ROYALYN REID

President

CMI


Business Description:
CMI is a full-service marketing research, training programs, and conference management firm. We are uniquely capable of putting all three core competencies to work collectively or individually to create a distinctive synergy.

Website:
http://www.thecmiteam.com 

Year started with WBCS:
2004

Location:
Dallas, TX

Membership Type:
WBE Member 

What do you like best as a member of the WBCS?
I enjoy meeting and working with great people -- WBEs, Sustaining Members and Staff. I have learned a lot and grown professionally as a result of these relationships.

What is your involvement in the WBCS?
I have served in various areas of WBCS over the years. My committee involvement includes WBCS Board of Directors and Executive Committee Member, businessWORKS! Co-Chair, Education Committee, Welcoming Committee, Mentor Program, WBENC Forum (WBCS Representative).

I have served as a panelist / speaker at the following events:

Panelist, ”Slay the Government Goliath”  - Power to Potential, 2012
Panelist, “Set Your Sights on the Lillie Knox Cash Award – Business Insights, 2012
Speaker, WBCS New Member Orientation, 2010-2011
Speaker, “How to Use Simple Statistics to Support Business Solutions,”  Austin Regional Network Meeting, 2009 
Panelist, “Who Wants To Be A Super Woman Business Enterprise?,”  Harvesting Partnerships, 2006


What is your favorite event & why?
I enjoy all of the signature events (Parade of Stars Gala, bussinessWORKS!, Harvesting Partnerships, Power to Potential) because it is when the entire membership (WBEs, Sustaining Members, and staff) comes together. It is a great time for networking, building relationships, seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The Parade of Stars Gala is the most memorable and meaningful since my company received the 2013 WBE of the Year Award in our category.

Tell us how membership has helped you and your business?
WBCS has been a great marketing and networking venue that helped maximize my business’ visibility and develop reliable relationships with sustaining members and WBEs.  I have overcome some barriers and grown my business by taking advantage of mentorship programs, seminar luncheons, training workshops and Award Galas.

What do few people know about you?
I was a Scientist in the Consumer Research Guidance Testing at Mary Kay Cosmetics prior to starting my business.

What is your proudest moment?
My proudest moment was testifying at a U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneur Committee hearing on “Minority Entrepreneurship:  Evaluating Small Business Recourses and Programs” in Washington, DC in 2009.  I had the opportunity to share “our” story as small business owners to Senators Mary Landrieu and Olympia Snow, the committee chairs, in a roundtable discussion.  The information from the hearing was instrumental during the development phase of the Small Jobs Bill Act 2010.

Who is your hero and why?
My mother.  My mother lives by business principles.  She has a gift of empowering people and making them feel important.  She taught me to make a difference in whatever I do.  I apply these principles to my personal and professional life.

What was the best advice you ever received?
Enjoy the journey.

What is your passion beyond business?
I am passionate about leaving a legacy through my children. I want them to learn to make a difference in whatever they do.