Meet Innovative Woman Da’Nielle Veasey, founder of UBME Business Consulting & Marketing Firm.
1. How/why did you begin your business?
As a business owner, I wake up knowing that I’m doing something I love and something I’m very good at and what comes natural to me. With that comes passion and motivation that money just cannot bring. I enjoy seeing others succeed, and look good while doing it, and I feel blessed knowing that my company has planted seeds in assisting with that. I started out in the entertainment business, singing and acting for years. I thoroughly enjoyed it while I was doing it, but I saw so much of what was needed behind the scenes that people didn’t have and that made the most difference. That was having their business in order from the graphics to the websites, to printing and promotional items needed, business consulting on how to market and advertise yourself better and the list goes on. I learned how to provide those services for myself, and others reached out to me on showing them. Once I saw that I can still touch peoples lives but in a different manner, I began to be drawn more to the business side of things, which is what most people fail to have in order, which limits their full potential for growth. This is how my company began- seeing the need and the desire to help others become successful, and empowering and equipping them with the resources and tools that they need.
2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been balancing everything! From my work to my family and home life, it has been a challenge for me. Being an entrepreneur has taken on a whole new meaning. It is nothing like having a 9 to 5, where when you leave for the day, you also leave your work until the next day. I am just now getting to the point where I have given myself set hours just for work, so that I can allow for more time to spend with my family and others things that I’m involved in. I believe it is hard being a full-time business owner, but even harder for a woman that has children, a husband and tons of other things that require her time and focus. How I’ve addressed this issue, was to practice prioritizing my daily list of things to do. If it can wait, then I let it wait. I used to feel that everything had to be done right then, for fear of upsetting someone or not satisfying my clients, but I had to realize that I run a business, and with a business you have hours.
3. How do you define SUCCESS?
The definition of success varies from person to person. I feel that whatever is working for you, and not against you, is success! It’s that simple with me. Be it family or friends, in your personal life as well as your professional one, if whatever you are aiming to do is working for you, even if it’s slowly, then I deem that as a success. Now how you choose to get there, or what you feel that you have to do to arrive to that successful point, varies from person to person. Anything you do that helps you to become just even a little better than you were the day before, that’s success within itself!
4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
If there was one thing that I wish I knew before I began my business, would be that I had understood the power of networking more, and how to capitalize more on opportunities for growth after meeting some of the fabulous people I’ve encountered along the way. There is truly an art form to networking, and in the beginning, I would meet a person, we’d exchange business cards, but I didn’t follow up. Now I know and understand the power of networking and doing it properly. I have now learned to maximize each and every opportunity for growth and to increase my network by following up with others, and not only other business owners, but those who have shown an interest in what my company does. I’ve come to understand that a great conversation could lead to a great sale, and could lead to another person who believes in what you have to offer, thus influencing that person to promote and brand your company for you to others!
5. What makes you an innovative woman?
What makes me an innovative woman is that I wake up everyday trying to figure out more ways that I can help others reach their goals- either my clients, or just individuals that I meet on a daily basis. I believe that makes me an innovative woman because I truly care about the success of others. I’ve come to find my purpose in life, and I manifest that purpose through what I do for a living, which is help other individuals as well as business owners and companies realize and reach their full potential. Sometimes it takes someone else or an outsider to help you realize that. Through branding services and products along with the consultations I offer, as well as the workshops I present and the encouragement I give through my motivational speaking, I feel I definitely contribute to helping others maximize the greatness that already lies within them. I am an innovative woman because I seek to empower change, but from the inside out! I strongly believe that if you change your mind, you change your life! I help others focus on the uniqueness they bring, what they can do, their strengths and abilities and then help them to apply it in everything they do both personally and professionally! I am an innovative woman because I empower, and encourage others to become the BEST they can be! I believe that’s one of the most selfless acts anyone could do!
For more information and to connect with Da’Nielle visit www.goubme.com or connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.