We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Demetra Landry-Durst a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Demetra, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

It all started with a prayer to God, I was content but not satisfied. I ask God could He create a position where I could all of my lived experience of low living to get paid… a few years later, 5 years to be exact a ministry partner walked into my 1st business and everything else is history.

Demetra, 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 am woman in long term recovery from substance use and mental health. I have been substance free since July 20,2001. I trusted God for everything, I coasted thru the process of learning while I was earning everything I would need to get me where I have today. Today I run a Recovery Community Organization, it’s located in rural east arris county. A community I’m from. It’s ran by peers such as myself. We provide assertive outreach to marginalized, unsheltered and vulnerable populations. We also provide peer support to one of our local jails to women who struggle with opioid use. We also offer trainings to peers who is ready to join the workforce of peer support.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I was struggling with drugs in my underserved community there were no support, no resources. Each time I came from prison I had to relocate . I’m not blaming my community for what it did not know. But I’m bringing to those who are challenged with the same issues some tools get can use, if they desire.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

My first business was funded by my 401k after my second job dismissed me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.strategicrecoverysolutions.org
• Instagram: IHCM
• Facebook: Strategic Recovery Solutions
• Linkedin: Strategic Recovery Solutions
• Twitter: In His Care Ministries