Meet Del-timoko Dunbar

We were lucky to catch up with Del-timoko Dunbar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Del-Timoko, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

Work ethic is deeply ingrained in my family’s culture. My paternal grandfather was a farmer and small business owner, raising eleven children on approximately 80 acres of land in northern Louisiana. Daily chores were essential for ensuring that the family was fed and that income was generated. My father eventually transitioned from this lifestyle to pursue a college education, becoming the first in our family to do so. He demonstrated perseverance by starting his own cleaning business, while my mother worked as a professor at a local university. I recall that they rarely missed work, and my brother and I were fortunate not to experience frequent illness.

This strong work ethic is undoubtedly a product of my upbringing, and I believe my family embodies resilience. Additionally, I think my involvement in athletics has further contributed to this mindset.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My professional focus is the growth of Mind Shift Sports. Our mission is to create inclusive and enjoyable athletic experiences that inspire individuals to stay active, build connections, and anticipate every opportunity to grow through sports. We accomplish this feat via two components, volleyball and flag football.

The volleyball component is a biannual technical training camp for youth ages 8-15. Our coaches focus on the foundational skills necessary for athletes to excel as they mature in the game. Our coaches are former club volleyball and college athletes. They were the top athletes in their conferences. They are also current high school and club volleyball coaches. So their testimony and expertise are valuable lessons at a fraction of the cost of club volleyball fees.

Our recent NFL Flag affiliation is exciting. Mind Shift Sports provides coaching and training to youth ages 9-15. This league is competitive. We train athletes for the purpose of winning an NFL Flag championship. Maybe by the time our athletes are ready for college, universities will incorporate flag football as another sport for which they offer scholarships.

Mind Shift Sports aims to create an environment where families can share in memorable community building moments together.
~ National Exposure – NFL Flag games are broadcast on major networks, giving young athletes the chance to shine on a bigger stage.
~ Regional Impact – Compete in tournaments that bring teams and visitors from across the country, boosting community pride.
~ Fundraising for Schools – We provide concessions as a fundraising opportunity for local school districts’ athletic teams, rotating between schools to ensure everyone benefits.
~ Supporting Small Businesses – We partner with local vendors and small businesses to host pop-up shops at our games. Proceeds help our teams travel to championship games in style! My proudest moments as a parent are not solely when my children performed well on the court, but rather in the conversations we have now. It is during these discussions that I witness their perseverance through both struggles and successes.

Everyone has something to look forward to.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I am just starting this journey. Some areas of knowledge that are shaping my experiences are:

Prioritize Prayer: I’ve discovered the importance of seeking guidance through prayer. My days are filled with celebrations and setbacks. Prayer is keeping me grounded as I continue to press on.

Embrace Change: Change can be a positive force. Often, we don’t realize our own strength until we take a leap of faith. I walked away from a 24 year career to start a business.

Understand Trust: Trust can be unpredictable. It’s essential to navigate relationships with care, recognizing that it may be built or broken in unexpected ways.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The number one challenge I face as a new business owner is securing funding. I chose to rely on my wages to support the business. Marketing and advertising are the most costly components of my budget. I am dumping campaigns that did not lead to revenue. I am embracing change and tapping into resources that will reach our local parent base. I am researching and seeking out investors that are in the best interests of the kids we serve.

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