We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Geraldine Douglas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Geraldine below.
Geraldine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I was introduced to Damsel in Defense by the late Alisa Griffin. I decided to become an Independent Damsel Pro/Business Owner because I loved that the company not only had personal protection items for women, and a few for men but also offered educational and safety products for children too. Children need to be equipped, empowered and educated on ways to be safe.
Geraldine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I became an entrepreneur in October 2022 selling products, providing safety awareness, and attending vendor events throughout the Charlotte community. Recently, I organized my very first community wide vendor event in April 2024, in which there were twenty-five businesses present. This was a huge win for my business as it gave even more exposure to my business and the products that I offer and for other local businesses an opportunity to highlight their business as well. Right now, I am getting ready for my first Self Defense Workshop that will be held June 1st, 2024, at East City Church in Charlotte NC from 11am-1pm. I am teaming up with owner of SafeGuard Defensive Tactical, Boggs Middleton to provide tools, tips, techniques & protection items that can be used to defend oneself against an attacker.
I am most proud of being comfortable to discuss products and situational awareness to all people regardless of their age. If I can help one person to protect themselves and their loved ones, I feel satisfied that I am doing my job.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new customers has been posting on my social media personal and business pages products that I offer, vendor events that I am taking part of and providing situational awareness regularly. By doing this, many family members and friends became customers even repeat customers. Also having a presence at vendor events draws people to my table to view my products and I get to have conversations about which products to buy that will help them to be safe.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In June of last year, I was working with someone responsible for my business social media content. We would meet weekly and in November of last year, she said that she would no longer be able to work on my social media content due to the increasing responsibilities at work. Immediately, I reached out to another person to help. This person was only able to help with December due to his demanding work schedule. With no other choice, I had to start learning how to use apps and sites to create social media content. I have been doing all of my social media content since January 2024 and I have gotten surprisingly good at it over the past few months. So, I am proud of myself, and I have been saving money by not having to pay anyone to create social media content for my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.damselready.com
- Instagram: geraldine_damselready
- Facebook: Geraldine Douglas-Damsel in Defense, Independent Damsel Pro
- TikTok: geraldine_damselready
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