Visionary Spotlight: Crystal L. Gunn

Crystal L. Gunn is a graduate of Michigan State University. She started her business career in the accounting department of SOC Credit Union. Within a year, she was hired as Accounting Manager at Municipal and Health Services Credit Union and within 2 years was promoted to Vice President, the youngest and only African American, in the Oakland County Chapter of Credit Unions at that time. While serving as VP, Crystal learned the importance of having all staff members share a common goal to aid in the overall success of the business. She mentored and coached the staff to perform to their greatest potential resulting in a cohesive unit and business growth.

Crystal left the Credit Union to embark on a new career becoming a mortgage broker, where she utilized her knowledge in operations to lead her staff with recruitment, coaching, and training. Within 6 years, she built the company to include 4 additional branch offices while ensuring productivity and compliance, always keeping the needs of the client the top priority of the company. Crystal’s belief that everyone controls their own destiny led her to expand her business endeavors with one sole purpose: to impact the lives of as many people as possible.

As an author, coach, businesswoman, and activist, she is dedicated to using her gifts to assist others in reaching their true levels of greatness and making life amazing. Accepting her assignment in life, Crystal has designed specific programs to contribute to her mission. Through experiencing, witnessing, and understanding the role women play in society, Crystal founded The Amazing Woman Network (AWN), which is designed to empower Black women to achieve their highest level of greatness by providing support, resources, and a network of women, united together, to change their lives, the lives of one another, their communities and ultimately the world.

AWN’s pillars are: reclaiming personal power (mind, body, and spirit), reclaiming financial power, increasing social involvement, and supporting each woman in owning, honoring, and executing her amazing.

The Amazing Woman Network’s retail and beauty line was designed by Crystal to uplift and serve as a reminder to the wearer, just how amazing she truly is. Crystal’s financial workbook and signature course, “Write Your Financial Masterpiece to Become FLAWLESS”, teaches financial strategies, and helps women change their “money mindset” leading to greater confidence and knowledge.

Participants have expressed that the program is an eye-opening, transformative experience. Amazing Woman Entrepreneur is another signature course designed for the woman entrepreneur in business less than 18 months of launching a new business.

Throughout the course, entrepreneurs receive much-needed support, encouragement, and comradery and graduate from the course with 90% of their business and marketing plans complete, feeling empowered to grow their business to the desired level of success.

Crystal’s most recent endeavors continue to positively impact the lives of others. The 5050 Accord is a blueprint for Black Economics. Phase 1 is “Flip Your House” to ensure that at least 50% of the money we spend is spent with black businesses. Phase 2 is “Get Your House in Order” and focuses on stopping generational money curses and building generational wealth.

Crystal Clear Conversations is an online talk show which focuses on all areas of financial empowerment. With her own knowledge and passion, coupled with industry experts, the conversations spark aha moments, provide knowledge and action items to help viewers see immediate results and connections to experts, in order to further their financial goals.

Crystal’s favorite quote is by Jackie Robison — “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”, and operates with this belief daily. Crystal has one incredible daughter, Nile, who is her biggest source of motivation, and motherhood is the thing that makes her most proud.

When you think of women's empowerment, what comes to mind?

Crystal: Holding a mirror up to women, allowing them to see the amazing that is already in them and helping them to own, honor and execute that amazing.

Why do you think it’s important to have women empowerment agencies such as Being That Girl?

Crystal: The world is busy telling us how to act, to be quiet, to stay in our places, to dim our lights, and women empowerment agencies are important so that women understand that it is okay and necessary to push past the imposed boundaries and breakthrough and shine!

How has the work that you do make an impact on you personally?

Crystal: Empowering others has empowered me. The words put on my tongue for others were put there for me first. As they elevate to their next level, so do I. Iron sharpens iron.

What was the best business advice you have ever received?

Crystal: To get a coach. One that has traveled the journey you need to travel so they can help you rise.

What valued lesson from Michigan State University stick with you?

Crystal: That your personal tribe is vital. It doesn’t have to be all women, but you need those people In your corner so you all can support one another, uplift, and share in the life lessons.

What are some memorable moments in your career so far?

Crystal: I was at a small gathering, years after I left the Credit Union, and I heard someone shout across the room. That’s Crystal Gunn, the best supervisor I have ever had. Another previous staff member shared that it wasn’t until she was in her late 30’s that she started to truly understand the information I had shared with her when I was her supervisor.

I believe the most memorable moments are the life-lasting impact I have had on people throughout my career. To me, the jobs, titles, and businesses will come and go but what’s most important is the impact I leave behind.

What do you want your legacy to look like?

Crystal: It may sound cliché’ but I really want other women, especially my daughter, to remember me and what I was able to accomplish and be inspired to go after their dreams, with a focused determination, knowing to whatever they set their mind, they will accomplish.

What can we be on the lookout for from you?

Crystal: I am currently working to expand the retail and beauty line for the Amazing Woman Network which will also include something for the men. I am filling up the calendar for Crystal Clear Conversations with financial and business conversations for the rest of the year. My course for women entrepreneurs will be open for enrollment this fall and there are a few other things in the hopper that I can’t disclose just yet.

To contact Crystal please contact That Girl Women Empowerment Agency at https://www.iam-thatgirl.com/