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Meet Lori A. Manns of Quality Media Consultant Group in Downtown

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori A. Manns.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Lori. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Life has a funny way of leading you on a path of purpose if you just surrender to the journey and trust the process. Twenty years ago, if you had asked me what I would be doing at this stage in my life, my answer would have probably been very different than the ways things have turned out. Throughout my life, I’ve had some very unique experiences that have shaped me into the woman I am now as well as the woman I am becoming.

I am originally from Michigan and lived in the Detroit area, through elementary school until my mother decided to move our family to Tuskegee, Alabama. I attended high school and college in Alabama and majored in Mass Communications at Auburn University in Montgomery. A few years after college, I finally landed in broadcast media sales where I spent 19 years as a multi-media, senior account manager for two of the largest media groups in the USA; Cox Radio and CBS Radio (now Entercom). After being downsized in 2009, I decided that I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur and owning a business. Although I was excited about the concept of entrepreneurship, I realized that I didn’t know much about running a profitable business. I set out to learn as much as I could about entrepreneurship. I learned that entrepreneurship is a journey and not a sprint. Whenever, I’m giving advice to new entrepreneurs, I tell them that surviving entrepreneurship requires five P’s to get from one level to the next: planning, prayer, preparation, processes and perseverance.

Growing up, I was always intrigued with entrepreneurship because my Father was an entrepreneur. Even though his full-time job was a school bus driver, my dad always maintained a business on the side and eventually became a full-time entrepreneur. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and loved the concept of free enterprise. My father instilled in me the core values of quality work, integrity, servant leadership and honoring your word, through his example. Because of lessons learned from my father, after leaving corporate America, I was inspired to start my own business as well as a non-profit organization. Today, I am the president and owner of Quality Media Consultant Group, a business consultancy firm specializing in advertising, marketing and sales solutions for optimal business growth. Additionally, because of my passion for giving back to the community, I founded the Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to fostering and promoting children’s health and wellness.

As an entrepreneur, I rely on my faith and fortitude to get me through the challenging days and inevitable unknowns that occur from being a small business owner in the 21st century. The foundation of my faith comes from my mother, a devout woman of prayer who always taught me and my sisters to love and trust God. Through my faith in God, I’ve been able to achieve success as an entrepreneur and teach others how to do the same. After many years of wins and losses and through trial and error, I learned the winning formula for operating a profitable six-figure business as well as a successful non-profit organization.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I can honestly say the road hasn’t always been smooth nor has it always been bumpy. Gratefully, I’ve experienced enough rocky times to have a profound appreciation for the smooth sailing times. I’ve learned that during the challenging times, you learn what you’re made of and somehow find the strength and resolve to keep going no matter what.

Some of the struggles along the way have ranged from a lack of funding to being the best kept secret in my industry when I was just starting out. Whether you’re trying to acquire funds to stay afloat or struggling to get noticed by the right people, both scenarios present a unique set of challenges in life and in business. However, the importance of diversifying revenue streams and maintaining varied ways to earn money is vital.

Once you learn how to create diverse ways to earn money, you are no longer limited to just one revenue stream. On top of that, being unapologetically bold when it comes to promoting your brand, eliminates the unknown factor which allows you to get found, seen and heard by the right people. The truth is, nothing can take the place of brand awareness when it comes to business growth and success.

We’d love to hear more about the business.
Quality Media Consultant Group is a business consultancy firm that provides proven sales and marketing solutions to help entrepreneurs and business owners get more dream clients, greater brand visibility and increased sales. We develop and implement marketing plans and advertising programs that have lasting impact and provide measurable results for our clients. As President of Quality Media Consultant Group LLC, I am the visionary guiding the company’s goals, strategy, planning, business development and overseeing day-to-day operations. I help our clients to increase sales and improve their brand image in the marketplace.

In my professional life, I’m known as a marketer, speaker, business strategist and sales coach. I specialize in helping purpose driven, spiritual women entrepreneurs to use their expertise and talents to create profitable businesses while staying true to their soul’s purpose. One of the things I’m most proud of is helping entrepreneurs to increase their profits. It’s very rewarding to help entrepreneurs change their income level for the better. Another thing that has been rewarding is being recognized for exemplary work with various awards and accolades by my peers and professional organizations. It’s one thing to pat yourself on the back, however it’s more fulfilling when other people recognize and reward your hard work.

I’ve always wanted to be known as a servant leader and change agent. I was taught at an early age about volunteerism and helping people by my mother. I truly care about my community and making a difference in the lives of others. When it comes to business, one of the things that sets me apart is my intrinsic gift to identify the strengths in others and help them leverage them. As a business coach, I work with entrepreneurs to discover their gifts and advise them on ways to monetize their talents and expertise. One of the other unique things about me is that I am a wordsmith. I enjoy helping people find the right language to tell their stories in a compelling manner. After all, everyone loves a good story!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My biggest fan and cheerleader is my mother. I am truly grateful for her guidance, advice and support throughout my life and career. In business, I’ve had the benefit of a powerful network of colleagues, mentors and friends who have looked out for me in one way or another.

When it comes to my philanthropy work, my sister Cherryl has been by my side since day one and is my biggest supporter. She has tirelessly served on the board of directors for the non-profit organization I founded, since its inception. I am fortunate to have a supportive family who rallies behind my vision and helps me to make a difference in the community.

In order to succeed in any area of life, having a team is vital. I’m thankful to have a group of awesome friends, mentors and colleagues who have supported me throughout my career as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. I am truly blessed to have a strong network.

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