Get to Know More About Us
We See
The Forest And The Trees
We don't just see and hear, we listen and understand. We’re a team of empathetic realists that believe that people are the most important part of any business. We're never afraid to question or challenge established thinking in pursuit of creating the right solution for you.
We Help Unlock Potential
Working together, we help you reach your goals, accomplish sustainable and scalable changes, and forge authentic partnerships that lead to exceptional outcomes.
Our Story
Second Milieu was founded by Debbie Edwards, a military veteran with almost a decade of service. Initially a truck driver, she quickly rose through administrative positions, ultimately becoming a respected leader in logistics and operations. Debbie was assigned to multiple hard-won positions and entrusted with the "Think It Over" pilot program, which effectively reduced new recruit turnover. The program became the foundation of her strategic framework for transforming vague ideas into well-defined projects, skillfully removing barriers to change, and emphasizing the importance of prioritizing people - employees, customers, and the community. She recognized that by adopting a people-centric approach, organizations foster stronger employee and customer commitment, leading to higher levels of engagement.
After transitioning into the civilian world, Debbie became increasingly frustrated by the realization that many organizations develop business models without considering the people involved, whether it be their workforce, customers, or community. She witnessed organizations struggle with growing pains resulting from outdated processes, lack of systems, or defunct strategies, all of which were further compounded by solutions that ignored the importance of people. She became determined to be a part of changing this.
Over the next 15 years, Debbie transformed programs and entities across the nonprofit sector, launched successful pilot programs in municipal and federal governments, and created high-performance departments from the ground up, driving success in the corporate landscape and innovating teams to bring strategy to action on an international scale.
Her global experience and unwavering commitment to helping organizations overcome challenges, establish operational foundations, leverage technology to achieve scalable growth, and ignite their brilliance, led to the creation of Second Milieu.
Debbie holds a Master of Arts from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland.
Who
We Are
Second Milieu provides premium services in strategy, optimization, and management for small businesses, nonprofits, and minority-owned enterprises seeking scalable and sustainable growth. We develop effective and creative solutions to barriers in order to help our clients reach the pinnacle of success.
With a team bringing over 20 years of consulting experience and business management expertise, Second Milieu is dedicated to assisting organizations in addressing the complex challenges of being future-ready.
We study the big picture, immerse ourselves in the details, and always keep people as the priority. We take a holistic approach, prioritize people, and tailor solutions to each client's unique needs. Our services include helping clients rediscover their mission, road-mapping their long-term goals, and implementing the right business management solutions.
We work with clients across various industries and functions, guiding them through every stage of transformation and helping them ignite their brilliance. Our mission is clear – to help organizations overcome barriers and reach their full potential, always with people at the forefront of our approach.
What’s In A Name?
The word "milieu" represents an environment or the world in which we develop. Second Milieu is a tribute to Debbie's father, nicknamed "Second" as the second-born twin. However, his name took on a new meaning after suffering third-degree burns on over 75% of his body in 1963. Against all odds, he survived but lived the second part of his life as a severely burned man. Yet, he lived each day with unwavering kindness. Though he didn't always receive compassion in return, he maintained an entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to be unapologetically present as his best self and help others. He was driven by results, resilience, and humanity. His story is truly inspirational.
Inspiring Your Second Wave of Success
Many business owners start with a business model, but when they encounter roadblocks, they often don't know where to turn. Organizations grow and develop, often surpassing the infrastructure originally put in place. Second Milieu offers creative and effective solutions to these roadblocks, demonstrating that a successful business model may only need a little brush-up, a second chance, a second wave, or a new environment to thrive. Our name represents this opportunity. Let's journey together to transform your business and unleash your organization's potential!
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