We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dee Dixon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dee, thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
Truly God blessed me with my parents. My dad is retired from the Army and my mom is a business owner. Amazingly enough I followed in both of their footsteps. I am an Air Force Veteran and now founder and CEO of Giovanna’s Chateau LLC. I am a millennial. Growing up, life was full of balance from watching tv, playing video games, to riding our bikes, summer reading programs and family game nights. We didn’t have to be told to get off our devices. We wanted to play outside. Having an Army dad structure, routines and systems was the foundation of our home. I had chores cleaning my room, bathroom, kitchen and taking care of my car. A bedtime and curfew for hanging out on the weekends. Upon arriving home from school I was instructed to call my dad immediately when I got inside the home to let him know I made it safely. I received an allowance for obtaining good grades in elementary and middle school. High school in addition to good grades I received a weekly allowance to pay for lunch and whatever was remaining I was allowed to spend it how I wanted. At an early age I had an entrepreneurial spirit. Since elementary school I would take my allowance money and purchase candy and chips and resell them. I continued this all the way into my freshman year of college. I was able to expand from just selling candy to chips to by the time I was in high school I added drinks, usage of my Texas Pete hot sauce on fish and fried chicken days that I carried daily, mint gum and charged other kids for rides. In college I include toiletries, feminine products and printing paper or printing documents for students who didn’t want to walk to the library. My parents may not have known to the full extent of me selling in high demand items. Yet I didn’t ask them for additional money as I was able to double and triple my money depending on the season. Other instances of my parents being impactful is when I wanted something if they told me no and I felt it was “necessary”. I would go to my room and build a case, write down my fact finding, put on business attire then go downstairs and present my case. One specific occurrence was during my Junior year of high school I totaled my car. Instead of my parents yelling or lecturing me they said thank God I am alive and it could have been worse. For me the punishment was the disappointment of my parents and having to ride the school bus. My senior year I was certain my parents would purchase me another vehicle and they didn’t. I pleaded for them to not make me ride the school bus as “it was not cool as a Senior”. They were firm on their decision and said no and that the school bus was free and paid for by their tax dollars. I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I went back to my room and deliberated 10 reasons why I should drive to school. After coming up with my reasoning and proofreading. I searched my closet for my best attire including shoes and went downstairs to present my case…during the middle of soap operas. It was serious! After presenting my case I was granted the opportunity to drive the second vehicle part of the week for after school tutoring which eventually turned into full time. I am truly blessed and thankful that I had the backing of my parents to instill in me routine, education is important, work ethics, honesty and being genuinely me. Allowing me to be able to express my individuality and creativity was the foundation of what led me to be a business owner. As I reflect on my childhood into my 30s now other components that were and are vital is that my parents showed grace and the power of redemption. Showing that even when we fail or it’s hard we still have the ability to succeed. Even in the midst of my hardships as a business owner I don’t give up because I think of the values, affirmations and prayer my parents poured into me. It keeps me grounded.
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.
Hi, I am Dee, aka The Organized Manager! The Veteran Founder and CEO of Giovanna’s Chateau LLC. My purpose in life is to serve others and be the light. Perseverance and love is what got me here. I am – a Christian mom, Army wife, Air Force Veteran, and business owner (I know a mouth full). I’ve learned to balance multiple responsibilities with grace and intent.
I am passionate about helping others become the best version of themselves. It brings me joy that I am able to assist in restoring peace, joy and saving marriages one load at a time. My optimism for life will surely infect and inspire positivity and enrichment in those I can work, connect with, and network with in life. We are all connected. What one sees at Mt. Everest of laundry and unattainable to ever reach the top. I approach it with a smile knowing I can help someone complete something that they saw as impossible. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positivity that elevates society, starting one home at a time. My dedication to integrity, creativity, adaptability, teamwork, and dependability is evident in my work.
Everybody matters whether we know them personally or not. Many contributions to society are by strangers. Yet for those contributions to be able to help the world thrive. We must first consider the foundation. The home and the heart of the matter. The service that we provide allows families to focus on family. The service provided helps reduce stress, anxiety, chaos, arguments, suicide, separation, divorce, feelings of not wanted, needed or matter enough compared to the chores that need to be done.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Word of mouth has the most effective way for me to grow clientele. When we perform our job with excellence we find that our clients will bring us up in their conversations. We maintain personal connection to ensure that our clients do not forget or feel neglected as if they are a number to us. It is more t
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Have systems! In the beginning as I was growing I was quick to hire and slow to fire. Without having all of my systems in place to ensure that they were proficiently trained. From the first initial contact you must have already your systems in place and follow them. Without that it is a recipe for disaster. Your systems allow you to establish yourself as the CEO and what your company stands for and how it will operate. Act swiftly to address issues and resolve them. At least 1x monthly staff meetings in person to check in, review monthly statistics to ensure projections, actuals and goals are on target. Acknowledge and reward quality work.
Contact Info:
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