Female Entrepreneur of the Weel 4th June 2012
This story is about…
Female Entrepreneur: Gennese Williams
Location: UK
Company: MGW LONDON
Gennese took the leap to start her businesses after losing her sight as the result of an eye condition. Following a successful career in beauty, music and management she made the decision that she could not work for anyone else again and MGW London was born.
Age range: 30s
What motivated you to start your business?
In 2005 I lost my sight in my right eye due to a corneal hydrops resulting from the eye condition called keratoconus. Eventually my left eye was affected and in 2007 and I lost my sight in my left eye.
Being blind was a wake-up call and made me put a lot of things currently in my life in perspective. Whilst I was blind I had the idea to start my company. At that point I decided I would no longer work for anyone again and started to record my business plan.
I sat down and started to relay my idea to my brother Reggie. At first my idea seemed crazy, but we have now moved on and are continuously building the MGW London name. That day only seemed like yesterday and now we have evolved into this mini empire with such hard working and talented people around us.
Tell us about your business…
MGW London is a management and business consultancy agency. It is also the mother company to Kisses Forever Models, MGW London PR and MGW Hair. We also provide a whole range of services to manage any event, project or brand, with our in-house production, make up, hair stylists and fashion stylists’ team. We even have our own graphic design team which is run by my brother Najib.
Founded by Gennese Williams in August 2010, the Notting Hill based company employs a team of 30.
What is a day in the life of you like?
Controlled, crazy, productive and fun! My day starts with me checking my emails, checking my social site profiles, bookings and orders. I’m then busy emailing and talking to my clients, models or team members.
I make sure I stay current with the daily news and try to fit in a morning work out before I start with the remainder of the day. My day can range from being in the office, to meetings, conferences, filming, fashion shoots or travelling around the UK or the world.
I still make sure I fit in time for my family and my partner.
What have been your biggest challenges so far with running your business?
Missing family events, I’m very close to my family so if I miss a birthday or christening it can be very hard. Otherwise I don’t let anything stand in my way.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Getting a PA/Company Manager who is a dream! Her name is Sarah and she handles a lot of my day to day business and also help from Ade & Patrice who also work with my brothers and myself. And I can’t forget William, who keeps all finances and important dates in check for me, without them these challenges would not be possible to spend quality time with my family and events.
What have you found to be the most effective way to get new clients?
Word of mouth & Social Media! Being recommended by another and I didn’t have to advertise or approach them, speaks numbers. I have had so many clients work with us, as they have seen what we have and had achieved with our clients and previous clients and they want the same impact to the world.
Social media because its also a indirect why of building a relationship with my clients and they have the freedom to check me out before they approach us.
What advice would you give to other business owners?
Be professional at all times, master your craft and listen to your clients’ needs. Always be steps ahead to achieve the best and don’t sleep until you know the job is complete for that day. Your dedication to your clients, fans is key!
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
God, with him in my life all things have been possible. And I like to spend ‘Time Away’ from the world. This can be booking in to a hotel, spending a day in the park with my laptop and totally switching off from everyone. Once I leave, my creativity just flows through me and I am unstoppable and limitless!
What’s your favourite quote?
‘What you think you are worthy of, is what you will ATTRACT. You change your Reality when you change your Mentality’
Who inspires you?
My mother Beverley, she has been my angel and my rock through the business process and highlights. My brothers Daniel, Reggie and Najib for all of their support and my partner Andre.
Do you have a business philosophy?
We make sure you make a Professional, Positive & Strong Foundation..Always! Be Part Of Something New ..MGW LONDON
Get in touch…
Website: https://www.mgwlondon.com
Twitter Name: www.twitter.com/MGWLONDON
Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/MGWLONDONUK
