We recently connected with Deka Dike and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Deka , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Upon arriving in the United States in November 2007, I had the goal of achieving the American dream, a pursuit many people around the world strive for. I had no family and only my dreams and hopes of making a success in this new, exciting, and unfamiliar world. I faced many struggles and had mixed feelings about my new home. Despite this, I was driven by a strong desire to succeed and rise above my challenges.
My journey of overcoming adversity and embracing new challenges instilled in me a deep sense of resilience and determination. These experiences, coupled with my background as a patient and consumer in the healthcare sector, sparked a realization within me.
The glaring communication gaps and challenges I encountered while caring for my aging father from a distance illuminated a pressing need for innovative solutions in the in-home care industry. It was through this personal struggle that I found my purpose: to revolutionize in-home care and empower families and caregivers with the tools, resources, and support they need to provide exceptional care for their loved ones.
By combining my personal experiences with my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for making a difference, I founded Omatochi with a clear mission: to provide customized, senior-centric care that addresses the holistic needs of seniors and their families. My purpose is rooted in creating a positive impact in the lives of others, and every day, I am driven by the opportunity to make a difference and improve the quality of life for seniors and their families.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Omatochi was founded based on my own personal experience struggling to manage the care of an aging parent. Years ago, my dad’s health began to rapidly decline, and without much warning or preparation, my mom became his primary caregiver. She was overwhelmed with the fear of knowing that her husband wasn’t in good health, and struggled to remember important details like medication names, dosages, and other relevant information. I was thousands of miles away in the US and the weight of the situation was almost too much to bear.
Imagine the stress of not knowing what was going on or how to help your parents who were on an entirely different continent! Omatochi would have provided a highly skilled caregiver for my dad, and provided much needed peace of mind to me and my mother.
So, we developed a system to remediate all the worry and stress that accompanies supporting and caring for a loved one. Omatochi would have helped with all of my father’s daily living activities, coordinate his medical appointments, track his medication intake, and provide real-time support and comfort for my mum and our entire family. It would have been a blessing for our whole family, and now we’ve built Omatochi to be that for other families.
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?
The team and our culture at Omatochi are truly the most special part of our organization.
The team’s unwavering dedication, compassion, and expertise form the backbone of everything we do. Each member brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table, creating a diverse and dynamic environment where innovation thrives.
Doing the right thing for clients starts within the organization. As a founder, I took several steps to create our unique organizational culture, such as defining and communicating the organization’s values and cultural norms, hiring people who aligned with the culture, fostering a positive work environment, encouraging employee engagement, celebrating successes, holding people accountable, and regularly reviewing and adapting the culture.
What’s really the most special part is the genuine passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others each team member has. Every day, they go above and beyond to ensure that our clients receive the highest quality of care and support, and their unwavering commitment to our mission is truly inspiring. It is their collaborative spirit, relentless drive for excellence, and genuine empathy that makes our team the heart and soul of Omatochi, and I am incredibly proud to work alongside such extraordinary individuals.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to impart invaluable advice that has shaped me into the woman I am today and the leader I’ve become for my team at Omatochi as the CEO & Founder.
From my mom, I learned the art of resilience and maintaining composure amidst chaos. Her mantra of “this too shall pass” instilled in me a sense of perseverance and faith that everything will eventually fall into place. She taught me to navigate through life’s storms with grace, pushing forward with unwavering determination, knowing that brighter days lie ahead.
My dad, on the other hand, emphasized the profound importance of forging genuine connections with people. He taught me the power of creating a safe and welcoming environment where others feel comfortable being their authentic selves. His ability to relate to people on a personal level inspired me to prioritize building meaningful relationships, both in my personal and professional life.
Together, my parents’ guidance laid the foundation for my success, equipping me with the resilience to conquer any challenge and the empathy to connect with others on a deeper level. Their teachings have not only shaped my journey but also empowered me to lead with compassion and authenticity, driving both myself and my team towards greater heights of achievement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://omatochi.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deka-dike/
Image Credits
Only the first professional shot: Elisa Cicinelli Photography
