We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mea Boykins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mea below.

Mea , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

When I completed my 2nd Masters Degree, which is focused in Global Business, I was looking for work opportunities and struggling to land any employment. I was deemed either “over qualified” or not having enough work experience as a result of being in school straight through my Bachelors and 2 Masters degrees. I had to pivot because I was tired of the broke student life. I started my business out of a necessity to gain capital and work in a time where there were no opportunities. “Create your own opportunities by leveraging your skillset” became my motto. I took the skills I had learned from starting a scholarship fund my junior year at Spelman College, which included fundraising, public speaking and event planning as well as the skills learned from the Student Emergency Assistance, Inc nonprofit that I founded at age 22 and packaged them into services for my business. Through my nonprofit, I had events all across the globe and also had experience living and studying in France, Spain, Taiwan, Jamaica, England and the USA. I became an expert planner, fundraiser, and highly skilled with establishing partnerships, building relationships, community engagement and cross cultural communications. As a start up, you take on many roles in your business/nonprofit, so I was managing all communications, marketing, branding, social media, etc for myself. I transferred these skills into my business, Global Management & Marketing, LLC which I founded in 2017 (5 years old wow)!

When I launched my company, I leveraged the relationships I built from living in over 15 countries. My first clients were school friends, persons that I met from around the world, partners I formally worked with for my nonprofit’s events, persons who booked me to speak at their engagements, etc. To this date, I have never really solicited clients, I have consistently worked with those directly in my network, which is a huge blessing because I choose who I want to work with verses having to rely on a broad marketing strategy and not being a good fit. I believe you have to be a good fit for the client and they also have to be a good fit for you. I have not solicited capital for my business or scaled it as yet, but I have been able to empty contractors from various countries, including the USA, Ghana, Pakistan and Jamaica. I am currently completing my PhD in Governance and Public Policy and plan to scale my business within the next 1-2 years and shift it’s focus. My goal is to have a team of 5-7 dedicated staff around the world helping me develop my brand.

While in school, I have been assuring the foundation is laid for my business and that I have everything I need to spring into action once I finally finish my PhD. I have 2 business certifications and am working on 2 others. I am learning new skills, such as sign language and continuing to practice French, my 2nd language, so that I may continue to add value and pivot. I am also continuing to network and engage with those in my industry, as I work in the intersection of government, International business and entertainment.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

What sets me apart from other persons in business is my lifestyle and background as a global entrepreneur. My experience and connections are vast, as I’ve lived in 6 countries and attended various institutions, including Spelman College, L’Institut du Catholique (France), Boston University, University of San Francisco, Fu Jen University (Taiwan), IQS (Spain) and the University of the West Indies (Jamaica). Not only have I attended various schools, but I have been involved in the community of these cities/countries. I build relationships by uplifting the community wherever I go. I founded 2 university scholarships, at Spelman College and the University of the West Indies, to help university students through college. I have been exposed to persons from over 80 countries in the world through my education and work, which makes me an expert at cross cultural communications and protocol/diplomacy.

My clients are in the government, international business and entertainment sector. I connect the dots for each party and establish public/private partnerships. I help them to engage the community in many ways, depending on which type of client and their end goals. For some clients I help hire and manage 70+ people for events, solicit political support, help with branding and marketing, help develop business plans, establish partnerships, create and manage programs, pitch proposals, fundraise, etc. I am flexible in my services based on what is needed as I have a team of contractors who are also highly skilled and collaborative.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I am able to stay in touch with clients by traveling to the places where I have the largest networks 3-4 times a year. My strongest network is in New Orleans, ATL, NYC, DC, London & Jamaica, as well as LA + San Francisco. The majority of my contacts are based within those locations. I send emails quarterly, consistently connecting with those who I have built relationships with the past 13 years. I always check in to see what my contacts are up to and if there’s a way we can work together or if I may support a cause/event they are planning. I support the businesses I hope to work with in various capacities.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Have an intense screening process. Assure you have a manual with your company’s policies and procedures so that everything is clear between that and the contract you sign with those you hire. Assure they are available and organized. I would start by giving them 5-10 hours of work as a pre-hiring (but paid) task. If they are able to accomplish that and stay consistent, they are worth hiring. Hire those who may not be “perfect” but are agile, flexible, dependable and trainable. As a leader, those you hire should elevate as they work with you and for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gmsquared.co & www.meaboykins.com
• Instagram: @gmsquaredllc & @meaboykins
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GMSquaredLLC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gmsquaredllc