Meet Georgie-Ann Getton, a dynamic entrepreneur and author whose journey is marked by resilience, determination, and a passion for empowering others. As the founder of GSD Solutions, Georgie-Ann has carved a niche in the tech advisory sector, guiding businesses towards success with her innovative strategies and insightful advice. Her book, “The Art of Getting Sh*t Done,” reflects her unique perspective as a young, black, female entrepreneur, inspiring readers to take bold steps towards their dreams. In this interview, Georgie-Ann shares her personal experiences, pivotal moments, and valuable lessons learned on her entrepreneurial journey, offering invaluable insights for aspiring business leaders facing their own challenges.
What led you to start GSD Solutions, and how did your personal journey influence this decision?
I started GSD Solutions because I wanted to directly impact businesses from the inside through support with better technology and operations. When I shut down my previous company I was very nervous and wasn’t sure when I would start my next business. Starting GSD Solutions allowed me to remix how I worked with clients to create impact without having to do every single element.
Can you share a pivotal moment or challenge you faced while building your business, and how did you overcome it?
A pivotal challenge that I faced was getting divorced in the middle of the pandemic while trying to raise two kids and grow a business. It was a very overwhelming time when I wasn’t sure what was next. I overcame it by taking things a day at a time. Once I felt that I had enough that day I would just call it a night. People often say to push through, sometimes pushing through means knowing when you’ve had enough and need to rest so that you can come back tomorrow and try again.
What inspired you to write “The Art of Getting Sh*t Done,” and what message do you hope readers take away from it?
I wrote The Art of Getting Sh*t Done because I wanted to inspire others to start businesses of their own. To know that they didn’t need to move mountains in the beginning and that baby steps lead to great change and revolutions. As a young, black, female entrepreneur I came across so many business books and most were written by older white men. I knew more voices needed to be heard to motivate future entrepreneurs and leaders, I knew my voice was one of them.
Could you discuss a time when you faced doubt or setbacks in your entrepreneurial journey, and how did you stay motivated and focused?
One of the biggest setbacks where I doubted myself was when I got a Temp Job working fulltime hours at a hospital in their communications department. This role was directly aligned with my college degree and paid well. This was my first task of working a fulltime corporate job and overall it was okay but I immediately knew it wasn’t for me. I was called to lead, to innovate, to execute, to build and in this role I was only a reviewer. Instead of jumping to quit I thought about why I got the job in the first place, what can I learn from this position, and what I wanted to do next. In my spare time at this job I slowly started to come out of my shell again and build what is now GSD Solutions.
What are some key lessons you’ve learned about managing a business effectively, especially in the tech advisory sector?
One key lesson I have learned about managing a business effectively is that people are number one! The people who work on your team, the people who are your clients, the people who interact with you and your business. Having high-quality communication skills and great hospitability goes a long way than just the technical expertise and experience. People work with people that they like and do better work when they feel motivated and appreciated.
Can you talk about a particularly rewarding experience or achievement in your career that has shaped your perspective on success?
One achievement that I am really proud of is a student-parent award that I got while in college. This award meant a lot to me because at the time I was very emotional about life and school. To see that the school had recognized my commitment to growth and awarded me with this award meant a lot to me. In a moment when I thought nobody saw me or was paying attention to what I was doing, then suddenly realizing there was a whole crew of people cheering me on and praying for my success, it gave me the motivation I needed to keep going.
How do you balance your personal life with the demands of running a business and writing a book? Any tips for maintaining work-life harmony?
I believe that we can always find time for things we find valuable and important. Work is very demanding and life is also very demanding. We have to place strong boundaries in both these places to get the harmony we are looking for. I would start by identifying what is most important in work and what is most important in life then scheduling everything based on level of importance and urgency. If something is not important and not urgent then it can wait, if it’s urgent and important it goes to the top of the list. You won’t always get everything done but knowing that you did your best and permitting yourself to try to keep going the next day is key.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are just starting their journey or facing challenges in their businesses?
I have a quote in my book that says “Don’t wait for life to force you to make a change. Make that change consciously on your own time.” I love this quote and not just because I wrote it, lol, the reason why I love this quote is because it forces you to rethink how you do things. Often we wait until it is too late to get started and how/when we start is out of our control. I want to inspire you to start now, take your time, and control what you can.
In your opinion, what are the most important qualities or skills that entrepreneurs should cultivate to thrive in today’s competitive landscape?
The most important qualities an entrepreneur can have are being resilient, having good communication, being persistent, and showing up for yourself. Some hard skills that are helpful is having a basic understanding of technology and marketing tools. If you can create or think through complex issues you will be in a better position than most.
