
About
From Business Blueprint to Community Breakthrough

ABOUT TWYLA N. GARRETT
Twyla N. Garrett is a force of transformation—an honored entrepreneur, bestselling author, change-making developer, and sought-after keynote speaker. Rooted in Midwest grit and global vision, she builds legacies brick by brick and idea by idea.
BACKGROUND & CREDENTIALS
Born in Ohio, Twyla Garrett is a global real estate visionary now splitting her time between Richmond, VA, and Cape Coast, Ghana. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 1996 with a bookkeeping service and evolved through the successful sale of a homeland security consulting firm. Today, she is the principal behind an ever-growing portfolio that extends from domestic projects to impactful development in Africa, showcasing her ability to build, scale, and lead with a truly global purpose
MISSION & IMPACT
Twyla’s signature mission is to impact 10 million lives through real estate, leadership, and inclusion. This mission is actively advanced by The Garrett Foundation, which addresses critical needs in inner cities through its focus on:
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Creating pathways for families to achieve economic stability and build generational wealth.
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Combating food deserts by ensuring communities have access to nutritious food.
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Providing essential products to eliminate barriers to education and dignity.
Through these initiatives, Twyla uses her business to forge social mobility and economic justice, turning blueprints into tangible, life-changing outcomes for underserved communities.
WHAT SHE LEADS
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Real Estate Development: Twyla’s projects go beyond blueprints—they are equity-driven strategies that merge visionary design with intentional development. From mixed-use housing in the U.S. to international projects in Ghana, she is building a more inclusive future, one foundation at a time.
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Thought Leadership & Media: A leading voice in entrepreneurship and social impact, Twyla is a frequent contributor to major media platforms. As a spokesperson for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, she shares her expertise on building successful businesses and purposeful careers.
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Books & Coaching: Through bestselling titles like Unshakeable Leadership, Breaking Ground, and The Developer’s Playbook, she provides leaders with the practical strategies to scale with purpose. Through Impact League, her 1:1 coaching and mentoring business, she works with leaders to grow their companies to 7-8 figures and beyond, all while staying true to their mission.
SELECTED HONORS & APPEARANCES
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2025 Women to Know in North Carolina: Recognized by Know Media as a speaker at their summit, highlighting her influence and leadership in the state.
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Inc. 5000: Recognized as one of America's fastest-growing private companies a testament to her entrepreneurial success.
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Enterprising Women: Honored as a recipient of the prestigious Enterprising Women of the Year Award for two separate companies, a rare dual recognition of her success as a connector, author, and trailblazer.
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The White House: Invited to speak on job creation and economic equity, a testament to her influence on national policy.
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United Nations: Spoke at an event on "Women in Technology," showcasing her role as a global leader and advocate.
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Cleveland Magazine: Named one of the "Most Interesting People" and a "Cleveland Living Legend" in 2010 for her community impact.
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100 Most Powerful Women Mentors: Recognized for her work in empowering and guiding other leaders.
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The Divine Divas Award: Honored by the University of Texas and the Pursuit of Dreams Foundation.
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Top 100 Homeland Security Resource: Her blog and Twitter account have been listed as a premier resource in the homeland security field.
VALUES IN ACTION
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Equity First: By intentionally hiring formerly incarcerated and unhoused individuals, Growth Management Services (GMS) transforms lives and communities through the power of work. This is more than a strategy; it's a commitment to a second chance.
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Inclusive Leadership: Twyla is a fierce advocate for women and minorities in traditionally male-dominated industries, including construction and corporate spaces. She actively works to elevate representation, create access, and champion the next generation of diverse leaders.
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Strategic Community Investment: Twyla’s model is built on connecting capital with care. She builds more than just homes; she invests in dignity and community. Her work is a powerful force for social mobility, strategically shifting generational outcomes one project at a time.
Get Involved
Want to speak with Twyla, collaborate on a project, book her for a keynote, or explore mentoring with Impact League? Contact Twyla or book a 1-on-1!