An inspiring author shares their journey from a simple dream about a fairy, owl, and horse to publishing two beloved children's books on Amazon and Audible, reminding readers that courage and kindness transform small ideas into extraordinary adventures.
Influential Woman · Children's Publishing
Jonelle Mccaffrey
Author, Children's Publishing
Deltona, FL 32725
Her Story
About Jonelle
Jonelle McCaffrey is a children's author, beauty industry professional, and community volunteer whose work is dedicated to inspiring confidence, kindness, and resilience in children. She specializes in writing engaging children's stories that deliver meaningful life lessons through memorable characters, including a fairy, an owl, and a horse. Her growing collection of books including Mary Fairy, Baby Hootie, and Daisy Become Friends is available through major online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with select titles also offered on Audible, where she serves as the narrator. Having launched her writing career in October, McCaffrey is currently completing her fourth children's book as she continues to expand her literary portfolio.
Before embarking on her journey as an author, McCaffrey built an accomplished career spanning nearly five decades in the beauty and retail industry. Beginning as a licensed hairdresser, she earned recognition for her exceptional sales leadership and customer service expertise. She successfully led an Estée Lauder cosmetics counter in Orlando to its first $1 million in sales and later opened Sally Beauty Supply Store #2566, helping establish it as a million-dollar location during its formative years. Throughout her career, she also mentored and trained sales professionals, sharing proven techniques in customer engagement, retail operations, and business development that contributed to sustained organizational success.
McCaffrey credits her professional achievements to the positive values instilled by her upbringing and to the resilience she developed while overcoming significant personal challenges, including surviving two battles with cancer. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is deeply committed to community service through the Orlando chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit organization that builds and delivers beds to children in need. She hopes to establish a chapter in Volusia County through her church to further expand the organization's impact. Whether through her books, volunteer service, or mentorship, McCaffrey remains dedicated to spreading love, kindness, compassion, and optimism, empowering young readers to develop confidence, overcome adversity, and embrace the importance of helping others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jonelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the positive foundation I received growing up in a loving, active, and supportive home. Those early experiences instilled in me the values of optimism, resilience, compassion, and perseverance, which have guided me throughout my life and career. As an adult, I have faced significant challenges, including overcoming two battles with cancer, but those experiences strengthened my determination rather than defining me. I believe the happiness and strong values cultivated during my childhood have given me the ability to overcome adversity, embrace opportunities with a positive attitude, and dedicate my work to encouraging and inspiring others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received was to maintain a positive attitude and understand how to connect sales with the genuine needs and wants of each customer. Throughout my career, I learned that successful selling is about listening, building trust, and demonstrating the value of a product or service in a way that addresses a customer's specific needs while creating a desire for the benefits it provides. This philosophy became the foundation of my coaching approach, enabling me to mentor others in delivering exceptional customer experiences and achieving meaningful sales success through integrity and relationship-building.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering this industry to maintain a positive mindset and believe in their ability to succeed. Every career will include challenges, setbacks, and times when goals or quotas are not met, but those moments should be viewed as opportunities to learn and grow rather than reasons to give up. Stay persistent, continue moving forward, and remain committed to your goals. Success is built through consistency, resilience, and a willingness to keep improving. You never know what opportunities or achievements may be waiting just around the next corner.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is learning how to effectively market and promote books in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Many aspiring authors begin writing with a focus on creating great stories, but they often do not realize that becoming a successful author requires much more than writing alone. Building an audience, developing a personal brand, engaging with readers, and navigating marketing and distribution channels are all essential components of the profession. At the same time, these challenges present tremendous opportunities for growth. The ability to connect directly with readers through digital platforms, audiobooks, events, and social media has expanded what it means to be an author, creating exciting new avenues to share stories and make a meaningful impact.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are love, kindness, compassion, and maintaining a positive outlook. I believe that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone's life, and I strive to reflect those values in everything I do. Through my work, especially my children's books, I hope to encourage young readers to develop confidence, embrace positivity, and approach life with optimism from an early age. I believe that helping children build a strong foundation of positive attitudes empowers them to overcome challenges, treat others with respect, and grow into compassionate, resilient individuals.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Jonelle
A volunteer shares their meaningful journey delivering beds to children in need across Orlando, Florida, honoring their son's legacy while providing safe, comfortable homes for vulnerable children experiencing family hardship.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.