Meet Jasmine Flowers Mazyck | Managing Director, Flowers Communications Group

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine Flowers Mazyck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Earlier in my career journey before I had a family, I believed in striving for work life balance because at that point life for me was less complex and therefore balance was attainable.

As my cup got fuller with a family, growth in my career, and personal and professional activities, I quickly realized that it was less about balance and more about having healthy boundaries that enabled me to be fulfilled and not overly compromising in the many aspects of my life. When you think about balance, you think about ensuring that each aspect of your life gets the same amount of time and energy but there are some things that naturally need to be prioritized and everything doesn’t require the same amount of time and energy at the same time.

What I’ve learned is that, for me, balance is not my goal. My goal is to be fulfilled. And for me, that comes by creating, communicating, and demonstrating healthy and flexible boundaries that enable me to succeed as a wife, mom, friend, and Leader at Flowers Communications Group.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Flowers Communications Group is an award-winning, integrated marketing communications firm with 32 years of experience, specializing in PR, social/digital marketing, advertising/content development and experiential. We are known for creating purposeful connections between diverse consumers and some of the world’s most iconic brands, nonprofit organizations, government entities and key influencers.

Our leadership in multicultural insights distinguishes us in the marketplace. We respectfully challenge our clients to not just think about the multidimensions and intersectionality of audiences but to also speak to them inclusively, weaving bold, authentic messaging, storytelling, and experiences into the fabric of every strategy.

During a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion is facing legal challenges, I’m proud that FCG has been a pioneer in the arena for decades and continues to amplify stories that transcend cultural boundaries, celebrate diversity, and inspire brand growth.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise? Was it easy?

My most impactful move was to Atlanta, GA to attend Spelman College. Those four years imparted a level of confidence and fearlessness that enabled me to build a successful 17+ year career in management consulting at firms such as Deloitte and McKinsey & Company.

In 2021, while at McKinsey & Company, a call came from my aunt, Michelle Flowers Welch, who is founder and CEO of Flowers Communications Group, with the compelling proposition to join the family business that she started 32 years ago as part of the succession plan to eventually takeover ownership in partnership with my cousin, Brinton Flowers. I took time to think and pray about it but in my heart, I knew almost immediately that this was the sense of purpose that I was searching for. How could I say no?!

I received a lot of shock and awe when I told people that I was leaving McKinsey. But with such a low percentage of small businesses surviving more than 10 years and the survival rate of black-owned businesses even smaller, for me this was a greater calling to not only build legacy for my family (I have a husband and 3 young children) but to also carry forward the vision and continue the unprecedented decades of success of a woman-owned, black-owned business.

If not, how did you overcome the challenges?
I have a quote in my home gym that says, “if it does not challenge you, then it won’t change you.” I apply that to all facets of my life so to me, any road worth traveling should require you to be stretched and demonstrate perseverance to achieve something great. One of my challenges has simply been changing careers and industries at such a pinnacle point in my career in management consulting, which has required me to climb a steep learning curve and build trust, credibility, and relationship capital from the ground-up.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

• Never stop thinking outside of the box
• When it feels hard, resist the urge to freeze or flee, fight through it. You’ll show yourself just how resilient and capable you are!
• Collaboration is key, as the creative minds of a team is more powerful than one alone

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Our brand is a testament to the importance of leaving a legacy. Before diversity, equity and inclusion became popular buzzwords, Flowers Communications Group was in the trenches doing work with iconic brands to guide them towards more authentic and responsible marketing towards consumers of color. But beyond the work itself, FCG is also about a family legacy, something that wasn’t lost upon me when Michelle asked me to work for the company. I wanted to join this storied organization to be part of a heritage of entrepreneurship and business leadership that could be passed down from one generation to the next generation.

Who knows, one day one of my kids may choose a path that leads them to FCG or entrepreneurship elsewhere, but the greater triumph is that I am a part of the story that shows the next generation that this path can be a possibility that they can aspire to, even in an industry where there are very few people of color at the top.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
• Brunch: Toast on Lenox, Flying Biscuit Cafe • Shopping: Streets of Buckhead, Perimeter Mall
• Eats: MCK, Little Alley Steak, Palo Santo, Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar, Rays on the River
• Hang out: Rock Steady, The James Room, The Garden Room, Bellyard, Beltline, The Gathering Spot
• Family fun: Rooftop on Ponce, Putt Shack, The Battery, Falcons Game, Skating the Station
• Wellbeing: Walk/ride Silver Comet Trail, St. Regis Hotel Spa, Hiking Stone Mountain
• Adventure: Poontooning on Lake Allatoona or Oconee, North Georgia Wine Tour
• Experience: Spelhouse Homecoming

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my husband, Willie Mazyck, Jr. who has been incredibly supportive of this new journey in my career, my three kids who have endured me traveling more than they would like, and my parents who have been our village over the last year.

I would be remiss if I did not give credit to my aunt, Michelle Flowers Welch, who painted a vision that brought me as the next generation of leadership of Flowers Communications Group.

Website: www.explorefcg.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsjazmaz/?img_index=1

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

Image Credits
Images provided courtesy of Flowers Communications Group