About Me
Teresa Meares Biography
Teresa Meares has twenty years of law enforcement experience with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, and over 300 hours of advanced management training.
She is the founder of TM Consulting, where she assists organizations and businesses in the development and execution of growth and multi‐level project strategies. These strategies focus on delivering exceptional presentation, execution, and management of initiatives.
Inspired by her twenty years in law enforcement, Teresa published “Think Safe 2 Be Safe.” The series is a compilation of stories focused on teaching children how to stay safe. In 2020 she published her first leadership book “C.A.R.E. Effective leadership through the control of emotions.” and she is currently working on her first fiction novel that will be a series outlining a strong female character who fights for those who do not have a voice. Additionally, she has been published as an editorial guest on many topics discussing leadership, girls’ empowerment, and women in business.
Teresa is on the Business Journal’s “List” as a top Women-Owned Business in northeast Florida. She was the recipient of the 2009 Jacksonville Business Journal’s Women of Influence and the 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year for the North Florida Women in Business Awards.
Teresa started two companies, DGG Tactical Supply and Audibelle clothing & uniforms, and grew both to become multi-million-dollar businesses. After 15 years as a business owner, she successfully sold both businesses and now uses her experience to consult other companies. Her previous businesses were recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in northeast Florida, a Florida Company to Watch by Grow Florida, Top 300 businesses in Florida, and Top 50 Women Owned Businesses in Florida.
She is a Past President of the Women Business Owners of North Florida, Past Chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Past Chair for the NAWBO Institute (a foundation supporting women’s education), World Vice President for Les Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises (FCEM), an international association which represents 120 countries across five continents, and Senator for USA representing World Business Angels Investment Grand assembly.
Teresa has a commitment to making a positive impact and difference in this world through story telling and as a servant leader.
Favorite Quote
Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to remind people you are, you aren't.
Accomplishments
BUSINESS AWARDS
- 2008 and 2009 Jacksonville Business Journal # 4 and #2 rank as Woman Owned business
- 2009 - Jacksonville Business Journal Fastest growing companies, #17 out of 50
- 2009 - Jacksonville Business Journal Woman of Influence
- 2010 - Women in Business Award - Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2012 and 2013 Top Woman Owned business in Florida #13 out of 50
- 2014 - Spirit of Rosie Award and Girl Scouts Women who make a difference
RECOGNITION
- 1990 & 1997 Sheriff’s Commendation for outstanding performance
- 1993 Life Saving Award
- 1996 Life Saving Award
- 1998 & 2000 Meritorious Service award for exceptional service in field investigations
- 2002 Meritorious Service award for outstanding performance as the
- K-9 Supervisor
- 2003 Mutual Assistance Award from the Palatka Police Department
AFFILIATIONS
- Past National Chair, National Association of Women Business Owners, 2012 to 2018
- Past National Chair and current board member, Institute for National Association of Women Business Owners 2016 to Current
- International World Vice President, FCEM Les Femmes Chefs d'Enterprises Mondiales, 2018 to Current
- Past President Women Business Owners of N Florida 2008 to 2014
- Past Board Member of Hubbard House - Non-Profit Domestic Violence Center