Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Demetria Hazlett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Demetria, thanks for joining us today. Please tell us about starting your own firm and if you’d do anything different knowing what you know now.

I had to make a choice and stick to that choice. It’s so easy to say that we want to do something or that we are going to do something, but the action behind it is what takes it to go to the next level. After making the decision to pursue career coaching, I did a lot of research to find the best resources out there. I wanted to learn what other coaches’ journeys were like and try to skip as many headaches as possible. I took on additional projects at work that aligned with my future goals. I volunteered for more training sessions with employees and managers so I could coach them and add value, and I also practiced with friends and family members to see if I could help them to make transformations and determine which coaching method resonated best with various types of people in various situations. I developed a plan for leaving corporate America and spent more time preparing presentations, worksheets, and career development tools that I could use to help my clients in the future. I registered my company name, got a domain name, set up a professional email address, created social media pages, and filed my formation paperwork. My husband was a very helpful partner in helping me plan my exit from my job as he did the same when he started his entrepreneurial journey in 2019. It was scary to leave a six-figure salary behind to start my own business, but fortunately, I had plenty of support from him and my business coach. I was able to secure my first clients within a couple of months after leaving my human resources role. During this time, I decided to rebrand my online boutique which offered clothing for women for all occasions into a boutique that specializes in stylish and trendy workwear for women. Initially, I was giving this a part-time effort, but I am now able to devote my full attention to the business with it tying in directly to The Corporate CheatCode. If I could go back and do it again, I would have started my coaching program while I was still in my HR role to gain even more networking opportunities and make a smoother transition with no gap in income.

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

I have two small businesses, The Corporate CheatCode where I am a career coach & strategist, and Deme Latrece which is a workwear boutique where we help women to create their office style stories whether they are business casual, professional, or creative.

As a career coach and strategist, I help ambitious HR professionals turn their transferable skills into marketable assets on their resumes, build the right relationships at work, and navigate corporate politics. I also offer specialized help to women who have been out of work for a while and are having difficulty regaining their footing in their careers. I work with women who are facing career challenges, such as mothers who are returning to the workforce, or women who are considering a career change.

After staying home for several years to raise my children, I began to realize that there was something missing. I absolutely enjoyed my time with them. There is something so special and empowering about seeing all of your children’s first moments, being engaged in their social lives, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. However, I knew that I was leaving all of my potential behind. Before I became a mom, I had dreams of becoming a successful businesswoman and getting a graduate degree. I dropped out of school after the birth of my first child and over the years I made several attempts to re-enter school each time with a different major because I lacked focus, and I was not intentional about my career or educational goals. I was doing an amazing job as the COO of the household, but I wanted to be a real corporate boardroom executive. I wanted to learn from the decision-makers and get a sense of what it’s like to be a leader in a different space. I wanted to put my skills and abilities to use, and moreover, I wanted to make a financial contribution to the household. My children were getting older and much more independent and there was no better time than to invest in myself and crush my goals.

I had been planning to become a Human Resources Professional for two years before my re-entry into the workforce in 2015. My goal was to be an HR Business Partner within 10 years. I achieved that goal in half the time. After earning my associate’s degree in business, I started my first job outside the home. My youngest child was old enough for preschool at that time. During my work experience, I learned skills that I can use in other roles. This has helped me to improve my overall career prospects. While working in a finance role, I earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources management, as well as a professional undergraduate certificate in human resources management. I secured my first HR position a couple of months after graduation in 2016 and began my fast climb up the ladder. In the span of four years, I grew four positions, which more than quadrupled my salary. I made connections with people I never would have imagined and learned new skills in each role. I earned my master’s degree in Leadership and Human Resources Development and earned the Society of Human Resources Management Certified Professional credential, which helped me to land my dream role in 2020. The skills I learned while staying home with my children helped me achieve things I never thought possible. I recently achieved the Society of Human Resources Management -Senior Certified Professional Certification and I am currently pursuing my PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

My coaching method is successful because it mirrors the challenges and successes I have faced in my own career, and it has helped my clients achieve their goals. I have experience as a high-volume full-cycle recruiter, and I have also been able to successfully interview for growth positions externally and for internal promotions. I focus on shifting my clients’ mindsets so they can realize their true value, gain clarity on what they want to do, align their values with what they would like to achieve, and make it their lifestyle. I empower them to believe in their capabilities and work with them to create a roadmap for success.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

My most successful strategy for growing my clientele has been by using LinkedIn. I know that most people use the main social media platforms (IG, FB, Twitter, TikTok), but for me, it’s been LinkedIn. I was able to work with an amazing business coach who unlocked a lot of different strategies for working with and connecting with others on the platform. I don’t focus a lot on running ads on LinkedIn. I focus my interactions on people who seem like they might be interested in what I have to say, and then I have a conversation with them. If the conversation goes well, I invite them to speak with me on a discovery call. I offer a lot of free gems on the discovery call, and then I outline my offer. I’m not a salesperson, but I have a warm and genuine spirit. I really enjoy watching others succeed and I’m a very outgoing person. This has been the most effective way to connect with people and my first few clients have confirmed that I have the skills needed to be a successful coach and lead them to sustainable transformations in their careers.

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

When I first started my boutique, it was scattered all over the place. I was not intentional about who my audience was and it was not niched down. The clothing I was selling did not represent the image and the values of my coaching business. Having gone through that lesson, I now fully grasp the value of branding and targeting the right audience. I am pivoting my business to specialize in clothing tailored to career-related activities. My target audience is all in one, people come to me for career coaching, but they will also need clothing for their interviews and new positions, especially if they are working in an office environment. Many people reached out to me asking why I was no longer selling party dresses and date night looks, but I have remained faithful to what I know is best for the brand and it has been true to me. In the long run, this has been more beneficial for the business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecorporatecheatcode.com
• Instagram: @thecorporatecheatcode
• Facebook: The Corporate CheatCode Deme Latrece
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/demetriahazlett
• Other: @DemeLatrece (Instagram) www.demelatrece.com