We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Patrice Renee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Dr. Renee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
The hardest thing in life to do is to dream new dreams. P.S. Renee, LLC was established out of need and necessity for survival for me. In November 2019, I was devastated by the sudden passing of my mother, Regina Stephanie Wilder just 5 days after my mom had witnessed me successfully defend my dissertation and earn my Doctorate degree. This came just one month after my husband of six years had filed for a divorce. I was forced to reimage life without the one person I couldn’t imagine living without- my mother and the man I had thought I would spend the rest of her life loving. To honor my mother’s memory, I dropped my last name and adopted her middle name as mine, and making my previous middle name my last name, Dr. Patrice Stephanie Renee was born.
The Covid-19 Pandemic started just three short months later in the US, providing me with the time to reflect and dream new dreams. My mother had dedicated her life to public service, family, and the South Baltimore community and had envisioned entrepreneurship post-retirement from the USPS. No longer able to help my mother fulfill her dreams of owning a business, I established P.S. Renee, LLC to help those with just a vision in their head or jotted down on the back of an old piece of mail like my mother would do, not only start a business but thrive in their businesses. Drawing on 16 years of experience in Human Resources management and expertise in non-profit and for-profit sectors, P.S. Renee, LLC was established to help small and minority-owned businesses level the playing field in their perspective industries. Created with the values instilled by my mother, this Creative Consulting and Management Firm is establishing unparalleled value in areas of Strategic Business Management, Grant and Government Contract writing, Human Resources; Higher Education; Diversity Equity, and Inclusion; Executive Coaching; Notary; and Corporate Event Planning and Coordinating.
Patrice, 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?
About Me: I am a first-generation college graduate, having earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts at Temple University as a dual major in Kinesiology and Psychology with a focus on physical and mental health. Later, I obtained my Master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University with a concentration in Organizational Psychology. Subsequently, I was awarded my Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership Management from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a native of Baltimore, Maryland, I have always been passionate about increasing opportunities for underserved and underrepresented minority groups to pursue higher education and entrepreneurship.
In my personal life, I thrive on quality time with my family, friends, and sorors (as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.). I enjoy traveling to new places and love watching a variety of sports. Having had the privilege to explore more than 26 countries around the world has given me an appreciation for different cultures and unique experiences. As a former athlete who played in college, I find myself drawn to many sports and often conflicted over which team to root for between Philadelphia and Baltimore teams. Apart from sports, I also enjoy listening to audiobooks, exploring new cuisines, and listening to old-school vinyl records. In my free time, I try to engage in activities that will benefit my mental and physical well-being. Whatever I do, it should always be something that gives me joy and makes me strive for excellence.
P.S. Renee, LLC
In 2021, I founded P.S. Renee, LLC, a Creative Consulting and Management Firm that specializes in providing consulting and strategic planning services for small, minority-owned businesses and non-profit organizations around the world. My firm operates virtually and offers various services to meet its client’s needs including Business Management Strategies; Grant & Government Contract Writing; Human Resources; Higher Education Services; Diversity Equity & Inclusion Solutions; Executive Coaching; Notary Public Services; and Corporate Event Planning & Coordination. With an emphasis on business consulting solutions, P.S. Renee, LLC is committed to helping our clients achieve their desired outcomes quickly and effectively through innovative approaches to problem-solving. P.S. Renee, LLC also actively collaborates with other professionals in the area of marketing, finance, and legal services to ensure that clients receive comprehensive solutions for any project undertaken. With its core values of integrity, respect, collaboration, excellence, and innovation; P.S. Renee provides an unwavering commitment to delivering quality results to all of its clients no matter the size or scope of the project. With P.S Renee, you can count on professional guidance and resources that are tailored to your individual needs as well as excellent customer service and follow-through throughout all phases of our assignments.
At P.S. Renee, LLC, we recognize that every client is unique and requires an individualized approach to their specific needs. We provide innovative solutions that are tailored to our client’s objectives while taking into account their time frame, budget, and special requirements. Our small team of professionals has extensive experience in a broad range of industries which allows us to bring our expertise to the table when it comes to finding creative solutions for our client’s problems. We believe that what sets us apart from others is our ability to think outside the box and develop strategies that produce tangible results in a timely manner. Our commitment to excellence and integrity are paramount as we strive to build lasting relationships while helping our clients reach their goals.
As a black woman from Baltimore City, I am immensely proud of how far I have come. I bet on myself and took a risk in creating a successful business and a life worth living. I know my mother is proud of me and the woman I have become. The best part is that I know I am not finished, I’m just getting started.
What I want potential clients/followers/fans to know about P.S. Renee, LLC is that we are dedicated to serving small and minority-owned businesses first and foremost. We don’t measure our success in terms of money; instead, we strive to help these organizations reach their fullest potential and develop into thriving, flourishing enterprises. Our team consists of experienced industry professionals who understand the needs of small business owners better than anyone else.
At P.S. Renee, LLC, we understand how difficult it can be for small and minority-owned businesses to get started and grow successfully without the right guidance or resources available to them. That’s why we go above and beyond to give our clients the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. We provide educational materials, comprehensive advice, and the necessary resources needed to make any business successful. When you leave our services, you will have acquired the skills, knowledge, and insight to operate a successful business. That is ultimately our mission – to empower small businesses with the skills required for success.
We take pride in being able to support our clients and help them reach their fullest potential. At P.S. Renee, LLC, we focus on providing quality services at an affordable price so that all can benefit from what we offer. We are passionate about helping small and minority-owned businesses strive toward success, no matter what challenges may come their way.
SERVICES INCLUDE (not limited to):
Creative Business Strategist
Business Consulting
Business Plan Development
Strategic Plan Development
Special Projects
Project Management
Grant Writing (Non-Profit, For-Profit & Individual)
Grant Consulting
Grant Management
Government Contracts (Federal & State Contracts)
Creative Consulting
Human Resources
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Higher Education Leadership
Executive Coaching
Property Management
Notary Public (PA State)
Corporate Event Planning/ Coordinating
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
When it comes to customers, nothing beats the power of word-of-mouth. Over 90% of my business clients have come to me through referrals from current or past clients, family, friends, and more. I often receive calls, emails, texts, and messages on social media from people looking to introduce me to someone who could benefit from my services. It is a testament to the good results that my business has been able to achieve for our clientele and a recognition of how seriously we take their needs. Our clients treat us like we are a part of our team and an essential part of their operation. We consider it our mission to ensure their success and we treat them as if they are part of our team. Good work does not go unnoticed – when you do good for others, good will return back to you in multiple forms. This is why, despite the vast amount of time and resources we dedicate to marketing and promotion, nothing beats the traditional word-of-mouth for referrals. Ultimately, it is our job to make sure that every client feels heard and valued; that their needs are being met in every project. We understand that relationships have a big impact on success, which is why we strive to provide an excellent customer experience for each and every one of our clients. We take great satisfaction in seeing them succeed!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
“It Be Your Own Family” As a new business owner, I was eager to obtain clients and utilize my services on as many potential customers as possible. When a family member that I had once looked up to asked for help in creating a business plan and applying for grants for their new startup, I was excited at the chance to support them. In my enthusiasm, I was willing to overlook the standard rules of doing business that I would normally require from my clients. After completing the work and helping them secure a substantial grant to start their business, I remained patient since they were family and assumed they would pay me eventually. I even paid a fellow business owner on their behalf to ensure that they would be able to receive their grant funds with the promise of being paid back.
Unfortunately, when they received the grant funding, payment never came. When I inquired repeatedly about fees owed to me, all I got in return were excuses (although believable) and a rather dismissive attitude. Now more than a year later, I still have not been paid. This taught me an important lesson, you can never assume that family members will treat you or your business fairly. As such, it is essential to enforce the same professional standards of doing business regardless of relationship bonds.
This experience, although initially disappointing and disheartening, has provided me with invaluable insight into how to handle situations like these in the future. It made me realize that respect must be earned on both sides for any successful working relationship, even within a family setting. From now on I will always insist on being properly compensated for my services no matter who the client is related to. Above all else, I strive to never forget the golden rule of business – treat others as you would want to be treated.
This hard lesson was a difficult one to learn, but it has made me a stronger and wiser business owner in the end. I now know how important it is to set and respect professional boundaries both inside and outside of family settings. All my clients must be aware of their commitment to payment for services rendered, no matter how close or distant our relationship may be. This way, everyone involved can benefit from successful partnerships without any misunderstandings or conflicts arising. With this knowledge, I am confident that I am better prepared to handle future business deals with clarity and fairness, even when dealing with family members or close friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.psrenee.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psreneellc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-s-renee-ed-d-719a9197/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSReneeLLC?t=zFP3lL-ktgK2FEUVK8kzhA&s=03