With successful TV show and a burgeoning music profession, Coco Jones’ star is rising. And everyone knows “mo’ money, mo’ boundaries,” or whatever Biggie said. This universal truth is the rationale Jones has partnered with tea company Pure Leaf and their subtly sweet campaign. 

On this partnership, Jones will help women learn tips on how to say no so that they can yes to themselves. The actress/singer will run a Subtly Sweet Hotline through the comment section of her Tik Tok page where real women write in about tips on how to say no in various real-world scenarios. Jones knows all in regards to the importance of learning to say no in her skilled life. 

“I’ve experienced loads of situations where I felt like I needed to overcompensate simply to be within the room or I needed to over accommodate, disrespecting myself in the method,” Jones tells ESSENCE. “So I like the thought of this subtly sweet hotline where I’m helping women who’ve been in situations like me to essentially select themselves, select their boundaries and say no in a pleasant way, but still no.”

It wasn’t until she realized that regardless that she was doing something she loved, she still found herself running on empty. 

“I’m still doing something I like but I’m not loving myself while doing this,” Jones said of her former self. 

When Jones found herself feeling stagnant, she began doing a little internal work to handle her feelings of inadequacy.

“I noticed I’m in these rooms because I’m qualified to be here and I’m talented enough to do these jobs to the very best of my ability,” Jones said. I had to make your mind up what was authentic to me. And doing all that was not authentic. It needed to get a bit less sweet, obviously.”

Jones is hoping the Subtly Sweet hotline will help other women discover once they’re acting against their best interests. 

“[The hotline] is for girls who feel like they’re in these scenarios and so they’re like, ‘This doesn’t feel right to me, what do I do?’ I’m hoping that me and Pure Leaf can come together and help to instill confidence in these women and provides them actual useful advice.”

At this stage in her profession, Jones recognizes that setting boundaries helps her be her best artistically. As she melds her love for each singing and acting can present a challenge she’s wanting to tackle. 

“I don’t at all times need to stay in a spot where I’m comfortable,” Jones said. “Acting is more difficult. Singing is more comfortable. I’ve learned to precise myself on camera in a way that I can even translate into my lyrics and the way I perform as I’m singing to make the audience feel, the best way I strive to make them feel once they’re watching me.”

Pursuing each passions concurrently, Jones has needed to learn to be okay with disappointing others so long as meaning she’s true to herself. 

“I can do loads of things but when I’m giving an excessive amount of of myself, all those things turn out to be a bit bit more mediocre,” Jones said. “Sometimes I’m going to need to disappoint people with a purpose to ensure I’m giving the very best of myself to other things. I actually have to search out that balance and never everyone’s going to be completely happy.”

 Putting boundaries in place and getting clear about our priorities may be scary. Women have been socialized to be liked. And nobody wants to listen to the word no. But Jones said saying no can result in more yeses. 

“[When] you’re saying no to a certain circumstance, you’re saying yes to yourself,” Jones said. While you’re saying yes to yourself, once you’re loving yourself, you’re going to get more out of your investment.”