Conversations with Cheryl Monroe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Monroe.

Cheryl, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Cheryl Monroe’s remarkable journey began in Atlanta, Georgia, where she faced and overcame the challenges of being a teenage mother. Determined to create a better future, she joined the U.S. Army, embarking on a distinguished 28-year career that saw her rise to the historic rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5) in the Ammunition Field, the first Black woman to achieve this milestone. Her military service shaped her into a trailblazer, instilling expertise in supply chain management, logistics, project management, and government contracting.

After retiring from the Army, Cheryl leveraged her experience to build multiple businesses, including CK Management and Consultant Group, which supports clients in navigating the complexities of government contracts, and The Cleaning Advantage, a commercial cleaning company specializing in eco-friendly solutions.

Cheryl’s entrepreneurial spirit is matched by her dedication to empowering others. Her expertise has earned her numerous accolades, including induction into the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame and recognition as a United Nations Global Women Foundation Leadership Award recipient. As a best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Cheryl continues to inspire others with her story of resilience and her commitment to uplifting marginalized voices.

From overcoming personal obstacles to making history and creating pathways for others, Cheryl Monroe exemplifies the power of determination, grace, and a purpose-driven life. Today, she stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment, helping individuals and businesses achieve their full potential.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, the road has not been smooth, it has been a journey paved with challenges, resilience, and growth. Life’s trials have shaped who I am today and the path I have taken. One of my earliest challenges was becoming a teenage mother. It was a pivotal moment that required maturity, determination, and an unrelenting commitment to building a better future for myself and my child.

Joining the U.S. Army presented its own set of obstacles. As a Black woman in a male-dominated field, I had to work twice as hard to prove myself, break barriers, and carve out a place for others to follow. Rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5) required not only expertise but also navigating systemic biases, maintaining resilience, and finding balance between my personal and professional life.

Transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship was another uphill climb. Starting my own businesses whether it was launching The Cleaning Advantage or CK Management and Consultant Group, meant facing financial hurdles, learning to build systems from the ground up, and persisting through moments of doubt. Finding funding, especially as a minority woman entrepreneur, has been one of the most significant challenges, but it has taught me the value of perseverance and resourcefulness.

Additionally, personal loss, including the recent passing of my mother, has tested my emotional strength. But even in these moments of grief, I have found inspiration to keep moving forward, honoring her legacy by building a life and career rooted in purpose and impact.

Through it all, I have learned that success isn’t about the absence of struggles. it’s about the ability to rise each time you fall. The road may not have been smooth, but every bump and detour has strengthened my resolve, sharpened my vision, and taught me invaluable lessons that I now use to empower others. It’s these challenges that have made the journey worthwhile and meaningful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Thank you for the opportunity to share more about my work! At the core of what I do is a passion for empowering individuals and businesses to thrive by providing solutions that foster resilience, innovation, and sustainable success.

I wear multiple hats as a business owner and consultant. Through CK Management and Consultant Group, I specialize in guiding organizations through the complexities of government contracting, project management, and supply chain optimization. We are known for delivering tailored strategies that streamline operations and maximize profitability, often taking our clients from uncertainty to confidently achieving their goals.

Additionally, with The Cleaning Advantage, my team and I provide eco-friendly commercial cleaning solutions to government sectors and businesses. We are committed to creating healthier spaces while adhering to sustainable practices.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach, blending over 28 years of military experience in logistics, contracts and strategy with entrepreneurial innovation. My background has equipped me with unmatched discipline, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

I am most proud of the impact my work has on the lives of others. Whether it’s helping a business secure a critical government contract, supporting employees with sustainable workplace practices, providing a 401k for our employees, or empowering professionals to navigate challenges. I see my success reflected in theirs.

What truly distinguishes my work is the value I place on relationships and customization. I believe in meeting clients where they are, understanding their unique challenges, and providing solutions that are as individualized as they are effective. My commitment to transparency, excellence, and continuous improvement ensures that every engagement delivers real results.

I hope it inspires others to pursue their goals with purpose and determination.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Blessings has undeniably played a role in my journey, both in moments of unexpected fortune and unforeseen challenges. I believe luck good or bad is not just about random events but how you respond to them, turning opportunities into growth and setbacks into lessons.

There have been pivotal moments where it felt like a guiding hand. Being in the right place at the right time, meeting incredible mentors, or receiving opportunities I hadn’t initially anticipated have all shaped my path. For instance, my historic rise in the military and the transition into entrepreneurship were bolstered by connections and chances that seemed serendipitous. Luck brought doors of opportunity, but it was my preparation, resilience, and willingness to take risks that allowed me to walk through them.

On the flip side, bad luck has shown up in various forms, unexpected losses, funding challenges, or moments where things didn’t go as planned despite my best efforts. One of the most significant personal challenges was losing my mother, a loss that has deeply impacted me. In business, navigating biases as a minority entrepreneur and facing setbacks in securing funding were hurdles that felt like bad luck at the time.

However, I’ve learned that obstacles often reveals strength and ingenuity you didn’t know you had. Those moments taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to my vision, no matter how rough the journey became.

Ultimately, luck, good or bad, has been a catalyst, but not the defining factor. What has truly shaped my life and business is the ability to recognize opportunities within the chaos, make intentional choices, and keep moving forward with faith and determination.

I like to think of luck as life’s way of presenting a blank canvas. It’s up to us to decide how to paint it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ckmacg.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckmacg_20/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.monroe.96
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-monroe/