Michelle Geddes
President and CEO
M Group Worldwide Inc.
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
Passion. I love my career. Marketing helps me to touch so many people in different ways, there is never a dull moment.
How did you arrive at this career choice?
I’ve always loved socializing and getting people together. After working for the Chicago Public Schools and Nike doing event management, I decided to branch out on my own. After I went back to school to get my master’s in integrated marketing communications, M Group Worldwide Inc. was born.
What other industries connect to your career choice?
Everything. I usually bridge my company’s client with community engagement. There is always a give back or a chance for exposure for the community that I serve.
How do you stay at the leading edge of what you do?
I’m constantly learning new skills, keeping up with social media and other trends and networking.
How do you map out your goals? How do you measure your success?
Mapping out my goals is a daily process. I have a vision board that constantly reminds me of what it is that matters to me and why I’m doing this.
… I measure my success by a job well done and my peace of mind. At the end of the day, I want to always do my best and leave the client happy.
Name three books, works, performances or exhibits that changed how you view life or yourself.
The Bible, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and anything written by Iyanla Vanzant
Why do you consider continued learning important?
Knowledge is the only thing that cannot be taken away from you. Once you learn something, your mind expands and can never go back to the way it was before.
What affirmations do you repeat to yourself that contribute to your success?
With God all things are possible.
How do you use what you do to contribute to the growth, health and/or progress of the community?
I do a lot of things in my community. Producing the Chicago Westside Music Festival which is a free concert series, which brings National talent to the Westside of Chicago for free. This year, we have Raheem DeVaughn as our headliner with Avery sunshine. We also started a foundation, the Westside Cultural Foundation, which will create programming and initiatives that, will service the following communities: North Lawndale, Austin and Garfield.
