Summer Youth Program (2 Summers) Age 13
First Full Time Job – Office Clerk US Finance & Acquisitions
Minot North Dakota
First Business Venture (Age 13-15)
Minot North Dakota
Babysitting/Day Care during Masonic (Lodge My Father Founded)/Eastern Star Conference Season (6-7 events per year)
At times I would have 10-12 kids at one time charging 10 per child
Sports;
Track & Field
Softball
Football
Golf
Cross Country
Tennis
Opened first account at Air Force Base Credit Union at age 13 and saved all of my money until it was time for school. Started buying my school clothes and would purchase one sport item per year, 1st one was a bag of marbles which I multiplied 10 fold taking all of my brothers and his friend steelies, boulders and cat eyes.
Denver Colorado Age 15-20, discovered I was overloaded with credits. Carried a half load and had a full time job at the savings and loan near our house. (left school at 4th period and took bus)
Passed Civil Service Exam
1st Job US Air Force Department of Finance, Denver CO
2nd Job US Army Acquisitions and Logistics, Denver CO
3rd Job US Department of Internal Revenue Service Denver CO/LA California
Los Angeles US Department of Internal Revenue Service
Weyerhaeuser mortgage Company
Sales Rep – Construction Equipment Leasing (p/t)
Houston Tx, Capital Tile Insurance
Executive Liaison to VP of Sales
Atlanta, GA, CSX Intermodal Rail and Truckload
Internal Sales Executive
Founder MiJoy Industrial Services 1998 – Present
Construction Interior Finishing
Construction Debris Waste Hauling
Construction Management Professional Support Services
Facility Management & Operations
Safety Training and Cyber Security
Other business ventures;
Custom Home Building
Logistics Company
Production Company
Events Studio
Project Experience
Atlantic Station / Brownfield Project
CDC Scientific Laboratories ( 3 buildings)
Several Municipalities (GA) Annual Maintenance Contracts
Aviation Modernization Annual Contracts
Aviation Operations and Maintenance Conrac Facilities
MASTER Plan Aviation GA & SC
Growing up an Air Force Dependent or Military Brat (as generally phrased) is another world. A home and school filled with Discipline, Actions dictating parents careers and moving anytime the wind blew. I was a major tom boy playing with cars, army men, football, marbles and dirt clod fights I understood very young, to create an existence or stand on your own path, you had to make a way out of nothing. Already an entrepreneur at 10, I baby sat for mom and dads Masonic Brothers and Eastern Star Sisters on weekends on end. Making upwards of $300 – $400 a weekend, at the age of 12. My first full time job was supported by the youth summer program, my introduction to civil service, which I passed at the age of 18 and worked for over 10 years. Full time jobs during HS because I had so many credits from extra credit and military based education, graduated early and I was an athlete for fun. The new kid on the block was nothing new when I moved to Atlanta. I grew 3 old acquaintances to a multitude of business associates and friends from years of building long term relationships all over the Atlanta Metro Area as well as the Southeast.
MiJoy was started years before I was formally provided with a severance package and wishes of good luck in all my endeavors. Relationships, my love of big equipment and being the new person/women in the room, great severance package, faith and moxie took me to boldly pursue a male dominated industry within construction and engineering industry. We have provided support on some of largest and high profile projects in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. MiJoy has enjoyed success on projects providing construction cleaning, drywall and interior millwork finishing, Browns field Clean Up, modernization of escalators and elevators as well as supporting the installation of some of the critical infrastructure sewer and sanitation projects in GA local county government.
Make a Way. Dads mantra; Discipline, Drive, Direction. These words were drilled into me from a young age. I do not recognize the word no, I don’t believe in a closed door, and I never allow anyone to highjack my vision. Dad would say “ No one likes a whiner, they will respect a winner, Find A way.
Moms mantra; Work hard, to Play hard and to buy cute dresses. Mom was an entrepreneur by nature as was her family. Farming, land, properties, all of this is in my veins, my DNA. Obstacles are nothing more than a reason to regroup and adjust to the work ahead. The win is around the corner and it is always sweeter when the win was fought with hard work, faith, and perseverance.
I am proud to say, we have grown our business during some of the worst of times; Real estate turn of 2005, a pandemic, and now the great resignation. MiJoy is set to surpass our 2023 goals, and exceed our strongest previous quarter.
Georgia and SBA programs for Women Owned and Minority Businesses can set your foundation, set your pace and also surpass your goals. Mayor Maynard Jackson, recognized the potential in minority businesses and put in place the programs that would be recognized and duplicated across the globe. I want to reach behind me and open the door for the next Mijoy, the next bold business owner who has the vision and now just needs a helping hand. The same as was provided to me.
I want to make my parents and Mayor Jackson proud of the accomplishments that were borne at my dining room table, with a mindset of Why Not Me.
Military Mindset, keep your head down against the Wind for the Win. The beauty of the bio above, I am just getting started.