Choose To Be Extraordinary with Kris Jones

michelleraeconway
Jul 16
3 min read

Updated: Jul 17

Kris Jones is a cool dude.

I thought a lot about how I wanted to introduce him, but honestly, this sums it up best: Kris Jones is just super cool.

He’s wildly accomplished and refreshingly down-to-earth. The kind of person who makes you go, “Wait… how are you even real?”

Spoiler alert: he is.

In this week’s episode of The Orange Butterfly Effect, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Kris, a serial entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, philanthropist, and all-around good human. You might know him from Pepperjam (which he sold), Special Guest App (which he co-founded with Damon Wayans Jr.), or his most recent book, The Entrepreneur’s Exit Playbook.

But here’s the thing that stood out most in our conversation:

(1) He hasn’t lost touch with the human side of entrepreneurship.

(2) He is the real deal.

Kris is the guy who shows up. Who pours into others. Who’s proudly raising a family in NEPA and staying rooted in the community that shaped him.

He’s a family man. A giver. One of the good ones.

And you know what I think makes Kris the coolest of all? He’s made service a part of his legacy.

Can you tell I’m fired up? Because I am.

Watch this episode and you’ll catch me grinning the entire time. (Couldn’t help it.)

And hey, if you’re a Northeast PA local? This one will make you extra proud.

What if today is the day that you choose to be extraordinary?

Okay, but most importantly, how does this relate to you?

You don’t have to wait to be extraordinary. What? Yup. Kris reminded us of that. You don’t need a title, a bestselling book, or a company to serve. You just need to start with what you have (your gifts), where you are, and a heart to give.

Extraordinary isn’t some far-off destination reserved for a select few. It’s a choice you make, day by day. It’s showing up when it’s easier not to. It’s offering your time, your energy, or your encouragement.

Hold the door. Send the text. Share the idea. Encourage the dream. That’s how it begins.

So maybe today’s the day you stop waiting for permission and start trusting that you already have everything you need to make a difference, right here, right now.

And you know what happens when you start showing up for others?

It serves you too.

Here is my invitation for you this week:

What’s one thing you can do today to serve someone else? Just one thing.

Behind the Mic:

This episode is a special one for me.

I first met Kris when I was a student working at Wilkes University. He was my “Wait, people like this exist?” person. The “If he can do that… maybe I can too?” kind of inspo.

Now, as our paths cross again, I’m reminded that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be and deeply grateful for the energy, encouragement, and goodness that lives in this community. Life is cool.

Oh, and The Entrepreneur’s Exit Playbook rocks!

It’s officially been added to my “If you're an entrepreneur, you must read this” list, right alongside:

Business Plans That Work

The Mom Test