Meet Jesse Barney | Founding Partner of J&J AfterSchool LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Barney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
J&J AfterSchool LLC is an organization that was founded due to chance, passion, and seizing opportunity. Julia and I began working for The Home Team, a nonprofit organization that provides aftercare services in South Miami, in the Fall of 2022. We began as mentors, but we couldn’t help but see that there was more that we could be doing. The Home Team has long provided a STEM program and a Dance program at the Gibson-Bethel Community Center. As mentors, we would observe these programs, and began to recognize we could develop programs that would serve a greater benefit to the community. We approached our boss with the idea of becoming the independent contractors who would provide these programs, and from there, J&J was born. For the development of the STEM program, we surveyed the kids on the activities they wanted to take part in after school. We were overwhelmed with answers related to different sports, and soon after began developing our STEM Sports program. We construct 2-4 week units focusing on a specific sport and the STEM topics that correlate with it. Each session begins with a STEM-focused lesson, then a sport-focused activity that allows the students to connect what they have learned to the sport. In the dance program, we focus on developing confidence, listening, attention to detail, and teamwork. Students pick songs they like and learn a routine, progressing these skills without even realizing it. Our business has been able to teach kids various life skills in a fun and comforting environment, encouraging them to learn beyond the bell.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The work that Julia and I do has become a part of us. No matter the kind of day we have had, being able to make an impact on the community and individual children will put a smile on both of our faces. That does not mean that this journey has been, or is, easy. Julia and I are both full-time students at the University of Miami, making the balance of work, school, and personal life one that seems impossible at times. As young adults, there are a lot of things about starting a business we came in knowing nothing about, but that has never deterred us from continuing to strive for our goals. Our days have been booked minute to minute, leaving very little time to destress or take a step back. I am currently studying abroad and have had my first chance to take a step back since starting J&J. I’ve learned that it is okay to take a deep breath and not just work towards future goals, but also reflect upon and be actively proud of the things you have accomplished. This semester, Julia has taken the forefront of running the business from Miami, and I could not be prouder of her. She exemplifies all one would want in a partner: someone who is driven, passionate, responsible, intelligent, loyal, and strong. As we look to expand J&J in the future, I know that our strong partnership is what will carry us through and lead to great success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Miami is a city with so much to offer and a place I have been beyond lucky to call home for the past 3 years. If someone was visiting, during the day I would take them to Crandon Beach, the Blue Lagoon in Homestead, South Beach, shopping in Wynwood, and for a walk around Brickell Key. Merrick Park is another one of my favorite places to shop, with great coffee shops, and Sawa for a fun happy hour. The coffee shops I would take them too would mostly be in downtown Coral Gables, a place that is greatly underrated in my opinion. Madruga, Maman, Crema, Grou Coffee, Calista Coffee, and Pasion del Cielo are my top favorite coffee shops. I would take them to the Coconut Grove Farmers Market on Saturday for fun, eclectic shopping. A lot of my favorite places to go to dinner are in Coconut Grove, Sapore di Mare is my favorite!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
J&J AfterSchool LLC would not be possible without the continuous support of The Home Team, the Gibson-Bethel Community Center, and the South Miami community!

Instagram: jjafterschoolllc

Image Credits
Monet Gratitude Foundation

The City of South Miami