Karlette’ Jones is Successfully Doing Business Her Way

Karlette’ Jones works tirelessly for her clients.

Image: AweInspiring Photography - Cecy Jimenez and Steven Hicks | MakeUp Artist: Shay Malone

To become a successful woman in business is one feat, but to do business your own way is the ultimate accomplishment. For Fort Worth native Karlette’ Jones – doing things her way has availed her to limitless opportunities.

By professional title, Jones is a publicist. K-Way Branding is her Marketing & Public Relations firm. For the soon-to-be 34 year old, however, she simply can’t limit herself to a single skill and area of expertise. To say she has made a name for herself in many realms of the entertainment industry would be the understatement of 2021.

Jones comes from a long line of both achievers and overcomers. The bubbly and ever-so charismatic woman who stands just five feet and a single inch knew when she was just three years old that she wanted to work in entertainment. In fact, at just three years old, she vividly recalls telling her mother that she wanted to work on the radio.

“Honestly, I lived in the radio in my mind,” laughs Jones. “By the time I got to high school, I was hosting all of the talent shows at Eastern Hills (High School).”

After both a long and courageous battle with illness, Jones’ mother passed away when the young Karlette’ was just five years old. She carries her mother’s relentless spirit and perseverance to this day and in every dynamic of her life. 

While many young people find fault with their changing bodies and voices, as a teenager Jones embraced her distinctive voice. She discovered that she had a sincere passion for talking. Radio only made sense.

There is jubilant youth in her voice.

After high school, Jones was all set to attend Texas Southern University. Her grandmother had already paid for her room and board. The college experience that high school seniors around the world long for awaited Jones just a freeway drive away. But then, as she watched television one afternoon – a commercial for American Broadcasting School appeared and that commercial would change the course of her life.

“Something told me that I needed to go to that school,” says Jones. “I needed to attend the American Broadcasting School.”  

While both the announcement and the determination took her grandmother by surprise, she didn’t stand in the way of her granddaughter’s conviction. The four-year college experience quickly became an afterthought.

Jones graduated from the broadcasting trade school the following June and was hired as a producer/board operator/personality at Dallas’ K104 radio station on August 31.

While attending American Broadcasting School, Jones met Alistair Square. The two would become great friends and colleagues. It was actually Square who got her the position at K104. They would both go on to excel at service broadcasting.

“K104 immediately became my family,” Jones recalls. “They started calling me Big Booty Judy right away.”

The affectionate nickname stuck and Jones would soon learn that K104 was a true way into the industry that she long craved to excel in. She was just 19 years old and found herself tasked with many different and exciting assignments for the company. More important than any of her duties, Jones would immediately learn the value in building relationships.

“K104 opened my eyes to opportunities I never even thought possible for myself,” Jones admits. “I started modeling for Expressions and even did runway walks for full-figured women. I did club promotions for the station. Cat Daddy (K104 personality) taught me how to earn money promoting in club venues. Pearl, Nate Quick and everyone there never stopped telling me that I had a future in the business.”

Over the years, Jones went on to work for DFW iRadio, where her notable 2010 interview with rapper Waka Flocka Flame would expand her reach in the industry.  The rapper took a liking to her interview style and invited her to come party after the interview. Jones didn’t make it to that party, however, because she had to prepare for a final exam.

In 2010, Jones embarked on another venture – she enrolled at the Art Institute of Fort Worth.

“Honestly, all of my friends had degrees and I felt like I needed one,” says Jones. “I attended the Art Institute for Fashion Marketing, while having three jobs.”

Former club promotion company - Men of Business was one of the jobs. Jones also worked for various crowd-holders. She even became a substitute teacher. In spite of the busy schedule, Jones graduated from the Art Institute in 2014.

With the new degree and the growing radio résumé – there was still an itch Jones had yet to scratch. All of her interests and talents were soon to beautifully collide in the world of public relations.

Jones decided to start her own company. She began agonizing over the name, researching catch phrases and sayings in French.

One day, her cousin Cambrielle grew tired of Jones’ obsessing over the name and yelled out “just name it K-WAY – you’re always saying you like to do things your way, so just name it K-Way.”

“When Cambrielle said that, all I remember is yelling out BRANDING,” laughs Jones. “I said I’d call it K-Way Branding.”

That was 2015. K-Way Branding became an official business in 2016. Jones specializes in event planning, works with media outlets and secures limitless opportunities for exposure and bookings for her clients.

While the stars appear to have aligned in business, Jones has had many personal feats to overcome. She survived a difficult four-year battle with Graves Disease and has lost nearly 300 pounds during her fight. At one point, she got so sick that she couldn’t walk. While substitute teaching, her legs literally stopped functioning.

“I had to crawl to the restroom,” Jones recalls. “The assistant principal had to physically help me.”

Soon, she found herself unable to eat or keep any food down. Jones decided it was time to work out and regain control of her life. In 2019, a good friend challenged her to fast and meditate. Jones went 71 days without bread and social media.

“That fast was only supposed to last 15 days, but I saw the good it was doing in my life,” says Jones.  

After the fast, Jones attended the 2019 BET Awards. Soon after that, she got a call to attend the Soul Train Awards. And then there was the opportunity to put on an after-party with Globe Vision Inc. at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

“I actually got to attend all of the award shows,” Jones explains. “The call I got told me that someone referred me, but they wouldn’t tell me who – they just wanted me there and that meant the world to me.”

Jones’ life has been a beautiful whirlwind. Her grandmother and her aunt raised her. Her father is her best friend. She is adamant that no matter where life takes her, she will take care of her family.

“My family doesn’t always understand what I do, but they support me,” she says. “I’m not exactly where I want to be, but I’ve come so far. I grew up in Stop Six and I’ll never forget Stop Six. My mother made sure that I had the right people around me and they have done right by me in every way.” 

Like most 30 somethings surviving a pandemic, Jones still struggles with decisions and indecision, but the people around her always humble her perspective on life.

“My uncle went blind and lost his legs. When he passed away he was close to receiving his master’s degree. I use that daily as motivation,” she says. “If this man could work everyday, go to class and not complain – what’s stopping me? My entire family accepted his degree after he passed away.”

One day soon, Jones hopes to begin an internship specifically for minorities interested in advertising, broadcasting, communications and public relations. She also hopes to work with respective nonprofit organizations to bring awareness to Diabetes, Graves Disease and Kidney Disease.

Networking helped Jones put her foot in the door. The radio experience gave her confidence. Her sincere passion for talking and for the well being of people will continue to propel her to new heights.

“Everyone is family to me - not clients, so I vow to be genuine with everyone,” she says. “If we rocking, I’m rolling.”