Today we’d like to introduce you to Gail Birks.
Hi Gail, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started CMA Enterprise Incorporated after spending nearly 9 years in the Banking Industry in South Florida. The greatest incentive was to be the designer of my own destiny. In the 1980s in South Florida, there were few African Americans in the Business Banking side of the business and fewer Black Women. So, I found myself being on a lonely path. And constantly being told that my path (or not) was different than others.
After encountering numerous roadblocks in advancing my career, I sat down with two mentors, and they confirmed that I was ready to move to that next level… Entrepreneurship. One mentor was a recruiter and she shared with me the liberation that I truly was seeking was in this realm. Knowing how to market and provide customer service excellence was the foundation of how I then began to build my next chapter.
I established my firm’s services to meet the different tiered needs of the clients that I wanted to attract. Being an advocate of “if you build it, they will come” is true. CMA has been received successfully for over 32 years. I took the experiences of Corporate America and crafted the universe that is now CMA Enterprise Incorporated and its affiliate, the Breakthru Institute. We offer innovative Consulting and Advisory Services, Professional Development, Executive Coaching, and Product Licensing.
One thing that I have learned through my journey is that balance is really important. While I have maintained a home office, it has dedicated space and office hours. I protect my personal and family time. In my early years in business, my then 4-year-old daughter asked me a series of questions. 1) When do you start working? 2) When do you finish your day? And 3) How many days a week do you work? She then asked for some string and an index card. She then created a sign with the materials I gave her, and she hung it on my door. Then asked what time is it? Her final statement was it is after business hours and now it is my time. That was my lesson in balance.
I have to also add that my daughter Courtney Michelle Askins is the CMA of the company name. I wanted the firm to have a “special” feeling to it. Also being a mother, I wanted to make sure that she was with me wherever I went. Hence, the perfect name for my company. Courtney is the Chairman Emeritus.
This journey has been a phenomenal experience. Having started this Company at the age of 30, the highlight was being asked to serve on the Corporate Board of a Regional Bank at the age of 34 years of age. This experience allowed me to truly showcase my experience and voice. It gave me the opportunity to also become role model for the ladies not only in the Bank but community. This really surprised me because I only saw myself as an example for my daughter.
I can truly say that I arrived to this point in my life journey through carefully selecting my networking circles as well as building strong relationships that have been mutually beneficial. Also contributing to my ongoing success has been designing client-friendly products and services that are transferrable to any industry and/or level of person in the workforce.
In recent years, we have focused more on the international stage and are courting clients with international reach. Our Online business and Executive Coaching businesses respectfully are beginning to soar.
CMA now celebrates 32+ years of service to business and industry and government. Our clients have sought us out, having heard from others on the experiences they had.
Our next chapter will continue to be consistent with our history of service… Customer Service Excellence, Quality Products and Services, and Sustainable Success Models for us and our past, present, and future Clientele
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth ride. But I have taken each challenge as a lesson needed to grow in my new skin. Some of the bumps in my road included…
-A difficult divorce
-Being a single mother while being self-employed. So, growing two babies simultaneously
-Diagnosis of Breast Cancer (13 years cancer free)
– Abdominal Surgery to counter early signs of ovarian cancer
-Up and down economies
-Misogyny, Gender, and Racial Discrimination (ongoing)
-Envy and Jealousy of people who resented that I left the comfort of “corporate” or more specifically “successfully escaped.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Many people don’t know that I am an accomplished Clothing and Accessory Designer. It has been a passion for me since I was 11 years old. It started when I started growing out of my clothes and my older sister was no longer growing. Hence, my design passion started.
My garments and accessories are referred to as wearable art. And the creativity juices that are generated becomes an experience that stimulates my need to design innovative solutions and also a beautiful outfit. It has helped me in my planning, construction of engagements, and outcomes/outputs that are desirable for the recipients.
I recently took on a challenge from my husband to attempt to design my own purses and accessories. He saw that I liked unique handbags. The result has been leather handbag creations made from driftwood and scrap leather.
What I am most proud of is that I my creations have inspired others to find their own muse. This has truly raised the bar for each client engagement that my teams and I embark upon.
My Artistic and Creative gifts have set me and CMA apart because it affords me the opportunity to “see the obvious.” And that is what artists do. But this skill has also given me the platform to showcase to business and industry that things are not always black and white but a universe of colors and textures. This is what people remember about us.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is family. Whether it is my immediate family or my teams. I know that this is the heart of my sustainable success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cma-ent.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmaenterpriseincorporated/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cmaenterpriseincorporated
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/puzzler7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXxuTZA6BqeGKImHGlXEEw
- Other: https://breakthruinstitute.biz
Image Credits
CareerSource
Boward Veterans Job Fair
She Talkx
Fabrik Creation by Gail Birks
FIBA – Woman on Boards Panel
Women in Business Conference Speaker
H.A.N.D.Y. Mentor Kickoff Facilitator
