Inspiring Conversations with Mercedes Perry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercedes Perry .

Hi Mercedes, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began my project management firm as a response to loss, and deciding it was time to take a leap of faith on myself. I had been working within the nonprofit sector and public education for the past few years and found myself being under-valued and underpaid as a Black woman. In an effort to establish better boundaries in my professional life… I vowed to always keep it Real.Radical.Raw and so R^3 Consults was born. I value of authenticity, empathy and imagination and have made those values the pillars of my consulting practice.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. I have suffered from imposter syndrome, mainly. Entrepreneurship is not easy. Deciding to become an entrepreneur during a pandemic, after losing a very important figure in my life, my grandmother to dementia and just old age, and essentially not making enough money to really live in my own hometown.. I had to unlearn feeling like I was not meant to be doing this really hard thing. I had to unlearn feeling like shrinking, and I had to just start and quit trying for perfect.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about R^3 Consults?
Facilitating Mission, Vision, Strategy Planning is really fun for me and I hope to continue that service for sure. If folks need some help with a project, strategic planning, non-profit and small business processes built or written… Get Rooted with R.3Consults I keep it Real. Radical. Raw with a little bit of authenticity, empathy and imagination mixed in there too. We gone get you to your goals! R.3 Consults can also handle project-based needs: You need some qualitative research /community engagement/ over-all management from initiation to close. I got you! #chiefdisruptionconsultant #realradicalraw #getrootedwmercedes #RadicalCandor #projectmanagement #researcherlife #communityengagement #blackownedbusiness #PayBlackWomen

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
My childhood consisted of quite a bit of instability, I think I went to at least five to six different elementary schools between Pre-k and 5th grade from North to South Austin and even within small towns outside of Austin, like Luling, TX. Nonetheless, I was surrounded by an incredible amount of love and community. Since I spent most of my developmental years with my dad, I was for sure what you would call a “TomBoy”. I could dribble a basketball by the age of four and was the only girl on the St.Johns parks and recreation basketball team until my daddy finally convinced the center to turn the league co-ed during elementary school. I played organized basketball during the school year and ran at track meets during the summer with Flight International Track Club from age 10 to 17. I was a member of organizations like PALS and student government where I ended up becoming the Senior Class president eventually… I was popular I guess. LOL. I was an “involved” student and learning came easily to me… I am grateful for that.”

Pricing:

• Mission, Vision, Strategy Planning: $100/hr
• Facilitation; Team-building; Coaching: $50/hr

Contact Info:

• Email: r.3consults@gmail.com
• Website: https://rcubed-consults.business.site/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Real.RADICAL.Raw
• Twitter: @Real.Radical.Raw

Image Credits
Marshall Moon – Photographer Tonisha Bynes “BlushedOut” byToni – Makeup Artist