Biography
“Born a Yankee, but raised a rebel!”
Born and raised in North Carolina, DJ is goal-oriented and strives to succeed both personally and professionally. She is a wife and mother of three children, holds an Associate Degree in PreLaw and a BA in Health Care Management. She is also a Hot Air Balloon Pilot and a Competitive Soccer Player.
A modest beginning and a bright idea.
Look up the word “go-getter” in the dictionary and you might as well see a picture of D.J. Heckes, owner of EXHIB-IT! Tradeshow Marketing Experts.
While raising three children, D.J. started selling exhibits out of her home for Seattle, Washington-based Exhibit Design. Before long, D.J. was able to purchase the New Mexico and Texas market territories from her employer and establish her own company. “I wanted to make a difference in my children’s lives,” she says, “and also use my ambition and drive to make a difference in my own life and that of my clients.” Now, EXHIB-IT! is in its 10th successful business year.
CEO/Owner of EXHIB-IT!, a GSA Certified, woman-owned small business headquartered in Albuquerque, NM. EXHIB-IT! was founded and organized by DJ Heckes, for the express purpose of providing quality products with exhibit marketing and design services to federal agencies and commercial enterprises.
DJ’s public image
Today, EXHIB-IT! is revered as a premier company of tradeshow marketing experts, having earned many national awards.
DJ speaks on many topics to include marketing strategies, leadership and diversity training, organizational management, inspirational and motivational topics, and speaks and lives by the E-Myth principles of how to grow your business to work on your business more than work in your business. She plays an active role both locally and nationally in supporting small businesses and mentors (10) AMA Chapter Presidents in addition to being a mentor for a small business out of Dallas, Texas through the Women Business Enterprises mentorship program.
DJ is actively involved in ten chambers in the States of New Mexico and Texas. She is the Past President of the American Marketing Association, New Mexico Chapter and won Chapter of the Year for 2005 for our NM Chapter. She is an Ambassador for the Albuquerque Economic Development and Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, in addition to being on the National Professional Chapter Council Board for the American Marketing Association. She is also active in the National Association of Women Business Owners, E-Women Communications, Women in Communications and the New Mexico American Marketing Association. DJ believes in being active in the community to help show that small businesses can have big impact in growing New Mexico!