We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Maryann Rivera-Dannert a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Maryann, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

The interesting thing is that in addition to owning and running my own business, I also do have a regular job. My priorities and separation are very clear. When I’m at work, my focus is work, the families we serve, and giving 100% to my employer. I’m also focused on setting a good example to those I work with, as they know I also have my own business. Equally, when I’m off the clock, I give my business 100% of my time and my boundaries are clear.

I think there’s a misconception that you have to do one or the other: be an entrepreneur or have a regular job. The thing is, everyone is not meant to be an entrepreneur, everyone is not meant to work for someone else – and then there’s the rest of us – doing both.

I’m blessed to have a job I absolutely love, and because of how I feel about my job, it doesn’t really feel like work and I’m not drained or frustrated at the end of the day. I have the capacity to then physically, mentally, and emotionally engage in my business.

Do I ever wish I was doing running my business full time? I do – and that possibility is still there. And while I will continue to work for as long as I can, I am using this time to put systems in place and plan properly before jumping ship, as they say. It can be scary to let go of a regular job and the security that comes with it: a steady paycheck and benefits. However, nothing in life is guarantee, and that includes a job. You can walk into the office one day and your boss is waiting – ready to cut the cord. So it’s important to prepare so when you’re ready or caught of guard, it won’t be so scary to step into the unknown.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Affectionally referred to as the Fearless Living Coach, Maryann Rivera-Dannert is the FEAR-less dealer every woman needs in her corner.

Continuously searching for new pathways, fresh experiences and ideas, and a desire to inspire change and a deeper fulfillment in other women is the fabric that binds Maryann to the core.

The Fearless Living Coach learned early on how to be what she would later become. Striving to be better than what life handed her, the conquering spirit within arose and gave her the courage and realization she needed to recognize her
unique value as a woman. With a background filled with adversity, instability, and dysfunction, Maryann had much stacked against her. Yet, she didn’t allow what happened in her formative years stop her from becoming who she is today.

Having dropped out of high school at the age of 16, Maryann recently received an Honorary Doctorate degree. Furthermore, she is the recipient of an MS degree in Leadership and a BS degree in Organizational Management. She is also a 6x author, with four of her books reaching Best Selling status. She has written pieces of her life’s journey to be a role model to other women that all things are possible despite their beginnings.

Encountering women who felt bound by their age, history, relationships, job status, and finances, the next step in her journey was to become a certified life coach to women. She now walks along women in their personal journeys and helps them sustain the courage to move forward. As her vision is: “to see women worldwide live a free, fearless, and fabulous life”, Maryann, in 2020 launched the Fearless Fridays with Maryann podcast, which introduces the world
to other fearless women as they empower, inspire, transform, and help other women shift to living their best life, today.

To pay it forward, Maryann has opened the door for other women to share their stories and become authors. Her dream of becoming a Visionary Author has come true, as she has brought 20+ women together and share in her anthology project, which will be published late summer of 2022.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Merriam Webster dictionary defines resilience as: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

An experience that I will never forget, is when I made the decision to leave a toxic and unhealthy relationship. The relationship, while not physically abusive, was mentally, financially, socially, and emotionally abusive and extremely toxic. When I met the individual I was not in a healthy mindset: I lacked confidence and my view of self was at an all time low. I didn’t know that at the time, however. I had a decent job and as a single mother of three, I had my stuff together. On the outside, to look at me, one would conclude – wow she’s strong, confident. Yet, on the inside, where it truly matters, I was falling apart. Eventually, after two and a half years, I had the courage, strength, and support to leave. When I made the decision to leave, I made a promise to myself: focus on yourself and your kids. Fall in love with you, and get to know the real you.

Having the courage to leave said relationship, and the signs that I ignored while in that relationship, are detailed in my first anthology writing: W.O.M.B. Sister Chronicle and the chapter of my chapter is titled Relationship Junkie. I decided on that title as I realized that since I started dating, at the age of 14, I’d been in an out of relationships without pausing, reflecting and most importantly – healing. I also realized that the common denominator in every relationship was me. I needed to heal me.

Before we move on to the next question, I want to empower someone in an abusive relationship: It is not your fault and you are not alone. It may feel that way, but there is help out there. Make sure you are in a safe place and reach out to the National Domestic Violence hotline at 800-799-7233.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I love this question. In addition to being the owner of MRD Empowerment Solutions, where I provide life coaching, am hired as a speaker, share my story by authoring my life experiences, and reach people worldwide via the Fearless Fridays with Maryann podcast, I’m a Human Resources professional. Shifting into HR occurred when I worked at a non-profit organization and the need to have an onsite HR person arose. I had the desired to get into HR, as previously I was an administrative professional. I remember writing the pros and cons of the organization giving me the chance, and then I met with my then boss. He listened, met with the rest of the team and it was decided – I would step in HR.

I didn’t have any formal training and for anyone that knows about HR, HR goes beyond hiring and talking to people. There are numerous disciplines within HR: payroll, benefits, hiring, safety, employee engagement, training, etc. I was hungry to learn and thankfully my employer invested in me. It was scary because I was now responsible for creating an entire department, while learning… but I did it and I fell in love with HR.

I believed in myself, and I knew that if given the opportunity, I would flourish. I think that’s the point I want to drive into our readers. If you have a dream or a vision for what you want in life, believe in yourself and go for it. When it comes to business, the decision makers want to know what’s in it for them, so as you write out your compelling speech and make your list of pros and cons, focus on why they should give you a chance. What do they gain by saying yes to you. And if you get a “no”, know that no means Next Opportunity. Regroup and go for it again. If you believe in yourself, your skills, etc., you will eventually get a yes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maryannriveradannert.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannriveradannert/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFearlessLivingCoach
• Linkedin: https://www.bit.ly/maryannriveradannert
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS5Edcfs9t_j2zlP6r6Y2Dw
• Other: Podcast: http://fearlessfridayswithmaryann.libsyn.com/website

Image Credits
MD Simmons