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Setting Priority and Sticking with Them
The global business community and economic environment is rapidly changing. Competition is greater than ever before, and businesses have to be more flexible and able to adjust to a wide range of economic factors. In order to rise to these challenges, companies are shifting to business models that are built on entrepreneurial concepts. Consequently, successful organizations are growing by building strategic business units, developing relationships with outside vendors, and diversifying their business lines through investments.
1st Priority is in the business of helping other businesses grow through increasing productive capacity while helping them maintain the flexibility to react quickly to the rapidly changing market environment. By offering a complete array of back-office outsourcing services, 1st Priority gives its clients the ability to concentrate on their core activities while 1st Priority handles the general operational functions. Ultimately, the first priority is you.
GARY ROBINSON, SENIOR EXECUTIVE PARTNER
Although Gary Robinson started his first business operation in 1991, the entrepreneurial spirit did not truly blossom until one pivotal moment in August of 1994. Starting his senior year at Hampton University, Gary returned to school with no money other than a refund check from Bell Atlantic Telephone Company for $36. After working with youth that previous summer teaching business, Gary decided to buy a ladder and begin cleaning gutters. In the first day, he had made $80 – nearly doubling his money. With the ladder stashed in the back seat and stuck out the front passenger window, Gary was able to make enough money to purchase a lawn more and other tools.
In between classes, Gary operated his business and was able to save money. His drive was partly due to the fact that his parents had always told him that they would pay for four years of college. Unfortunately, he needed one more year to graduate. Consequently, he was working to save money for school and ensure that he would be able to take care of himself. Fortunately, he generated over $26,000 in 9 months and purchased his first car and house on the same day, March 31st 1995. Eventually, Gary Robinson not only graduated from Hampton University in 1998; he was also the first graduate from any Historically Black College or University with a degree in Entrepreneurial Studies. This was the beginning of the entrepreneurial journey…
Gary Robinson has been an entrepreneur for many years. Having started his first business in 1991, Mr. Robinson has gained valuable experience in small business operations and management. Over the years, Gary has developed programs and services that were built around strategic partnerships and cooperative relationships. Early on in his career, he learned to grow both non-profit and for profit organizations by combining the strengths and talents of other organizations and individuals. His skills in strategic partnering and planning have been a key component to his growth and development.
This experience was particularly useful in 1998 when Mr. Robinson became a Manager at Americare Mortgage Corporation. Mr. Robinson quickly became Vice President and led the Virginia branch of the company to profitability in his first ten months. Shortly after his first year, Gary separated the Virginia branch of Americare and started 1st Priority Business Development Group - formerly 1st Priority Financial Group.
As a small business consultant, Mr. Robinson also wanted to help aspiring minority entrepreneurs in the college environment. Having been an entrepreneur while attending Hampton University, Gary gained a unique perspective on collegiate entrepreneurship. Consequently, Mr. Robinson founded the National Entrepreneurship Association to provide ongoing support to aspiring entrepreneurs. The organization is deeply rooted in his belief that undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurial programs can potential be a conduit for innovative business development – particularly among minority students.
While attending Hampton University, Mr. Robinson also participated in the Kauffman Entrepreneurship Training Program and the Emerging Business Leaders Summit (EBLS) - formerly known as the Emerging Business Leaders Institute. In 1999, Mr. Robinson returned to EBLS as a speaker and acquired a contract to coordinate the event from 2000 to 2004. EBLS was to be his first government contract.
Since 1998, Gary Robinson has lead 1st Priority into many successful ventures and projects and continues to help the company grow to new levels.
Organizational Facts
Founded: November 1, 1998
Headquarters: Decatur, GA
Other Locations: Columbia, SC
Raleigh, NC
Washington, DC
Senior Executive Partner: Gary Robinson
Datacenters: Multiple Intermedia Tier-4 datacenters in California and New York
Key Services: Small Business Consulting, Sales Support, Accounting,
Microsoft Exchange Hosting , Web Hosting, Ecommerce, etc
Partial Past & Present Client List
U.S. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) - Washington, DC
U.S. Small Business Development Agency (SBA) - Washington, DC
KidCommerce USA - Winston-Salem, NC
Out the Box Web Productions - New Orleans, LA
Spike Spillberg & Skeebo Films - Charlotte, NC
CovRing - Rock Hill, SC
Connections Counseling - Atlanta, GA
Visual Connections Marketing Group - New York, NY
