Today we’d like to introduce you to Gino Haynes
Hi Gino, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Personally, I am the byproduct of the love, sacrifices, and investment of my grandmother (who raised me), my parents, other family members, and mentors over the years who invested time, money, resources, and a lot of love into me. People who helped and were more concerned with the development of my character and integrity more than what job or career path I was on. That character and integrity has been the thing that, I believe, has really carried me and opened doors that I was able to walk through.
I started out my working career in retail management and sales back in 2007. Within 6 months, the Area Sales Manager, for the company I was working for, saw something in me and gave me an opportunity to be a store manager. I was 20 years old and had no idea what I was doing and sort of flying the plane while I was building it, so to speak. We used to have these calls with all the regional store managers to go over goals, metrics, and the like. At the end of the call we would have these “words of wisdom” segments. At first they were random and different managers would say their different inspirational quotes. When it was my turn, I’d often hear “wow’ or see the faces of people highly engaged. Eventually the area sales manager asked me to just do them exclusively. He said “you have a true gift” make sure you share it.
I heard what he said and realized what he did by giving me a great opportunity but in my heart of hearts didn’t really believe him. Don’t get me wrong, I still performed but was still highly insecure, if I’m being honest. That opportunity would garner other leadership roles in several other organizations and gain a lot of insights on leaders and leadership, but it wasn’t until a lot later that I gained the insight that leading others has everything to do with knowing and leading yourself. That revelation took me on a different path once I realized it. That path gave me deep insights to who I was a as a leader and a person. it also gave me insight and direction on who I was meant to serve and invest my time, resources, and energy in. That combination of investment from family/mentors, leadership roles, self assessment, and education that I accumulated, inspired me to start my own leadership development consultancy. That is how Legacy Consulting and Legacy in Action LLC was started.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely not been smooth, personally or professionally. Personally my life has been full of ups and downs. I was raised by my grandmother. My grandmother was left a paraplegic after a severe car accident where her back was broken in 3 places and she was told she’d never walk again. She defied the odds and was able to walk again but that accident affected her health for the rest of her life. Despite her own set of issues, she raised a daughter and raised me to be who I am today. Watching her navigate life taught me a lot about what leadership truly is. I was raised in the inner city, in a poverty stricken neighborhood but didn’t know it. We never went without a meal and all our basic needs were met but some of the psychological and traumatic effects still affected me in a way that I didn’t understand until much later. Mostly, the psychological effects and inhibitions that were created from some of the things I saw and experienced.
Professionally, though I had the insights, education, and a gift, I still didn’t have any experience in being an owner or founding my own company. I had to figure that out and build a team. I had to build up a base of clients and prove myself on this new path of leadership development from the perspective of an owner and founder and not just a person who manages a team. I had to do all of that all while trying to provide for a family of my own so it was hard and started off slow. Hindsight, I’m so happy it happened the way it did. It allowed me fail often and early and helped me to streamline my processes and really build an infastructure for a business and be able to have a house for my passion.
We’ve been impressed with Legacy Consulting/ Legacy in Action LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Legacy Consulting, we don’t just provide consultancy services — we build transformative leaders who shape the future. With, collectively, over 35 years of experience, we empower organizations to lead with purpose and inclusivity. Our expertise lies in strategic planning, equity integration, and leadership development, ensuring your organization doesn’t just adapt to change but thrives through it.
We specialize in data-driven storytelling and comprehensive leadership assessments to guide insightful decision-making. Our tailored training programs in inclusive leadership, along with our ability to embed equity frameworks into program development, are designed to drive sustainable growth and success.
Our global reach spans 5 countries, where we’ve helped countless leaders and teams unlock their full potential. Each client represents a unique story of breakthrough and excellence — a story we are proud to be a part of.
At the heart of Legacy Consulting is a passion for unleashing the potential of individuals, teams, and organizations. We are dedicated to guiding leaders through the complexities of the modern business world, helping them cement a lasting legacy of equity, effectiveness, and innovation.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
That the only thing you can control, in life, is you. It’s our job to know and continuously know ourselves and lead ourselves. When we do that, in a knowledgable and intentional way, we steward our influence in the places and spaces that we occupy. You can’t give what you don’t first possess. It’s impossible to lead others well without leading yourself well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelegacyinaction.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.legacy.llc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelegacyinaction
