We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dudly Etienne-Harvard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dudly below.

Dudly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

After I graduated from college in 2008 with my bachelor’s degree in construction engineering technology, I had an “after college” vision for myself. It consists of working for a fortune 500 company and landing an office with an office view (lol). I had my whole future planned out in my head. Then 2009 came around and so did the fall of the economy. I was eventually laid-off. The whole time while contemplating what’s my next move, I kept getting visions on the times I provided freelance services while in college and how I always wanted to start a business within my hometown Miami, Florida as I worked my 9-5. I was afraid, but the vision kept coming and it was becoming LOUD.

I finally made the decision to move back home (SFL). Going back home made me feel like I lost and failed myself. It was like moving backwards with no job. The worse part about this, I had to move back in with my mom, with an already FULL home. I’m Haitian and we don’t spare no room; all rooms are ALWAYS FULL of people (lol). I had to make a decision, what I wanted to do. Did I want to feed my vision or get back into corporate America. I remember praying and asking God to lead me because I was AFRAID. a few weeks in SFL, I went into a construction company with my resume in hand, hoping they would give me a job. While in the elevator, I meant a woman by the name of Rhonda Wimberly. I told her what I was here for, and she told me “Come with me, I have an event I want you to attend with me.”
I quickly followed behind her and jumped in overly expense car that I purchased when I was working and follow her.

While entering the room to the event, she immediately introduced me to some of the most successful women in construction and they owned their own company. I was exposed to women who owned their own painting, underground utility, casework, drywall, general construction company and so much more. I was intimidated, but hungry to learn more from those lovely ladies. From that day, I was taught the power of networking, putting yourself out there, SHOWING UP, and keeping the right people around you to motivate you when you are afraid to take that risk!

My life changed drastically. I went home and knew what I had to do. I was FULL and ready to take a risk to start the business I always wanted but was too afraid to start because I didn’t see people around me at that time starting a business and actually succeed. I took all the money I had in my 401K and invested into my business. My first purchase was a sunbiz registration, a laptop and printer and prayer. Those items took me a long way!

Fast forward, now I’ve been in business for over 10 years, I have loyal and consistent clients. DPS has a staff. I recently purchased a commercial property where I provide intimate CoSpace for micro and small business owners. I was given changes while growing my business. I had to meet clients at Starbucks at times. I didn’t have enough funds to make ends meet, but I kept pushing. Now, I provide an affordable space for micro and small business. You can find more information about the CoSpace at www.dpcoservices.com. If oyu want information about Dudly’s Professional Services (DPS), you can check out our website at www.dudlyservices.com.

For all who are going back and forth if they should start that business; START IT. All the tools and resources you need will automatically come to you. When you consistently visualize it and move forward towards your dream, it will happen. Be creative, create a seat at the table for yourself or create your own table.

Dudly, 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?

Hello, my name is Dudly Etienne-Harvard and I’m the president of Dudly’s Professional Services (DPS) and I am a real estate investor. Within DPS we provide Community Outreach, Administrative Support, Project Control and Technical Services. We’ve been in business for over 10 years, and we are a women and minority owned business. Here at DPS we help bridge the gap between prime developers and small businesses. Basically, we assist small businesses on obtaining contracts on large developments happening within SFL and we assist large developers on making sure they are hiring local small businesses.

Due to my construction background, I have a better understanding on project scheduling, cost estimate, and development within the SFL areas.

My most joy is helping small businesses position themselves to win government and private contracts. I understand the scuffle and grits it takes to run a business and remain successful, especially during the times we are currently in. When I can help a small business reach a milestone, it always warms my heart. Because of my love for small businesses, I’ve purchased a commercial suite that provides intimate CoSpaces for micro and small businesses to engage with their clients and staff members. Not all small businesses have the funds to lease an office space and meeting at local coffee shops can be too public. DPS created a space for business owners. Come take a tour today, I promise we do not bite. :-)

If you would like more information on current government and private contracts in SFL, please follow us on Instagram and check our website out: IG – dp_services and website – www.dudlyservices.com

If you would like more information on how you can tour our intimate CoSpace, check out our website at www.dpcoservices.com

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What helped build my reputation within my marketing is understanding that I do not know it all and everyone is not my client.

Plenty of times we want the clients to see us as an expert, and we end up making a situation worse. You can’t do everything and it’s okay to tell your client this is above me or out of my scope. Also, be yourself. When you portray to have it, all put together, the balloon will pop one day, and no one will believe your story moving forward.

Everyone is not your client. You do not need to work with everyone, you need to work with who is for you. Remember quality is better than quantity. Find you great clients and love on them (lol); not really but give them your best. Those clients will take your reputation places you could not even imagine.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

If you do not tell people what you want, you will not get it. I thought your talent will speak for itself, solely. In reality you need talent and provoke your voice for people to hear you. You know the saying “scared money can’t make no money.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dudlyservices.com and www.dpcoservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dp_services/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dudlys-Professional-Services-232890150070877
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dudly-etienne-harvard-president-6a598245/
• Other: Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/milkdud1234/

Image Credits
Joe Wesley Photography (he shot my personal photo)