We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dez Stephens. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dez below.
Alright, Dez thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
When I grew up, I never thought about starting a business or even going to college. It wasn’t part of the conversation that my family, my school, my neighborhood or my culture taught me. I was raised in a blue-collar part of Chicago and my future felt like, “Maybe I’ll become a teacher or a secretary.” Ugh. Not for me.
I just knew that I wanted to help people, but I also didn’t want to become a nurse or a social worker. As a result, I volunteered a lot and went into nonprofit to make a difference.
I wish I knew sooner that I was a natural-born entrepreneur. Little did I know that once I went off on my own to earn a living that I could succeed. It just wasn’t my inner dialogue at the time.
I watched and I learned. I experienced great leadership and not-so-great leadership.
Luckily, I then worked for some amazing entrepreneurs who took their business from zero-to hero very quickly. I learned from their trials and triumphs which has served me well in my own business.
I only started my own business from the prompting of my respected colleagues and partner. They saw in me what I didn’t see in myself.
I loved all of my jobs but they were just that – jobs.
As a professional coach and now holistic coach educator as part of my own training academy, I am now thriving more than ever. Instead of doing so much for others, I am now empowered to do it for myself and my clients.
I will never go back to working for others. I am now doing what I love and being financially rewarded for it.
I was an accidental entrepreneur, and now I’ve become an accidental activist doing social justice work inside of my business.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was at work one day and a trusted colleague of mine turned to me saying, “You would make the most amazing life coach.”
I was stunned since I didn’t see this in myself at all. I was intrigued though so I pursued a certification and never looked back. That was 18 years ago!
Then about 10 years ago, my husband said, “You know how you’re always making money and fame for your clients as a marketing coach? Why don’t you do that for yourself?” Again…stunned. Again…intrigued.
I thought, “Why not?”
Now I’m a successful business owner in a booming field – professional coaching. I’m also a film + tv producer to make a difference that way as well.
I am proud of my work as a business owner and even more proud of my humanitarian work. My first film project, a documentary about Indigenous women water protectors, who major awards. I’m now doing a tv show that will make even more of a difference.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I’m a big believer is no debt and no overhead when starting a business. The only expense I had was obtaining a US federal trademark to protect my intellectual property since I’ve seen what can happen when you don’t do this.
I became a certified life coach when I was a single parent, so I didn’t have extra money to rent office space. I went to my clients in their offices to save money and inadvertently figured out how to not have to pay for my own office. Then I put my clients on retainers to build my services around their needs like corporate wellness initiatives and employee assistance programs.
Overhead and debt will kill your spirit as an entrepreneur. Why put this kind of stress on yourself!?
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I have never TRIED to build my reputation, but I’m known in my industry (professional coaching + training) as a humanitarian. I have a for-profit business based in the United States, and I also co-founded an NGO (non-government organization) in Honduras to provide pro-bono grief-recovery and pain-recovery coaching to Central Americans suffering from the aftereffects of natural disasters, corrupt governments, gang activity and extreme poverty.
I call myself a multi-passionista because I’m also a film + tv producer creating media around vital social issues including Indigenous water protection and giving professional coaches a mainstream presence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://radiantcoachesacademy.com/dezstephens/ – DezStephens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiantcoaches/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dez.stephens/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dezstephens/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RadiantCoaches
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/qxOvAHtaog8