Chris Jones
Chris Jones
Journalist / Attorney / Creative Strategist
Downtown Los Angeles, CA
www.thechrisjones.co
instagram @swedishjones
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I forge meaningful connections, build community, and persuade and captivate through emotionally resonant stories.”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Walk to the edge. Leap. Enjoy the View. Land. Repeat.
The leap taking process is grounded in my desire to keep beginners mind. To go pro while preserving my amateur (for love) drive to explore, learn, and connect.
How do you stand out in your field?
I've squiggled more than most: across industries (journalism, law, and emerging companies) and geographies (20 cities/10 states/5 countries). It's curiosity taking me to people/places/things that fascinate. It's created a wide-ranging network and helped me foster some polymath and polyglot skills.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
1) a few longform freelance journalism pieces
2) launching a new design & collaboration co-op
3) expanding a new-school law firm (transparent, innovation-forward legal) to LA
4) media and marketing strategy for a handful of blockchain companies
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
Hipster/Surfer/Minimalist/All-American/Progressive/Eclectic. Always aspiring to be as dapper as Jeff Goldblum.
46.5k Likes, 722 Comments - Jeff Goldblum (@jeffgoldblum) on Instagram: "🎼 Blue Monk 🎶 🌐💎💠 @gq @nathanielwood @atvottero @johnny.hernandez.hair"
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Storytelling. So much of today's digital media is disposable and/or has a short half-life. I'm interested in long form stuff that's slow to create, painstakingly researched, and expertly crafted.
I wish I had more time to focus on these projects outside of the swirl of our swipe-happy, dopamine-addled brains.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Time. See above. See also Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh. Embracing the slashie, squiggly life is vortex-like. It's both the thrill and the challenge.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Cook, hands down. Especially if said person is bringing some Anthony Bourdain-level passion to the job. I'm an elite-level eater, and though I don't enjoy making the food, I do love consuming it and appreciating the artistry that goes into it and into my body. And that art transforms into the energy that fuels me, which feels dope.
518 Likes, 82 Comments - NLand Surf Park (@nlandsurfpark) on Instagram: "Are you ready to #makewaves? @nlandsurfpark opens Friday, May 12 for the 2017 season. Passes go..."
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Is it a DeLorean? Do we need roads where we're goin? I'd like to go back circa 1992 and just give little me a big hug. Little me did a great job at being a kid, even if he was hard on himself.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
String theory. Can that expert be Neil Tyson? Not so secretly, I think we'd be friends. You know, just sitting around, drinking "cosmically conceived" wines like Astralis while digging deep into the mysteries of life.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Media/Production/Journalism/Story. Also happy to help creative people and teams navigate the legal stuff. It's dry and boring but the legal stuff is sorta like going to the gym for your biz self.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Ideal is working with intelligent, smart, generous, creative humans.
The atmosphere is one of radical truth and transparency, where ideas are fostered and protected while they grow. It's a place where meaningful relationships thrive and meaningful work happens every day.
It's a place that celebrates the unique individual spirit while recognizing the strength of the group.
Finally, it's a job where everyone has autonomy, is masterful, and acts with purpose.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
$50-$80/hour ($100 for legal)
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email. Tell me your wildest dreams and how we can make them real. Gifs too. I'm partial to ones featuring Barry Obama.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Shut eyes. Dream. Open eyes. Do.
This member profile was originally published in June 2018.