We recently connected with DyAnn Houston and have shared our conversation below.

DyAnn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.

I have always been an entrepreneur at heart. I became a licensed Realtor in 2001 and was full-time for six years until the housing market crisis in 2007 at which time I sought out temporary employment to keep my head afloat while riding out the housing crisis. I became super comfortable with receiving weekly paychecks, great pay, great benefits, working with great people, and for a company that was well respected in all of Texas.

The housing market took years to recover. I3 years had passed and I realized that I had put my dreams and goals on hold to help someone else build their business. I was still a Realtor, however, I think the market stigmatized me to a certain degree and I no longer trusted it enough to dive back in ten toes down. It was easier to stay somewhere stable.

Fast forward to 2020. Covid-19 struck the world and we were forced to start working from home. I was introduced to the financial services industry, became a licensed Life Insurance agent, and obtained my securities licenses. Not only could I sell someone their biggest asset, but I could also help them protect it and build generational wealth. I found great pleasure in helping families, especially during that time and I was making the same amount of money (and sometimes more) than I was making at my corporate job. Six months later, decided to take a huge risk and bet on myself. I walked away from my comfy, stable job and became a full-time entrepreneur once again.

It has been four years and I don’t regret a single thing. I am working for myself and I am building my empire one client at a time.

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?

My name is DyAnn Houston. I am a native of San Antonio, Texas. I have been married for 22 years, I have three adult sons and eight grandchildren. I have been an entrepreneur for over 25 years. I owned a beauty salon from 2000 until 2017 and started a cosmetics and lash company, Mogul Cosmetics and Lashes, LLC, in 2018. I have been a licensed Realtor in Texas since 2001, and I currently operate as a Life Insurance agent, and Registered Representative with PFS Financial Services. I have a deep-seated passion for helping families achieve their goals and build generational wealth.

I am driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, and I am constantly seeking out new opportunities and ventures to challenge myself while creating value for my clients and my community. In July of 2023, I opened “Suite 144 Boutique Event Studio.” This studio serves as a place to host business seminars, financial planning seminars, pop-up shops, business launch parties, cooking classes, and other events in the community. We also have desks that we rent out to businesses who need a space temporarily.

I take pride in ensuring the success of others by serving as a mentor, educator, and role model to emerging business owners. My passion for empowering individuals and fostering economic independence has made me a trusted advisor in real estate, financial planning, and small business development.

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

I used to think that when I started a business, all my friends and family would be knocking down my door with joy and excitement to spend all their money with me. I thought I would have so much support that my brand would excel overnight and be next on the Forbes list. WRONG! Putting my trust solely in those that I knew often led to great disappointment.

I have had friends and family purchase homes with other Realtors and ask me later to review the contract to ensure they were not getting scammed. I have had friends and family purchase life insurance and not pay the premium or cancel the policy, resulting in the company charging me back for the commission I received from their policy. I have had friends and family ask me for a discount when they will pay full price elsewhere. I can go on for days, but what this taught me was to think outside the box. To solicit people I do not know, ask for referrals when I meet new people, to stay consistent, and not let anything deter me from growing my business. It’s okay when people tell you no, it could simply mean “Not right now.” Never take anything personally. Just because you might not get the support you hoped for, does not make your dreams, goals, and aspirations any less valuable.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I believe that managing a team and maintaining high morale requires a multifaceted approach. Being approachable is crucial; it fosters an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. Consistency in actions and decisions builds trust and reliability. Focusing on building character in others not only strengthens individual team members but also enhances the overall integrity of the team. Meeting people where they are by understanding their unique strengths and challenges allows for personalized support and development. Engagement through regular check-ins, team-building activities, and transparent communication keeps everyone aligned and motivated. Lastly, being open to feedback demonstrates a willingness to grow and adapt, showing the team that their voices are valued and that continuous improvement is a collective goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dyannhouston.com
• Instagram: Dyannlhouston
• Facebook: Dyann Houston
• Other: www.suite144studio.com
  www.mogullashes.com