Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Alicia Makaye.
Hi Dr. Makaye, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Dr. Alicia Makaye, PhD, co-founder and Chief Outreach Officer of GXA, one of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s fastest-growing IT companies. For the past 20 years, I have dedicated my career to GXA, serving in several capacities, including more than three years as Chief Executive Officer and 17 years as Vice President. Alongside my co-founder and husband, George Makaye, I have helped to drive the company forward. I am an entrepreneur, leader, philanthropist, U.S. Air Force veteran, public speaker, podcast host, and a committed wife and mother, striving for excellence in every role I undertake.
GXA, a managed service provider (MSP), delivers innovative solutions and support that enhance operational efficiencies, create competitive advantages, and strengthen businesses and communities. Our offerings include IT solutions, consulting, disaster and business continuity planning, managed technology solutions, backup & data recovery, cybersecurity, and cloud computing services. We have transformed the technology landscapes of hundreds of companies across numerous industries in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, turning technology expenses into profit centers. Companies outsource their IT needs to GXA for peace of mind, benefiting from our 24/7 network monitoring and our focus on leveraging technology to fulfill business visions.
As the technology landscape evolves, so does GXA. We are continuously expanding our cybersecurity capabilities to anticipate and address the latest threats, including those posed by Artificial Intelligence. We are integrating new experts to safeguard our clients’ critical data.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the most significant challenges in entrepreneurship is navigating the unpredictable. Despite meticulous planning, unexpected events can significantly alter the landscape. How you adapt is what makes the difference. For example, the Great Recession that began in 2008 hit not long after we founded GXA. With barely four years in business, we were faced with a worldwide financial crisis that particularly impacted small businesses. But, because our company offered reasonably priced services that were essential to business, we not only succeeded, we grew during that difficult time.
Another formidable challenge emerged in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed the world overnight. How businesses operated and how employees worked completely changed. Our clients’ businesses shifted from centralized office networks to remote setups, requiring us to serve clients who had hundreds of workers operating from home.
This drastic change tested our resources, put a strain on our staff, and pushed our systems to the limit. Nevertheless, we adapted and improved our strategies, which led to hiring additional staff, acquiring new clients, and increasing revenues. Through innovation and resilience, we didn’t just survive; we thrived.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about GXA?
GXA is not only an IT service and solutions provider but also a labor of love founded by my husband and me. We started this venture to take control of our time and income, which wouldn’t have been possible while working for others. Our vision for entrepreneurship was to enable us to engage in philanthropy—our true purpose. George and I experienced and witnessed firsthand the devastation of poverty that children around the world face every day and knew that we could make a difference. Over the years, our efforts have positively affected communities both locally and internationally through financial contributions and countless volunteer hours. Our work has taken us to Mexico, Kenya, South Africa, and Swaziland, where we have strived to make significant changes. Another mission that I personally have embraced is helping young people, other women and people of color realize that the tech industry is a frontier they can and should explore. Last summer I pivoted into my latest role at GXA – COO – which has allowed me more flexibility and has consistently put me in front of large audiences speaking about entrepreneurship, leadership, being a Black female leader in the tech world, the importance of STEM and a variety of other topics dear to my heart. The more I was asked to speak, the more I realized that my story – my why and my journey in the tech industry – meant something to others. So, I have kept sharing it. It is another way for me to give back.
To reach an even wider audience, I’ve recently teamed up with Fern Johnson, PepsiCo’s former Chief Technology Officer and VP of infrastructure and Global IT Operations, launching a new podcast 2 L.I.T. Chicks on Spotify. The podcast is designed to showcase Leaders in Tech (L.I.T.), featuring the inspiring stories of pioneering women or allies who are breaking boundaries and shaping the future of technology. Our goal is to motivate, educate, and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Luck is the residue of design, they say. I believe that is true. While people looking at the success George and I have had in growing GXA might think we’ve been lucky, I would say we’ve been fortunate. We have survived times of economic crisis, particularly during the 2008 Great Recession, not by happenstance but by deliberately positioning ourselves in such a way that we were invaluable to small business owners and pricing our services fairly.
Similarly, GXA survived the pandemic, not by luck but by proactively adapting to the changing world. We met our clients where they needed us – virtually. As many businesses currently struggle to recruit qualified staff, we’ve been growing our workforce for several years. This growth has not been without its challenges, but through thoughtful planning, we have made GXA an appealing place to work—one where employees feel valued, heard, and respected.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gxait.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gxait/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gxait/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gxa/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GXAIT
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gxanetworks
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nZdo2gf2joRORCMiVP3Na
