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MMI Consulting Group, LLC., Alexandra Herndon
I've worked with SCORE from the beginning of my business so many successes - big & small - were as a result of my work with SCORE. We saw increased revenues through strategic planning and pricing. We successfully carved out our industry niche and we rolled out a curriculum product with planned marketing and pricing.
MMI Consulting Group is an award-winning, Washington DC-based Certified Business Enterprise (CBE), minority, and Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). We provide business expertise in the areas of Training, Supplier Diversity, Professional and Business Development, Financial Management, and Health Services. We unearth the wisdom within organizations and design strategies to help them deliver their promises. Our small business development program solutions provide business owners (participants) with courses, one-on-one coaching, and group master classes to support the professional and organizational growth, capacity, competencies, and capabilities of those small businesses. We provide a full spectrum of training solutions including instructional design and development, in-person, virtual, and online training, facilitation, and producer support.
My job at DOD (which I loved) was limited in terms of the impact I could have on people's lives. I was assigned to one location with just one group of people. I wanted to support more people. I wanted to inspire people to be their best selves and build extraordinary legacies through the skills I learned and the expertise I gained during my successful training management career.
My mom was and still is a successful entrepreneur. Perhaps, as a result, I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit, To encourage it as well as my creativity, she bought me a jewelry-making set as a little girl. Not only did I make jewelry from plastic beads, elastic string, and safety pins, but I also sold it door-to-door in the neighborhood for $2 to $10. Over the years, I've toyed with many business ideas. I started a company in 2010 - Masterminds International which provided business coaching. Unfortunately, the business structure wasn't sustainable and it closed. In 2016, while employed at the DOD in a senior training management role, I came back to the idea of starting my own business. I was very intrigued but the pay was too good and my colleagues were great, so I didn't take the leap right away. Then, an urgent family matter and lack of leave forced my hand. I gave 90 days' notice (I really loved my job, the mission, and the people I supported, and they loved me too). And when I exited that job, I entered into my first contract with a previous employer.
While there are numerous things that set us apart as a business, our 3-tiered approach to development is unique in this industry. In our work with small businesses, we focus on personal, professional, and business development training. We lead with personal development because whatever energy or habits you experience or have, you will bring them into your profession and small business.
In 2016 at a WBENC event held in Philadelphia, I met an SBA representative. After exchanging emails with her and asking about pricing and government contracts, she recommended that I reach out to SCORE for answers.
Karen gave me guidance on how to get my first contract. She helped me understand government contracting, taught me how to do market research, and how to keep financials always in the forefront. Karen helped me define my niche in the marketplace.
I love Karen's mind. She is so strategic and knowledgeable. She is able to see the full picture and always asks me the right questions. She doesn't do the work for me but shows me how to do it myself. She challenges me to think about things I haven't thought about yet. She pushes me out of my comfort zone to increase my network and visibility. For example, Karen suggested that I enter a particular SCORE-sponsored contest, but I was scared and hesitant, therefore I didn't move forward. The second year, at her urging, I entered and won. As a result, I got to travel to Reno and meet with interesting people. Karen has my best interests at heart and is committed to my success and growth.
Take the leap of faith. You have a community and resources that will support you along the way.
Mentorship is the secret ingredient to success. SCORE is full of amazing mentors who have been where you want to go and will share their insight and guidance on the best path to take. They will accelerate your competency, capacity, and ability to grow. Let them become your trusted advisor.
I can help you learn about doing business with the Federal Government and understand the Federal...
