We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Domini Urban. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Domini below.
Domini , 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?
One of my first jobs fresh out of college was selling sports cars- I worked at a large regional dealership, selling Porsches and Audis. I was one of very few saleswomen, and the only black salesperson at the dealership. I was also one of the younger employees. I remember when our sales floor was being remodeled and we all needed to share desks in the used car building until the new car showroom remodel was complete. Being the youngest salesperson and lowest on the totem pole, I was assigned to work with Dave Phillips, the longest tenured salesman of the dealership group. My colleagues pitied me- Dave is a talker, they wondered how I was going to get anything done sharing a desk with someone who could hardly use email.
Here’s the thing: it was the best thing that could have happened for me. I learned so much about the sales process, people, and building trust. It made me a better sales professional, and a better person. Too often people focus on how differences can cause discord, friction, or uneasiness. Dave and I were 40 years apart, and looked nothing alike, but we learned from each other because we focused on what we had in common- making sure folks got on the road safely.
At the end of the day, at our cores, we (mostly) want the same things. We all want a better life for our friends and families, to be appreciated for who we are, and to be a valuable member of our communities. Focusing on these key truths has allowed me to build relationships across the globe. From Canberra, Australia to Bourg la Reine France, to Indianapolis, Indiana, we are all trying our best. I remember hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for my host home in Bourg la Reine. There were at least 5 languages spoken between the group of us, and I was the only American- but the only language that really mattered that day was the food. Offering a piece of yourself in a way that someone else can receive and process it is the way to be effective when you’re the only person in the room like you.
In business, it is the same thing- how is your product or service going to help the client achieve a better life for themselves, their friends, or family? How can your product help them be a more valuable member to their community? Simply put- what problem that hinders them from achieving *their goals* are you solving for them? Once you can get to that level, the rest falls into place.
This is actually how I began the development of my relocation services app, Blüm. Moving universally sucks for people. After moving myself 12 times in 10 years across three continents, I had moving down to a science. When I worked in Economic Development, I helped companies that were considering a move to Indianapolis plan out what that would look like. One of the big concerns these companies had was their talent. How were they going to help their folks transition and be ready to start their new jobs? They (the companies) knew it was going to be hard for their employees and writing a check for moving expenses was just one part of the equation. How could they help them get settled? I had powerpoints, spreadsheets, help[ful tips, etc; that I customized for every company’s proposal. During the pandemic, I decided to take all of that knowledge and turn it on its head- by removing the mental load and stress for the person moving. I designed an app that takes the user’s input (10 questions) and then designs a step by step moving plan for them. My vision has always been to empower people to make the next move for themselves and their families. At the end of the day, that is what drives us, no matter what we look like.
So the next time you walk into a room and you’re the only person in the room that looks like you, take a deep breath, and remember that almost everyone in the room wants the same things. How you can help them achieve those goals is how you can be effective, even if you have little else in common,
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
One of my first jobs fresh out of college was selling sports cars- I worked at a large regional dealership, selling Porsches and Audis. I was one of very few saleswomen, and the only black salesperson at the dealership. I was also one of the younger employees. I remember when our sales floor was being remodeled and we all needed to share desks in the used car building until the new car showroom remodel was complete. Being the youngest salesperson and lowest on the totem pole, I was assigned to work with Dave Phillips, the longest tenured salesman of the dealership group. My colleagues pitied me- Dave is a talker, they wondered how I was going to get anything done sharing a desk with someone who could hardly use email.
Here’s the thing: it was the best thing that could have happened for me. I learned so much about the sales process, people, and building trust. It made me a better sales professional, and a better person. Too often people focus on how differences can cause discord, friction, or uneasiness. Dave and I were 40 years apart, and looked nothing alike, but we learned from each other because we focused on what we had in common- making sure folks got on the road safely.
At the end of the day, at our cores, we (mostly) want the same things. We all want a better life for our friends and families, to be appreciated for who we are, and to be a valuable member of our communities. Focusing on these key truths has allowed me to build relationships across the globe. From Canberra, Australia to Bourg la Reine France, to Indianapolis, Indiana, we are all trying our best. I remember hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for my host home in Bourg la Reine. There were at least 5 languages spoken between the group of us, and I was the only American- but the only language that really mattered that day was the food. Offering a piece of yourself in a way that someone else can receive and process it is the way to be effective when you’re the only person in the room like you.
In business, it is the same thing- how is your product or service going to help the client achieve a better life for themselves, their friends, or family? How can your product help them be a more valuable member to their community? Simply put- what problem that hinders them from achieving *their goals* are you solving for them? Once you can get to that level, the rest falls into place.
This is actually how I began the development of my relocation services app, Blüm. Moving universally sucks for people. After moving myself 12 times in 10 years across three continents, I had moving down to a science. When I worked in Economic Development, I helped companies that were considering a move to Indianapolis plan out what that would look like. One of the big concerns these companies had was their talent. How were they going to help their folks transition and be ready to start their new jobs? They (the companies) knew it was going to be hard for their employees and writing a check for moving expenses was just one part of the equation. How could they help them get settled? I had powerpoints, spreadsheets, help[ful tips, etc; that I customized for every company’s proposal. During the pandemic, I decided to take all of that knowledge and turn it on its head- by removing the mental load and stress for the person moving. I designed an app that takes the user’s input (10 questions) and then designs a step by step moving plan for them. My vision has always been to empower people to make the next move for themselves and their families. At the end of the day, that is what drives us, no matter what we look like.
So the next time you walk into a room and you’re the only person in the room that looks like you, take a deep breath, and remember that almost everyone in the room wants the same things. How you can help them achieve those goals is how you can be effective, even if you have little else in common,
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Listen, ask questions, and take a break when you need to. In today’s hustle+ grind culture, listening for content, asking questions for understanding, and taking a break are often frowned upon but those things are exactly what you need to do to keep going.
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 told me at a young age that I would need to work twice as hard because I was black, twice as hard because I was a woman, and twice as hard because I was born poor. Those words stuck with me- because they’re true, but also because they never limited me on what I could do, they just prepared me to expect pushback.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blumrelocations.com
- Instagram: @delta.net6
- Other: Substack: https://dmurban.substack.com/publish/posts
Image Credits
The headshot is courtesy of Martina Jackson!
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
