Jay Myers
- Society of Entrepreneurs Honoree
- Award-Winning Author
- TedX Speaker
Travels From
Tennessee
Jay Myers Speaker Biography
Jay B. Myers is the President of JBM Enterprises and founded Interactive Solutions Inc. (ISI), a Memphis-based firm that specialized in video conferencing, distance learning, telemedicine, and audio-visual sales and support, in 1996.
After founding and leading ISI for 23 years, Jay capitalized on his success by selling his $25-million firm to Evercore Partners Inc. in 2018. Under his leadership, ISI received numerous corporate awards and recognitions, including:
• Selected seven times for INC. magazine’s list of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S.
• Featured in the small business section of the Wall Street Journal
• Twice-named the Memphis Business Journal Small Business of the Year
• First recipient of the Kemmons Wilson Emerging Business Award
Tapping into his passion for writing, Jay published his first book, Keep Swinging: An Entrepreneur’s Story of Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Small Business Success, in 2007 and subsequently received the 2010 Ethan Award for success as an entrepreneurial author. Since then, he has published two other books, Hitting the Curveballs: How Crisis Can Strengthen and Grow Your Business, and Rounding Third and Heading for Home, which focus on practical business strategies and Jay’s personal entrepreneurial experiences.
As a natural storyteller, Jay is a sought-after speaker at CEO conferences and entrepreneurial development programs. He is also an avid baseball fan, so he frequently applies his affinity for the game to his speaking topics, like business growth and entrepreneurial development.
Jay is a native Memphian, and is active in numerous community organizations, including:
• The board and executive committee of the Mid-South Better Business Bureau
• The Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis
• FCBE Professional Development Center Advisory Board
• The Memphis Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
He now splits his time between Collierville, TN, and Holmes Beach, FL, with his wife, Maureen, and two children.
Crisis Management
Every business, big and small, experiences a crisis at some point. Whether it be staffing issues or a financial scandal, using crisis management skills and tactics is crucial to overcoming these hardships. Hear Jay speak on topics relating to crisis management, such as:
• Employee turnover
• Dealing with start-up financing challenges
• Using crisis/challenges as motivation to strengthen and grow
• Discovering an employee embezzlement of over $250,000 a few months after a death in Jay’s family (personal story)
Fraud Prevention
Fraud can cause revenue loss, leave your business vulnerable, and result in further fraudulent activity. Using fraud prevention and detection methods helps keep your business and employees protected. Jay discusses topics dealing with fraud prevention, including:
• Why fraud occurs
• When a business is most vulnerable to fraud
• Internal controls necessary to prevent fraud
• Fostering an ethical culture in your company
Building and Selling a Small Business
Whether you’re an entrepreneur trying to build your business or a successful small enterprise that is looking to sell, Jay has valuable insights and expertise that can help you navigate where you’re at in your business’ timeline. Listen to Jay expand upon topics like:
• How to identify a start-up market opportunity
• Small business financing options and recommendations
• Knowing the right time to sell your business
Mentorship
Mentors are important, influential figures in the lives of many, and the same is true of business mentors. Developing a relationship with an experienced professional can help develop your leadership skills, increase your confidence, and sharpen your problem-solving abilities. Jay touches on topics surrounding the idea of mentorship, such as:
• Why mentorship is important
• The value of a mentor for a young professional
• Mentorship among coworkers and the farm system
Do the Right Thing Not the Easy Thing (TedX Talk)
As a leader, doing the right thing, not the easy thing, enhances your honesty, integrity, and ethical standing. Jay shares his personal journey as a business owner and how his dedication to doing right by his community, his customers, and his employees have shaped his reputation and molded a model for others to emulate. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
