Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Jones.
Hi Deborah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My career path has been so far from a straight line that it’s a stretch to call it a line at all. It’s been more like a scribble, with each curve driven by an opportunity to learn something new, help people, or tackle a challenge. Basically, I’ve collected experiences that looked more like random puzzle pieces than a career plan. Looking back, though, those pieces fit together better than I ever could have imagined.
Early in my career, I developed a passion for understanding how people think, learn, and make decisions. That curiosity led me to work as a research analyst, university instructor, corporate instructional designer, and consultant. While the work varied, a common thread emerged: helping people solve problems, improve performance, and navigate change.
As I worked with more organizations, I began noticing a common challenge. People were spending an incredible amount of time on manual processes, repetitive tasks, and searching for information instead of focusing on the work that actually moved their organizations forward. The problem was especially evident in nonprofits, where passionate teams were tackling complex community challenges while operating with limited staff, limited resources, and systems that couldn’t keep up with their mission.
I found myself drawn to helping these organizations build capacity. Not because they lacked talent or commitment, but because they often lacked the infrastructure and systems needed to support sustainable growth. I realized that the right processes, data, and technology could help nonprofit organizations spend less time managing chaos and more time creating impact.
That realization eventually led me to found C.U. Bluum. My goal was to make automation, data, and technology more accessible, practical, and human-centered. I believe technology should support people, not replace them, and that even small organizations deserve access to the tools and insights that help larger organizations operate effectively.
Today, I exclusively work with nonprofits to build intelligent systems that streamline operations, improve decision-making, and create capacity for growth. What started as helping organizations solve individual workflow problems has evolved into helping leaders build the infrastructure they need to scale sustainably.
All in all, my scribble of a career path has taught me that meaningful growth isn’t just about working harder — it’s about creating systems that allow people and organizations to grow from the inside…out. Helping mission-driven organizations strengthen their operations so they can scale their impact is the most rewarding part of what I do, and it’s what continues to drive me every day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road. I scribbled my way here too lol.
When I left corporate America to start C.U. Bluum, I just knew what the business was going to be. It was clear a s day. Boooyy, I was wrong.
C.U. Bluum has evolved countless times over the years. I’ve changed service offerings, refined my target market, adopted new technologies, and completely rethought how I create value for clients. Every time I thought I had everything figured out, something changed—sometimes the market, sometimes the technology, sometimes the finances and sometimes my own understanding of the problem I was trying to solve.
Adding to that challenge was the fact that I felt strongly about working with nonprofit organizations. Specifically, organizations that are making a tremendous impact in their communities but aren’t exactly known for having large discretionary budgets. I had to figure out how to build a sustainable business while serving organizations that genuinely needed support but often had limited resources to invest in it.
There were periods where I felt like I was starting over every few months (financially, philosophically, operationally, etc.)., so looking back, I think the biggest challenge was learning to trust the process..
But at the time that was extremely hard to do because, as they say, I had to build the plane, while flying the plane…while learning to fly a plane.
It was a wild time driving for DoorDash and Amazon Flex to fund the business, while building the business…while learning how to build a business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
To be honest, we’re probably the wrong people to answer this question.
We’ve never been particularly good at talking about ourselves. We’d much rather spend our time talking about our clients and the incredible work they’re doing. They’re really the ones who should answer what sets us apart because they’re the ones who experience it firsthand.
That said, after a few years in business, this is what we’re pretty sure they would say.
At its core, C.U. Bluum supports organizations. Sometimes that means automation. Sometimes it means strategy. Sometimes it means helping leaders make sense of a problem that feels too big, too messy, or too complicated to tackle alone.
If there’s one thing we’re known for, it’s helping people make sense of things. We have a knack for taking complex ideas, complicated processes, and overwhelming amounts of information and turning them into something people can actually understand and use. Kind of like a human Chat GPT. My processing time is a little slower, but has shown to be more accurate.
We’re especially passionate about working with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. These organizations are doing some of the most important work in our communities, but they often don’t have access to the same resources, systems, and support as larger organizations.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve built a brand around accessibility. Technology can be intimidating. Our goal has always been to make it feel less intimidating and more empowering, especially for organizations that may not have large budgets or dedicated technical teams. When clients start seeing technology as something that empowers them rather than overwhelms them, that’s when I know we’ve done our job.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know about C.U. Bluum, it’s that growth doesn’t always require more people, more meetings, or more hours in the day. Sometimes it starts with better systems, better information, and a little more capacity to focus on what matters most.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like most about Kansas City is that it’s a hidden gem.
People know us for barbecue, and rightfully so, but our food scene is one of the best and least talked about in the country. We’re also home to some of the best blues and jazz ever created, but what I love is that the creative spirit is still alive and well today. Whether you’re into visual arts, music, theater, or something else entirely, there’s a thriving arts community here. Just spend a First Friday exploring the arts district and you’ll see what I mean.
I’m also a huge fan of the streetcar. With the extension to UMKC and the continued growth of the system, I barely drive in my personal life anymore.
More than anything, I love watching Kansas City grow. We’re in this unique stage where we still have the accessibility and character of a smaller city, but you can see the momentum building. I truly believe Kansas City is on its way to becoming a major metropolitan destination, and I’m excited to watch it happen.
What I don’t like? Winter, I’m still waiting on Kansas City to automate that.
