Coleman

Imagine being an integral part of an advertising company legacy that includes millions in billings and clients such as the Bermuda Dept. of Tourism, FedEx, and Wal-Mart – all before the age of 25.

Not only is this reality for Kelli Coleman, 24, but it’s a legacy she plans to continue contributing to. As vice president of business development at GlobalHue, a B.E. 100s industry leader in multicultural advertising and marketing founded by her father, Donald A. Coleman, Kelli works on the GlobalHue New Business team, manages the Coleman Entrepreneurial Scholarship Program, and serves on the finance and innovation committees.

BlackEnterprise.com talked with the Spelman College alumna about the entrepreneurial bug, why her name and “nepotism” don’t belong in the same sentence, and how other young executives can plot a plan for rising to the top.

BlackEnterprise.com: Some might say that your success can be attributed to nepotism. How do you respond to that?

Kelli Coleman: Nepotism—no. Attraction to the entrepreneurial spirit I witnessed by my father’s hard work and creativity – yes. I am the only family member who works for the company. I attribute my success to my parents depositing the seeds of entrepreneurship and creativity into me at an early age, enabling me to succeed at all levels.

When I first arrived at GlobalHue, I spent one to two months in each department of the agency, while participating in a rigorous business management leadership program. That experience allowed me to learn the anatomy of the business, the inner workings of each department and the clients we serve. No day is the same; it’s the impromptu situations, client interactions and new business pitches that add to my hands on experience.

Prior to my current role, I served as the manager of the chairman’s office; in this capacity I learned the internal workings of the entire agency. All these experiences allowed me learn the business inside and out.

What are some tips that you’d have for a young graduate who is just starting at their first post-college job?

Be proactive! Speak up and take initiative as it relates to projects. Think beyond the matter at hand; this will allow you to strengthen your problem-solving skills. That is essential– it demonstrates your value. Identify a mentor to help you grow.

What are three keys to success that you have incorporated in your career?

Be a team player. At the core of being a leader is being a team player, having that camaraderie and respect amongst your team members is imperative to your success, personally and professionally.

Solve problems. Make sure you prepare yourself by reading and taking notes. Wrap your mind around the project and develop questions enabling you to better understand it. This will allow you to foreshadow any issues that may arise, ultimately resolving the issue before it becomes a problem. This has allowed me to be instrumental in growing our clients business and the profits of GlobalHue.

Go hard or go home! By pushing yourself, you grow. You never know what you are capable of until you do it, taking that extra step increases your knowledge, value to the company and the ROI [return on investment] for the clients you serve and also the company you work for.

What drives you to continue to work at your father’s company?

Legacy and longevity. What my father has built is larger than a company, but is a legacy of innovative thinking, passion, and ingenuity. I am not only witnessing history in the making (GlobalHue is the nation’s largest minority-owned, full-service communications agency and No. 1 on the 2009 B.E. Advertising Agencies list with $379.5 million in billings), but contributing to it as well. I genuinely enjoy what we do – respectfully and responsibly engaging consumers.

What are your long-term career goals?

I have plural ambitions. Perfecting my leadership skills, building relationships, and learning new technology trends to keep my skills sharp is a must and will help me in my career pursuits. I am excited about leading GlobalHue to the next level, acquiring new business and developing other entrepreneurial efforts.

You had a large project when you had to pitch to Wal-Mart. What steps did you take to prepare for the challenge?

The Wal-Mart pitch was in 2007; I served as lead project manager. Wal-Mart, as my first large pitch, was trial by fire, which had favorable results. Moreover, it proved no matter how much you prepare, your intrinsic intuition, knowledge of the client and consumer, fused with adrenalin are all ingredients for success.

As a young person in a corporate setting, what are some ways to bridge the divide between older counterparts? Is mentoring important in this instance, and how do you combat being judged solely by your age?

The culture of GlobalHue is unique — we are a youthful and diverse company.  Everyone brings their own flavor, which propels our creativity and highlights our dynamic resources amongst our team, allowing us to engage and learn from one another. Mentoring is essential to growth, period. My professionalism and work ethic represent me well.