We were lucky to catch up with Deseré Cross Ward recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Deseré thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.

TwoWards Solutions (TWS) is committed to supporting nonprofit and faith-based organizations, which is why we offer TWS’ services at a discounted rate to select nonprofit organizations. We also donate 20% of our annual profits to organizations committed to spreading the Gospel or serving those who have been oppressed/experienced injustice.

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

Originally from Salisbury, NC, I have lived in Central Texas for the past eight years. First and foremost, I am a child of God. I am also a mommy of two beautiful girls, a wife, strategist, storyteller and community builder.

I have a bachelors degree in journalism, as well as organizational communication, and a masters in higher education leadership. My career started in sales at Black Network Television, selling marketing tools. I then joined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s (my alma mater’s), inaugural social media team and helped establish the university’s social media tone and voice. I later moved to Austin, Texas in pursuit of love, and spent five years at the University of Texas at Austin, leading the school’s social media marketing efforts, as well as its Black employee resource group.

I resigned from my position at UT Austin in 2021 and co-founded TwoWards Solutions, an Austin based consulting practice, with my husband Michael. Together we leverage technology to help brands and businesses reach their organizational and communication goals.

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

In 2021, I resigned from my position as a social media strategist at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin; I could no longer propagate institutional messages that misaligned with my core values.

The job search that ensued was not what I expected. Although I no longer wanted to work in UT’s central communications office, I was still interested in finding work elsewhere on campus. However, despite getting to the final round of several interviews, no one offered me a job. This led to me expanding my search beyond the 40 Acres and looking in Central Texas for my next role. Once again, I experienced rejection.

As one door after another closed, I heard God telling me to open my own door. That’s when I decided to start TwoWards Solutions, a consulting practice in Austin, Texas. Cofounding TwoWards Solutions with my husband Michael has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have really enjoyed my entrepreneurship journey, the confidence it has built in me, and the flexibility it has given my life.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I would love to! I met my cofounder during my junior year in college at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. We dated for a semester before going our separate ways; however, we remained friends through the years and rekindled our relationship after graduating college.

Nine months of a long distance, relationship ensued, followed by a marriage proposal and move to Austin to begin our lives together. Fast forward eight years, we have birthed two children and a business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.twowardssolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twowardsonelove?igsh=eHNzbGNoMXU5ZDN6
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/twowards-solutions/

Image Credits

Main photo Steven Hatchet