This story is part of our 1,000 stories campaign. What’s your story?
Name: Felicia Wright
Business: Mygani, professional consulting services
Industry: Coaching & Consulting
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Reason for starting: My transition into entrepreneurship was fairly typical; my company was started based on my previous experience in graphic design. Although, I am one of the few people I know who went to school for a degree and is still working in the same industry. From any early age, I knew I wanted to have my own business. I also knew I needed to have more hands-on experience before I went out on my own. After working in Corporate America for almost 10 years, I slowly transitioned my way into entrepreneurship by freelancing for two years before I went out on my own full-time. When I first started Mygani, I was designing event collateral for friends and family: birthday party, baby shower and graduation invitations. After connecting with my local Chamber of Commerce, SBA and Score mentors, I shifted my client focus to businesses and nonprofits. Additionally, I obtained several minority business enterprise certifications, which made me eligible for larger long-term contracts with the local and federal government.
Related: Read about another coaching and consulting entrepreneur here.
How do you define success? I define success as being afforded the opportunity to follow my passion, having a flexible schedule that enables me to spend more time with my family, and contributing financially to our household.
Biggest Success: In 2012 after having my daughter, my business shifted again. I implemented strategies to re-position my brand with a focus on mentoring mompreneurs and military spouses. I coach clients in creating effective and engaging brands by aligning their personal brand with their company’s brand. My passion is empowering other moms and military spouses to embrace self-confidence and develop leadership skills through entrepreneurship. This shift included launching Mygani’s signature program, Mentoring Mamas: Connecting Motherhood to Business. Mentoring has always been one of my passions, but until recently I wasn’t sure how I could incorporate it into my business. Sometimes major life changes, like having kids, forces you to look at things differently and your perspective changes. I encourage other mompreneurs not to be afraid of change. These changes have offered me unexpected opportunities to grow my business.
Related: Read about another mompreneur here.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? As an entreprenuer whose goal is to take my company to another level, I regularly attend meetings and networking events surrounded by directors, CEOs, presidents and other high-profile positions. I am typically the only one or one of few minority business owners in the room. Even from an early age I felt “awkward” in certain situations because I didn’t fit in a specific category. I was a tall, brown-skinned girl whose speech didn’t align with her looks (according to sterotypes). Besides being a minority, I sometimes felt perceived as being young and inexperienced… because I look younger than I am. But most people’s perception of me usually changes with our initial interaction, when I give a presentation or have an in-depth conversation with them. At times it can be frustrating, but I have learned to be confident within myself and about my abilities.
Who is your most important role model? My grandmother, who always taught be to be confident within myself, even when I faced negative situations.
[box_light]Website www.mygani.com
Twitter @feliciawright
Facebook www.facebook.com/mygani.feliciawright[/box_light]
Tell us your story!
Read about another entrepreneur here.
Edited by The Story Exchange