Mentor Spotlight: Abigail Jones

As Abigail Jones says, “During East Coast hours, I serve as the Chief Operating Officer at Southleft, LLC , and during Pacific Coast hours, I’m the Executive Director at the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans .” Between leading meetings with stakeholders to drive alignment on organizational development strategies, Jones also serves as a mentor at the University of California, San Diego - Rady School of Management StartBlue Entrepreneur Accelerator. Jones’ areas of expertise include product development, organizational change management, technological advancement, and ocean health progress.?

She operates these initiatives under Lead With Abigail, her business consulting practice where she provides executive leadership coaching and customized business strategy and operations consulting to digital services agencies and educational leaders in for-profit and nonprofit companies.

The Basement spoke with Jones to learn more about her studies, her work, and what she gains from being a mentor.?

What led you to transition from a focus in Linguistics Sociology to business and Organizational Development?

I was frustrated by the real-world impact of social science research: collectively, we know better but we don’t do better. To maximize my contributions, I learned how to speak business so I could help drive positive change for a greater number of people. As I immersed myself in the culture of commerce, I became fascinated by the number of real-world applications of human-centered mindset that could apply immediately in business and leadership thanks to my collegiate education.?

What drove you to become an entrepreneur??

Terrible managers, a desire for autonomy, and an insatiable hunger to contribute meaningfully. Starting at age 16, I encountered a series of ineffective bosses who kept me wondering what I could do if I were unhindered by pointless, micromanaging policies and a lack of faith in my potential.?

Once I got a taste of the flexibility and freedom entrepreneurship afforded me, I was further propelled by the power to focus my strengths toward causes I cared about. Starting in 2016, mentoring at The Basement and teaching at Rady’s StartR Veteran program solidified my dedication to staying an active member of San Diego's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.?

What is Southleft LLC, and what do you do for them?

Southleft, LLC is a boutique front-end web design and development company specializing in building large-scale design systems for innovative organizations and digital teams. Our team covers everything front-end, from UX strategy and design to template and CMS development, as well as back-end integration.?

As COO, I oversee Southleft's business operations, project management, and people development. I work closely with our CEO to optimize the company for growth while maintaining our strong culture and quality of work. I'm focused on evolving our offerings, leveling up our talent, and delivering excellent client experiences at scale.

What drove you to work at the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans??

My deep connection to the ocean and reckoning with personal responsibility in the climate crisis. As a new UC San Diego grad, I developed close friendships within the Scripps community and made the ocean an integral part of my identity through daily swims and multi-mile SwimRun training sessions.?

I became increasingly heartbroken as I witnessed the deterioration of beloved ecosystems like the Sierras and the Great Barrier Reef. So, when the La Jolla legend Mary Munk invited me to lead the Foundation and expand its impact, I jumped at the opportunity to apply my skills in strategy, operations, and leadership to support science, education, and conservation. If I can help save the ecosystem that unites humans across boundaries, the place on earth I feel most at home, I can sleep better at night knowing I’m actively working as part of an interconnected solution.?

What can companies do to help oceans and address the climate crisis?

Companies can protect oceans and combat climate change by taking a holistic approach to their operations. They can raise awareness about the environmental impact of their value chains, seek ocean-positive certifications like those offered by the Sustainable Ocean Alliance , and invest in a circular economy to minimize waste. Additionally, companies can support ocean policy initiatives, such as the Blue New Deal, and engage in community outreach by partnering with local organizations to raise awareness about ocean conservation and climate action. By implementing these strategies, companies can drive systemic change and build a more sustainable future.

What was a pivotal piece of advice you received from a mentor?

The late George Eiskamp shared a story as we climbed to the top of Bishops Pass in the Sierras. It was a proverb with the punchline, “There are diamonds at your feet.” This sentiment reminds me to pause, take a breath, and look at the resources you have access to now and the ecosystem you’re a part of in gratitude first, before you get overwhelmed by all that needs to change.?

When I think of this phrase, I smile, breathe, and am able to move forward in my day with a bit more pep in my step.

What are some key qualities you think every entrepreneur should possess?

A fellow former outdoor leadership coach wrote a book called Eating Glass , referencing Elon Musk’s quote about the journey of entrepreneurship as an excruciating, incomprehensible endeavor. Entrepreneurship can be a painful rollercoaster with a feast-or-famine lifestyle, so you've got to be fueled by passion and able to tolerate strong discomfort.?

Any other advice for young entrepreneurs?

1. Fall in love with the problem you're trying to solve, not your proposed solution.
2. Stay laser-focused on creating value for your stakeholders.
3. Re-humble yourself often so you can be open enough to pivot your approach based on data and realities.
4. It's not about being right, it's about making something that meaningfully improves people's lives or the world we live in.?
5. This one is from my yoga teaching days : Invert often. In other words, put your heart above your head to remember what part of your body is most important to lead with.??
6. ?Remember and thank all the people who have your back every chance you get.?