7 of 31|Rochelle Jones| Faribault, Minnesota | Deaf Women Herstory Month 2020

Image description: A white woman smiling with light brown hair in a ponytail stand in front of the garden. Photo credit: Nathan Schwartz.

Bio :

Rochella (Johnson) Jones was raised in two locations: north and south of Minnesota. Every summer, she along with her older four siblings live on an organic farm in the north and then they live where Deaf school is located in the south (Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf) during school in session. Her Deaf parents used a holistic approach and grew organic vegetables/fruits as a natural lifestyle but at that time, there was no such terms as “holistic” or “organic” until 2002. Nevertheless, Rochella was living as she knows it; practicing a natural lifestyle using no medicines, choosing superfoods, herbs and natural supplements instead. She thought everyone was doing the same thing until much later! 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Gallaudet University in 2007. She got married and worked for her parents’ business, Living Food Farm, in customer support and research. For four years, she was editing the farm’s bi-monthly newsletter and working with hundreds of customers. Rochella knew educating others about health and wellness in American Sign Language (ASL) for Deaf community was a definite passion of hers. 

Rochella then moved to Faribault with her husband and became a holistic nutrition consultant, certified by the accredited American College of Healthcare Sciences. It was this experience, along with formal training, that led Rochella to establish 5 Wellness, LLC (2014). Recently, Rochella celebrated her 5 years in business. In five years, she edited over 300 videos in ASL related to holistic and healthy lifestyle on her 5 Wellness’ YouTube channel. She is making and selling Mom’s Strawberry in honor of her mom who passed away unexpectedly in 2015. Her proud moments were established Blue Organic Kitchen to share her healthy and organic recipes on Instagram. Later, she was interviewed by Melissa Yingst with Melmira in the summer of 2019. Rochella is not just an entrepreneur but also as a volunteer for her local Deaf community. She used the time to volunteer at Deaf school for a variety of events. She has also become a director for the Faribault Deaf Club organization, helped established a new website, deaf seniors to meet monthly, host events for families, and ASL Night Out in Faribault. In her spare time, she loves reading books, hiking with her lovable yellow labradors, petting her hens in the backyard and spending time with her family. 
For the year of 2020, Rochella wishes to see everyone not to believe what their brain says. You are beautiful inside and outside. You are enough and you are loved. She also wishes to see people respect others with their healthy journey whether they are eating keto, paleo, vegan, plant-based diets or not on a diet at all. Just be grateful and be happy with your life choices. Accept the accountability of your actions. Make peace with your past, present and future. Her favorite quote, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen” -Winston Churchill