We were lucky to catch up with Damaris Herron-watkins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Damaris, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
What makes me resilient? There is something innate in me that doesn’t allow me to give up even when I want to. I believe we are all here for a purpose and my pursuit to fulfill my purpose is buoyed by the legacy of my ancestors and the belief that everything is working out for my good.
I am the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants. My grandparents sacrificed so much for their families to have the opportunity to have better than they had. My parents have sacrificed so much for me and my siblings. They had so many obstacles, so many barriers that could have stopped them from being successful. Not persevering is not an option because it makes their sacrifice in vain. Knowing their stories helps to put my struggles in perspective and wanting to continue their legacy drives me.
My faith also plays a role because I believe that everything- good, bad, indifferent- is working together for my good. So if I just push through, if I just keep going- even if all that means is getting up out of bed and doing my normal routine- eventually I will get to the other side. Something will break through, a way will be made that I didn’t see, a door I thought was closed will be opened. It all works together and that’s how I’ve gotten to where I am.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have been in nonprofit finance my entire career but for as long as I can remember, I have always loved fashion. I have this really big job where I manage finance, human resources, operations, and information technology, and I get to support the amazing mission of my organization A Better Chance. Every day is a new adventure and I get to feel that the work I do has meaning and purpose. I love it, but it doesn’t feed the artistic, creative side of my brain. I’m now in my 10th year as a blogger and I have been blessed to share my love of fashion with my community. It’s a gift to be able to pursue all the passions I have with all the identities and responsibilities I hold. It’s been incredible to see how I have evolved as a content creator and how that has influenced my blog, Shopaholic’s Closet. I used to want to keep my work identity, my private life and my creative identity separate but to be authentic you have to be able to share all the parts of you. So on the blog, I talk about my family, I talk about mental health, and I talk about finance in addition to fashion. And at work, the strategies and tools I use in my influencer world I use at work to help elevate our organization’s brand identity. In the new year, I’m look forward to, after some ebbs and flows over the years, going deeper with my community and brand, Shopaholic’s Closet, and continuing to lead as a CFO through speaking engagements and mentorship.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
We as women often diminish ourselves which is a mistake. Early on your work product will speak for itself but just letting your work speak will get you so far, you need to speak as well. For me the three things that have propelled me forward and helped me find my voice in my industry are confidence, audacity and grace.
Men walk into rooms and may be grossly unqualified but still believe they belong in the room. We as women don’t often feel that way even when we are the most qualified person in the room. As I’ve advanced in my career, every room I find myself in, I believe I belong there. If I’m moderating a panel, speaking on stage, interviewing for a role, or at a networking event I know that I wouldn’t have been invited into that space if I didn’t belong in that space. That confidence forces people to take you seriously.
I’ve also learned to be audacious. Early on I was timid and hesitant to share ideas or a counter opinion for fear of ruffling feathers. Going back to my belief that everything is working out for my good, I have become more vocal, I take up more space, I share my perspective on a strategy. It may ruffle feathers but, in the end, it will work out for me. My idea may be the one we end up going with. My perspective may be the one that moves us out of stagnation. Or it may cause people to think differently and unlock another idea. Whatever space you are in, you are there for a reason, so be bold.
Finally, I’ve given myself grace. I don’t always get it right. When I was younger if I made a mistake even if it was small I would tie myself in knots over it. Everyone else would have moved on but I would still be fixated on it. Give yourself the grace to mess up. When you set yourself free from the expectation of perfection you unlock creativity and innovation that is vital as you grow in your career.
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?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was send me to private school. That set a foundation for me that directed my career path. It was here that I discovered I was good at math which led me to graduating high school with pre-calculus on my transcript, my scholarship to study math in college and my career in finance. My first nonprofit job was working for the father of one of my former private school classmates. That experience also helps me at my current organization which is an educational access organization because I have an understanding of that ecosystem. I would not be where I am if not for the sacrifices my parents made for me to get that educational opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopaholicscloset.blog
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopaholicscloset2016/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damaris-herron-watkins/
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