Dionne Smith, Award-Winning Brand Consultant, Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Dionne Smith is the MD & Founder of DPS Brand Consultancy, supporting service-based entrepreneurs to create and grow a confident, authentic, visible and successful personal and business brand.
As an award-winning personal and business brand consultant, coach, speaker and trainer, she has over 25 years experience working with large corporate firms, SMEs and start-up companies, on successful brand, marketing and strategy projects.
Tell us about your current role and what you like about your current career/role or areas of focus.
I'm a personal brand coach and business brand consultant, supporting new and established service-based entrepreneurs to create a visible, confident and successful brand by sharing their expertise uniquely and authentically; using their personal story to support and build the foundation of their business.
What inspires you, motivates you, helps you to make each day count?
My family inspire and motivate me to keep pushing forward despite the personal and professional challenges I may be facing.
Focusing on my goals and being as productive as I can, even if it means just writing one blog post, as long as I've made progress and shared some value, that's what matters.
Outside of your professional work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
As mentioned above, my family are the most important thing to me. I have two sons, my partner Chris and my mum, who I care for alongside running my business.
Other than that, I do my best to maintain a regular exercise schedule, reading books and watching box sets on Netflix or Sky.
When it comes to your life chosen career, is there a phrase, quote or saying that you really like?
One of my favourite quotes is "You can't change a problem with the same mindset that created it." - T Harv Eker.
I love this quote because, for me, it really embodies why we need a support system that helps us to look at our problems from a different perspective.
It's something that I reinforce when I coach clients and help them to work through the things that are blocking them from having the clarity and fulfilment they are seeking.
What are you most proud of in your life?
Aside from my sons, I'm most proud of the determination and resilience I have built up to maintain my business, value my experience and be more confident in myself and how I share my knowledge with my audience.
I've maintained my business for over six years now, and although it's had its ups and downs (and still does), I've stayed the course, and I know that I've found a way in which to work that I'm completely passionate about.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
How to develop strength of mind; Understanding myself and my purpose. When you know who you are and you can appreciate and accept the journey that life has taken you on, it's much easier to see how you can make an impact and find fulfilment in your personal and professional world.
We unconsciously hold ourselves back because we don't take the time to understand and appreciate what makes us who we are, we're naturally afraid of being vulnerable or showing what we think is weakness, but once we learn that we are all fallible and that's ok, life opens up in a completely different spectrum, and we find affiliations and alignment with those who accept us without judgement.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles?
My number one female crush has to be Oprah Winfrey. I would imagine she has the most ultimately rewarding job because the focus is not about her.
It's about supporting others. It's about positive change. It's about equality. It's about humanity and most of all. It's about passion and purpose. All the things I love and admire and would love to emulate through my business on a much bigger scale.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I think one of my favourite brands is John Lewis and a previous company I worked for, Edward Jones Investments.
Both of them understand the importance of investing in their employees and building a supportive, inclusive and successful culture, which is then translated into superior customer service.
The success and sustainability of a brand or business aren't its products or services; it's the way they are delivered. When you as a business owner or you and your team understand how to embody your mission, vision and values, throughout the business, you provide a service that exceeds why a client or customer buys from you.
It elevates the loyalty, respect and credibility that ensures you stand out against your peers and in your industry as a trusted and respected brand.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
You can't say the right thing to the wrong person, and you can't say the wrong thing to the right person.
What drives or motivates you each day in a work environment?
Just generally being as productive as possible and following through on the tasks I need to complete for the day.
I know that each step I take moves me towards my overall goals, so when I stay in that mindset, I feel motivated to get on and do what needs to be done.
What are your thoughts on the future of social media?
In the current environment with the Covid-19 pandemic, social media is even more important in staying visible to your audience and supporting them as much as possible.
Having said that, social is always adapting and changing. Keeping on top of that can be a challenge, but consistency is key, showing up and giving value will always win out regardless of innovation.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn at the moment. It's where the majority of my ideal clients are (coaches and consultants), so it's my platform of choice for that reason.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever been a mentor to anyone?
Naturally, I mentor my children, and I've also mentored other young people on career choices and dealing with day-to-day challenges growing up.
How do you network? What is your preferred way to network?
Pre-Covid – networking events and on LinkedIn. Post-Covid, mostly LinkedIn and my other social media channels.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work?
Focus on your personal brand first. Understand what knowledge, skills and experiences you have had that will support you in standing out from your competitors and being authentic, confident and valuable to your target audience.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Not doing what I answered in the previous question and not getting help when they really need it.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
I define success and feeling happy and fulfilled with what you do every day to support others to have life and/or business breakthroughs by creating fundamental change in their lives.
What skills do you feel have helped you to become successful?
Learning what being authentic really means. Being kind, honest, open, respectful and non-judgemental.
Is there anything new that you are working on or involved in that you would like to share?
I'm in the process of launching a new co-founded personal development business called The Kyte Club, which offers motivational community support in the form of online membership, as well as services and products for setting, maintaining and achieving personal and professional goals.
I'm also launching my own business membership in the next few weeks (The Business Breakthrough Academy) for established coaches and consultants who need personal and business brand support to help them grow their business and income.