Boston, Massachusetts · Est. 2025
Where Vision
Becomes
Venture.
The Compound 021 is a unified creative and business enterprise — bringing together workforce solutions, culture, and hospitality under one roof.
Equitable
Staffing Solutions
Workforce · HR · Consulting · Training
Nola Jae
Café
Café · The Chapter Book · Catering
Workforce & HR
Equitable Staffing Solutions
Workforce development, staffing, HR consulting, and business support. Where your people, processes, policies, and placement needs are solved under one roof.
Food & Hospitality
Nola Jae Café
A Boston food concept rooted in community and culture. Nola Jae Café and The Chapter Book dessert brand — where flavor meets story.
Culture & Arts
M.O.B.I.A.
Manifestations of Black Intellectual Achievements. Books, podcasts, film, and live events — celebrating Black culture, creativity, and intellectual legacy.
The Founder
Jalisa Smith
MBA · Founder & Director · The Compound 021
Jalisa Smith is a Boston-based entrepreneur, author, and business architect building a multi-division enterprise at the intersection of workforce development, culture, and hospitality. With an MBA in Business Analytics and a background in HR and operations, she is building the kind of company her community needed and never had.
"ESS, Nola Jae Café, and M.O.B.I.A. aren't three separate businesses. They're three expressions of one vision — a place where people are developed, fed, and inspired. The Compound 021 is that place."
The Compound 021 · Division I
People. Processes.
Policies.
Placement.
Equitable Staffing Solutions is Boston's workforce development, staffing, and HR consulting firm — where your MBA meets your mission.
What We Do
A Full Workforce Solutions Firm
Temporary Staffing
Pre-trained, background-checked workers placed across catering, events, retail, administrative, and healthcare tracks. ESS handles payroll, taxes, and workers' comp.
HR Consulting
Employee handbooks, policy development, onboarding systems, compliance guidance, and hiring process design. Built by an MBA with real HR experience.
Workforce Development
Employment readiness training, professional development, career coaching, and workforce certifications. Workers earn an ESS Certificate of Completion.
Resume & Career Services
Resume writing, resume reviews, interview preparation, and job search support for individuals entering or re-entering the workforce.
Small Business Support
HR administrative support, SOP development, hiring frameworks, compliance guidance, and business operations consulting for small and growing businesses.
Employer Partnerships
Long-term staffing contracts, preferred vendor agreements, and workforce pipeline development for Boston-area employers who need consistent, reliable talent.
Work Tracks
5 Paths. One Pipeline.
Catering & Hospitality
Servers · Food runners · Bartenders · Setup & breakdown · Banquet staff
Events
Load-in crew · Registration · Ushers · Brand ambassadors · Logistics
Retail
Sales associates · Cashiers · Floor support · Pop-up activations
Administrative
Data entry · Phones · Scheduling · Office support · Executive admin
Front Desk / Healthcare
Reception · Patient check-in · Hospital front desk · Medical admin
Ready to work
with ESS?
Whether you're a job seeker looking for your next opportunity or an employer who needs trained, reliable staff — ESS is your call.
Bill Rate From
$24/hr
Entry level catering & events
Minimum Shift
4 hrs
All tracks except healthcare
Payment Terms
Net 15
50% deposit before assignment
Background Check
Every Worker
FCRA compliant · Via Checkr
The Compound 021 · Division II
Rooted in Flavor.
Inspired by Story.
Nola Jae Café is where Boston's community gathers — over food, over dessert, and over the kind of conversation that changes things.
Our Brands
Two Names. One Table.
The Main Brand
Nola Jae Café
A Boston café concept rooted in community, warmth, and the kind of food that makes you stay. Named for the founder's creative alter ego — this is where flavor meets intention.
Café beverages & light fare
Catering for events & corporate
Community dining & pop-ups
ESS training ground for hospitality workers
The Dessert Brand
The Chapter Book
Every dessert tells a story. The Chapter Book is the sweet side of Nola Jae Café — handcrafted desserts that feel like turning to the best page of a great book.
Artisan desserts & pastries
Dessert catering & custom orders
Seasonal & story-inspired menus
Event dessert tables
The Connection
Where Nola Jae Café
Meets ESS
Nola Jae Café isn't just a food brand — it's a living classroom. ESS trains workers in catering and hospitality, and the Café is where that training comes alive. The two divisions are each other's first client and first employer.
ESS Trains Workers
Catering & hospitality track prepares workers for real kitchen and event environments
Café Employs Workers
Nola Jae Café is a direct placement destination for ESS hospitality workers
Shared Mission
Community, employment, and culture — powered by the same founder, the same vision
The Compound 021 · Division III
Black Culture.
Amplified.
M.O.B.I.A. — Manifestations of Black Intellectual Achievements — is the cultural production arm of The Compound 021. Books, podcasts, film, and live experiences celebrating Black creativity and intellectual legacy.
What M.O.B.I.A. Stands For
What We Create
Culture in Every Format
Children's Books
The M.O.B.I.A. Alphabet Coloring Book Series — educational, culturally rich coloring books published under the Nola Jae pen name. Food Edition and Sports Edition available now on Amazon.
Podcast
Conversations at the intersection of Black intellectual life, entrepreneurship, culture, and community. Real voices. Real stories. Coming to the M.O.B.I.A. platform.
Film & Shows
Original content celebrating Black intellectual achievement and creative entrepreneurship. M.O.B.I.A. is building toward full production capabilities.
Live Events
Open mic nights, literary events, cultural showcases, and community gatherings. The live events arm of M.O.B.I.A. — eventually anchoring The Compound 021's physical venue.
Available Now
The Coloring Book Series
M.O.B.I.A. Alphabet Series · Vol. 1
Food Edition
Alphabet Coloring Book
A–Z of food-themed illustrations designed to make learning the alphabet delicious. Beautiful pages that celebrate food culture while building early literacy skills.
Buy on Amazon →M.O.B.I.A. Alphabet Series · Vol. 2
Sports Edition
Alphabet Coloring Book
A–Z of sports-themed illustrations — from Athlete to Zumba. Featuring Basketball, Football, Olympics, Championship, and more. Where movement meets the alphabet.
Buy on Amazon →Bulk Orders Available
Schools, community organizations, and libraries — contact us for bulk pricing.
Request Bulk Order →