Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Daphnie Swift. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Daphnie , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
This has been something that I have experienced my entire life. As a child when attending school, I was always the only black girl in my classes. I never understood why I wasn’t in the class with any of my friends that looked like me. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized our classes were divided into below average, average, and above average students, and I was always in the above average classes. I always made excellent grades and excelled in education as well as sports that I participated in. Thus, I learned to adapt to being in environments where I was always a minority at an early age. It also taught me about diversity and learning about other cultures. This made me be able to interact with a variety of people in any environment. This helped me as an entrepreneur, because in business, it is vital to be diverse and work with a variety of people with different backgrounds, view, and cultures. As a young black businesswoman in a male dominant business industry walking into a room with confidence is very important. It is important that I walk into the room and make it known that I’m there to handle the business at hand, and that I can get the job done just as good as my competitors. I’ve often had to work a little harder to achieve the same results as others or stand out, due to being a minority, but I never allow that to stop me from accomplishing my goals and excelling. Confidence, diverse background, and effective communication skills have been some of my tools for success in the business world.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a serial entrepreneur, business consultant, and TN Supreme Court Mediator. I enjoy working with people and helping others be successful in life. Growing up, I always wanted to be a lawyer. I went to college and obtained degrees in Psychology, Business Administration, and Law/Legal Studies, I initially wanted to be a prosecuting attorney, but I worked as an Investigator for several years, and I got tired of sitting in court for hours on cases only for them to get continued, not getting the desired outcomes on cases, going through the due process taking too long, and many other factors that helped shaped my mind to want to change to something else. I still wanted to stay in the law and legal sector, but I shifted to something that I had a passion for, which was business. I found a way to do what I love and still make money doing it. In fact, I figure out how I could triple my annual salary in working for the government sector as an employee, and I shifted to become a business owner and a contractor for various government entities. I actually was able to make my annual salary in 4 to 6 weeks. This made me become extremely motivated. I then started going harder and harder for my business. I knew how I excelled in working for someone else in the corporate world for 15 years. Therefore, I knew I could apply all of those concepts in my personal businesses. I started a commercial lawn service and landscaping company A Cut above Lawn Service Corp, and I secured several government contracts. This company provides lawn service, landscaping, debris removal, and power washing. The company took off quickly and began to grow. We became known as the company that could get the job completed efficiently with economical pricing. Our motto is “Taking You From Ordinary To Extraordinary. As of means of helping the community and giving back to the community, I strived to hire employees from within the areas that we serviced, so that they would have a sense of pride and accomplishment in working in their own neighborhoods to help improve them. I then shifted back to one of passions, and I launched A Cut Above Mediation and Consulting LLC. This company allowed me to get back to the legal aspect that I loved doing, but I didn’t have to sit for hours in the courtrooms to get cases solved and still make money. I handle all cases on matters pertaining to civil, business, general, domestic, and specialty cases. The company still had a desire to help others, and thus, the branch of consulting was added. The business consulting division helps individuals start and grow their businesses the right way. Thus, I was still able to make the money that I desired, while still being able to what I love. I also started property investment, and GDS Properties LLC was developed out of a started out as a personal investor. We currently provide services in TN and MS with A Cut above Lawn Service Corp, and we are looking to continue to expand into other states. A Cut Above Mediation and Consulting LLC currently provide services in Tn, MS, AR, TX, and MD, and we continue to expand in various cities and states throughout the US. I work as a consultant for various businesses, colleges, and government entities in the US.
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 top three area of knowledge that I have are as follows:
Business Consultant/Certification Specialist- I show businesses how to start, develop, and grow the correct way. Setting up business structure, a solid business foundation, and a strategic growth plan for the business is vital for the success of the business. I also help businesses obtain business certifications and teach them why getting your business certified is important. Set your business entity up in the correct way in the beginning.
Consistency- Be consistent in developing and improving your business.
Motivation- Remember your why in your business, and consistently re-evaluate your why, as sometimes it will change. Therefore, you have to be willing to adjust and be flexible in the industry to keep yourself and your business relevant.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents were the foundation of my life and growth process. My parents have always ensured that I had all of my needs and wants satisfied. They provided structure, stability, morals, and values in my life, and a few things that always stuck with me are things that they stated to me to always do in life, such as :
1. Do what you say you’re going to do. Your word says a lot about your character, and people need to know that they can depend on you.
2. If you start something, you have to finish what you started. This helps you to understand the concept of follow through, completion, and success in life.
Therefore, always being present, available, dependable, encouraging, supportive, and loving parents have shaped who I am in life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: A Cut Above Lawn Service Corp
- Facebook: Daphnie Swift & A Cut Above Lawn Service Corp
