We recently connected with Dymon Alfred and have shared our conversation below.

Dymon , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

Something I learned after graduating college was that, college really doesn’t factor in LIFE when you’re meeting with your advisors and planning your course work each semester. I remember going to my freshman orientation and receiving my degree plan and it saying I needed to take 18-22 hours a semester to graduate in 4 years. For most of us it was drilled into us that we had to graduate in 4 years or we would be looked upon badly, and thats something I slowly figured out wasn’t true. It takes millions of college graduates over 4 years to graduate because of what happens in LIFE. We all have a bad semester, an unexpected death, and unexpected triumph that can hold us back, and shouldn’t be looked down upon. Because at the end of the day, you will still GRADUATE. It might not follow that degree plan you were handed your freshman year but it will follow then plan God had for you.

I believe thats something we should change in the educational system, to stop the pressure of overloading students with more classes they can handle to graduate in 4 years and remind them that its okay because life happens to all of us. There should be a way to factor in all the unexpected criteria and still feel good about graduating. Many college students I tutor and talk to feel so overwhelmed and cant enjoy college because of the full course work they are taking to meet that 4 year criteria. I believe that at freshman orientation the degree plans should included all factors and show students the options and different ways their degree plan can still work if something unexpected happens.

These conversations at the beginning of college can prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career because they understands it’s okay to mess up or have something unexpected happen but it won’t deteriorate from their end goal. We should also be factoring in Mental Health, and letting students know if you’re having a hard time that it is okay to reach out and want to talk to someone. Mental Health has become so important and should be taken more serious in the collegiate world. College is hard, it might be easy to some but overall it’s a new learning experience to everyone. The system has to change or we will continue to see more of the devastating news we have.

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?

As I started working out and going on my own personal health journey. I learned that I enjoyed helping others maintain the pressure of living a healthy lifestyle, and I knew I wanted to create my own brand which is Pressure Nutrition. From that thought, Pressure Nutrition came to life and the storefront was opened December 2020 in the midst of the global pandemic. Throughout the build out I was finishing my undergrad degree at the University of North Texas and working at Apple. This was challenging to say the least because it really taught me time management, entrepreneurship 101, and just all the beginning necessities of running an entire company. I watched my parents run successful businesses growing up and from that I knew I could do the same if I ever decided too. I had to learn about LLC’s, DBA’s, business credit, even how to get commercial electricity and insurance haha. I knew I wanted to make an impact in the community and that’s what I’ve done this last year.

Opening Pressure Nutrition during a global pandemic was the biggest obstacle, because all permits and plans just kept getting delayed because of the world being on pause. I signed my lease August 1st and didn’t open until December 19th because of the delays and mishaps, but I remember myself every day, but it was all part of God’s Plan for me. I was also completing my senior year at North Texas and working on opening every day. I went on to graduate from the University of North Texas with Bachelor’s in Mechanical and Energy Engineering with a minor in Mathematics in May 2021 all while working my business every day. My sister played a huge role in my business because without her coming to help me every day to go to class I wouldn’t have completed my degree.

We help people maintain the pressure of living a healthy lifestyle with healthy fast food on the go. We give them a safe space to come to work if they want a change of scenery from their home and students a place to do homework and ask any questions they have. We welcome everyone with open arms and let Pressure Nutrition be their safe space away from home, a place to get a healthy drink and unwind from a busy day, week, or month.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences”

July 18th 2022, after an unexpected ER visit my doctor confirmed that I had 10cm teratoma in my right ovary and a 10cm cyst growing on my spleen. These could only be removed surgically, and had to be removed immediately before they ruptured. July 30th, 2022 I found out my dad had been diagnosed with cancer. A month of unexpected news I wasn’t expecting to hear.

Being a full time business owner of my nutrition club, and knowing I had 2 major businsses next door to me Eminence Dance Complex, a dance studio and Planet Fitness opening in august. I knew my business was about to double in traffic, and it was just not a good time for me to be out. Also, my Masters program was set to begin in August at the University of Arkansas in Engineering Management.

I was looking at adversity in the mirror, and for a second I thought it was going to win.
Overwhelmed, but I knew I couldn’t give up because this wasn’t my first rodeo of dealing with the unexpected. My mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was a kid, I had to grow up faster than others but it helped me become the women I am today. I knew God never gives you more than you could handle, and I would be stronger and more resilient on other side of this experience.

Before, my first surgery my day to day became preparing my employees to be able to handle all of the daily operations while I would be out. Letting my teachers know what was going on, and traveling to Houston to see my dad before his own surgery.

All that to say, With the grace of God on my side, and the full support of my family, friends and staff I was able to recover from both my surgeries fully. Business is booming, my dad is feeling great, and I’m excelling in my graduate program.

This is a reminder that there will always be bumps in the road, some are there to teach you, slow you down but never keep you from getting to your destination. Life is a journey.

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

My personality, and my memory. My slogan for my business is “ Come in as strangers, leave as family.” I want everyone that walks in my doors to feel at home. My regulars know that I will remember their orders, birthdays, and any events they tell me. New customers are always surprised when I remember their name, order, and our very first conversation we had even if they return the following day or months later.

From just remembering the smallest thing about someone, it starts a connection that lasts a lifetime and makes them want to return. Many of my customers have become some of the closest people to me from getting invited to the birthday parties, Mavs games, and even Christmas! I appreciate everyone that walks into my doors, and I’m grateful for those that have welcomed me into their families and been on this journey with me!

I also tutor and mentor 9th through college students in different subjects. I have built that relationship with the parents so they trust that I will help their students achieve their end goal in the class, and also through college prep since the college application process has changed over their years. I also sponsor different athletic teams around the community to make sure they are successful throughout their seasons.

It warms my heart hearing parents saying that their kids are always talking about me and look up to me, and they are glad I can be a role model to their kids. They know this is a safe place and they don’t have to worry when their kids are hanging out here.

I pride myself on my relationships with my customers and the products we serve. We were nominated and voted Best Nutrition Drink Bar in Roanoke, Tx in 2021. Our slogan is come in as strangers and leave as family, and I go above and beyond everyone that walks in because I always want them to have the best experience every single time. Thankful for every single conversation I have because I never know what will come from it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @PressureNutrition , @dymdes
• Facebook: @PressureNutrition