12/13/2023
Read the story of Pec resident Justin Jones and how he went from being homeless to owning, and then selling, multiple businesses, building a real estate portfolio from the ground up all on his own and now becoming a Financial Advisor
From homeless teenager to successful entrepreneur
By Doug Schroder
CORRESPONDENT
“Ted Jones Entrepreneurial Award” 🏆
“Edward Jones Sr. Founders Award” 🏆
“Spirit of Partnership Award” 🏆
Top asset gathering 🏆
Largest account in the region for 2021. 🏆
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. Life seemed good to Jones.
That all changed shortly before his freshman year of high school was to start, when Jones' mother ran into problems, his father lost his job, and family life fell apart. Jones was left abandoned, living anywhere he could, with no place to call home, and really know money as a 14 yr old kid.
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 about his family life and strugfles were a bit much to take for Jones.
As the school year progressed things at home did not get any better for Jones. The family lost just about everything, and 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.
Through it all Jones stayed in school, but not without problems. He wasn't the best student and conflicts sometimes arose with other students.
"I thank the teachers and my big brother, Jason, for helping me to stick with school and graduate. My senior year I ended up on the honor role," said Jones.
Jones felt like giving up more than once. Nick Cimino, one of Frank Cimino's sons, was another mentor for Jones, and Nick always told him to keep going and never give up.
"Nick's encouragement was important to me and my future success," said Jones.
Nick was integral in helping Jones obtain some rental properties in Pec. Before that Nick also assisted Jones by teaching him how to open a checking account and be smart with his money.
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 also him. She gave him guidance and support, and life got much better for Jones.
"She put her job on the line for me. Amy couldn't stand to see me struggle anymore. The first day she picked me up, she gave me a wallet with gift cards and took me shopping for some much-needed items. I'll never forget her and her husband, Dave, and what they did for me," recalled Jones.
Jones attributes his success in life to listening and following the mentors he has had along the way. The deaths of a few close life-long friends in the past few years pushed Jones to make the final decision to become a financial advisor.
"I saw life differently after my friends passed away. I want to give back and help others with life decisions and reaching their goals," stated Jones
Jones lives in Pecatonica with his wife, Maribeth, and three children; Kayleigh, Andrew and Nick. Nick is named after Nick Cimino.
Jones summed up his situation now in a paragraph.
"It doesn't matter where you came from. You don't have start out as 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.
STRENGTH DOES NOT COME FROM WINNING. YOUR STRUGGLES DEVELOP YOUR STRENGTHS. WHEN YOU GO THROUGH HARDSHIPS AND DECIDE NOT TO SURRENDER, THAT IS STRENGTH. -Arnold Schwarzenegger
