Dr. Deana Stevenson is a business and educational consultant that teaches women how to use their current skillset to position themselves as the go-to authority figure in their industry so they can confidently launch their premier product or service.
During a Global Pandemic she set a goal to help 25 women launch their business by the end of the year and had to quickly change the goal to 50 when she met and exceeded this goal in 60 days.
As a former physician and elementary principal, she understands the need for women to work 20X harder than men to be successful. What she knows to be true is that women actually have the capacity to work 100x harder because they are naturally driven to make an impact on the world.
Dr. Stevenson enjoys helping female educators use their expertise to launch a business through her signature course, The Educational Consultant Lab – a 6-week online course to turn educators into entrepreneurs. She also enjoys encouraging women to pursue their lifelong vision through her Signature Live Event, Manifest Your Vision.
When she’s not helping her clients build their empire, she enjoys spending time with her husband Dr. Bert Stevenson and their two children Michael and Madison.
What is Doc Deana Enterprises all about?
The primary function of Doc Deana Enterprises (aka: The DDE Agency) is to work with school leaders whose schools have been identified as low performing due to state assessments. I coach them on how to engage with all stakeholders (teachers, parents, students, support staff, district staff, community and board members). Understanding that there are many layers to school improvement, and it takes those inside and outside the building to truly affect change. The other function of The DDE Agency is to help as many current educators as possible (minimal goal of 100 in 2021) to turn their skillset into a business. This is done by coaching and my online course – The Educational Consultant Lab. The most comprehensive program for creating and launching an Educational Consulting Business.
How you started your company?
I’m a former physician. I practiced medicine for a few years and realized it was not what I wanted to do. I became a middle school teacher and then a school principal. In two of the schools I was assigned, both were identified as low performing. The work was challenging but fulfilling. The one thing that was missing was leadership coaching for myself. In June 2013 I quit my job as an elementary principal in pursuit of building a home-based business. When that business failed miserably, I decided to become an educational consultant. It was the best decision I ever made. On 12/15/20 I celebrated my 6th year as an educational consultant.
What are your plans, how do you plan to grow this company?
I truly believe I have the school district work perfected. There will always be work for me due to state accountability guidelines so I’m confident that I can secure as many contracts as I can feasibly handle. I plan to hire associates at the beginning of 2022 to take on more school districts. My current goal is to increase my online presence to more 1:1 and group coaching as well as multiple launches of my course. My first launch was a 5-figure launch, and the plan is to have $6-7 figure launches by 2022.
What was the biggest problem you encountered with your business and how did you overcome it?
Not hiring an assistant sooner. I was so concerned about wanting to do everything on my own which caused me to spend too much time on non-income generating activities. Once I put some Standards Operating Procedures in place, hiring an assistance was less stressful.
What were the top mistakes you made starting your business and what did you learn from it?
I started my business aligning with another educational consulting firm. In the beginning, it was great because I learned how to navigate through the business. My mistake was I stayed too long because I became comfortable and honestly allowed fear to hold me hostage. I did not learn how equipped I was until I left and secured seven contracts on my own 3 months after leaving that firm.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
I stay in my lane and know what I’m good at. My messaging has remained the same in spite of other companies shifting their messaging to align with what everyone else is doing. Although social justice and supporting those efforts are important it is not part of my business messaging or my offering.
What is one thing that you do daily to grow as an entrepreneur?
I am on the phone with a decision maker discussing my work or how I can support the current contract with additional services.
What are three books or courses you recommend for new entrepreneurs?
- “Building A Story Brand” by Donald Miller
- Amy Portferfield’s – Digital Course Academy and Marie Forleo’s B-School.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?
I wish I knew how lonely it is. I’d have a network of women that I could bounce ideas off of in the beginning. I’m finally developing that now, but it’s been a lonely journey.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Referrals and email marketing.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
It’s hard. It’s lonely. You will fail. Stay the course because it’s worth all of it.
How can we get in touch with you?
You can find me on Instagram @docdeanaenterprises Website: docdeanaenterprises.com or via Email: info@docdeanaenterprises.
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