Posted Under: Entrepreneurship, Our Heroes

Today under the “Our Heroes” series we are meeting with Dawn Shedrick a psychotherapist who became so fed up with ego-driven executives and bureaucratic nightmares that she decided to break free of Corporate America. After 14 years of working as an employee, Dawn realized that she needed professional freedom to achieve her career goals and establish a comprehensive wellness center offering people holistic services. Let’s hear more about how Dawn’s success surfaced…

DD: Who are you and what kind of corporate job were you at?

DS: My name is Dawn Shedrick and I am a Licensed Psychotherapist in New York. I worked for more than 14 years in several nonprofit human service organizations in Long Island, New York.  I started out as a caseworker and eventually worked my way up to several supervisory and administrative positions.  I also worked as a psychotherapist in a few private practices while working the agency jobs.

DD: What made you leave the job? When did you realize that you wanted to be an entrepreneur & why?

DS: A few years ago I worked for an executive who had a ridiculously inflated ego.  I loved the work I was doing, but as a manager it became incredibly difficult to work with him while maintaining my professional integrity. When I finally decided to leave that organization, I came to the realization that throughout my career I had worked for several executives who were either ego-driven, created bureaucratic nightmares or just weren’t good managers.

I also wanted to work in an environment that allowed people to achieve well being through various holistic means such as counseling, massage therapy, aromatherapy, acupuncture and nutritional counseling, and many of the places I worked only offered one or two of those services at most.  But I knew in my heart that it would be possible to establish a comprehensive wellness center, and that’s what I set out to do.

I ultimately realized that in order for me to have the professional freedom I desired, as well as the ability to control my income, I would have to work for myself.

DD: How did you prepare yourself for the employee to entrepreneur transition?

DS: First, I started saving twice as much as I already had been to build the nest for my business.  I also invested some money in a mutual fund and a few CD’s.  I started working with a few corporate clients as a consultant and trainer.  I networked with other social workers who were in private practice or had their own consulting businesses to learn their secrets to success.  I also began reading everything from books to websites to magazines to blogs about entrepreneurship, marketing and financial management. Business has gone quite well since I officially took the plunge and started working for myself.  I believe this is due in large part to the fact that I started building my business before I left the corporate world. I still had to be very careful about spending, since I was living off of my savings for the first few months.  But I am a great networker, so I received a good number of referrals to help build my business before I even spent any money on traditional advertising.  Social media like Twitter, Facebook and Linked In also help bring in new business.

DD: What are your Top 5 tips for employees who want to be entrepreneurs but are hung up on something?

DS: 1. If you have a gut feeling or dream to start your own business, then go for it.  It always starts with a dream.
2. Start saving as much money as possible now!  Don’t wait until you are ready to make the move.  The more time you have to save, the more money you will have to invest in your business when you’re ready to go for it.
3. Do what you have to do to become an expert in your industry or professional field. Take classes, start a blog, write an e-book, approach your local library about teaching a workshop or course.  Pursue opportunities that will enable you to enhance your professional credibility.
4. NETWORK!  Studies show that in most professional disciplines, the most significant activity that can lead to more sales, referrals and clients is networking.  When I say networking I mean building reciprocal relationships with others in your field that would most likely refer clients and customers to your business.  Don’t simply send or give someone your business card or brochure and ask for referrals without offering something of value.  Take the time to get to know the people who will be helping your business grow.
5. Enjoy the planning process.  Take time to remain mentally and emotionally present in the development of your business plan.  It will keep you grounded in your mission and will serve as additional motivation for you to achieve all of your goals.

DD: How are you now? Are you still in same business, and how do you feel?

DS: Yes, I am still in business and we’re continuing to grow at an incredible pace. I have a few viable opportunities for further expansion and am enjoying the fact that I can make these decisions without having to depend on someone else’s approval.  I am now obsessed with marketing and public relations and am working with our web designer to expand our website and other marketing tools.

DD: Wow Dawn! Thank you for sharing your story with me. It is a pleasure to hear about another successful entrepreneur, and one who is a wellness expert as well! I wish you all the best in the future with “Babylon Counseling and Wellness Services”.

DS: Thank you, Devesh, for being interested in entrepreneurs like me who have the desire for professional freedom and do all they can to achieve it. I am very grateful for those people who believe in entrepreneurship along with well being and who understand the connection between the two. I also wish you the best of luck.

DD: Dawn Shedrick everyone, psychotherapist turned entrepreneur and co-founder of “Babylon Counseling and Wellness Services”. Remember her number one tip: “If you have a gut feeling or dream to start your own business, then go for it.  It always starts with a dream.” Yes indeed it does.

Success to all!!