Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dawn Plante. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dawn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?
My hero, my inspiration, is my late brother, Joey. He wasn’t just my eldest sibling but my confidant, mentor, and best friend. Joey possessed a wisdom beyond his years, and I often sought his counsel in times of uncertainty.
Despite facing numerous health challenges and personal struggles, Joey epitomized resilience and perseverance. He taught me the invaluable lesson of never giving up and always following my heart. Joey fueled my dreams and aspirations with unwavering support and boundless encouragement, even when self-doubt crept in.
One poignant afternoon, Joey imparted words of wisdom over lunch that would forever resonate with me. He spoke of happiness and authenticity, urging me to pursue what truly brought joy to my soul, regardless of others’ opinions. His profound insights into life’s complexities reflected his deep appreciation for the second chance he believed he had been given.
In a tender moment, Joey shared with me a belief about butterflies—a symbol of hope, transformation, and the presence of angels. Little did I know that this conversation would etch itself into my memory, forever intertwining Joey’s spirit with mine.
Tragically, shortly after our heartfelt exchange, Joey passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack. Yet, his legacy of kindness, compassion, and selflessness lived on, touching the lives of countless individuals, including mine.
At his memorial benefit, a poignant moment unfolded as a butterfly seemed to accompany me, symbolizing Joey’s enduring presence and love. And in that moment, I knew I had to honor his memory in a profound way.
Driven by Joey’s spirit and fueled by my own aspirations, I embarked on a journey to start my own business. Thus, “Spirit of The Butterfly” was born—a testament to love’s eternal nature and the belief that our loved ones continue to watch over us, guiding us along our path.
Initially a notary, I expanded my services to include officiating weddings, baptisms, and other ceremonies. With dedication and passion, I endeavored to create deeply personal and meaningful experiences for each couple I worked with.
Through the years, my business has flourished, buoyed by word-of-mouth referrals and a commitment to exceeding my clients’ expectations. As I reflect on the journey thus far, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to touch lives in profound ways—whether through a simple notarization or a heartfelt ceremony.
Looking ahead, I am determined to continue expanding my business, offering a wider range of services and providing a professional, welcoming space for my clients. My ultimate goal remains unchanged: to leave a lasting impression on the lives of those I serve, just as my brother Joey did for me.
In every moment, in every ceremony, I carry Joey’s spirit with me, a constant reminder of the transformative power of love and the enduring bonds that connect us all.
Dawn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m an Ordained Minister/Celebrant who specializes in Personalized Wedding Ceremonies of all sizes, LGBQT+ Ceremonies, Vow Renewals, Specialized Ceremonies such as Wiccan/Pagen Weddings, Biker Weddings, Handfasting Ceremonies, Themed Weddings etc., Memorial Services/Celebrations of Life, Baptisms/Baby Blessings, and other specialty services. I travel all over for ceremonies. I’m also a PA Notary Public, Certified Signing Agent, Mobile Notary and State approved RON (Remote Online Notary). I notarize Last Wills and Testaments, Trusts/Living Trusts, Acknowledgements, Loan Documents, Settlements, Refinancing, Mortgages, Divorce Decree, Bill of Sales, Titles, School Documents, Passport Documents, Electronic Notary, Mobile Notary and more. I take pride in my work and try to accommodate my clients needs. I try to keep my prices fair and affordable for my clients.
Driven by Joey’s spirit and fueled by my own aspirations, I embarked on a journey to start my own business. Thus, “Spirit of The Butterfly” was born—a testament to love’s eternal nature and the belief that our loved ones continue to watch over us, guiding us along our path.
Initially a notary, I expanded my services to include officiating weddings, baptisms, and other ceremonies. With dedication and passion, I endeavored to create deeply personal and meaningful experiences for each couple I worked with.
Through the years, my business has flourished, buoyed by word-of-mouth referrals and a commitment to exceeding my clients’ expectations. As I reflect on the journey thus far, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to touch lives in profound ways—whether through a simple notarization or a heartfelt ceremony.
Looking ahead, I am determined to continue expanding my business, offering a wider range of services and providing a professional, welcoming space for my clients. My ultimate goal remains unchanged: to leave a lasting impression on the lives of those I serve, just as my brother Joey did for me.
In every moment, in every ceremony, I carry Joey’s spirit with me, a constant reminder of the transformative power of love and the enduring bonds that connect us all.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, amidst uncertain times, I took a leap of faith and established Spirit of The Butterfly LLC as my primary source of income. As a fledgling business, the initial year was undoubtedly challenging. However, through perseverance and dedication, I navigated through the obstacles, determined to see my vision come to fruition.
In the second year of operation, with the help of word-of-mouth referrals, strategic social media engagement, and targeted advertising efforts, the visibility of my business began to soar. Despite facing fluctuations in demand, I found myself busier than ever, driven by the growing recognition of my brand within the community. Despite the success, the reality of fluctuating income necessitated the need to supplement my earnings with a full-time job to ensure financial stability.
As I entered the third year, the fruits of my labor blossomed even further. With a growing portfolio of positive Google reviews and an ever-expanding network of satisfied clients spreading the word, my business flourished. While the occasional need for supplementary income persisted during slower periods, I remained steadfast in my commitment to continuous growth and improvement.
My aspirations are clear: to bolster my business operations, making them more robust and sustainable. I am actively exploring avenues to diversify my services, ensuring a steadier income stream while staying true to my passion for entrepreneurship. Ultimately, my goal is to transition Spirit of The Butterfly LLC into my full-time pursuit, as I thrive on the autonomy of being my own boss and am deeply passionate about my work.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 era, I embarked on the journey of founding Spirit of The Butterfly LLC. While the financial landscape was daunting, I utilized the relief checks provided during the pandemic and supplemented them with funds from my credit card. Every penny earned was meticulously reinvested into the business, laying the foundation for growth and sustainability.
Admittedly, the reliance on my credit card led to its maxing out, but it enabled crucial investments that propelled my business forward. With a camper ingeniously transformed into my office space and a charming gazebo on my property, I found innovative solutions to meet my operational needs and host intimate weddings. These assets, though unconventional, served as the cornerstones of my business operations over the past few years.
Coming from humble beginnings and navigating a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle, traditional avenues of financial support like business loans or credit cards were not accessible to me as a new entrepreneur. Yet, this forced self-reliance proved to be a blessing in disguise. It instilled a sense of resourcefulness and fiscal prudence, causing me to discern between essential investments and frivolous expenses.
While the journey has been fraught with financial challenges, I’ve emerged wiser and more resilient. The constraints of limited resources compelled me to prioritize wisely, ensuring that every dollar spent contributes directly to the growth and success of my business. In hindsight, this journey has been a testament to the power of perseverance and the invaluable lessons learned.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spiritofthebutterfly.net
- Instagram: spiritofthebutterfly
- Facebook: Spirit of The Butterfly fb://profile/100057429940609
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Spirit-of-The-Butterfly-056065210
- Twitter: @SpiritofTheBfly or Spirit of the Butterfly
- Yelp: Spirit of The Butterfly