Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Ross.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my business after being laid off from a well-known civil rights organization in Atlanta. That’s the fancy way of saying FIRE:D. But nevertheless, I had no clue what I wanted to do, post my civil rights and nonprofit career. But I had to figure out something real quick. I knew I had a lot of experience but I didn’t have any direction.
After the disappointment of being laid off; After being angry at them and angry at myself. I begin attending various workshops and classes to get ideas to help me decide on a new career. One thing I knew is that education was key and they may have took my job temporarily but they couldn’t take my education and experience.
I heard Robert Kiyosahi was coming town and I remembered his book, “Rich Dad Poor Dad”. I have always heard of his work and admired him so this was an awesome opportunity. I attended this workshop and it changed my life forever. This workshop introduced me to a life of Real Estate Investing.
I didn’t have a clue about Real Estate Investing but I remembered my husband had did a little investing years back. I was excited to tell my husband about the workshop and that we should get back into investing. He wasn’t convinced but after speaking with someone who had been in real estate for years changed his mind. That person became our mentor and helped us close our first deal.
One thing the workshop advised me was to get a mentor to help me jumpstart my career in real estate. Of course, I couldn’t afford their program but I followed their advice and ask people that I knew in real estate to help me.
I closed my first deal in 9 months. I purchased the property for 12,000. That property is now worth 489.000. Now along with my husband, we now have a portfolio of properties we have bought and sold.
In less than 6 months, I made six figures by accident. That may not seem like much but coming from near homeless and bankrupt. This was major, I had cracked the kitty.
Once I got into real estate, I quickly realized that there wasn’t enough of African Americans in Real Estate Investing, specifically African American women. Therefore, I created a program doing my fifth year of investing, teaching women and men who look like me how to invest in real estate.
Then I realized they didn’t have the basic fundamentals of business. However, I had already started helping people in business with business startups. Whether it was helping with their LLC, INC, EIN or writing a business proposal. I just married my passion with a need and it became a business.
In 2019, I started my baby! Yes, my baby. I started GNO Movement. An organization for women in business and for women who desire to be in business.
GNO’s mission is to create an environment for women in business to network, connect ideas, celebrate and INSPIRE each other.
Even in the midst of a pandemic, I was able to connect with thousands of women in business throughout the United States.
Every year we honor women in business who we deem as Movers and Shakers in the community. Since 2019, we have honored over 30 women in business.
Of course, me desiring to help women just like me. I wanted to share my story of being bankrupt and losing everything. I wrote a motivational and inspirational book called “The Son Still Shines” even in dark places, I wrote this book to encourage and motivate women who may be going through. This book became an Amazon Best Seller, Hot New Release and Top Ten. I am working on my next book for women in business, “So You Call Yourself A Boss”, which will be released in 2023.
I have now embarked on a new journey that’s definitely out of my element but well worth it. Mary’s Beauty and Business Bar will be open in January 2023. This business was created to give women in business a location for startups and expansion. The mission of Mary’s Beauty and Business Bar is to marry beauty and business together. Why not feel beautiful while conducting business? We all should feel and look beautiful while conducting business in a safe place.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, I lost everything but my faith in God. I knew that God was going to see and my family through.
I just knew without a doubt God was going to bring me out. However, the most difficult part was knowing when he was going to bring me out.
I had to begin to change my Mindset, I had to begin to renew my mind, and change my thought process. That’s only when my life changed.
As you know, we’re big fans of S&M Management Group & GNO Movement. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a Best Selling Author, Coach, Motivational Speaker and Real Estate Developer.
I trained and coached entrepreneurs on how to take their businesses to the next level.
I create platforms for business owners to excel in business and real estate.
I help inspire authors to speak their truth through storytelling. Using my professional and life skills to help them become a best-selling author.
People know me as a servant leader, I lead by example.
I am set apart from others because of my determination, professionalism and my handheld approach to coaching.
I am most proud of my brand because I created a brand from scratch with little to no experience. But the most important thing I did with everything I decide to do is I BELIEVE I CAN DO IT. Once I believe I can do it, half of my battle is won. This is something I teach my students and anyone I coach. The first order of business is believing you can do it.
I want your readers to know that they can do all things and with a little bit of coaching from me I can take them to the next level. Whether it’s real estate investing or building your brand, business and platform, I can get you to the next level.
If you are looking for a coach who cares, a coach who is determined to see you win. A coach who has a wealth of education and experience. I am your coach.
Are you ready to learn how to invest in real estate with proven strategies and real results? I am your coach.
Are you ready to tell your story on a platform with hundreds, sometimes thousands of people? I first told my story in front of five thousand attendees. You know how I did it? Because I believed I could. Tell your story in real-time or in a book, I am your coach.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for you is to do your research. This is the only time Google needs to be your best friend. Begin volunteering for people who are doing what you want to do. Only a fool will turn down free help, don’t take anything personally but as a learning experience. Save for a rainy day because that day will come in business. I remember right before the pandemic, our business was not doing as well as it could’ve been doing. But because of savings and a rainy day fund, we were able to weather the storm.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gnomovement.org
- Instagram: IAMMARYROSS
- Facebook: MROSS ROSS
- Twitter: IAMMARYROSS
- Youtube: @maryross2150
