We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Don White. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Don below.

Alright, Don thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I decided to create my own business Agility Science LLC while I was working on a contract with a large contracting firm.

Prior to this decision, I was always a W2 employee with company benefits, including health and wellness options for me and my family. My biggest fear was finding affordable health insurance and saving for retirement.

When I made this decision, I already had a steady full-time client and was just promoted to coach an entire Business pillar of a fortune 5 company. My revenue stream was at an all time high too.

I received a few months worth of revenue as a 1099 employee when my client had a massive organizational restructuring. The business pillar I was preparing to coach was restructured too. All contracts were terminated

A month later, COVID hit. I did not have a revenue stream for months. However, I pursued growing my business connections. I became a DevOPs Institute Ambassador and a Strategic Partner of Lifework Systems. I also started a youtube channel to help people share ways they are pivoting to keep their businesses alive.

Don, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The scientific method is ingrained in me from my interest in biology and chemistry way back in High School. I dreamed of doing research in a laboratory, conducting experiments to solve real-world problems. I eventually earned my first Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in the summer of 1989 from a medically oriented University. However, medicine was not my passion. Solving environmental problems was what captured my interest the most.

I gave up my dream of solving environmental problems after I concluded I needed a phD degree to do what I really want to do. To make a long-story short, I reinvented myself, I became a wannabee corporate ladder climber. I pursued a BS degree in business, and started working towards an MBA degree along this journey,

I eventually turned a computer software sales job into a career in software testing and quality assurance. Along this journey, I felt the most gratification when I knew my contributions were impactful to company outcomes and was rewarded for my efforts. This gratification grew almost exponentially when I was promoted into leadership and coaching roles. The more positive impact I have on people, the more intrinsically motivated I become. I love being a catalyst for people to find their ways to thrive.

My purpose and the purpose of Agility Science LLC is to inspire enthusiasm, unity and confidence in all people so we can thrive together.

I love what I do so much, I feel it is critically important to align with Judy Ryan and the Lifework Systems purpose, To create a world in which all people love their lives.

Paradigm-shifting new ways of working are not sustainable without a human system that is supportive, aligned and has people who bring their authentic selves every day. With Agility Science LLC and Lifework Systems an organization gains partners who are committed to your sustainable new ways of working efforts.

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

During COVID, we all had to figure out ways to work and communicate virtually. I sensed much unease in the marketplace so started a youtube channel, “Remote Work, My Journey. It was a way for me to share and learn from others so collectively we gained confidence with working this way. One of my attendees alerted me and the group to the gitlab remotework playbook.
Gitlab has been a 100% remote company from the beginning. They have been experimenting with remote working for decades. They made their playbook open source so anyone can contribute to it. I also learned about the pluralsight learning platform. If it wasn’t for my youtube channel I would not have produced a DevOps introduction course for a DevOps certification, now offered on the platform.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

When my father was diagnosed with glioblastoma, I dropped out of business to be with him, my Mom and my siblings to help navigate this massive gut punch. Fortunately, I had already banked significant revenue so I could do this. I relied on healthcare.gov for health coverage and my 24 yr old son was able to gain employer-based health insurance. My way to destress from my dad’s continuous decline and eventual death was to become a regular vocal advocate for a utility-scale solar project in my County. I even got my son to show up with me at Board of Supervisors public hearings. I was compelled to act because there is a very loud small group of not in my back yard people who almost derailed something that would prevent blackouts when temperatures soar up into the triple digits. I also see this project as a great demonstration for a way to power future electric charging stations in my state too.

My advocacy did not go unrecognized. When I was mentally ready to do business again, I was asked to become a contracted Land Services Agent for the developer who is developing utility-scale renewable energy projects across the US.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.agilityscience.llc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agility-science-llc
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@agilityscience2860