Renay Butler: Dedicated to assisting young people in charting a course for their future
When you reach each of these intermediate goals, you’ve achieved success. Goal Grinders Inc.’s president and CEO, Renay Butler, believes in this philosophy and works hard to establish practical benchmarks to progress toward the company’s vision. She understands that one must put forth continuous effort in order to reach their goals.
She says, “Establishing gradual, realistic, and doable goals is much more gratifying. Then, as you make progress toward your ultimate goal, rejoice in each of your smaller victories! It keeps one motivated to achieve more.
The Road to Victory
Renay started in the business world at JB Robinson Jewelers, where she worked as an assistant manager and gemologist. For almost 20 years, she worked full- and part-time in the jewelry industry while pursuing a career in information technology. “Ironically,” she says, “working in jewelry sales laid the foundation for providing excellent service in all of my career endeavors.”
Her foray into entrepreneurship was driven rather than chosen. She continues, “I fractured my leg and was home recovering when I started my first business. After losing my job, I started the first Maryland childcare centered on technological learning. Both situations showed me how dangerous it is to put your financial stability in the hands of others or to cap your own earning possibilities.
After ten years, she sold the daycare since she felt she had more to give than dealing with children, but she still missed it. Consequently, she gave birth to her idea, ushering in the era of Goal Grinders.
She says, “I’ve always worked in the tech industry, and now I run a consulting firm that assists in IT, PM, and BD.” Moreover, I participate in a wide range of charitable groups. It wasn’t as satisfying as Goal Grinders, even if several of their activities and tenants dovetail with the kind of community service I enjoy.
Developing resilience through adversity
Renay agrees that adversity forges character. They inspire originality, perseverance, and resourcefulness. Most significantly, learning to thrive in adversity opens doors to assisting others.
Getting out of one’s own way is the number one challenge. Many people hold themselves back from success in novel situations because they tell themselves they lack the necessary skills or resources to succeed. Renay faces it head-on by relying on God. “I tell my clients to pray and get going!” she continues. God will provide the appropriate individuals in our path at the right moments, in my experience, if we have just a little faith to pursue our dreams.
Her greatest struggle was finding the proper people who share the same purpose as her. She continues, “Not everyone you hire will be a “good” fit for your company in the long run. You need to surround yourself with people who share your enthusiasm for the organization’s goals and your dedication to seeing them through.
Reforming secondary education for Minority and at-risk youth
Goal Grinders is a nonprofit that works to improve the lives of adolescents by providing them with opportunities for personal growth and professional development in business, leadership, science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).
Through one-of-a-kind leadership and empowerment exercises, they work on psychoeducation, self-improvement, peer-to-peer interactions, and proper school functioning behaviors.
Renay thinks that exposure and creativity are Goal Grinders’ main contributions to rethinking the educational system. The group makes education interesting by taking students on excursions and introducing them to successful business people who look like them.
She says, “We encourage young people to rise above their circumstances, to embrace change, and to set and work toward meaningful goals.” One of the goals of Goal Grinders is to foster an exploratory and innovative environment, and I have recruited individuals with the highest moral and ethical standards to help us realize this vision.
Organizational Culture Development
Goal Grinders is propelled forward by its members’ exposure to new ideas and their inventiveness. With the use of hands-on activities, field trips, and introductions to entrepreneurs and industry leaders who look like them, they aim to make learning entertaining and engaging.
She paraphrases her vision for the organization: “I want Goals Grinders to be the premiere after-school program that offers life-changing programs for teens across the United States.”
Achieving a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Renay has many responsibilities as the CEO of Goal Grinders. She is in charge of supervising the whole operation. She also collaborates with the Program Director to plan events, workshops, and excursions outside of the regular school day. Additionally, she may have to attend meetings with our Grants team and mentors, do interviews with the media, coordinate events with their business partners, oversee their social media accounts, assess their financial progress, and organize a fundraising campaign.
She is an ingenious leader because she thinks creatively and outside the box. This resulted in her being commended for her hard work. She says, “I’ve been honored with many accolades, but being recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women on two separate occasions is the highest honor I’ve ever received.” It’s a great honor and validation of everything I’ve done for the IT industry, my mentees, and my local community.
She thinks having a happy home life and a successful career is essential for happiness. She has superior abilities in project management, making her an asset in setting priorities, allocating resources, and managing time effectively.
She says, “I schedule my days to have enjoyable downtime.” I want to see the world and make a difference in people’s lives. Therefore I’m designing my life to accommodate both goals.
She continues, “The parents and children motivate us to give the greatest programming, activities, and field excursions. Reading the touching messages of gratitude expressed in emails, letters, and cards is a solid sign that our efforts are paying off.
The Goal Grinders Inc. Future Strategy
Renay plans to create, copyright, and sell the Goal Grinders After-School Program’s signature curriculum to other groups interested in implementing it. They hope to raise $10 million a year to fund their further business growth and award millions of dollars in scholarships to promising high school seniors.
She founded Goal Grinders intending to help others through the revolutionary business coaching solutions she offers. Additionally, she intends to keep up her practice of mentoring up-and-coming leaders.
She continues, “I would tell aspiring business women to DREAM BIG and to never give up on yourself or your dreams.”
