We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Dequies Lanier a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Dequies, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Taking a risk for some comes naturally, those kinds of people are wired for change, innovation, excitement, and the thrill of experiencing constant adventure. I’d say that I like variety in my work life. In my personal life, I love a good bit of adventure and surprises too. However, professionally I am more conscientious and methodical. I like plans, I like strategizing for quite a while. Information makes me feel safe and secure. If someone is trying to convince me to do something I need time to do my research and understand the process. I need time to feel my way through what feels authentic for me. That said, risk-taking is required when you start a business. If you aren’t willing to take risks, you aren’t willing to be a business owner.

My biggest risk was starting WE Suite and taking it from ideation to an actual business. I’ve always had ideas of starting my own business. I did not know in what form at the time, I thought about merchandise initially. I got older and I realized that I wanted to create an impact by helping people through their life’s goals. At age 32, I was entertaining the idea of finding ways to bring women together through community. I accomplished this through my podcast, however, that was not enough. As my network of people continued to grow I had more intentional conversations, I was constantly asked about consulting based on my background in strategy and organizational leadership. I am slightly introverted, so I laughed because I thought…and exactly where am I going to connect with these people? I completely overlooked the fact that I was already connecting with amazing people who desired my insight and support. You know, you have to believe in yourself. I don’t mean believing in your skill, it’s more than that. You have to believe in your ability to be entrepreneurial. It is a mindset. You may be great at something, and people may compliment you and ask for your help, but if you don’t see yourself as a businesswoman, you will simply volunteer and think nothing of that skill. I want women to know you are capable of growing a business. Even if your background isn’t in anything business-related.

I learned to see myself as an entrepreneur, which changed how I held conversations when I met people. My mindset changed how I communicated whether in person or digitally. Everything I did and how I positioned myself was through my entrepreneurial voice. You speak with assurance of who you are and what you are–OR–are not willing to do. You speak with clarity and enthusiasm; you speak with intentionality. You admit what you don’t know and what you will figure out, or outsource. You build strong relationships and you learn to lean on your business community to teach you what you don’t know. You won’t know everything and unfortunately, many people don’t start their business because they believe they need to know everything.

So, my journey—I took my leap of faith by starting my Instagram page. Once that was done, I felt I could not go back, it is out there. I’ve affirmed who I am and what I am doing, so I have to deliver. After year one of my podcasts being on the market and gaining that exposure, I met great people at events, in public spaces in general and I took it further. I think the “where will I find clients” plagues a lot of people but the answer isn’t that complicated. Look at your networks and capitalize! We all have a community and that community is an ecosystem, which builds on one another’s skills. I established my business officially/legally at the top of year 2. I knew doing that meant it was time to grow in profit. Each mini-step is a greater risk! I set annual goals even before I established the business legally. If I felt behind throughout the year on those goals, I revisited my plans and created touch-points to make sure I didn’t miss. That meant scheduling meetings, talking to business friends, and connecting with organizations in my community to make sure I hit my targets, and I did. For example, in year one I wanted 3 seasons of my podcast 8 episodes per season to roll and I recorded them all, edited them all, and promoted them. That gave me exposure and marketing. I paid for social media ads out of my pocket. I went to networking events where other business owners connected. I set a goal for how many I would attend in a year. I learned not to let a connection be solely an introduction, one exchange and goodbye. I learned to honor that relationship, grow it and invest in it so that it continues to produce fruit, not just for me but for them too.

I held intentional conversations wherever I went. Even for a somewhat introvert, you have to be willing to connect with people and find out their needs. Once you learn where that gap exists for them, you invite them to deeper conversations. Now that you have your client, you discuss the contract, review it, involve legal where necessary and you get to work. Those relationships yield more relationships in the business community. Your knowledge and confidence continue to build. Before you know it, what was just an idea, just your podcast, just your IG page, or just your website is now a thriving business! Eventually, people look for you. All of this can’t be done just by being disciplined, motivated, networking, and being a creative. Those skills are for sure necessary, but you need FAITH. A whole lot of prayer and faith that if you’re operating within purpose, you’ll accomplish your goals. Today my goal is to continue to serve women and women in leadership; my larger goal is to scale my business forward into a full-time life of service to mankind.

For those who do not believe themselves to be risk takers, we take risks every day. Look around you and the choices that you make in life or have made throughout life. Starting your business is a risk but no different than all the other times you’ve stepped out on faith for a corporate job. It’s just that your risks feel more stable when someone else calls the shots. What if you called the shots?

Dr. Dequies, 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?

WE Suite LLC is a consulting and coaching agency for women leaders. I serve all women, however, I have a special interest in women who do not have a linear path, meaning they have diverse skills and have applied their skills in various settings but are looking to be empowered through their gifts creating impact in a meaningful way.

WE Suite has 3 major areas, community (the podcast and socials), executive leadership (consulting/coaching), and higher learning (research and educational support). I consider myself a strategist and problem solver for organizational leaders, particularly women and researchers. I empower women to lead through purpose and to create impact. What are you doing and why are you doing it? I am most proud of the WE Suite community, which is diverse and growing worldwide. WE suite is a healing community where we share stories to empower women and connect.

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

I recently had surgery, and I stopped working for 6 weeks. I was afraid of how that downtime would affect my business. I was unsure if slowing down would affect my creative process, my determination, and my overall interest at times to continue to build my business. Those were all fears; nothing was fact. I think it is important to note that fear feeds anxiety. If you allow your mind to create these narratives without the ability to stop mid-thought and re-direct, you will create scenarios that you manifest as truth.
The truth is that you will not lose interest in something you are genuinely passionate about and gifted to do. The truth is that some days are harder than others to explore the next steps for your brand. You have to learn to rest, but rest does not mean giving up. Rest means refueling; you have to allow yourself to bring energy back into your body and your mind. During the 6 week break, I read, I studied my bible, I had great conversations, and I prayed. I walked outside and enjoyed the peace and quiet. I enjoyed reflecting on where I’ve been and where I am now. Once my body healed, I gained that determination back and insight from my meditation and prayer life to know exactly what to say yes to and what to say no to as well. I don’t have all the answers, and I am still figuring things out. I do have commitment and loyalty to what I’ve birthed; I am forever grateful for where I am today.

My surgery reminded me that there is power in being still and that my healing process was much like the development of my business. Things in my mind had to be opened, placed on display for others to see, poking and prodding to create new, cutting out what doesn’t work. Then, restoring the entire body of work to greater functionality. I illustrate this for others to understand it’s not a setback. Wherever you are on your journey, healing is a process; the business will experience different phases, and you can’t call it quits when it’s time to operate and prepare for slow but steady restoration. Sometimes an operation is public; sometimes it’s private. Don’t worry about people seeing you fail or seeing you take a different direction. Focus only on the outcome you’re manifesting because, ultimately, that is the legacy that will stand in the end.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As a planner, I planned all of my podcast seasons. As the podcast grew I learned to be open and to let go of my very process-oriented brain. I learned that all my structure was not necessary. I received opportunities from women all across the U.S. to chat with them, and oftentimes, those conversations may not have been according to the theme I planned for a season. The beauty in that—is that I grew my audience, I don’t plan topics very much anymore. Things are more organic. It’s exciting to see who I’ll meet and how those women will touch the hearts of so many other women. That revelation helped me grow the extension of my business in coaching and consulting. What started as an empowerment show became an unexpected career doing what I love! So I suppose my advice to women is to ditch their fixation on planning everything and truly embrace God’s leadership to show you where you’re meant to go.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.dequies.l/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551782349215
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dequies-lanier-0b389b75/
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-suite-podcast-womens-empowerment/id1663692513

Image Credits

Tracey J White Photography (Pink dress and Black dress only).
https://www.instagram.com/tjwhitephotog/