We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Demetria Gartrell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Demetria, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I am currently prioritizing brand clarity as the founder. We are dedicated to providing apparel and experiences that help our customers discover themselves.
Inspired by my husband’s journey with vitiligo, I decided to utter the words “Find Your Fly®,” which extended compassion and courage when he struggled to view himself positively. In 2018, my husband’s vitiligo worsened, causing changes in his skin color and leading to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and stigmatization. However, he persevered through this challenging journey and found support and love through the lifestyle brand, Find Your Fly®. Vitiligo has challenged us to think outside the box and explore new ideas. Passionate about embracing our journey and turning the stares and judgment into something meaningful, she wanted to inspire others to fly. To encourage connection, she shared her experience with vitiligo and emphasized the power of vulnerability. By facing our fears and insecurities, we discovered grace. Feeling hopeless, I summoned the courage to be brave; I realized I was good at mobilizing others to resolve challenges with behaviors, values, and beliefs. So, I started working through past traumas and insecurities. But, soon, I realized that others were experiencing similar challenges with self-exploration.
Unfortunately, no matter how much feelings of fear and improper syndrome, shifts in focus and mindset didn’t work out. Nevertheless, I proceeded to revive my purpose for individual and collective change. By doing this, I empowered others to discover and amplify their truth. Now Find Your Fly fosters ideas, experiences, and opportunities that promote self-improvement and group connections. By elevating a single story, Find Your Fly guides individuals toward a deeper understanding of themselves, enabling them to achieve their innermost aspirations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
We are dedicated to providing apparel and experiences that help our customers discover themselves. Seeing our customers grow and develop through our products and services brings us great joy. Inspiring others to uncover a deeper understanding of themselves and fulfilling their dreams is the core purpose of our brand. We strive to empower our audience and make them feel seen, heard, and cared for at all times. Guiding individuals through self-exploration is crucial to achieving long-term success. We consider our business a failure if we aren’t creating opportunities for people to share their stories and connect with others with different experiences. Our goal is to be recognized for constructing individual and collective change. We are committed to promoting empowerment, self-awareness, and individuality in everything we do.
The mission of Find Your Fly® is to assist individuals at any stage of their journey who wish to identify and amplify their authenticity through clothing featuring empowering messages. Our goal is to cultivate a deep sense of self-awareness for our customers.
Our products and services aim to help our audience embark on a journey of self-discovery and facilitate a positive transformation in themselves and others by changing how they think about personal growth.
At Find Your Fly®, we draw inspiration from individual and collective change. Our brand offers more than just apparel – we strive to foster ideas, experiences, and opportunities that promote self-improvement and connection within communities.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey as a leader, I have encountered numerous challenges and opportunities for growth. These experiences taught me that effective leadership goes beyond just possessing technical skills or knowledge. It requires a set of qualities that empower you to inspire, guide, and collaborate with others. In this blog post, I will share the three most impactful attributes, skills, or areas of knowledge that have shaped my path as a leader.
Emotional Intelligence:
One of the most impactful qualities in my leadership journey has been emotional intelligence (EI). EI involves recognizing, understanding, and managing one’s emotions and the emotions of others. It enables leaders to empathize, build strong relationships, and respond thoughtfully in challenging situations.
Emotional intelligence allows me to connect with my team deeper, fostering a positive and supportive work environment. I can tailor my communication and management style to suit their needs by understanding their emotions and perspectives. This skill also helps me navigate conflicts effectively, turning them into opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Developing emotional intelligence is an ongoing process that involves self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation. It has allowed me to lead with compassion, foster trust among team members, and create a culture of open communication and mutual respect.
Adaptive Communication:
Communication lies at the heart of effective leadership. However, it is not just about expressing ideas; it’s about conveying them in a way that resonates with different individuals and situations. Adaptive communication involves tailoring your message to suit your audience, listening actively, and encouraging feedback.
As a leader, I have encountered diverse personalities and communication styles within my team and other stakeholders. Adaptive communication has been instrumental in bridging the gap between different perspectives, promoting understanding, and minimizing misunderstandings.
I have learned to adjust my communication approach depending on the situation, whether delivering inspiring speeches to motivate the team, providing clear instructions for a project, or having open and honest discussions during times of change or uncertainty. This skill has enhanced my ability to influence, inspire, and build consensus, ultimately fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
Continuous Learning:
Leadership is an ever-evolving journey, and embracing a growth mindset is essential to stay practical and relevant. Continuous learning has been a pivotal aspect of my leadership development. It involves seeking new knowledge, staying curious, and being open to feedback and self-improvement.
I prioritize staying up-to-date with industry trends, attending workshops, seeking mentorship, and reading leadership literature. This commitment to learning has helped me adapt to new challenges, identify innovative solutions, and make well-informed decisions.
Furthermore, encouraging a culture of continuous learning within my team has led to a more engaged and dynamic workforce. By supporting their professional growth and recognizing their achievements, I foster a sense of loyalty and dedication that contributes to our collective success.
In my leadership journey, I have discovered that emotional intelligence, adaptive communication, and continuous learning are three indispensable qualities that have significantly shaped my leadership effectiveness. Embracing these qualities has enabled me to build strong relationships, navigate challenges with resilience, and inspire my team to achieve greatness together. As you embark on your leadership path, consider nurturing these qualities, for they will undoubtedly play a vital role in your success and the growth of your team or organization.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
As a business owner, I’ve faced many obstacles in boosting my brand’s presence on social media. Countless users and businesses compete for attention, and standing out requires a solid strategy and compelling content. Additionally, the algorithms used by social media platforms are constantly changing, making it challenging for businesses to reach their ideal audience organically. Keeping up with these changes and adjusting strategies can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Maintaining a consistent brand identity across social media channels takes time and effort. Each platform has its unique style and audience, and businesses must tailor their approach to align with their overall branding and messaging. Managing multiple accounts while maintaining a coherent brand voice can be demanding in terms of time and resources.
Social media marketing requires a significant investment of both time and resources. Constant monitoring, content creation, and engagement with the audience are crucial for success. This can be particularly difficult for small and medium-sized businesses with limited budgets and human resources.
In conclusion, my social media experience has brought opportunities and challenges to my business. By addressing these challenges, we can use social media effectively to connect with our target audience, build brand loyalty, and achieve sustainable growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.findyourfly.org
- Instagram: @findyourfly
- Facebook: Find Your Fly Action Campaign
Image Credits
All About Your Brand @allaboutyourbrand
