. From there he was transported to a holding cell, but then was left alone there for 10 hours when officials forgot about him.
Even with all the turmoil going in his life, Jones was able to get his first job at 14-years of age, working at Cimino’s Restaurant in Pecatonica. Despite a rocky start on the first day on the job when he was injured in a fall and required an ER visit, that first job would lead to many bigger and better things to come for Jones in his life.
Jones’ return to school his freshmen year was not a good one. The stares, the comments made by other students, and the rumors abounding were a bit much to take for Jones.
As the school year progressed things at home did not get any better for Jones. His mother’s trial was going on, his dad lost his job, the family lost about everything. Jones found himself homeless. He never had to sleep outside, as he always found a place to stay a night or two from anybody who wanted to help.
Jones felt like giving up more than once. He attempted suicide two times between his freshman and sophomore years.
Through it all Jones stayed in school, but not without problems. He got in fights, and spent a lot of time in the Principal’s office.
Jones also continued working at Cimino’s restaurant during that time, where he watched and learned many things about life and business from owner Frank Cimino. Jones remains close to the Cimino family to this day.
“I didn’t realize it at the time what Frank was teaching me,” said Jones.
Around midway through Jones’ junior year he found a steady home. Amy Peil, a school social worker for the Winnebago County co-op, took him in and mentored him. She gave him guidance and support and life got much better for Jones.
Jones attributes his success in life to listening and following the mentors he has had along the way.
“I stayed away from drugs, too,” he added.
Jones lives in Pecatonica with his wife and three children.
Jones summed up his situation now in a paragraph.
“It doesn’t matter where you came from. You don’t have to be the richest guy in town to be successful. I found a job that I love to do, where I can help people. I feel everything I’ve learned in life has led me to this point,” said Jones.