Q&A with Jamine Moton – Founder and CEO of Skylar Security
Can we hear, in your words, about your inspiring story? How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Jamine Moton, and I’m the Founder & CEO of Skylar Security. If I could sum up my journey in just a few words, I would have to say grit and resilience. I’m a seven-time Clemson University Hall of Fame track and field athlete and had the honor of being a member of the 2004 Olympic team. The tenacity and discipline that were required to excel at that level of competition proved to be pivotal in building my career outside of sports. You see, my true passion is to protect others. As early as I can remember, I’ve always been the tallest kid in the class at school. I found my purpose in being a shield against the bullies, making the world a bit kinder and safer. So, it felt natural to begin my professional journey in law enforcement. However, after 8 years working for the police force in metro Atlanta, it dawned on me that to bring about the profound impact I envisioned, and to serve communities not only in Atlanta but nationwide, I needed to chart my own path. I took a long hard look in the mirror and felt called to become an entrepreneur and, since then, I’ve never looked back.
How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?
At Skylar Security, we believe that security is an emotion and extends far beyond just physical protection—it’s also about fostering mental and emotional safety. My time in law enforcement ingrained in me a profound realization: it’s one thing to keep people from harm, danger, or threat, and it’s another for them to feel psychologically safe. Driven by this mission, I wanted to build a business where empathy and compassion are the cornerstones of our approach. Unlike many players in the industry who focus mainly on tools and gadgets, our goal is to redefine safety in its entirety. As such, we focus on deceleration training, communication-centric processes, and overall emotional intelligence to establish long-term, multistakeholder partnerships where all voices are represented. We don’t think of ourselves as just security providers; we’re setting a new standard of safety in the industry.
When did you know it was time to become a full-time entrepreneur?
The pivotal moment I knew it was time to embrace entrepreneurship was when I recognized the potential for a more meaningful impact outside the confines of law enforcement. I had dedicated years to serving Metro Atlanta as a police officer, and my resolve to protect people was unwavering. But I was at a crossroads—either attempting to reform from within or ignite change from the outside. Given that private security is the predominant provider of security services–even more so than law enforcement–entering the industry would give me an unparalleled opportunity to bring about transformative change on a broader spectrum. I felt compelled to take this chance to forge my own path and pioneer a more compassionate approach to security, in the hopes that Skylar Security would become an inspiration for the entire industry.
How do you leverage technology and innovation to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving business landscape?
We’re transcending conventional norms by launching a new technology this November–an app to reflect our commitment to infuse transparency into a security industry often shrouded in opacity. The app is designed to alleviate the pain points of clients, agencies, and security specialists alike, offering a comprehensive suite of support. It encapsulates features like shift management, a client management portal, a team chat box, and guard management features. Beyond the technology, we plan to offer agencies access to online training, industry-specific conferences, an e-commerce store for uniforms, and much more. Most importantly, this technology will keep the human connection at the heart of its design, something Skylar Security has always been known for. Reaffirming our commitment to personalized security solutions, we’ll be offering support with cash flow, industry best practices, and personalized coaching sessions with me.
We all face challenges, but looking back, what have been some of the biggest challenges and pitfalls you’ve had to navigate?
When I reflect, one of the challenges that stands out most to me is the belief that I could do it all by myself. Expanding Skylar Security while venturing into the tech sphere, especially during a global pandemic, was a true test of my resilience. My sense of independence, usually one of my greatest strengths, held me back from reaching out for help when times were tough. This took a toll on some of my personal relationships, as the demands of entrepreneurship did not allow me much time for myself or my loved ones. Choosing to bootstrap the company also meant our progress to get to the point we’re at now was slow. Nevertheless, this journey has taught me invaluable lessons. If I could redo things, I would focus on growing the business in a way that I could eventually get out of the day-to-day operations and truly embrace my role as CEO earlier in the process.
Want more inspiring interviews?
Learn about Smitey, Revolutionizing The Way Short Women Buy Clothes, or read a Q&A With Carolyn Pritchard Co-Founder of Bridge Medical Communications, or learn about Fashion, Sustainability, and PR with Narvan Founder & Creative Director Marjar Kragar, part of our interview series spotlighting successful women in business.
Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?
