We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Jones (most People Know Me As Mj) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I view risk as a pretty important part of growing, both personally and professionally. It’s about purposely stepping outside your comfort zone, accepting that you don’t know what’ll happen, and trusting yourself to handle whatever comes up. A big moment for me was moving from Missouri to Florida when I was 20. Leaving everything familiar to chase something new was definitely risky, but it made me tougher, more resourceful, and I learned a lot about myself. I thought I had my whole life planned out and then life throws you curve balls and you have to learn how to pivot, which means sometimes jumping into the unknown, letting go of needing total control and have trust in a bigger better plan then you could ever dream of. My move to Fort Lauderdale was totally impulsive—once I made the decision to go, I was living there within two months! And then, two years later, I moved to the Florida Keys, and the whole thing, from decision to actually moving, I did in just two weeks! These spur-of-the-moment moves were risky, for sure, but they felt incredibly exciting. The thrill of the new adventure, and the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead was way bigger than any fear, and each time, my gut feeling turned out to be right. These experiences have really driven home the idea that sometimes the best growth comes from trusting your instincts and embracing the uncertainty of taking a chance.

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.
My paintings and illustrations are a vibrant reflection of the energy of the Keys and its deep connection to nature. I use bold, bright colors to capture the whimsical magic of this place, aiming to instantly transport viewers to this island paradise. My journey has been an internal battle. Initially, I struggled with self-doubt, comparing myself to other talented artists and questioning my place. There were times I almost gave up too.

The turning point came when I started seeing art in everything – gardening, cooking, fishing, even life itself in this beautiful setting. Instead of trying to conform to preconceived notions of “art,” I embraced what inspired me. Experimenting with natural elements and watercolors, I found my stride over the last five years, developing a style that truly resonates with me.

My artistic expression has now even expanded beyond the canvas. I create video and audio content – to share the Keys’ energy with others through YouTube videos and podcast interviews. This evolution reflects a deeper personal transformation. Once a shy girl from the Midwest, I’ve shed the weight of expectations, embracing my intuition as my compass. The liberating energy of these islands has been instrumental in this journey of self-discovery. The possibilities feel endless. My brand, my art, the story I want to share is about embracing life’s vibrant energy, following your intuition, and discovering the art in every aspect of your life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
After picking them up from the airport, our first stop on our way to the Keys would be Robert is Here Fruit Stand. I love to make homemade meals, drinks and snacks when I have guests in town and so we’d pick out lots of beautiful fresh local ingredients as well as indulge in one of their famous milkshakes or smoothies. The week would be full of exploring and connecting with nature. We’d spend a few days paddle boarding the mangrove creek trails at a few of my favorite spots, John Pennekamp State park as well as at Long Key state park. Another day we would take the boat out to Alligator Reef Lighthouse for some snorkeling and then for lunch we would pull up dockside to one of the waterfront dining establishments, my go to is the Islamorada Fish Company. In the evening we would grab drinks and catch a beautiful Islamorada sunset on the beach at Morada Bay Beach cafe. Dinner at the Square Grouper is definitely a must! And if we are lucky enough to have a full moon during their visit then we most definitely will have dinner ocean side at Lazy Days in Islamorada to watch the moon rise up over the ocean – it’s absolutely magical! On one of the day we would go down to the Lower Keys for a fruit grove tour at Grimal Grove in Big Pine Key, have lunch at the iconic No Name Pub and then spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach at Bahia Honda State Park. Then you’ve always got to do at least one day in Key West. We would take the conch train tour first thing and then walk the streets of old town and pop in and out of all the quaint boutiques and galleries and admire all the historic homes. I like having lunch at the historic seaport, great atmosphere, lots of good dining options and a fun to place to people watch. To top it all off, we would end the day by taking the ferry over to Sunset Key for a fancy dinner and drinks at Latitudes – the sunset views there are unbelievable!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my parents. Their unwavering support and belief in me, and my crazy big dreams, have been the foundation of everything I’ve accomplished. Watching them build and run a successful electrical contracting business, that helped shaped the northern suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri, instilled in me the entrepreneurship spirit. Owning my own business one day was always my goal, but my many passions made it hard to choose a single path. 2024, I finally embraced that multi-passionate side of myself and dove headfirst into everything that brought me joy. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to discover how those passions align with the people I’m meant to serve and I am excited to see where 2025 takes me. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for showing me the way, for always seeing my potential, even when I doubted myself, and for teaching me the value of hard work and perseverance.

Website: https://linktr.ee/mjsellingparadise

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mjsellingparadise and www.instagram.com/art31studios

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mjsellingparadise

Image Credits
Jen White(the professional profile picture)
Sheri Griffin (the photo of me instructing the girl coconut painting)

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