We recently connected with Dawn Myers and have shared our conversation below.

Dawn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My career took an unexpected turn at the age of 36. After 14 years managing in non-profit, I found myself unraveling. I was completely overwhelmed and the harder I worked at holding it together, the more I fell apart. I knew if anyone found out I would lose my job, so I was determined to hide my dirty little secret until I figured a way out. I was alone, scared, and swallowed up by the darkness. It wasn’t until my 10-year-old son put his little face on mine and asked, “can you get up and try again mom?” that I realized this wasn’t just affecting me, I was hurting my family.

I experienced a mental breakdown – a starkly personal experience at a time when mental health was not talked about. The societal stigma surrounding my depression compelled me to retreat and navigate my slow climb out of the darkness alone.

Through therapy and self-discovery, I realized that vulnerability wasn’t a sign of weakness, rather a source of strength. My real enemy was the isolation.

Along my journey, I realized the only way to break the pervasive stigma was to be transparent. It was in that moment that a deep purpose ignited within. I was not going to let anyone else navigate the desolate landscape of mental illness alone.

Now, rather than my breakdown being a failure; it became a catalyst. It propelled me to an amazing and fulfilling career as a Director of Human Resources in the hospitality industry. It led me to serve as an adjunct instructor in the HR Certificate Program at SDSU. It gave me the courage to step out on my own and start my own business.

Fueled by my transformative experience, I have dedicated myself to fostering open communication and building resilient individuals, leaders, and organizations.

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 want people to know that they are not alone –

The individual struggling to get out of bed in the morning to face another day

The middle manager doing their best to meet the objectives of the organization

The business owner questioning why they started in the first place

The employee that wonders if anyone sees their struggle

I wore a mask for years so no one would see my pain. I pretended to be what others wanted to be accepted. I sacrificed myself for my success.

I now realized that it is ok to ask for help. It is ok to be myself and still be accepted. It is ok to put myself first and still be successful. I want others to realize these things and more.

I want to help shape a world where mental health is openly discussed, support is readily available, and everyone feels empowered to reach their full potential.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Four years ago, I went into partnership and launched Guided Leadership Solutions. After three years in business, my partner shared that she had come to realize that running an HR consultancy firm wasn’t her dream. Rather she wanted to go back to the corporate world.

Upon hearing that, I immediately thought I’d just take full ownership of the company. Over the next several days I kept hearing her words in my head: “I always thought this was my dream….” I began to wonder, what is my dream? I really had never given much thought to what I wanted and still wasn’t sure. I just knew I needed to find out.

It was then that I decided to leap out solely on my own and started Dawn Myers Consulting to do what I wanted, whatever that meant. I knew starting over and alone would be hard but I believed it would allow me to have a greater impact and be more fulfilled.

It has been almost a year now and I couldn’t be happier. I spend my time coaching leaders, consulting business owners, facilitating communities, and speaking/training. I embrace vulnerability and open dialogue while providing support for greater growth.

I am working toward building a world where mental health is openly discussed, support is readily available, and every individual feels empowered to reach their full potential.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Building and maintaining relationships. I have always been a highly relational and curious individual. I truly enjoy getting to know people and what is unique about them.

It has been the relationships that I have created over the years that have gotten me to where I am today. I can go all the way back to my babysitting days and see how those relationships let to career opportunities. I wouldn’t be teaching in the HR Certificate program at SDSU Global Campus if I hadn’t met and nurtured a relationship started in 2002. I tell my students that it’s not always what you know, but who you know. I am a living testimony of that.

You never know where a new connection will lead, so keep making them and building trust. My network knows that I will never let them down so they have confidence in referring me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dawnmyers.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnemyers/
• Other: https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/resilience-collective-membership

  https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/hr-consultants-membership

  https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/leaders-membership

  https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/human-resource-professionals-membership

  https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/employer-membership

Image Credits

Chris Fragiskatos