Meet Jh’ayona Stennies of Crucial Pointe Training & Medical Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jh’ayona Stennies.

Hi Jh’ayona, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has always been rooted in service, leadership, and a desire to create opportunities for others.

I began my career in healthcare and became a Registered Nurse, where I developed a passion for education, patient advocacy, and helping people navigate critical moments in their lives. Throughout my nursing career, I worked in a variety of healthcare settings and eventually found myself caring for complex cardiovascular patients, experiences that strengthened my commitment to preparation, education, and community support.

Outside of nursing, I have spent several years coaching cheerleading, mentoring young athletes, and helping students develop confidence, discipline, and leadership skills. Coaching taught me that success is rarely about talent alone—it is built through preparation, consistency, accountability, and support.

Those experiences ultimately inspired me to create Crucial Pointe Training & Medical Services. I saw a need for a professional, community-focused organization that could help bridge gaps in healthcare training, workforce readiness, and occupational testing. My vision was to create a place where individuals, employers, healthcare organizations, and community members could access the resources they need to be prepared, compliant, and confident.

In June 2026, I officially opened the doors to Crucial Pointe in Fairview Park, Ohio. The organization provides healthcare training, CPR certification, workforce onboarding support, occupational testing services, and employer partnership solutions. My goal is to continue expanding services that support both individuals and organizations throughout Northeast Ohio.

The journey has not been without challenges. Like many entrepreneurs, I have had to balance building a business while working, continuing my education, serving my community, and navigating personal loss. One of the most significant moments in my life was losing my grandmother, who embodied strength, love, resilience, and service. Her influence continues to shape the way I lead, serve others, and approach my work every day.

Today, I wear many hats; Registered Nurse, business owner, educator, mentor, and coach—but they are all connected by the same mission: helping people become prepared, confident, and equipped for whatever comes next.

That mission is reflected in the motto of Crucial Pointe: “Where Purpose Meets Preparation.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable.

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing multiple responsibilities at the same time. While building my business, I have continued working as a Registered Nurse, coaching cheerleading, pursuing higher education, and serving my community. There have been many late nights, early mornings, and moments where I had to make difficult decisions about how to best use my time and energy.

Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also faced the challenge of building something before everyone else can see the vision. When you’re creating a business from the ground up, there are countless behind-the-scenes tasks that people never see—obtaining certifications, creating systems, developing partnerships, navigating regulations, building credibility, and investing both time and resources before seeing results.

Financially, entrepreneurship requires faith, discipline, and patience. There are moments when things move quickly and moments when progress feels slower than you’d like. I’ve learned that success isn’t built overnight; it’s built through consistency and a willingness to keep showing up even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

The most difficult challenge, however, has been navigating personal loss while pursuing professional goals. Earlier this year, I lost my grandmother, who was one of the most influential people in my life. At the same time I was preparing to launch Crucial Pointe, I was also learning how to grieve someone I loved deeply. There were moments when celebrating milestones and carrying that loss at the same time felt incredibly difficult.

What has helped me through those challenges is remembering why I started. My mission has always been bigger than me. Whether I’m caring for patients, mentoring young people, teaching life-saving skills, or helping someone take the next step in their career, I know the work matters. That purpose has helped me remain focused even during the hardest seasons.

Looking back, I wouldn’t say the obstacles disappeared—I learned how to grow through them. Every challenge has strengthened my resilience, deepened my faith, and reinforced my commitment to serving others.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Crucial Pointe Training & Medical Services was created to bridge the gap between workforce readiness, healthcare education, and professional support services. As a Registered Nurse, educator, and entrepreneur, I saw firsthand how many individuals and organizations struggled to access convenient, professional, and reliable training and onboarding resources. I wanted to create a place where people could come not only to meet requirements, but to feel prepared and confident in taking their next step.

Located in Fairview Park, Ohio, Crucial Pointe provides healthcare training, CPR certification, occupational testing, workforce onboarding support, and employer partnership services. We work with individuals, healthcare professionals, employers, staffing agencies, transportation companies, and community organizations throughout Northeast Ohio.

What sets us apart is that we focus on preparation, not just compliance. Whether someone is earning a CPR certification, completing a drug test for employment, or participating in a workforce readiness program, we want them to leave feeling supported, informed, and empowered. Our goal is to create an experience that is professional, welcoming, and centered on service.

One of the things I am most proud of is that Crucial Pointe was built with a larger vision in mind. While we provide training and testing services today, our long-term mission is to become a trusted community resource that helps people gain skills, secure employment opportunities, improve preparedness, and advance their careers. We believe that preparation can change lives, and that belief is reflected in our motto: “Where Purpose Meets Preparation.”

As a Black woman-owned business and a healthcare professional, I am especially proud to be building something that serves the community while creating opportunities for growth, education, and empowerment. We are still in the early stages of our journey, but I am excited about the impact Crucial Pointe will continue to make in Northeast Ohio.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories isn’t tied to a single event, it’s the experience of growing up surrounded by strong, loving women who helped shape the person I am today.

At the center of that was my grandmother, JoAnn “Mama Ann” Drish. She taught our family what love, service, and selflessness looked like. She wasn’t someone who simply talked about helping others; she lived it every day. She showed up for her children, grandchildren, extended family, and community in ways that left a lasting impact on all of us. One of my favorite sayings is, “Children will follow your example before they follow your advice,” and my grandmother embodied that. She taught through her actions.

My mother, Janise, also had a tremendous influence on me. She taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of working for what you want. No matter the challenge, I always watched her find a way to make things happen. My aunts each contributed something unique as well. My Aunt Theresa carried many of the same qualities as my grandmother—selfless, nurturing, and always present for those she loved. My Aunt Denise taught me the value of being fearless, bold, and unapologetically yourself. My Aunt Monica showed me the importance of faith, purpose, and dedication to serving God.

When I look back on my childhood, what stands out most is the love, wisdom, strength, and example that surrounded me. I was fortunate to be raised by women who demonstrated what it means to care for others, persevere through challenges, lead with faith, and show up for the people you love.

The older I get, the more I realize how much those women shaped me. The values they poured into me continue to influence the way I serve others as a nurse, business owner, coach, and community leader. Their example is part of the reason I am so passionate about helping people, building community, and creating opportunities for others today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecrucialpointe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrucialpointe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crucial-Pointe-Training-Medical-Services/61572152261426/
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/crucial-pointe-training-and-medical-services-fairview-park/