Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dawanna Parks, Owner of Manor Management Consulting Group, located in Chicago, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My company Manor Management is a full-service B2B consulting firm. We are WMBE owned and certified and work with a broad range of industries from construction, non-profit, real estate, entrepreneur professionals, and more. We assist them in developing effective strategies and solutions to aid them in scaling their business.
In recent years, we realized there was a financial gap and access to capital with many of the business owners we serviced. Therefore, we started an educational arm where we personally walked hand in hand with owners to help them structure the foundation of their businesses properly to align them with financial lenders for speedy access to funding opportunities which would, in turn, give them access to working capital, develop healthy relationships with lenders and business debt to help them scale and grow.
Tell us about yourself
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, I made a commitment to leave the hood and all its glory. I dared to be different and got into the financial sector early on because I wanted exposure to big business, and I wanted to learn as much as I could. This way, I could take advantage of the surplus of opportunities I've seen around me.
Unfortunately, in 2007 due to the loss of my son, I formed my 1st business with the thought of creating a non-profit arm to bring awareness to moms of premature babies because I lost my child due to NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis) which is a serious or life-threatening intestinal disease of premature babies who are at risk. Years later, that company evolved and became my now consulting firm, still carrying on with his legacy to bring awareness and knowledge to other entrepreneurs who know that there’s a greater purpose in their life and who have the desire to help those within their community flourish.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of my biggest accomplishments has been being able to be a part of others' growth and their ability to scale. Sharing information, guiding, and motivating others by being transparent about the good and bad aspects of my journey. Being able to help curtail someone else from making a bad decision due to my personal experiences or that of my client base has been a wealth of knowledge.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part of being a business owner is the emotional rollercoaster which, for some, you’re on that ride pretty much alone. You have to know when to balance it all out and take time for yourself because mental health is wealth. Ultimately, you are everything to and for your business. The ability to remove yourself so that you can actually work on the business and not always in the business in order to scale. A large part of my business is referral based because others have seen what I’ve been able to do for other entrepreneurs, but they only want me, not the assistant.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Just start the business with the intention to evolve into what it’s supposed to be. You don’t have to have the entire master plan; just find an inner circle that will motivate you, provide knowledge, and a platform that will enable you to grow. Lastly, figure out your funding strategies early on because that will be the catalyst of your company’s growth.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://shopdmco.com/Home/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopdmco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businesscredit_bestie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Klasy1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dparks1/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.