Meet Sarita Jackson, Phd | Founder and CEO, Global Research Institute of International Trade, LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarita Jackson, Phd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarita, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started the Global Research Institute International Trade, LLC (GRIIT) during my time as an assistant professor of political science at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC from 2007 to 2013. GRIIT is a think-tank and consulting firm that was registered in and is located in California, chosen for its heavy global trade activity stemming from several ports, including the Port of Los Angeles. GRIIT was formed to help importers and exporters manage risk, save money, and grow their businesses in a global economy shaped by international trade policies. My goal was to bridge the gap in practical discussions about international trade, specifically the role that policies can play in enabling importers and exporters to compete and win globally.

The idea behind GRIIT came while I was a Fulbright Scholar in the Dominican Republic in 2010. My research focused on the impact that industry-level associations had on the outcomes of the trade negotiations between the United States and the Dominican Republic, as well as several Central American countries.

During this period, I received contracts to travel throughout the Dominican Republic and to Costa Rica to discuss the specific terms of these agreements, what they mean for producers, and their impact on the economies overall. These opportunities opened my eyes to need to continue this valuable work.

When I returned to North Carolina, the value that GRIIT would add to practical and policy discussions became more apparent. I began speaking with local manufacturers regarding how they had been affected by different trade agreements. Some of these manufacturers were unaware of the international market opportunities that were available to them to stay afloat and competitive. As a result, I focused on how GRIIT could also offer relevant educational services to the business community.

In 2013, I received tenure and was promoted to associate professor of political science. However, the aforementioned experiences, helped me to realized that my work in the area of international trade would be beneficial beyond academic publications and the university classroom. For this reason, I took the risk to transition from academia to entrepreneurship by moving back to my hometown of Los Angeles to carry out GRIIT’s mission–leverage its expertise so that global organizations can make informed decisions and channel their investments toward enhancing their products or services that make a positive difference in the lives of others around the world.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Global Research Institute of International Trade, LLC (GRIIT) stands out for its specialized focus areas within the field of international trade. One critical area, which has gained more attention recently, concerns how domestic and international trade policies impact an importer’s and exporter’s success in the global market. Unlike typical government workshops that focus mainly on cross-border business practices and strategies, GRIIT enhances these by emphasizing the opportunities that trade policies provide. One opportunity includes saving money by not having to pay tariffs (i.e., taxes on imports) on goods purchased from other countries.

Since I began representing GRIIT in 2013, my emphasis on trade policies initially garnered little attention from established business owners in Los Angeles. However, at my first international trade workshop organized by several local organizations, one attendee noted how rising tariffs on essential products from China significantly increased his business costs. My detailed explanation of the US tariff policy and the strategic options available not only helped the attendee but also established GRIIT as a valuable resource within the international trade community.

Another underexplored area GRIIT addresses is the significant role of the services sector in global trade. Despite the United States having a trade surplus in services—exporting more than it imports—most trade discussions and programs continue to focus on manufacturing and agriculture. Many of the attendees at some of the workshops that I have participated in are professional service providers. For this reason, I published a book on this topic–International Trade in Services: Effective Practice and Policy (Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, 2021). Additionally, GRIIT offers a thorough, on-demand online course, “The Basics of Exporting a Service,” available at www.griit.org under the Courses tab.

As a result, professional service providers now realize that they, too, can export. Furthermore, through GRIIT, professional service providers have the practical guidance and tools that allow them to minimize their risks in the global market and reach clients in other parts of the world.

These focus areas have grown in importance as U.S. trade policy has increasingly included higher tariffs on goods from trade partners, even those with which the United States has agreements. This shift presents unique opportunities for service providers who are not affected by these tariffs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take someone visiting Los Angeles to the nearby beaches. Also, any of the restaurants, ice cream shops, and coffee shops near the Culver Steps would be among my choices.

As someone who loves the performing arts, I highly recommend checking out a play, musical, opera, or concert at any of the nearby theatres and other venues. Some recommendations include the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Throughout my journey, my family—my mother, father, and brother—has been fundamental. They instilled in me the grit and business skills necessary to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I became concerned as to what global disruptions would mean for GRIIT. However, my family encouraged me to think beyond my current circumstances. As a result, my focus on assisting exporters of manufactured products and agricultural commodities pivoted toward the export of professional services around the world, which remained significant during the global health pandemic.

During this period, I published International Trade in Services: Effective Practice and Policy with Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, which readers have found helpful due to its practical guidance and focus on funding options for professional service exporters. Additionally, a well-established professional services-based firm hired GRIIT to conduct in-depth trade research and analyses, which resulted in a financial win for that firm’s client. Although I continue to assist exporters of tangible goods, my work fills in the gap in international trade by guiding professional service providers through the export process so that they can save money; boost revenue, even in times of economic uncertainty; and minimize their risks (e.g., nonpayment).

Additionally, a robust network of mentors, business coaches, academic colleagues, and fellow entrepreneurs has been essential in elevating GRIIT. Recently, these individuals have helped develop systems for client outreach, speaking engagements, and marketing. These improvements have enhanced GRIIT’s efficiency and effectiveness, leading to increased referrals and demand for our in-depth research and analysis by importers and exporters of goods and services. With quality insight from this network, GRIIT has been able to focus less on the day-to-day operations and more on enhancing its value to the global trade community.

Website: https://www.griit.org

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