Meet Elesha Jacobs | CEO| IT Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elesha Jacobs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elesha, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business stemmed from reaching the top of my career of managing an Information Communication and Technology department for an international organization and realizing that there was more to my gifts, skills, and talent as a Technologist. Feeling frustrated going into the corporate office each day and hating my passion and love for technology drove me to make a bold and unconventional change to start my own business helping small businesses leverage the power of technology.

What should our readers know about your business?
I fell in love with technology and computers from the age of 11 years and my passion to learn how the computer works were the driving force behind my success as a corporate IT professional. I left high school with the sole intention to acquire many certifications in the technology field, and I did so passionately.

Shortly after high school, I attended college to complete my Diploma in Computer Science studies which afforded me the opportunity to land my first job at a computer school. I taught hundreds of students the foundational level of computing, accounting professionals in computerized accounting software, and prepared students to become certified computer and networking technicians. During this time, I was studying and acquiring my CompTIA and Microsoft certifications,

Years later, I landed my dream job of building and managing an ICT infrastructure and that journey was difficult because I was advancing in an industry dominated by men. Many of my male counterparts would tease me and even some tried to discourage me from progressing into the networking field.

During these years, I acquired hands-on experience in business management and qualifications but every position I held was in a managerial post and at that time I did not realize I was preparing to manage my own business one day.

Over the years, those I’ve worked with told me to start a side hustle leveraging my skills but I was not interested, and in 2019 everything changed when I dislocated my knee in the gym and in the process of healing I realize that staying in corporate was not for me and I had to make a change and Innovategy™ Solutions LLC was birthed.

Innovategy Solutions™ LLC was founded in 2019 to help businesses leverage the power of technology through strategic planning and IT infrastructure building.

We provide IT strategies and consulting for businesses who need to understand the importance of having an IT infrastructure that safeguards their position in the ever-changing marketplace. Our unique approach to implementing technology into businesses comes from my years of corporate expertise and unique gift of strategic planning that aligns with a company’s goal.

Our vision is to impact, empower and build sustainable corporations. Our mission is to harness the power of technology to build sustainable black small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Coming into full-time entrepreneurship was a leap of faith and I thank God every day for giving me the discipline, vision, and ability to serve other businesses with my unique gifts, skills, and talent.

It’s always a challenge as a black woman in the technology industry and I made up my mind at the age of 18 that I have a love for technology and I deserve to be in this industry despite what my male counterparts said or did. Technology comes naturally to me and in any difficult situation from corporate or entrepreneurship, this passion helps me overcome obstacles with ease.

There are so many lessons I am learning and the one thing I had to learn early is that not everyone will support your vision.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s so much to do and places to visit in Charlotte, NC. So this would be an adventure for both of us. From visiting uptown and lounges, having brunch on the rooftop patio of Fahrenheit, hanging out at the boardwalk in the university area, shopping at Northlake or Concord Mills Malls, and enjoying some Guyanese food from my aunt. Introduce my friend to my favorite charlotte podcast: Headwraps and Lipsticks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank God for allowing me to serve through my skills and surrounding me with family and friends who supported my decision to leave the corporate arena and come full-time into entrepreneurship.

Website: https://www.innovategysolutions.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_eleshajacobs

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleshajacobs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EleshaNJacobs

Image Credits
Alex Tribble Photography