Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Frenchye Mike. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Frenchye, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
I started this business in 2017, while simultaneously working my full-time job with the state of Georgia. It was not until 2 years later that I decided to embrace the entrepreneurial journey full-time, and officially get out of my comfort zone. I thought to myself like, “yes, you go this, you can do this is, then fast forward to about 11 months later, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic! At this point, I am doomed, no consistent income, and no guaranteed funds. As an entrepreneur the early years are the foundational, and finances tend to be a bit unpredictable, at least for me it was. I thought to myself, how on earth do I transfer to a virtual environment, how is this even possible? Since 2017 I facilitated courses in person at our brick-and-mortar location, meeting students in person that were relative to my local service area only. The idea of letting this go and transforming what I thought the business would look like too into something I could not have imagined scared me. I felt a sudden brush of fear and anxiety, coupled with mental fatigue of being confined to my home, I wanted to give up, I wanted to throw in the towel. After contemplating on how to move forward, talking to other business owners, and a just holding on to the idea that I have a mission to accomplish I saw that transferring to virtual world was something that could, and will be done. During 2020, we facilitated virtual courses weekly, and on the weekends for at least 18 months straight. With the dedication to my mission and the unwavering support of my husband and children I have scaled the business from 1 employee to now 7! The virtual setting has allowed us the opportunity to cast a wider net, meeting the needs of those well outside of Georgia, and all throughout the US. This obstacle has changed the way I view myself and my business, it gave me the confidence to propel forward, and the assurance that you can handle anything that comes your way.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Frenchye Love Mike, and I come from a long line of greatness, and authenticity! I am a 3rd generation entrepreneur, and my business is housed inside of the oldest black owned and continuously operated business in Savannah Georgia. Entrepreneurship runs deep in my veins, and as a third-generation entrepreneur, it almost feels like a calling. Seeing my grandparents strive to provide a life for their children and grandchildren based on a necessity, felt like a dream come true. I felt an immediate need to embody this feeling but in my own way, and on my own terms. My background is social service, I have always had an inclination to help others, I believe this is my purpose. #Premier Driver started off as an idea. After talking to my husband one night about freedom, and how to embody this freedom using my current skills sets, and educational experiences I had obtained and was currently receiving, I needed to find my voice, using it to educate, and uplift our community. (Doing what I love most) I had worked in the mental health field, providing in home and group counseling to youth, and adults. I then saw an interest in substance abuse, and how I could further my expertise. After researching, I found out I would have to go to school for another 18 months, so I opted out to something a little different. How about teaching substance abuse courses and becoming an instructor, I had the education all I needed was the training. I attend training back in 2017 to become a certified DUI instructor; it was at that training that I knew I my life was about to change, then I thought, why go for the sample when you could have the full course. Fast forward to one year later, I was extremely blessed and fortunate to not only become a certified DUI instructor, but to also open a certified DUI school.
#Premier Driver Education Services started specifically on educating drivers of the dangers of driving under the influence. We first began offering the 20-hour DUI/ Risk Reduction course. This 20-hour course is court mandated for anyone convicted of an alcohol, or drug related driving offense. After students complete this course they receive a certificate of completion and may have the opportunity to reinstate their driving privileges. I taught this course for about a year, then soon went on to become a certified Driver Improvement Instructor. This soon sparked a passion to concentrate not only on those convicted of DUI charges but those who are unaware of the dangers of distracted and impaired driving period. I then obtained the credentials to become a Driver Improvement Clinic. The Driver Improvement Course is a 6 hour course for drivers who are looking to remove points from their driving record, have been court mandated to attend traffic school, or are looking to reduce their car insurance premiums. Once you start one service in the field of driver’s education, it is inevitable that you cast a wider net, meeting the needs of all drivers, new, and old! Our newest service is for our new drivers! We are also a certified Driver Training School . We helped teach students and adults how to operate a motor vehicle safely while adhering to defensive driving tactics. We have programs specifically geared towards teenagers educating them from the onset of their driving experiences so that they can make it to adulthood. I believe that I am most proud of my ability adjust, and adapt, to grow with the flow but always remembering my mission.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn comparison. I had to do away with comparing my journey to those who already started, I had to rid my thoughts of envy, and ego. I would often compare my early years in the business to those who had been operating for over 15-20 years. I said why am I not making any money, what I am doing wrong, is this the wrong business to get into? Did I make a mistake, this is costing me so much money! It was patience, and it was the idea of giving myself grace and time to learn, and re-learn, it was faith that kept me going. It took me several years to realize that this not a sprint, but a marathon, and that we must all wait our turn, but while you’re waiting have the faith to keep going. Once I began seeing myself and my business for how I wanted it to be, it became that.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My driving school is located inside of a funeral home. When clients would call, or come by, they were often confused, and felt they were in the wrong place, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard, “you located inside of a funeral home”! I would very timidly say yes, and let that anxiety sink in, like what am I doing? However, it was the resilience that allowed me to be confident in my ability to say, “yes I have a driving school, and yes, it is located in a funeral home, and yes, if you keep making those high-risk choices that lead you to seek court mandated classes, then you or someone you love could end up here”. It did not take them a while to figure out, but they knew they would leave #Premier Driver not the same why they came. A new, and higher perspective was among them, and they would always remember the driving school in the funeral home.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.premierdrivered.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierdrivered/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/premierdriverllc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frenchye-mike-b0b3645b