Soul Trained - DDS Dobson-Smith

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with DDS Dobson-Smith, Founder, and CEO of Soul Trained, located in Newtown, CT, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Soul Trained is on a mission to create a world full of leaders who are worth following. We do this through executive coaching, leadership growth experiences, and consulting on cultural transformation.

Tell us about yourself

I bring my multi-sector global experience, decades of training in human potential, and enduring dedication to creating leaders who are worth following every single thing I do. I believe that, at its core, executive coaching and leadership growth are about delivering shifts in what you do and how you do it. And I believe that shift happens most sustainably and radically through a process of hard human kindness.

A trusted coach of mine once said to me, "Nothing great ever came from comfort zones." This really hit home. I understand coaching to be a process and commitment to letting go of unuseful behaviors and patterns and to becoming an exceptional leader. You should know that I will be as dedicated as you are [if not more] to your pursuit of becoming extraordinary.

These philosophies underpin my approach and give you an idea of what you'll be getting yourself into when you decide to work with me. I have notched up over 25 years of working in small, medium, and large corporations. I literally grew up in the hospitality industry [my parents owned a pub and restaurant in the UK], and I started my career as a college professor teaching hotel and business management. I've since held a range of senior, executive, and C-Suite level roles across a host of sectors and companies, including renowned retailer Marks & Spencer Plc, travel and tourism company Eurostar International, Crossrail Ltd - the company charged with building a new railway through the center of London, music giant Sony Music Entertainment, and Essence Global - part of the world's largest advertising company, WPP.

I'm a member of the Advisory Board of WE Global Studios, a full-stack Innovation Studio and digital DIY Platform that powers the success of women entrepreneurs around the world. I serve as adjunct faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where I teach counseling psychology to graduate students. I also run a private psychotherapy practice called SoulFull Therapy in the state of Connecticut. My career has provided the opportunity for me to work across all continents and to develop the awareness, empathy, and skills to work successfully with people from all diverse walks of life in culturally humble ways.

I'm certified as an Executive Coach by both the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring; I'm credentialed with the International Coach Federation and am a coach-supervisor through the Coaching Supervision Academy. I've been working in the field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming [NLP] since 2001 - I'm a double-certified INLPTA Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP and a Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapist under the NLPtCA. I'm also licensed to administer MBTI [Step I and Step II] and FIRO-B psychometric tools. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to train with many luminaries in the transpersonal field, including Louise Hay, Marianne Williamson, Dr. Patricia Crane, Deepak Chopra, and Dr. Brant Cortright. In 2007 I became a Reiki Master and Teacher under the guidance of Christina Moore; in 2020, I completed an internship in The Narrative Enneagram, and in 2022 I qualified as a sound healer using crystal bowls.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The courage took to leave a well-established corporate career in order to realize my dream.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

For me, the hardest thing is sales! I'm not very good at it all and have to really push myself in that area.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Stay focused on your 'Why?'
Believe in yourself.
Remember to take a break.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://soultrained.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soul_trained/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpdobsonsmith/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.