Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Demetria Banks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Demetria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always had the desire to help people move past obstacles, whether emotional, mental or spiritual, I remember as a teenager seeing others hurting and always wondering if there was something I could do to make it better for them. That desire grew even stronger as time moved on.
Little did I know, as a young adult friends, family and church members would seek me for advice regarding challenges they faced, viewing me as one who they could confide in and as one who would provide sound wisdom to them. I was often
amazed at how many of my married female friends would often share their issues to me even as a single young woman. But again, to them I was one that would not discuss their business with others, while being unbiased and impartial, speaking the truth in love. My heart would go out to them. I didn’t want to see them hurt. I wanted to try to help and relieve the anxiety or pain they were experiencing.
A little later, I began using my gift of writing to write two-three page inspirational pieces that would cover topics such as holding on to hope; self-confidence, emotional healing, God’s delivering power, staying focus, and gaining strength while you wait, just to name a few. I would freely give copies to co-workers, family, friends and church members, just whoever I felt needed them. Many would often tell me how the writings were just what they needed at the moment. Some would make it a point to call or find me just to ask if I had written anything else. I was so fulfilled knowing that my writing gift was a blessing to many.
To better equip me to help others, I then pursued a Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Christian Counseling and also received my certification in life coaching. I believe that studies in these two areas would really help me to better understand human motivation and thought processes. And with this knowledge, I could help others in a more effective and efficient way.
My desire to empower an even broader and global audience is what led me to establish DSB Life Solutions, LLC (www.demetriasbanks.com) and DSB Ministries, Inc, (www.dsbministries.org) – two companies designed to empower others to move past hindrances preventing them from living their best life. Although each company offers its own specific coaching products, training and classes, both offer hope, encouragement, inspiration and strength through a variety of life coaching programs and specialty classes, as well as other items that distinguish them apart.
In addition, DSB Life Solutions offers seven self-help books I’ve written to empower others to live their best life. Some of my favorites include books on emotional healing, prayer, today’s phenomenal woman, single life and self-esteem.
Establishing both businesses was not easy. Let me repeat that. It was not easy. I must admit that initially I felt I did not know what I was doing. It felt as if I had a great idea but that was all over the place trying to implement it. I had to work hard at fine tuning the purpose of each as well as the target audience and exactly what I was trying to accomplish with each. At one point, I felt like I had two companies that offered the exact same thing, but with different company names. Talking about working my nerves, that it did.
Of course, I wanted to give up many times and questioned if I was going in the right direction. But through much prayer, long hard work, money investments, and great mentors that God provided me with I was able to fine tune the name, purpose, and direction of both – of course you know you’ve got to get it right when it comes to the IRS!
As I think about it now, I can laugh. But trust me. I was not laughing at the time. I can picture myself as I changed the business names a couple of times, re-designed both websites several times, erroneously erased pages from both websites many times, and threw my hands up in the air in despair most of the time, lol. But now, I would not trade my experiences for anything. I appreciate and embrace them as I have learned so much from this process. Of course, I still have a long way to go. But it has been a very fulfilling experience. The companies have indeed helped me to accomplish my desire to be a blessing to as many as I can.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Dr. Demetria Springfield Banks, an author, motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and Christian life coach. As a teenager, I have always been moved with compassion to help those who were going through difficult moments in life. It hurt me to encounter those who could not see a way out from the crisis they were going through. I sought to do what I could to help alleviate their suffering – whether that was providing a listening ear, giving them another way of viewing their situation, of offering prayer. I was determined to help in whatever way I could.
Later in life, I began using my gift of writing to write two-three page inspirational pieces that would cover topics such as holding on to hope; self-confidence, emotional healing, God’s delivering power, staying focus, and gaining strength while you wait, just to name a few. I would freely give copies to co-workers, family, friends and church members, just whoever I felt needed them. Many would often tell me how the writings were just what they needed at the moment. Some would make it a point to call or find me just to ask if I had written anything else. I was so fulfilled knowing that my writing gift was a blessing to many.
To better equip me to help others, I pursued a Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Christian Counseling and also received my certification in life coaching. I believe that studies in these two areas would really help me to better understand human motivation and thought processes. And with this knowledge, I could help others in a more effective and efficient way.
My desire to empower an even broader and global audience is what led me to establish DSB Life Solutions, LLC (www.demetriasbanks.com) and DSB Ministries, Inc, (www.dsbministries.org) – two companies designed to empower others to move past hindrances preventing them from living their best life. Although each company offers its own specific coaching products, training and classes, both offer hope, encouragement, inspiration and strength through a variety of life coaching programs and specialty classes, as well as other items that distinguish them apart.
DSB Life Solutions – primarily offers specialty life coaching products and masterclasses designed to help individuals overcome obstacles preventing them from living their best life mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In addition, it offers seven self-help books that deal with topics on how to build one’s self-esteem, building an effective prayer life, overcoming emotional barriers, to name a few. Through DSB Life Solutions, Dr. Demetria Banks can be secured as a motivational speaker and workshop facilitator on subjects dealing with personal development.
DSB Ministries, Inc – primarily offers online and in-person life enrichment workshops/classes to those who are underserved under-privleged and underemployed. In addition, DSB Ministries also offers services to empower those who lead church care groups, grief groups, ministry groups and other self-help groups. DSB Ministries also offers community workshops that have addressed topics such as emotional healing, empowering today’s woman, coping with life crisis, dealing with grief and
spiritual growth, to name a few. Through DSB Ministries, Dr. Banks can be secured as an evangelist speaker for women day’s, youth day’s, special church services, workshop leader, and revivals.
What I’m most proud of is the fact that one day I stopped wishing and wanting and I started doing. I started to pursue my dreams of owning my own businesses of helping others, of writing books, and of developing programs and classes that would benefit others mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Sometimes I would look at programs and special classes offered by renowned life coaches and would say to myself, “This is exactly the type of program that I had in mine. I know I am capable of developing something like this.” Or I would say “That speaker is giving similar information to what I would have given on that subject. I know that it’s in me to do it – to stand before large audiences and present powerful speeches of empowerment.” So, one day I stepped out of my comfort zone and did it. That was one of my most proud moments in life.
The main things I want potential clients/followers/fans to know is that with me it’s more than a business or ministry. It’s my passion. It’s what I believe that God has gifted me to do. And as a result, it’s not a problem for me to go over and beyond to help others; to devote countless hours to make sure my products, books or programs can deliver what a person really needs. I truly love what I do, and I firmly believe it shows in the care and concern I have for those who sign up for my services.
How did you build your audience on social media?
On Facebook, I used my personal page to write words of encouragement, strength and hope. I could tell it benefit many by the number of likes I would get and the various comments of agreement I received. I believe this provided me with a platform to launch my business page because many of my personal followers followed me straight to my business page.
What really grew my business page on Facebook is me joining different groups whose goals were in sync with mine – offering inspiration to those who are weary; offering prayer; writing words of encouragement or inspiration. Once I started sharing my posts in these group my audience really grew. From time to time, I made small investments in boosting my posts, but the majority of my followers came from different groups that I posted in.
And what is amazingly interesting, is when joined another poplar social media platform, Tic Tok. The followers on Tic Tok followed me right on to Facebook. I experience a lot of quick growth then. I have not reached where I want to reach but in reflecting on the small beginnings, I had on Facebook to now having over 195,000 is a big deal to me. My advice to others desiring to increase their followers, join groups who have a like purpose or like content as yourself. Share your original, relatable content and then sit back and watch your social media presence grow.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
There are many “how to” stories out there – how to grow your social media presence, how to be the best in your niche, how to find your niche, how to start a business, etc.
A lesson I had to unlearn is just because there is a “how to” article on it, it doesn’t mean you need to follow it. Remember, just because it worked for someone else does not necessarily mean it will work for you. Trial and error can be your best teacher. I remember reading dozens of articles only to take a little from here, and a little from there – applying it, tweaking it, and rearranging it to find the best fit for me. So just because a method is a proven success for one does not mean the same method will be a proven success to you. You will be surprised to find that what may have yielded successful results for many in the field, may not be the direction you should take.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.demetriasbanks.com/ www.dsbministries.org
- Instagram: DrDemetriaSBanks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DemetriaSpringfieldBanks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-demetria-springfield-banks-4483a674/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrDeeBanks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrDemetriaSpringfieldBanks
Image Credits
Photo Credits: Michael Norman Photography