Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Gray.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in Midland, Texas shaped me into really understanding what it means to be “community.” My Father was one of the first Black educators in Midland in 1953, so we (siblings) were brought up in an education centered environment and community service through our Church. When I met and married my husband Robert L. Gray, at the time, he was employed with ExxonMobil so for us, relocation from city to city was the norm due to his employment. So, my employment history was not stable.
So, with my desire for community service, I began to volunteer with nonprofit organizations and learned so much about the industry that I knew I wanted to be involved as a lifetime passion for service! To get my initial start in Corpus Christi, Texas I was employed with the Department of Human Resources. I worked in several departments, Aged & Disabled, Family Self-Support, Day Care Licensing, Office of the Inspector General and in the final 5th year of employment the Texas Board of Pardon & Paroles. I began to learn everything about the fundamental structure of how the nonprofits operated and what it took to become sustainable by working with cities, states and national government programs. So, with the startup experience, I launched my sole proprietor business Corporate Connections in 1998 in Mobile, Alabama until this day! While living in Mobile, Alabama, I begin to experience more into the federal grant allocations and how those taxpayer dollars actually supported cities, counties, and states to build infrastructure. I learned that nonprofit organizations are eligible for these grant funds as well.
It was not until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast that a major disaster impact not only destroyed housing, buildings, major land erosions and community based nonprofit organizations. So, during that time, I felt a need to support community Churches to help them understand the importance of being involved in the city strategic plan to be able to provide support to community residents and be part of the overall plan for recovery. Currently, I continue to volunteer my time and support to nonprofit organizations. I am a 17 year Certified Business Mentor with SCORE a nonprofit organization that provides mentoring through face-to-face sessions and business workshops as a resource partner of the Small Business Administration. Last but not least, I am Collin Community College part-time instructor in the Nonprofit Management Certification Series which I helped create over four years ago! This is one of the greatest opportunities and service that bring so much joy to me because I am able to support community-based start-up small businesses with an emphasis on the startup consulting businesses and community based nonprofit organizations and Churches in underserved communities throughout Dallas. I have been so blessed and fortunate to meet some very nice people that have helped and supported me along this journey!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey has not always been a smooth road due to moving from city to city. I had to learn to adjust to moving and relocating when my young daughters at the time were adjusting from different schools and friends, but through the ups and downs, I would not trade anything for this journey! Another struggle was trying to find employment to help bring additional income to our household. Also, the absence of my husband when he relocated to work in Nigeria, Angola, Russia, and South Korea with ExxonMobil. I was left to take care of the girls and manage the household the best I could. However, my involvement with the Church, volunteering and other community events and met and supported some wonderful people who later became life long friends to this day! Another lesson learned is how to be adaptable. However, I would not trade anything for my journey!
Corporate Connections – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Corporate Connections is a minority, woman-owned business that provides nonprofit consulting services, information and research, non-profit management, grants management, volunteer recruitment, proposal developing, grant writing, economic development proposals, social enterprise business plan developments, community organizing and workshops for professional development.
Corporate Connections is currently working with small and upcoming woman and minority-owned businesses, community development organizations, and faith-based organizations on a grassroots level. During this new 21st century and the new challenges that we are facing, focus must be put on the local community residents and the local financial institutions, corporate foundations, community foundations, private foundations, government entities to keep up with the mainstream of tremendous community and economic development and stability of our communities.
What is different about my business is that I help individuals start their own nonprofit consulting business if they are interested. I am known as the “Nonprofit Expert.” I am very personable and because of my track record in volunteering, I am called on to provide my business services based upon referrals.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success, for me, is not about making a lot of money. Success to me is making an impact and making a difference in the lives of others. For instance:
1) How many nonprofit organizations that I help to start
2) How many are continuing to stay in business
3)How many I have helped start their own nonprofit consulting business and
4) How I can learn more about the industry to serve my clients better
Contact Info:
- Website: www.corporateconnections.info
- Phone: 214-763-0438
- Email: Linda.JordanGray@gmail.com
- Twitter: @lkgray
- Other: LinkedIn/LindaGray
Image Credit:
SCORE Workshop, Empower Series, Collin Community College Workshop
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