Tracey McGhee’s Chicago-based business, Ms. Jetsetter, is taking flight around the country.
Open since 2019, Ms. Jetsetter offers a wide array of travel accessories for women who are frequent travelers, including totes, toiletry bags and makeup cases.
As Tracey works to sell her products at a variety of retailers, the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (Chicago MSDC)–one of The Source’s Business Support Organizations–is always ready to help.
Products are sold on the Ms. Jetsetter website, as well as outlets such as Walgreens and Kohl’s. Recently, Tracey started selling her items at particularly ideal locations–airports around the country. Anita Hagan, senior director at the Chicago MSDC, is her go-to resource.
“She was, and continues to be, amazing,” Tracey said. “She really has been that guide, that advisor, to help me to navigate, how to get the foundation of the business set up. She helped me get my first certification, which also led to my second certification. So I have both my MBE [Minority-Owned Business Enterprise Certification] and my WBE [Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Certification].”
Such certifications lead to more opportunities for entrepreneurs like Tracey when it comes to contracting with the government.
In recent months, Tracey began selling Ms. Jetsetter products at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, as well as John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, both in New York City, and San Francisco International Airport.
That required connecting with a prime contractor, which works directly with the government and then manages subcontractors like Tracey.
When it came time to navigate that process, Tracey knew she could turn to Anita.
“When I first launched the business, I just had the airports in the back of my mind. I knew that would be the sweet spot for my product line,” Tracey said. “And so I mentioned that to Anita, and she got me connected initially to one of the primes. The conversation really centered around introducing the brand, walking them through my product line and making sure they understood what the value proposition was for my products. … She was there, guiding me from the beginning, making sure I was familiar with how to engage with the primes.”
Tracey and Anita knew each other before Tracey opened her business, and they reunited at the Chicago MSDC’s Chicago Business Opportunity Forums, which Tracey attended after launching Ms. Jetsetter.
Anita has also helped Tracey connect with customers in person.
“I’ve done trade shows, and she’s helped me to understand how to merchandise and set up my booth so it was engaging with customers, and how to connect with customers, and [how] to pitch my product line,” Tracey said. “She’s just been that advisor that I think every small business owner needs in their corner.”
Early on, Tracey and Anita met four to five times each month. Whether it’s a phone call or email, Tracey knows she can reach out to Anita for any business needs.
“I’m always there and available,” Anita said. “I’m known for returning phone calls. Being there for her was a great opportunity for me.” Anita called Tracey the “ideal” client and a prepared, forward-thinking entrepreneur. She encourages other entrepreneurs to take a similar approach.
With Ms. Jetsetter products now sold coast to coast, Tracey continues to turn to Anita to identify more retailers where she can offer her products.
“A to Z, she’s just been really that guide,” Tracey said. “I really owe a lot to Chicago MSDC and Anita in particular for helping me to make sure that I’m a successful business owner.”
