We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dawn Paul a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dawn , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

I juggle many hats and have to definitely prioritize, but it comes with entrepreneurship. Some days, it can be quiet and some days it is like everyone wants something all at once. But I remember in the beginning, wishing and praying the phone would ring and emails would come in with clients and opportunities. So, now, I am definitely not going to tell God this is too much. Instead, I’m thankful, not wanting Him to take any blessing away from me. I say a little prayer, take a break, and handle each assignment and project as it comes, whether scheduled or not. Each day will not be the same, so as an entrepreneur you must learn to adapt.

As an entrepreneur, you had better learn sooner than later that the people who start with you from day one, cheering you on, will not necessarily be the ones running through the finish line with you. Some may start off strong exuding great passion but then can let you down, falling off for their own reasons. There are those who don’t want to go through the struggles and challenges, but only want to be there for the spotlight, and when they see that they can’t use you for their own agenda, walk out. Or there are those who have a microwave success mentality, and when they see the success is not overnight, they move on to the next person who they can try to use or who is up and coming. Also, there are those individuals who are not necessarily bad people, but they have some growing up to do and are not mature enough to have an honest conversation to let you know that what you do just isn’t for them. But one needs to understand that when you leave a position, no matter how well you performed, people always remember how you left. So, always leave on a good note, telling the individual in-person or over the phone you are led to move in a different direction, thanking them for the opportunity. Also, you never know when you will see people again, need a recommendation, or if that person you were disloyal to will one day be your decision-maker.

And look, the ones who are no longer with you, it’s not always due to a negative experience, but just that God called them to a different path. Sometimes people are with you for a season so you can be a blessing to help prepare them for what God has called them to do. One of the best compliments that I can receive is when someone shares with me that what they did here was purposeful for what God has for them to do. We all have this excitement about our callings and gifts, but remember that your dreams will not be everyone else’s. It’s a beautiful thing to see people walk in their calling(s) like I am walking in mine.

Believe it or not, those who fell off and who ended up disappointing me, I am absolutely grateful for them, with no hard feelings or regrets. They filled in the gap and served a purpose for a season. And I am so thankful to God that they exposed themselves before the elevation so I know who does not need to be with me on this journey moving forward. Because of my experience with them, I am able to discern who I should work with in the future.

I cannot speak for anyone else, but from my personal experience, the people who proved to be a great asset and valuable, also having the right spirit, were those who came from personal referrals and those who I saw their work ethic through an event or project. I like to watch how people work and how they interact with others before I work with them. I highly suggest before you work with someone, get referrals or see any upcoming events they are hosting and attend to witness first-hand their spirit and whether or not they can successfully execute a project or event. And the referrals should not necessarily be from them, as you may not always get honesty and the full picture. See who they tag (not a friend/family member, but a client/organization) in a social media post and reach out to those individuals about their experience working with them. People can look good on paper and on social media, but you will be surprised at the honesty you will receive from someone who they have worked for or worked with.

At this point in my life, integrity and a genuine spirit are at the top of my list of requirements. As the quote goes, “Hire character, train skill.” Also, I am never desperate for people to assist and support me. When I was searching for help out of desperation, I tolerated certain people just to have someone fill a position, but the passion wasn’t there and it was apparent. I would rather roll solo, waiting on the right person than have someone with the wrong spirit in this space. Provisions are not just money and material things, but people. As we lean on God and walk in purpose, He never fails to align us with the right dream team members along the way. We can trust His provisions (Philippians 4:19 and Psalm 23:1) to fulfill His purpose(s) and calling(s) for our lives.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Let me start with Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 16:9. I want you to keep these verses in your heart, reflecting on them instead of becoming frustrated when your plans aren’t going according to your timeline. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that when things don’t go according to my plan, they are in fact going according to God’s. And when the promises don’t come packaged as I envisioned, I have to remember that He orders the steps. I actually had designs on being an attorney (I wanted a court tv show). What brought me to Houston was being accepted into law school, but curving out (though I didn’t know it) was leading me to my callings, purposes, and assignments in media, coaching, and communications.

After curing out of law school, I worked in various industries. Though I was grateful and able to make a living, I wasn’t fulfilled. However, there was something I took from each experience that has helped prepare me for what I’m doing now as a media personality, certified life coach, and owner of a media company. During that time, I was offered an opportunity to write for a publication and started working on the side as a freelance writer. The publication started me off conducting interviews over the phone and then while still writing, I was promoted as a host conducting on-camera interviews for their video platform, covering national events and interviewing celebrities and notables like Common, Viola Davis, civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis, Shaquille O’Neal, and many others. That opened the door to my first paid radio job as the co-host of a nighttime show, as “The Dr. Dawn.” Though it was a great show, it was canceled. I was disappointed, as I thought that would be my “big break,” but I learned that anything can happen in media. You can’t get comfortable or take it personally in any field as these things happen; it’s just business. Also, we don’t know God’s plan (remember the verses I mentioned earlier).

The radio show may have been canceled, but with a friend’s encouragement, I started my own radio show on a public access platform (that was all I could afford on a modest budget and with no sponsors). It was humbling, in that I was in a place where I had to learn to do everything myself, no longer just on the mic. I was the host, producer, radio board operator, answered phones, booked guests, edited shows, and was made to do everything else that goes on behind the scenes to make a radio show run. Again, all that prepared me for what I continue to do in radio now on a larger platform as The Dr. Dawn® on my show, “It’s No Judgment! Just REALness!” Every week I am blessed to interview guests for some conversation that’s candid and engaging for the audience. The platform also is open for the audience to call in with their life and love questions or to ask for prayer. For me, it’s not about the microphone, but the message I leave behind it, and trust that I’m always going to come with truth, wisdom, and of course, love. Listen in live every Thursday night at 7 PM CST on www.raisethepraise100.com or download the Raise The Praise 100 app to listen.

As a certified life coach, I’m afforded the great privilege to support clients and individuals in achieving specific goals so they can lead a more fulfilling life. Coaching is not something I see as just a career, but it’s one of my callings and not something that I take lightly. And I’m available to pour into new coaches who need help so they can successfully maneuver the coaching world, as this profession comes with great responsibility. You can have the certification and training, but it’s another thing when you start using it to help clients. Being a support system for newly certified coaches to make a positive impact in their calling is another way I’m able to use this gift.

Also utilizing my experience, knowledge, passion, and purpose in the communications field, I proudly own Obsessed With Media®, a company providing clients with strategic marketing efforts to increase brand awareness for national and global expansion. I promise that it didn’t take long for God to give me the company name. I love media, and being so passionate and obsessed with the industry, it was a no-brainer what the name of this company should be.

There’s so much more to the journey that brought me to where I am now as an award-winning certified life coach, regularly featured guest on news and TV, author, radio host, speaker, entrepreneur, as well as other things. But the most important thing I’ve learned being around certain types of people and situations is that if it’s not on purpose, I’ll pass. I am focused on being purposeful, not popular. Now, of course, I want to continue to grow and expand. But if I focus on walking in the calling first and trust in God, He always brings prosperity. I have to have peace in what I’m doing. With spiritual maturity, I can walk away from anything (and I have) that does not bring me peace or has me selling my soul for success.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was forced to pivot during a challenging time in my life a couple of years ago, before the pandemic. I was dealing with a setback and was struggling. At the same time, my media company just wasn’t growing as I wanted it to. But I was encouraged with some inspiration from a successful businessman who said, “Take small steps.” That just spoke to me. While I was trying to do all these big things to propel the media business to the next level, I forgot that small steps bring big success. I started the process by getting off social media and removing that distraction. Now I love social media, but I didn’t feel like posting to look busy. I didn’t even post on my personal page or the life coach page. I needed that time to be poured into, focusing more on God’s Word to hear His voice. I told God that if I start taking small steps to reconstruct the business and give it 100% and there’s still no progress, then I will be obedient and move in another direction if this media company is not what you have for me. I pivoted by taking small steps, one of them being removing services that I didn’t enjoy doing just to make money. I did that among other things. But scaling back and simplifying my media business helped me scale and grow.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

It is all about reputation. Whether it be good or bad, it will precede you.

What makes me stand out as a certified life coach (in addition to getting results) is that I have a natural ability to communicate in a genuine way that forms a connection and trust with people. If people don’t trust you, the process won’t work. Also, I am transparent about my journey and mistakes. I am not going to act as if I’ve never made mistakes or faced challenges. In a strange way, it elevates my ability to support clients, as those mistakes enable me to help clients and individuals avoid the pitfalls that I’ve encountered. And I also hear quite a bit from people, “You’re just real!” I can’t be any other way but myself, as it’s too hard to try to be someone you’re not (I’ve been there, and it’s way too much work).

In a world where everyone is trying to be like someone else, market themselves like everyone else, I stand out because I stand on who I am and whose I am (a child of God). The freedom in that is something I can’t put into words. But again, it’s peace. If I’m not the coach for you, then that’s okay. If I’m not the guest for your TV show, then that’s okay. If I’m not the speaker for you, then that’s okay. God calls us to different assignments to reach different personalities and people, so I know that I am not going to be for everybody. It’s important to remember that the rejection you’re dealing with is not necessarily personal, but purposeful. Where there’s a no, trust the road ahead has many yeses awaiting you.

One of the reasons I also stand out and have a great reputation with my media company and in communications is that I always deliver with excellence, providing clients with a wonderful experience. As a professional writer, editor, and someone who has been a managing editor for a publication, I have developed a very sharp eye. Your average graphic designer is not going to check your content for grammatical or spelling errors. They are going to focus on what you pay them to do, design. However, at Obsessed With Media®, we design and write as well. Yes, you’ll get some superb design work, but I’m going to review your content and edit if necessary to ensure it truly fits the message you want to convey with the marketing materials.

Part of what fueled me to start this media company was that I was dealing with businesses that didn’t deliver for me, and I didn’t feel valued as a client. They would produce subpar work with no passion behind it, I had to chase them down for my materials, or I didn’t receive the quality that I paid for. I go above and beyond for my clients, with professional writing and editing services, media coaching, consulting, graphic design work, and other first-rate communications services.

Whether it’s my media company or coaching practice, I always want to provide everyone I touch with an amazing experience. “Serving” is the keyword. Yes, we’re in business to be profitable, but I always remember that it’s about the purpose, and with a servant mindset, I successfully serve clients.

Working and delivering with a standard of excellence, my reputation not only brings returning clients, but referrals, and other amazing opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.obsessedwithmedia.com
• Instagram: @TheDrDawn
• Facebook: @TheDrDawn
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/the-dr-d-8b5b6140
• Twitter: @TheDrDawn