Showcase Business of the Month

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McGee Strategies, LLC.

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PO Box 1137
Waukee, IA  50263
(515) 326-5869
www.mcgeestrategies.com

Isaiah McGee, founder

Q: When did you open McGee Strategies and why?
A: McGee Strategies started 3 years ago as McGee Tutoring and Prep as away to help pay for Graduate School. The platforms and models we were using were unique in that we shied away from content specific tutoring, but focused on more learning strategies such as, study and researching skills, problem solving techniques, and communication skills, many of the examples and analogies I used came from my background in politics and the non profit world as well as the realm of education and workforce. Many of my client’s parents had remarked how many of those analogies and models they ended up using in the workplace. In addition, I kept being recruited to work at different organizations or asked to coach or mentor other young and/or black professionals. Well, if there is the demand, maybe I can supply it. There was value in my expertise, so, after meeting with a few of my business advisers about this revelation, which everyone seemed to already know but me, we, my wife who I feel is a creative and organizational genius, promised to partner with me on this effort. It's such a natural fit.

Q: Who are your typical clients and how do you serve their needs?
A: My clients range from professional organizations to small business and individuals. We work with places and people to help them learn how to work intergenerationally, how to develop soft skills, and how to develop their emerging leaders.

Q.  What are some of the positives and negatives of owning your own business?
A. Basic economics: scarcity, unlimited wants, but limited resources, it is difficult sometimes trying to decide how to allocate resources, finding additional investors, making sure we are making the right decisions. Additionally, being black goes without saying, but also being young, puts an additional hurdle in convincing potential clients, collaborators, or investors to take a chance on you.
Freedom, (potential for) wealth, and doing what you are really passionate about are what first and continue to draw me into entrepreneurship. Plus, there is a lot of pride in ownership.

Q. What advice do you have for other people opening their own businesses?
A. Research, save, and be patient; and you gotta do all three. If it is truly a dream, you make those sacrifices in time, talent, and treasure to make it happen.

Q. What's coming up next for your business?

A. We are working on a series of contracts with banks and mid sized companies to do some trainings with them. We are closer to starting our own publication dealing with Professional Development issues and we hope to hire 1-2 additional employees sometime this year.

 

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African American Business Association of Des Moines, Iowa

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