Today we’d like to introduce you to Anika Inman.
Hi Anika, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I didn’t start off as an entrepreneur. Matter of fact, I never thought I wanted to be an entrepreneur. Prior to starting my business, I worked in law enforcement specifically in the Probation Industry for almost a decade. After working on the private side of probation, I was able to identify gaps in processes, and I had ideas to optimize policies and procedures in the legal system. Once I learned that I could do more to help the courts and other government entities from a business and operation strategy perspective that is when Insight Consulting Group was born. That is when the entrepreneurial spirit hit. At the time, it wasn’t a lot of firms out there that had my skill set nor strictly focused on helping government entities in this way.
Insight Consulting Group has grown and has been in business for almost a decade now. We have serviced many clients in Georgia, especially in the Metro Atlanta area. I am a Boutique size woman-owned firm that prides itself in hiring women and women of color consultants. I believe as women, we are a force and when we work together, we are unstoppable. Now this doesn’t mean I don’t hire qualified men. I just want to make sure qualified women have every opportunity to reach their goals and dreams. Insight Consulting Group now also offers a new service which is political strategy management, where we manage political campaigns. We are a non-partisan firm that helps many local and state-level candidates achieve their political aspirations. I am proud that I took the leap of faith to become a business owner; I am more fulfilled and rewarded by the work that I do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth ride in owning a business absolutely not lol. The biggest challenge is fear, getting over the fear of the unknown more so. You know you have a good business model but how do you get your target audience to buy-in to the need of your service? A decade in and with a growing portfolio, I am constantly still trying to be innovative in marketing and selling. Business is interesting. It will always have its highs and lows but if you stay focused on your why, be creative in your marketing plan, and foster the key relationships through networking, the challenges lessen.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Insight Consulting Group (ICG) is a woman-owned boutique size consulting firm that has serviced government and political clients for almost a decade. Our team of consultants have 15+ years of experience as experts in the management, political, organizational effectiveness, and project management. ICG is a customer-focused, quality-driven organization that leverages industry-leading practices to drive continuous improvement and effectively optimizes business processes. Our team assists clients with achieving their business objectives and developing a long-term growth plan for tomorrow.
What sets us apart from any other consulting firm that may work in this space is that we believe in working with our clients as a partner to solve complex problems. We are a team. We are accessible which is why we continue to have long-standing relationships with our clients. We are solution-oriented by ensuring we have our client’s best interests at heart. Although I am the owner I meet with each client, I want them to know they can reach me at any time. That I am personally dedicated and take pride in the work that we provide to make sure each client is satisfied.
I want the readers to know I started this consulting firm because I had a vision and passion to be amongst the leading consulting firms in the country. I knew we had the capacity and the experience that was needed in this industry. I will say a big enough vision has helped me remove so many obstacles and the challenges that I thought were in front of me. Today, it allows me to show you, my audience, many dimensions of who I am, and who Insight Consulting Group is.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
When I think about my own personal story and the barriers that I had to overcome and still overcome to be an entrepreneur, I am very proud of myself that I am still standing tall in business. I think back to when I first decided to start a business. If I am being honest, I was extremely scared. I doubted my ability. I questioned myself a lot did I really have what it takes to run a business. Not only did I have my skeptics, but I had the noise of the naysayers, so-called friends, and family. Instead of supporting me, they gave me every reason why I shouldn’t instead of supporting saying yes you can.
At the time, I only had the support of my ex-husband who said the only thing you can do is fail and you can always go back to a 9-5, so you know what, I did it. I started a business. I realized my journey is my journey, just like your journey is yours. Our journey is not a community project, it’s not meant to take everyone on the ride. As hard of a ride it has been I am so proud that I took it and that I am still on my journey. I have heard a lot of no in business but the yes is why I can proudly say I have been in business for almost a decade. I now walk in any room knowing I have the right to be there. I have earned my seat at the table of business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.insightconsultinggroups.com
- Instagram: ai_5_24
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?iid=100001188125049
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/anika-inman-94b66753
