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

Dawn, appreciate you joining us today. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

The kindest thing people can do for you is say they believe in your message and share it with others. I was vending at a local community event, hosted by the Southfield Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., and one of my sorority’s came over to my booth just to tell me she loved the faith-inspired message of my business so much she told her pastor about me and said he should invite me to vend at their next event. That moment meant so much, because she believed in my mission and vision so much she was willing to speak to her pastor on my behalf. I felt honored and humbled that she would speak so highly of my business to her pastor.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

In 2018, I preached a sermon entitled, “God is so F.L.Y. (Faithful Loving Yahweh.” A friend of mine told me I should put that on a t-shirt. In 2019, Divinely Designed Enterprises, LLC., was born, based on Psalms 139:13-14. As a woman, who believes everyone is Divinely Designed by God to bring their unique spark of the divine into this world, my mission is to help people love and embrace who they are and to confidently walk out the purposes and plans God has for their lives. What makes us unique we are striving to impact the entire family, from the youngest to the seasoned, to walk in faith and purpose. There are not many faith-based apparel companies that provide products for both children and adults. My desire is to encourage, both youth and adults, to cultivate their relationship with God, to see themselves as divinely, magnificently and purposefully created by God, and accept His love for them.

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

When I first launched my business, Divinely Designed Enterprises, I chose a dropshipping model because it seemed like the smartest and most cost-effective way to get started. As a new entrepreneur, I wanted to minimize financial risk, avoid investing heavily in inventory upfront, and focus on building my online brand presence. On paper, it made perfect sense.

However, as I began networking and becoming more active in my local community, I realized there was a major gap between what worked online in theory and what my business actually needed in practice.

One of the biggest turning points came when I started seeing opportunities to participate in local vendor events, community gatherings, women’s empowerment events, and faith-based marketplaces. I quickly realized that not having products physically available limited my ability to fully take advantage of those opportunities. People wanted to touch the apparel, see the quality, connect with the message behind the brand, and make purchases on the spot. My business wasn’t just selling products—it was creating meaningful connections and conversations around faith, purpose, identity, and encouragement.

I also discovered that my local ideal customer wanted styles, products, and customization options that weren’t available through my original dropshipping supplier. That realization forced me to pivot. Instead of staying locked into a business model that didn’t fully aligned with my vision or my audience, I began researching alternative vendors, sourcing products independently, and building inventory specifically tailored to my community and brand message.

That pivot taught me that entrepreneurship isn’t just about choosing the most convenient model—it’s about listening to your audience, staying flexible, and being willing to evolve when something no longer serves your mission. It also helped me understand the value of visibility and relationship-building within my local community. The goal is for people who discover my brand at events later become online supporters, repeat customers, or advocates for the business.

Looking back, that pivot wasn’t a setback—it was growth. It helped me move from simply operating an online store to building a brand experience that truly reflects the heart and purpose behind my business.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the belief that strength means handling everything on your own.

As an only child growing up, I became very independent early in life. I learned how to figure things out for myself, solve problems on my own, and not rely heavily on others. That mindset helped me in many ways throughout my career and life. It taught me resilience, discipline, and resourcefulness. But when I stepped into entrepreneurship, I realized that the same mindset that once protected me could also limit my growth if I wasn’t careful.

When I first started my business, Divinely Designed Enterprises, I approached it like a solo mission. I believed that because I was a solopreneur, I needed to carry every responsibility myself—learning everything alone, building alone, struggling alone, and figuring out every challenge without asking for help. I wore independence almost like a badge of honor.

But entrepreneurship has a way of exposing the areas where you need to grow personally, not just professionally.

As I became more involved in business communities, attended networking events, and connected with other entrepreneurs, I started realizing how much wisdom, support, and opportunity exists when you allow yourself to be in community with others. I discovered organizations that offered courses, mentorship, funding resources, and business development programs specifically designed to help entrepreneurs grow and succeed. More importantly, I met people who were genuinely willing to share lessons they learned through their own successes and failures.

That shifted my perspective completely.

I had to unlearn the idea that asking questions or seeking support meant I was less capable. In reality, collaboration, mentorship, and community are often the very things that accelerate growth. I learned that successful entrepreneurs are not people who do everything alone—they are people who know how to learn, connect, adapt, and build relationships.

Now, I understand that even as a solopreneur, you still need a support system. You need people who can pour knowledge into you, challenge your thinking, open doors, and remind you that you don’t have to carry every part of the journey by yourself.

That lesson is not only helping me in my business, but it also helping me grow as a person. I’ve learned that longevity in entrepreneurship requires more than passion and hard work—it also requires humility, community, and the willingness to let others walk alongside you on the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shopdivinelydesigned.com/
• Instagram: @divinely_designed_enterprises
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivinelyDesignedByGod.Ps129.13