We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dawn Digrius Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dawn below.

Dawn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started in higher education as a faculty member at a private engineering university. However, I have a strong background in research and have run several international research projects and worked with data. My BA degree is in Anthropology/Archaeology and while obtaining my undergrad degree I worked on several research projects in Mexico and Ecuador, collecting data and presenting at professional society meetings. This helped me ultimately shape the work I do with DMDS Partners, Inc. My PhD was earned in 2007 with funding from the National Science Foundation Grant #0451534 and focused on research across Europe. After serving on faculty, I transitioned to higher education administration and ran a $4.64 million project for the California State University Office of the Chancellor funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust. I have also served as the Main representative to the United Nations for a NYC based NGO and as Executive Director for a Southern California Non-Profit. I am most proud about starting my own corporation, DMDS Partners, Inc., that provides grant writing services, assists with data collection/management/analysis, and conducts evaluation services through surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative methods. DMDS Partners, Inc. works primarily with educational institutions and nonprofits, including Cal State LA, Cal Poly SLO, El Monte Union HS District, Fontana Unified School District, Cal State Monterey Bay, Sacramento County Office on Education, CDE Foundation, and Rest Stop Ministries. Most recently, we worked with SCOE on a large $15 million grant with a very short turnaround time (2 weeks) that was successfully funded. Our projects range from evaluating Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs, to federal grants from the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice, to facilitating private philanthropic funding. We have a staff of PhDs and expert researchers who specialize in Statistical Analyses, Professional Coaching, Grant Writing, Data Analyses, and Program Evaluation.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In December of 2019, I was hired to serve as a Research Director for a Company with a team of five researchers under me housed at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. As a researcher, I was thrilled to take on this role! I started in January 0f 2020 and relocated from Los Angeles to Washington, DC. On March 12, 2020 at 11AM, we were notified that the Library of Congress would be shutting at 5PM due to Covid 19 until further notice. I immediately phoned my husband who suggested that I fly back to California to wait it out [we anticipated a two week shutdown]. From March 16-March 31 I worked from California online, as did my researchers. Then we started to see the client base disappear…and because the shutdown lasted longer than the anticipated two weeks, on April 1, 2020 [yes, April 1, 2020] the President of the Company informed myself and my employees in my division via an emergency Zoom meeting that we were all being permanently laid off. I was devastated, as I had literally just taken the position and moved across the country! I had all of my clothes and many of my belongings still in my apartment in Maryland. I had NO idea how long it would take to get back to DC to collect my things….it would be a cross-country drive in July 2021 before I would complete that journey!

However, I see this as a blessing in disguise–it is what led to my starting first my soap-making business to supplement my income while out of work and secondly it led to my landing the position of Director of the Program Evaluation & Research Collaborative (PERC) that ultimately became my own corporation that is currently THRIVING!

Fortunately, I had a friend from High School who talked me down from the ledge figuratively and supported me in starting my own business using my skills learned over the years. The success of my small business making soap gave me the confidence to move into the role I have today, as CEO of my own corporation! Last year, I brought in over $200K in revenue and this years’ projections are approximately $325K!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Word of mouth! I have spent zero dollars in advertising, but have facilitated my network and have delivered quality work that has led to potential clients reaching out! Some clients have booked my services because in the past, I interviewed with them for a job and although I was not hired, I left a favorable impression of myself and my work product that they remembered and when a job came up that they needed services, they reached out to me and trusted me with their project! Overall, the best way to grow your clientele is to serve your clients well– they will share with others!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dmdspartnersinc.com

Image Credits
All photos [except for headshot and Dr. USA 2022 photos] are by Dawn Digrius Smith. Blue gown photo [robert f. smith], black/gold gown [deb halberstadt], headshot [robert f. smith]