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

Dr. Julie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

As a business owner, I am pleased. Most of the time. I would be remiss to say that as a business owner, everything is always grand. I would also be negligent in leading anyone to conclude that being an entrepreneur or solopreneur is synonymous with being a business owner. Many individuals believe or have flawed assumptions that being a business owner means you can do whatever you want to do. Although you may have a greater say in what and how with your business, some rules and regulations, guidelines, and tasks must be done to operationalize a good business. In addition, it is essential to recognize when you need support because good support can increase and strengthen one’s business. There are times that I think of having a traditional job, but that would not fit my personal needs and lifestyle. I need a schedule that I can alter to fit the needs of my family and the multiple business hats that I wear. Something to understand is that it never means that I don’t work harder than I would as an employee or that I work less. Indeed, some business owners can achieve this, but those who start grassroots businesses most likely have toiled in that business to see the fruit thereof. My conclusion is that I am well suited for the type of work-life I have created and that I am privileged and blessed enough to have acquired.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a solopreneur. I primarily work most of my business ventures solo. I own a licensed Clinical therapeutic Practice. Being a Social Worker with clinical training and licensure is LIT. In my practice, I work with individuals who are survivors of psychological and emotional abuse, those experiencing grief and loss, and individuals suffering from body image and eating disorders. I am a disability specialist working with individuals living with symptoms of disabilities, primarily those with cognitive and developmental disabilities. As an independent provider through the years, I have worked in various capacities with the population. I consult and provide supervision for students and professionals in the professional field of social work. This has allowed me to be involved in some fantastic areas such as forensic social work, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion ( JEDI) with some beautiful individuals.

In everything that I do, I strive to live a life of trauma-informed practice. I sprinkle love, kindness, and empathy everywhere that I can. If we want grace… and we may need it someday, we need to know how to give it.

Interestingly I do hold a “job” I am a full-time professor of social work at what I consider one of the nation’s most outstanding universities. Of all the things that I do, I am most proud of being an educator. Because I came from being discounted, I was told I was not college material. I have worked my way through every level of education, from certificate and associates to doctoral completion. This experience has culminated in my visionary project coming to fruition with seven amazing co-authors. Our book Sistah Hooded Stories of Strength and Resilience, tells the story from the hearts of 8 Black women who have overcome drastic challenges to become doctors and experts in their field. I can share, learn, and engage with individuals who want to be a part of the social work profession. I get to engage with colleagues; I get to learn and grow from them all. I enjoy teaching courses both online and in-person and having the opportunity to engage in scholarly work with students and colleagues.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience is a relative word. The ability to expand and continue despite the harshness of life and the challenges that may befall can be a personal definition of resilience. It is different for everyone, and no two people are the same, not even identical twins. I mean, genetically, they may be, but they are still two different individuals. I mean, sometimes we aren’t even the same as one person. We live on a continuum, so we are ever-evolving and changing, adapting and overcoming. I am very privileged in that I had a mother who believed in me and loved me fiercely. I had parents who challenged me to explore learning and believed in me even when the outside world emptied me out with bullying, mistreatment, shame, and trauma. Along my journey, I have fought for my healing by not succumbing to the pain and disappointment those mentioned above bring to suck the life right out of ya…but instead, I made a deliberate twist and turned to enter into post-traumatic growth. I have a laundry list of “I can not believe this shit happened.”I don’t want you to enter into the trauma-level Olympics as the reader. It is trauma if something was traumatic to you, even if it wasn’t traumatic for someone else.

Three things I recommend

1. It is ok to get mental health help. We all have mental health. It is a human-animal experience. IT is not synonymous with mental illness, but even if mental illness is present, that is a part of life as a human or animal, just as physical health and illness are as well for some spiritual health and wellness.

2. Make a plan to take care of your mind, body, and soul. I recognize that barriers exist, especially for marginalized individuals. It is ok to seek resources for support and to make goals and plans to improve your quality of life.

3. Consider your source. Most of the things I have done I was told could not be done by me. Try anyway. It is ok to fail. It is hard. It is painful, but you learn a lot. Do it afraid.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My personality has kept me. I work hard. Very hard. In fact so hard that, at times, it exhausts me. Many don’t know the lengths that I have to go through to do what someone else may be able to do in half the time and with ease. That is what neurodiversity is like in a neurotypical world.

I treat everyone with respect and honor. I feel everyone is worthy, and my philosophy is that people have multiple intelligences and ways of knowing, and they all have something to teach you.

I am not an elitist, but I am respectful. Sometimes people confuse those until they get to know me.

I am helpful, integrity-driven, and ethical. Sometimes at my own expense.

Above all, I am genuine. Nobody deserves to be bullshitted.

I have worked hard to educate myself. I don’t know it all, but I try to learn a lot. I believe you lead, and your degrees and certifications follow. You need them both, but if your leadership style isn’t Leader-Member exchange or collaborative, I think you push folx away. I give a lot of service to the community, individuals, and profession.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sistahhooded.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drclockstonlcsw/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.JulieJC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-julie-clockston-lcsw-cert-ed-623b311b/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JClockstonLLC
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodCandC