We were lucky to catch up with Dionne M. Lackey recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Dionne M. with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Growing up I watched my mom work very hard over the years to provide for her children and I guess I naturally picked up that work ethic. I have been working since the age of fourteen and believe the only time I had a “pause” was in my adult life when I became a mom. I am an advocate for working smart, so as diligent and committed as I am to my work ethic, I am equally committed to making sure that I have time for the things most important to me as well, including myself.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve been dubbed a “serial entrepreneur” for quite some time, as I strongly believer in having multiple sources of income and doing what you love to do. I am a Wellness Coach who focuses on self-care advocacy in several areas. As the Founder of Wholistic Insight Now, LLC (“WIN”), I educate individuals on the overall meaning of self-care (i.e., physical, mental, financial, workplace business, family) and ways to approach it holistically so that self-care is made simple. I accomplish this through massage therapy bodywork, workshops, lunch and learns, individual or group coaching, and more.
However, I must admit that during the pandemic I took a much-needed pause on my wellness business and took some time to refocus on myself to explore the world of Dionne. It’s so important to take time to refuel, especially when you are constantly pouring into others. I did this by not only embracing the apparent shift taking place with WIN (as physical bodywork was not an option during the pandemic), but also to hone in on my skills in business and technology to directly help organizations “win” in business during that time. In addition, I was able to tap into more global outreach programs through support and collaboration with the non-profit organization S.M.A.R.T., Inc., founded by a dear friend. Through this collaboration I provide wellness tips for single parents, wellness education and resources that are geared toward women and children. I’ve been able to help send educational materials such as teacher resources and school supplies and aid in building libraries in countries like Ghana, Liberia, Botswana, and Kenya. This year we are working on providing wellness kits for a newly built mission house in Liberia. Needless to say, I am engaged in self-care advocacy now more than ever and it feels great. I’m working on additional workshops promoting self-care in the workplace and within the family, including children. Making a conscious effort to pause allowed me the space to see these areas of expansion.
At the same time, I was invited by one of my mentors to be a co-author in an anthology titled “Aging Gratefully…Essays on Conscious Living,” which will be officially released this year. I’m really excited about this upcoming project as I talk about reclaiming my time on my own terms and what that looks like from a body, mind, and time perspective. I look forward to sharing more about the book very soon. The time I took to refocus has been rewarding, so I am thrilled for the future.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three things that were most impactful in my current journey as an entrepreneur include:
1) The importance of taking time to reevaluate myself and determine where I really want to go next. I knew there was a shift taking place prior to the pandemic, but that time made me realize that as much as I poured into others, I needed to reclaim time back to embrace the change that was coming.
2) There is great value in balancing health, wealth, and self during the challenging time of a pandemic and coming out victorious. I opened my mind to the idea of deeper collaborations and global impact within the areas of wellness and look forward to what 2023 and beyond has in store.
3) Now that we are back outdoors, I have since begun to travel more and embrace wellness across the globe for myself. My travels have helped me to be present in creating memories and gain knowledge on the practices of wellness globally.
I would encourage anyone, whether starting a business, been in business for a long time, or weighing options and ideas for their “next” to not be afraid of potential detours or shifts along the way. Keep an open mind and positive attitude. Sometimes you may not understand the shift, or you may even be hesitant to move in any direction, when that happens, pause, and do some self-reflection or take a trip and enjoy the new surroundings. You will find your way – be patient with yourself.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Valerie Burton has a book titled “Successful Women Think Differently – 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier & More Resilient” that I read years ago but refer to on a regular basis. The entire book is filled with so many helpful nuggets but overall, the book talks about understanding that success is when purpose, resilience and joy are in harmony. In other words, if you are living your life’s purpose and embracing resilience and joy along the way then you are indeed successful.
One quote that I keep nearby is “deeper joy comes from peace and love and knowing you are living the life you were meant to live”. We often think success is being the most talented, the highest paid or having the most experience but that’s not the case. I have learned, and continue to learn, that success is building the life you truly want to live and doing it on your terms.
Contact Info:
- Website: WINwithDionne.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WINwithDionne/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WINwithDionne/
