Alix Jones lives by a simple rule: If you treat people with kindness, you make a good impression that can be paid forward to others.
Jones is an ad executive for the Daily American Republic, which has been her home base of operations for approximately 10 years.
“I’m originally from Myrtle, Missouri. It’s a small town right on the border of Arkansas,” she explained. “I like to just tell people I’m from Arkansas; because if I say or do anything silly they won’t question it.”
Her first eight years with the DAR were spent working downstairs in Insta Print. But former advertising director Christy Pierce would not stop bothering her about a career change.
“She insisted that I would be really good at selling advertising,” Jones recalled. “She was very persistent.”
Eventually, curiosity got the better of Jones and she decided to give it a chance. When she did, she found that Pierce’s belief in her was correct. At one point, she decided to apply her sales ability to radio advertising sales, but that was during the pandemic. Jones said it didn’t take long for her to miss her work family at the DAR.
“It really does feel like a family to me,” Jones remarked. “Sometimes it feels like more than a job.”
Though she enjoys working in sales, Jones isn’t one to waste time. When she isn’t at the office, she has two other businesses of her own to run.
“I have a spray tan business and a cleaning business,” Jones explained. “The cleaning business is the busiest. I have a different client every day of the week. Except for on weekends, because I love being on the river.”
Jones has a passion for being on boats and a newly found love of jet boats whenever the opportunity arises. She also loves to play basketball and generally stay busy.
“Staying busy keeps me out of trouble,” she laughed.
Jones originally imagined herself working in the fashion industry but she said she is happy with where her life is at this point in time.
“I like what I do because I like to make other people happy,” she explained. “I like help provide a sense of value for other people and make them feel better. I believe that happiness is a choice and life can be difficult, but you have to choose not to let it weigh you down. Even when I’m not happy, I try to smile.”
Jones said she is looking forward to the challenges that will come with focusing more on the digital side of the newspaper industry.
“I believe we provide value to our customers and we have to change what we’re doing in order to give the most service to the public,” she noted. “Change can be a good thing. We don’t want to leave anyone behind, but we also must adapt.”