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

Hi Dr. Victoria, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I am proud to let the world know that after a lot of tears and sweat, I am a 32 year entrepreneur. My life as a CEO has had many ups as well as downs but it has all been worth it. I can’t go any further without mentioning that I was born into entrepreneurship. My mother, the late Nellie Lockett, CEO of Nell Jackson Designs, who passed away in 2021, was a 40 year entrepreneur. She was my first business coach, the one who not only taught me about business but set a professional example for me.

Because of her success as a celebrity Fashion Designer, I knew early on that I could control my own destiny, clock in when I felt the need, and my earnings level was all up to me. As much as some may think, I am not a big show-off but believe in the concept that if no one knows you exist how can they support what you do. With that said, I enjoy spending at least two hours daily marketing, networking, and building relationships on social media. People see a lot of what I do because I am very sociable on and offline. When people see others achieving, they want to know how they can achieve too.

I am the one who would always get phone calls from people or at family gatherings people would ask me questions about business. I’ve spent countless hours sharing free information about business start-up, marketing, branding, and more. One day I heard this still small voice say that it’s time to start your business coaching service through Sheffield Business Solutions. I was apprehensive at first asking myself what would qualify me. I’m a very modest humble person who never wanted to be in the spotlight.

That same still voice spoke yet again and said to me, “you only have decades of experience”. Honestly I laughed at myself obediently doing what I was told to do. I was a little scared as many people would be starting a new venture. I wondered how people would perceive me and believed this would change the dynamics of how people viewed me. Indeed it did and some of the same people who received free advice from me suddenly became non-supporters. I truly believe that when God elevates you, your true friends or followers will still be there through it all.

Long story short, today not only am I the CEO of Sheffield Business Solutions, I am also the founder of Dr. V Coaching & Counseling Services. I can’t help but give a shout-out to my Lord and Savior because He has been faithful in sending clients my way that are supportive. Helping others with business, ministry start-up, and growth has been very fulfilling. As an Evangelist and CEO, I consider myself a Kingdom Coach motivating people by using Godly principles to help others achieve. Today I don’t worry about the non-supporters or how people perceive me. I am confident in who I am and at peace with whoever God wants me to help. I am grateful and ready for the next chapter – whatever that is and want others to know that their visions can become a reality with (Hard Work).

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 started my CEO journey as a licensed cosmetologist 32 years ago. Today I am still licensed and also a 20 year AVON Beauty Leader. (CWBN) Christian Women’s Business Network is the name of my organization for women founded in 2000. Through CWBN are two spin-offs, the CWBN Network Show & the CWBN Times Magazine. The year 2007 was the start of my best-selling author status with over 20 publications, two of which are magazines. The publications are either business or ministry related. I had the privilege of starting a non-profit organization in 2009, Jerusalem Kidz Outreach Ministry.

One of my greatest passions is helping those that are in need. I also believe I am called to provide training, mentorship, and platforms for growth, development, and exposure. Women’s Empowerment and Youth Mentorship are also things I am here to do. Sheffield Business Solutions provides marketing materials, logo designs, and photo editing services. We also create website content, business forms, offer business coaching, social media management, marketing, and promotion.

What I want those wishing to become successful to know is that the first thing we all should do is align ourselves with what we were called to do. When I first started my CEO journey I was all over the place doing whatever I thought sounded good. I had to realize that my job is to fulfill God’s plan for my life. To do this I had to pray and ask God to show me who He called me to be. I was blown away at what was revealed to me. I am who I am today because I finally decided to walk in obedience.

After we know who we are, it’s important to do the work that it takes to be successful. Nothing in life worth having is easy. Starting a brand or working on growing one can be a challenge. Some fail at what they do because they don’t market effectively or do very little marketing at all. Branding is key also because first impressions mean everything. One of the ways people remember a brand is by their logo which will be used on most marketing materials. So entrepreneurs be careful when choosing a name for your business. Be careful about the colors you choose for your logo and marketing materials. Remember that your logo doesn’t need to be extravagant, it just needs to be nice.

I want people to know that they can do anything their heart desires but preparation is key. Think about writing a business plan for what you are trying to do. Take a class if you can and document research. Set some realistic goals, and give yourself time without burning yourself out. God wants us to prosper but how can we enjoy the fruit of our labor if we are exhausted?

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

One of the most effective strategies I use in growing my clientele is great customer service. I work hard at making my clients happy. If they aren’t happy, I’m not either. I don’t walk away from a job feeling as if my clients feel just ok about the work I’ve done for them. I want to see their smiles and I go an extra mile to make certain that they benefit from my services. I provide added touches even when they don’t ask for them. I offer them a few options to choose from when I create marketing materials. I keep my word by providing them with what they pay for and make sure that I follow-up with them keeping them informed about what I am doing. A well pleased customer is the best form of advertisement.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

What I’ve learned about business is that part of what is earned should go back into the business. Pay yourself a certain percentage then make sure that you keep some of what you earn to reinvest in your business. Invest in things that will help you earn more money gradually building your way to success.

If you are someone wishing to raise money for what you are doing, share what you are doing with friends and family. Think about doing a fundraiser with a cause. For example one of the causes that I give back to is low income families with children. Let people know that a certain percentage of what you earn goes back into that cause. Let people see that you are actually giving back to that cause. If people believe in what you are doing they will help.

Create a donor solicitation letter and give it to people you know and don’t know. You will be surprised at what may happen. I’ve done this myself a few times and it really works.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sheffieldbusinesssolutions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriasheffield333/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrVictoriaLSheffield
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-victoria-sheffield-92b33646