Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mimi Dessalines. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Mimi, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The mission behind Be Inspired With Mimi was born from a deeply personal understanding of how easy it is to feel invisible in our vast world. As a healthcare professional, I’ve witnessed countless individuals—from patients, colleagues, and family members—struggle with feeling unseen and undervalued. This experience, combined with my journey as an operating room nurse and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, showed me the profound impact that genuine encouragement and recognition can have on someone’s life.
Be Inspired isn’t just a brand name—it’s a call to action that emerged from my belief that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. Through Be Inspired Publishing, we are creating a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard. I’ve seen how sharing one’s story or expertise can be transformative, not just for the author, but for countless readers who find connection and hope in those pages. Our vision extends beyond traditional publishing—we’re building toward a future where financial constraints won’t stand in the way of important stories being told.
This same mission of empowerment extends to Be Inspired Scrubs & Apparel, launching in Spring 2025. As someone who has spent years in healthcare, I understand that medical professionals pour their hearts into caring for others, often at the expense of their own comfort and confidence. Our scrubs isn’t just about providing functional workwear – it’s about helping healthcare workers feel valued, confident, and comfortable as they carry out their vital work. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it reflects in the care you provide.
At its core, my mission is deeply personal yet universally relevant: to create spaces where people can show up as their authentic selves, whether through sharing their stories, pursuing their professional dreams, or simply feeling confident in their daily work. In a world that can often feel overwhelming and impersonal, Be Inspired With Mimi stands as a reminder that all individuals matter, and that sometimes all it takes is one person believing in you to help you believe in yourself.
Mimi, 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?
My path to founding Be Inspired With Mimi is deeply intertwined with both my professional experiences and personal journey with mental health. It was a calling born from witnessing how mental health impacts every aspect of our lives, often silently. The loss of my eldest brother to mental health struggles became a pivotal moment that shaped my mission to create spaces where conversations about mental health can happen openly, without shame or hesitation. Through my work and life circumstances, I’ve seen how subtle signs of mental health struggles can go unnoticed until they become overwhelming. This understanding drives my passion to educate others about recognizing these early signs in their loved ones and the importance of speaking up.
At the heart of Be Inspired With Mimi is a fundamental truth: life is a journey, and each person’s path is uniquely their own. I’m passionate about helping others understand that there’s no universal timeline for growth, healing, or success. What matters most is learning to be forgiving with ourselves, showing ourselves grace when we stumble, and holding onto hope—both in ourselves and in others. As long as we’re breathing, there’s always another chance to keep going, to never give up, and to find our way forward.
Be Inspired With Mimi encompasses several initiatives that align with this mission. Through Be Inspired Publishing, we’re creating a platform for individuals to share their stories, expertise, and experiences—whether they’re related to mental health or other life journeys. A cornerstone of our publishing mission is fostering literacy and imagination in children, while also supporting adolescents through their crucial developmental years. My own work, “All I’s On Me From A to Z: A Guided Journal to Strengthen Character and Build Self-Esteem During Adolescence,” reflects this commitment by providing young people with a structured way to explore their identity, build confidence, and develop strong character during their formative years.
Our publishing house believes that every story has the power to touch someone’s life, and that sharing these narratives can help break down the stigma surrounding mental health while inspiring the next generation of readers and storytellers. What sets Be Inspired With Mimi apart is our holistic approach to mental health awareness and support. The goal is to serve as a movement focused on normalizing mental health conversations and creating multiple touchpoints for support and inspiration. We’re working to create an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
I’m most proud of how we’ve been able to create a space where people feel comfortable sharing their mental health journeys without judgment. Every time someone feels the strength and courage to speak up about their struggles or reaches out to help a loved one because of our message, it reinforces why this work is so vital. For those considering engaging with Be Inspired With Mimi, whether as readers, healthcare professionals, or individuals seeking connection, I want them to know that this is a space where every story matters. We believe that inspiration can come from anywhere and anyone, and that sometimes the smallest gestures can have the most significant impact. Mental health doesn’t discriminate, and neither do we. Everyone has something valuable to contribute to this conversation.
Through my professional work and my personal experiences with family mental health challenges, I’ve learned that healing often begins with connection. Be Inspired With Mimi is committed to fostering these connections, whether through the stories we publish, or the conversations we encourage. We’re here to remind everyone that they’re not alone on their journey, and that their experiences—big or small—have the power to inspire others.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is a simple but powerful goal…helping people recognize their own light, believe in it, and share it with the world. Through Be Inspired With Mimi, I’m creating ways for people to discover their potential and feel genuinely supported along the way. When someone connects with my work, whether through my books, social media posts, or those in the community, they’re becoming part of something bigger than themselves—a movement that believes in the power of human connection and personal growth.
I dream of a world where talking about our struggles and seeking support feels as natural as asking for directions when we’re lost. This isn’t just a business goal, it’s a vision for how we can make our communities stronger and more supportive. Every day, I look for new ways to meet people where they are and offer the kind of support I wish had been more readily available in my own journey.
What gets me excited is seeing how one person’s growth can light the way for others. It’s like dropping a pebble in a lake—the ripples keep going, touching lives of people we may never meet. When someone finds their voice or discovers their strength, they naturally inspire others to do the same. That’s how real, lasting change takes place.
By offering different types of support, from promoting early literacy to professional development, I seek to build something that can help people at every stage of their journey. My goal is to create a space where personal growth feels both possible and supported, and where taking that first step toward change feels a little less overwhelming.
My ultimate goal is to create positive changes that last…the kind that touches lives for generations to come. With every small victory and moment of breakthrough, every person who finds their voice adds to this bigger picture of a more understanding and supportive world.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the most meaningful transformations in my life came from reexamining the traditional values instilled during my upbringing around self-expression, social conduct, and personal boundaries. While my family foundation blessed me with strong morals, ethical principles, and integrity, I came to realize that some of these early teachings, though well-intentioned, created patterns that needed gentle reshaping to allow my true self to flourish.
Growing up with these expectations, I found myself constantly monitoring my presence—carefully measuring my words, adjusting my facial expressions, and saying “yes” when my heart was sometimes saying “maybe” or even “no.” Perhaps most constraining was the weight I sometimes placed on others’ opinions and judgments, anticipating, and worrying about what people might say about me.
These learned behaviors weren’t just social niceties; they were subtle patterns that became more apparent throughout my professional journey. I saw how these same patterns of self-silencing often contributed to the mental health challenges many in society face on a daily basis.
The unlearning process wasn’t immediate—it was a gradual awakening that gained momentum through my experiences as a healthcare professional and my personal mental health journey. I witnessed firsthand how critical it is for people to feel heard, to speak their truth, and to set healthy boundaries without fear of others’ judgments. The tragic loss of my brother to mental health struggles further emphasized how dangerous silence can be.
This unlearning journey has profoundly influenced my mission with Be Inspired With Mimi. Each aspect of my work—whether through publishing, or mental health advocacy—aims to create spaces where people feel confident using their voice, showing up as their authentic selves, and setting boundaries without guilt. It’s about recognizing that our voices, our stories, and our right to say “no” aren’t just permitted – they’re essential to our well-being, regardless of what others might think or say.
Now, when I hear these old messages echoing in my mind, I recognize them for what they are: past lessons that no longer align with who I’ve become. In their place, I’ve welcomed new truths: that our voices deserve to be heard, that authentic expression is more valuable than performative pleasantries, and that setting boundaries through the power of “no” is an act of self-respect and self-care. Most importantly, I’ve learned that my worth and path are not determined by the opinions or judgments of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beinspiredwithmimi.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/beinspiredwithmimip/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/authormimipdessalines
