We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mercedes Joyner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mercedes, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?
My journey has always been rooted in the world of family business, a vibrant tapestry woven with unwavering dedication and relentless entrepreneurial spirit. Born into a lineage of determined visionaries, I witnessed my father’s remarkable prowess in shaping thriving clothing enterprises within the fashion industry from an early age. My very first words were, ‘How are you making that?’ as I watched him perfecting a garment, setting the stage for a lifelong fascination with creation.
One of the invaluable lessons bestowed upon my sisters and me by our father was the profound understanding of the might and significance of entrepreneurship. With his mastery in IT and telecommunications, he consistently emphasized the transformative power of creative intellect. The ability to breathe life into my ideas and transform them into tangible realities became the cornerstone of our entrepreneurial journey.
Yet, amidst the pursuit of success, my father instilled in me a paramount lesson—how we treat others matters above all. A cherished quote of his guides every facet of my life and business: ‘With anything you create, make a difference but do no harm.’ This mantra guides my intentions, decisions with clients, the genesis of new business ideas, and the representation of our ventures.
In essence, a family business is more than just structure and lessons; it’s a living legacy brimming with success stories passed down through generations. My aspiration is that, when the time comes, my son will inherit not just a business but a wealth of wisdom, discernment, and compassion—equipped to positively transform the lives of countless individuals, carrying our family’s legacy forward.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
At Joyner Marketing & Communications, we offer a range of services including private and public workshops, trainings, and valuable tips for individuals and corporate organizations. Our dedicated team of professionals bring extensive experience in various communication fields, with a strong focus on organizational, political, rhetorical communication, and public administration.
Our staff takes pride in their ability to empower individuals to become active and effective communicators. With a specialization in communication and political advising, we are committed to helping our clients find their voice and engage meaningfully. We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your communication goals. Feel free to reach out to us to explore how we can assist you in your journey towards effective communication and successful engagements.
Our team possesses a diverse range of credentials and expertise that can be applied to various areas of communication. We specialize in providing comprehensive training in communication, organizational strategies, political strategies, and rhetorical communication. Our training programs are designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills to effectively navigate various communication scenarios. Additionally, our team has extensive experience in communication and public administration, enabling us to offer valuable insights and guidance in this field. As advisers of political platforms, we have successfully supported numerous political campaigns by providing strategic communication advice and guidance.
Moreover, our team includes experienced Communications Managers who have worked closely with state legislators, ensuring smooth and effective communication between legislators and their constituents. In the realm of health communication, our political advisers have provided valuable insights and guidance to promote effective communication strategies.
We also have a dedicated Social Media Coordinator who is well-versed in managing social media platforms for state and local political/community leaders. This ensures a strong online presence and effective engagement with the community. With our diverse set of credentials and experiences, we are well-equipped to handle various communication needs and provide valuable guidance to our clients. We are excited to work with you and contribute to your success in the realm of communication.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
From a young age, I grasped the significance of communication. Communication possesses the potent ability to influence, and this influence is a catalyst for life-altering transformations. My creative odyssey is fueled by recognizing the weighty responsibility that accompanies effective communication.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Transformative moments have defined my journey, propelling my side hustle into a flourishing full-time career. Initially, JMC Strategic Consulting emerged as a humble vlog series, offering pearls of wisdom to graduate students. While the business was already in motion, the leap to full-time entrepreneurship remained uncharted territory.
The turning point arrived in December 2020, courtesy of an unexpected ultimatum from a local news station where I toiled as a producer. Remarkably, they were well aware of my entrepreneurial endeavors prior to hiring me, acknowledging that many employees had their own businesses or external commitments. Eager to make waves, I tapped into my network to bring captivating guests to our show, stoking public interest.
Then came the pivotal moment: summoned into my manager’s office, I was handed a screenshot of my business’s Facebook page, sourced from a colleague who deemed it a predicament. The choice laid before me was stark—either dissolve my business by month’s end or willingly relinquish my employment. In that crucial juncture, I made two phone calls, one to my father and the other to a valued client, informing them of my resolution. It was a day of audacious decisions as I bid farewell to employment security and embraced the uncertain path of full-time entrepreneurship with just three clients in tow.
Since that defining moment, I’ve navigated the exhilarating waters of entrepreneurship, occasionally adding other employers to the mix. It was a valuable lesson in self-reliance and the paramount importance of written agreements, to say the least. Along the way, clients have come and gone, each experience imparting wisdom on the type of clients I aspire to serve and how to tailor my solution-oriented services to their unique needs. This journey has opened doors to remarkable opportunities and spaces I might never have ventured into otherwise
Contact Info:
- Website: jmcstrategicconsulting.com
- Instagram: JMC Strategic Consulting / Mercedes Joyner
- Facebook: JMC Strategic Consulting / Mercedes Joyner
- Linkedin: Mercedes Joyner
- Twitter: @JMC_LetsTalk
- Email: [email protected]
- Business Contact: (815)-201-1460
Image Credits
Image credits Photographers: Antwon George, Royce Dixon Sr. And Jalen Pulliam.