Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia McCoy.
Hi Felicia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I got started in my business in the year of 2009. I’d already started doing what I’d love prior to the day I decided to launch ByGrace Promotions or BG Promotions, Inc. Through the grace of God, I’m able to help people accomplish their dreams through my passions and the things that God has instilled within me. It all started for me when I relocated here to live for good in 1996. I was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I graduated in 1995 and my Family moved to Atlanta, GA. I did a year of College at Jackson State University from 1995 – 1996. Then I moved to Atlanta permanently in the Spring of 1996. When I moved here, I became very acquainted with my surroundings and people because I’m known for not meeting any strangers. My first experience of Marketing started with the longest standing Black Owned Women Business Night Venue, Angie BGood Ballew.
At the time, it was Towers II. I’d pass out flyers for her and helped her increase her visual and following amongst doing some video recordings for her night showcases and other various jobs. And for a consistent period of time! It was one of the best night venues to have an enjoyable time. She still exist today along with Mae Braddy and their supporting staff. They went from Towers II to Phase I and II and now they are at their newest location, we know it as the old Atrium, 4933 Memorial Dr. Stone Mountain, GA. 30083. I’d like to say that Angie B, paved the way to my journey of where I am today. There were also other Promoters I would do some advertisements for such as Ladies at Play and Blue Diamond Entertainment. Next, in some of my communities, I spent a lot of time taking photos and videos for many occasions, such as Pageants, Events and many other engagements that were had during those seasons. And one particular Organization or Family, we called it House of Buchanan’s, spent many years growing with them. The leaders then, now known as Nick Devereux and Tonya Gooden, hosted night club parties and annual pride events for many years and I’d also, get out there in the streets, hitting the ground running with flyers and word of mouth to expose to the people. They also played a huge part in my journey of experiences and skills that I have today.
It was then, 2009, I decided to really name my business and in 2010, I registered it with the State of GA. But, I wasn’t truly ready at the time. I went through a horrific time in my life that changed me forever. I’d lost everything. I had to face a huge set back that made me sit still for some time. I then had learned a new strategy to help me become better. I first learned about Facebook. I’d had so many issues with passing out flyers that I decided to learn and master a new skill and make the best of it online. With over many years of trials and failures, investments and loss of money, let downs from people who wouldn’t support me, and just losing love ones, I went into a negative mindset. So, much has transpired in my life over the many years, so too fast forward, by the year of 2017, a paradigm shift happened. My Brother, Calvin McCoy Jr, even though he’s two years younger than me, I call him the Serial Entrepreneur. He’s the CEO and Owner of Signature Brands, Inc. and Signature Contingent Management. He’s also Bishop of his church home, Hope For Tomorrow Deliverance Center, pastoring now his 14th year coming up here in 2021. He set a seed of $1000 for me to start my 1st photography studio, BGP Photography, which was located inside of the Glenwood 285 Flea Market in Decatur, GA.
I’d say I did pretty well the 1st year and then I relocated my studio to the Conyers Mini Mall after my contract ended and stayed only about three months at that location in the early part of 2018. I’d feel depressed for some time between the transition of moving my studio. Some things going on where life challenges I was having to face. I didn’t see any way out of my own head and thoughts which those thoughts became things had gotten me mentally loss somewhere. I was in a bad state of mind. I’d snapped on people I loved, I’d hid behind the scenes, while I gained weight and became unhealthy overall. I was no good to anyone. Folks truly don’t know what you are going through, unless you share your own story. So thank you VoyageATL Magazine for allowing a platform like this for us to do just that. I’d spent some few years, simply depressed. Then here comes another shift. I meet my Life Influencer, during the process of letting my photography studio go and from there on, my Life Influencer, first help me get my mental state back on track, then help me to lose 100 lbs., which took me about a year to lose and simply help me get my life in order so that I can be a better CEO for my Company.
Trust me, in the beginning, it started off just a little rough. It was no easy task for me to adjust to change. I had to except that God was sending me someone to help me and not hurt me. Tisa Edge, LLC. started working with me in February of 2018 and is still a huge intricate part of my life and the shaping of my Business. She’s no joke. She influences you to live your best life. She simply has a process that you just must follow and be ready to make changes that will influence you to do better. She’s also one of my 22 clients that I manage and maintain their digital platforms for currently. And because of my growth, my focus, and my consistent hard work and dedication, by March of 2020, during the Covid-19 Pandemic, my Brother hired my company to manage and maintain both of his Companies Digital Branding Platforms. Which in turn, allowed me to go Full Time for BG Promotions, Inc. and it’s been a blessing ever since. Between Calvin and Tisa, they both have referred some magnificent Business Owners to me and I’m blessed to have accomplished all of their needs.
And, although, my business has taken a slight hit in the latter months of 2020, where I started with about 29 clients and have lost about half of them currently, I can say God has still been sustaining me through it all. I’m just blessed and wanting to continue to be a Blessing to others. I’m here to make a difference. My target market has been 50 and up and those that don’t understand digital online technology. These clients have been the best clients I’ve ever had because they’ve allowed me to help them be great and just let me do my job. Many of them would say to me, I don’t know nothing about that kind of stuff, “Can you just handle that for me and I’ll take care of you?” lol And I love it and make it happen for them. Though, it doesn’t stop here, I believe in longevity with my clients.
You’re just not hiring some company to handle your Brand’s Marketing and then walk way, but someone who cares and you will have a winning, long term business relationship with. I live by and walk with Integrity always. And I simply go hard in the paint for my clients. You get the best out of me! I’d like to also thank Shantricia Johnson-Colbert (Shake and Shan’s Snack Shack) and Keisa Talley (Lyfestylz Plus) both for referring me to VoyageATL Magazine. God is still taking me to newer levels. There’s so much more to come. God is laying the pathway and I’m obeying and walking in it. I am your Digital Brand Marketing Influencer. I’m here to Help you, Help Me, Help you, Be The Best that you can be for your Brand. Because, #ThruMeTheySeeYou. #ITSGOTIME #illDrink2That
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road for the last six months. Some of the struggles along the way I’ve had is, due to Covid-19, I’ve loss about half of my clients and it’s been hard trying to recoup new clients. I’ve not been able to cover subscriptions for programs I use for business. And there’s been some other challenges that have played a negative impact for my business. I’m praying that things change for the betterment of our world very soon.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BG Promotions, Inc., (BGP) is a Digital Advertisement and Marketing Corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia over 20 years. We help businesses build and maintain their Digital Brand Marketing Platforms. We create brand strategy and visual messaging. We expose, promote and outsource and we are passionate about our work and we don’t rest until we deliver something extraordinary. We are committed to helping clients achieve their most ambitious marketing objectives. BGP uses a unique combination of Internet marketing, social media and traditional marketing to ensure that your business receives the largest possible return on investment.BG Promotions Advertisement and Marketing Company believe in developing strong relationships with our clients and want to become a trusted partner and resource as well as your biggest advocate.
We offer you the personalized service and closer relationships of a small business with the reach and impact of a large corporation. We will work closely with you to ensure that your needs are met. Contact us today to learn more or to set up an appointment to discuss your needs and business goals. We look forward to hearing from you and remember, no matter how large or small, BGP, Inc. can help you reach your goals. As a growing company with an international presence, BG Promotions, Inc. currently encompasses a social network of 90,000 individuals and business through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and is connected to over hundreds of Internet Online Marketing Network Sites. We offer website designs, logo designs, graphic designs, bulk printing, photography, videography, commercials, social media advertising and simply all things media. We have all that your Brand needs. What set me apart is my consistency, hard work, dedication and self-driven energy. I have the gift of gab. I go above and beyond the call of duty. I’m dependable and a teacher. You will learn so much from me.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I do advise people to find a mentor that you can relate to and understand from. What worked well for me is having a Life Influencer instead of a Life Coach. Generally, you sit down in an office setting or phone setting and talk to a Life Coach. A Life Influencer actually will take it a little further and do the process with you. Instead of sitting, they are walking the process along with you. And it is also uncut, raw and un-script. My Life Influencer doesn’t bite her tongue. And this is what has definitely work for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: contactme@bgpromotionsinc.com
- Website: http://bgpromotionsinc.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/bgpromotionsinc
- Facebook: facebook.com/bgpromotionsinc
- Twitter: twitter.com/bgpromotionsinc
- Youtube: YouTube.com/bgpromoinc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bg-promotions-stone-mountain-2
Image Credits
Tyler Ogburn Photography and DecarloyLyfe Photography
