We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patty Williams-Downs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Patty, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
Sometimes, the best opportunities arise in the most unexpected ways. My journey as a coach began organically during a routine reference check call. One of my teammates was transitioning to a new role, and I was contacted to provide a reference. Early in the conversation, I shared with my first client-to-be, “I’m sure you have a lot of questions lined up, but if you can tell me what you expect this role to accomplish, I can walk you through what they’ve done for us.”
At the time, our team was deeply committed to supporting individuals as they transitioned out of the organization, so we always made it a point to highlight their impact. I shared insights on how the individual contributed to our team’s success, focusing on the turnaround efforts they helped lead. After the conversation, my soon-to-be client said something unexpected: “We should work together or something. The way you just described your turnaround…I could use your help. Do you coach?”
Without hesitation, I responded, “As a matter of fact, I do!” And just like that, the foundation for my coaching business was laid.
In 2022, we signed our first contract, and we’re now on our fourth coaching cycle.
The beauty of this story lies in how my brand made its first dollar—authentically, organically, and with mutual benefit for both parties. It’s a reminder that opportunities often present themselves when you least expect them, and being prepared to seize them can lead to long-lasting success.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
BreakingBounds® holds 2 subsidiaries: BreakingBounds, Coaching & Consulting, and BreakingBounds® Media. During this time, I’ll talk about BreakingBounds® Media.
BreakingBounds®️Media launched a talk show last winter called Boundary Breakers, hosted by Patty Williams Downs. The goal of the show is to amplify the voices of leaders from around the world. But what exactly is a Boundary Breaker? A Boundary Breaker is someone who has defied the odds, broken barriers, and created new paths that foster positive growth and evolution for themselves and others. A Boundary Breaker is someone who is using their unique gifts and talents to positively transform the world.
Season 1 of Boundary Breakers showcased incredible individuals who embody this spirit. Lauren Anderson, the first Prima Ballerina of the Houston Ballet, shared her groundbreaking journey. Marvin Pierre, the innovative social entrepreneur behind 8 Million Stories, discussed his mission to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. Kim Roxie, the pioneering CEO of Lamik Beauty, the first Black-owned vegan makeup brand, shared her inspiring story. Stephanie Tsuru, the visionary behind SheSpace, a co-working space designed for women, also graced our show. What an extraordinary group of individuals to share space with! Each of them shared their journeys, highlighting how they had to break existing paradigms to build something new and impactful.
The 1st episode for Season 2 drops Wednesday, September 25 with Laif Afseth, President of Amegy Bank. It’s going to be amazing! Don’t forgot to tune in!
My story deeply connects with these remarkable humans because I have always been a Boundary Breaker. Despite growing up in a loving family, our conditions were marked by poverty. Before I even had the words to describe it, I understood that I wanted to break free from these constraints. I sought to understand poverty, its roots, and how to eradicate it. I wanted to break boundaries.
And I have! From serving as a Teach For America corps member and teacher to founding BreakingBounds®️, an enterprise dedicated to creating transformative experiences for leaders striving for social good through executive coaching and strategy consulting, every step of my career has been about dismantling barriers that hinder people and building structures that co-power with them to create the world they wish to see.
And my story is still unfolding, so stay tuned!
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Leadership in today’s competitive landscape requires clarity, purpose, and intentionality. One of the most critical steps toward building a successful organization is to have a clear understanding of your mission, vision, and values. These foundational elements act as your anchor, guiding every aspect of your operations, including your revenue strategy. But it’s not enough to simply state your values—leaders must define what success looks like when their team is winning at these values and when they are falling short.
This clarity is essential, not only for aligning internal processes but for attracting the right people to your organization. As human beings, we are hardwired for connection and belonging. A well-defined mission, vision, and values provide a sense of purpose that resonates with potential team members and target audiences alike. It ensures that the right talent is drawn to your cause and that you are appealing to the right customers or clients.
Once your mission is clear, the next step is understanding the kind of people you need to drive that mission forward. After hiring these talented individuals, it’s crucial to invest in their development and enable their success within the organization. Building structures that provide clarity and support is essential. For example, robust human performance management systems help employees understand how they can excel in their roles and grow within the organization. Clear criteria for promotion, compensation, and benefits must be transparent and accessible—because while social activities like pizza parties and happy hours can build camaraderie, they alone cannot sustain a thriving company culture.
Once your mission is clear, the next step is understanding the kind of people you need to drive that mission forward. After hiring these talented individuals, it’s crucial to invest in their development and enable their success within the organization. Building structures that provide clarity and support is essential. For example, robust human performance management systems help employees understand how they can excel in their roles and grow within the organization. Clear criteria for promotion, compensation, and benefits must be transparent and accessible—because while social activities like pizza parties and happy hours can build camaraderie, they alone cannot sustain a thriving company culture.
Today’s workforce expects more: comprehensive benefits packages, paid time off, and the financial resources to support their lifestyles. Providing clear scorecards, coaching, and evaluation tools can clarify for employees how to take charge of their development and success, or, if necessary, to make an informed decision to exit the organization.
Leaders must also strike a balance between setting clear expectations and allowing their teams the freedom to thrive. Micromanagement stifles creativity and discourages the very autonomy that enables employees to excel. For instance, if you have a marketing and communications team, push them to set clear guidelines, offer training, and provide the tools, data, and resources they need to succeed. And then the marketing and communications team must step back and allow employees to demonstrate why you hired them in the first place. Avoid imposing unnecessary or unspoken rules that leave employees second-guessing their abilities or undermining their confidence.
By fostering a culture of clarity, autonomy, and support, leaders can inspire their teams to deliver exceptional results and drive the mission forward. When employee structures support alignment and agency to thrive, the organization thrives with them.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
At BreakingBounds® Enterprises, we are in the business of transformation, a process that inherently involves vulnerability. Our focus is on partnering with individuals and organizations in times of transition, as we believe that maximizing transitions can unlock true transformation.
Transformation is deeply personal. It involves evolving not only the way something operates but also its underlying beliefs and principles. On a personal level, transformation can manifest as a significant mindset shift, leading to a fundamental change in how one relates to oneself, others, and institutions. Professionally, transformation might entail a redefinition of a business’s foundation—its mission, vision, values, and strategy. It could also mean embracing innovations that alter how a company shows up in its industry. These are monumental changes, and they require more than just surface-level adjustments.
Change is often accompanied by loss, and loss by grief—a process that can feel both somber and empowering. That’s why, at BreakingBounds®, we prioritize authentic connections with those navigating transitions. Our approach to building relationships is rooted in genuine engagement. Whether through face-to-face interactions, introductions from trusted connectors who know both our brand and their networks, or through digital platforms, we ensure that every touchpoint reflects our core values: people, partnership, and progress.
Even in the digital realm, where many brands rely on direct sales tactics, we focus on cultivating meaningful relationships. This principle is woven into all of our content. Our podcast, Boundary Breakers, hosted by Patty Williams-Downs, exemplifies how we engage with our clients across all of our verticals, including executive coaching, strategy consulting, and media.
At BreakingBounds®, we understand that transformation is not just about change—it’s about building a future grounded in authenticity, connection, and progress.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.breakingbounds.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbounds_executivecoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriciaalethia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pwdowns/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Patrici46881085
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BoundaryBreakersHostedbyPWD
