Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Errin Davis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Errin, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
Navigating mental health challenges has been one of the most transformative aspects of my journey as a Black woman business owner. Earlier this year, I restarted therapy after having felt that my emotions and thought process were fundamentally different from others and the cause of many of the issues I was facing. Through therapy, I was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety, which brought a whirlwind of emotions—relief for finally having an explanation and shame for the negative thoughts it stirred.
For a time, I felt consumed by doubts: “You’re not smart enough. How can you own a business? You’re not a good wife, COO, friend, sister, daughter.. etc..” This mental spiral made me withdraw from those around me, but through prayer and intentional time with God, I am finding a way forward. Seeking His guidance has helped me to stop relying solely on my own understanding and reminded me that I am not defined by my struggles.
Writing about this for this interview has been a challenge in itself. Putting my mental health journey at the forefront of my story requires vulnerability, of which I am still growing, but it also feels liberating. I know now that there is no shame in my story. This difficult period of my life continues to be profoundly transformative in the best ways, and I embrace it as an essential part of my testimony.
My husband’s love and unwavering support also anchored me during these most challenging moments. Starting medication was another step in my healing. Combined with therapy, journaling, and God’s presence in my life, my hope is to find balance and rest assured, knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel.
What I’ve realized is that my journey isn’t about shame but resilience. Without medication or this more profound understanding of my mind, I was still able to earn a business degree, create and lead multiple organizations, and excel at various roles at every level of government — all with God by my side. Now, with my newfound tools and knowledge, the load feels lighter, and I can continue to grow in my purpose.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the Chief Operating Officer of The Davis System, LLC, a proud Black and woman-owned social impact firm founded by my husband, Anthony Davis Jr., in 2021. The Davis System serves at the intersection of community and opportunity. Helping connect people to power and power to the people! Equipping elected officials, non-profits, etc. with the tools, capacity, and expertise to engage communities authentically and effectively.
Anthony started The Davis System after working on and winning multiple political campaigns across the country. His vision was rooted in creating spaces for people who look like us to hold the highest positions on campaigns, a consultant role, and ensuring our communities are spoken to and organized in ways that honor their unique needs. When he shared that vision with me, I was inspired, and when the contracts started coming in, and the workload became heavier, I left my job and joined him. I added my passion for community organizing, event management, and project management skills to his passion for organizing strategy, campaign management, and data analytics, allowing us to offer even better services to our clients. Together, we’ve built a firm that not only supports campaigns and organizations while empowering them to enact meaningful social change, but we are rooted in the communities our clients want to engage in deep, meaningful, and intentional ways.
Being a young Black business owner hasn’t come without challenges. Many people told us that we were too young or that there could only be so many of us. Others warned that breaking into this industry at that level would be too hard, that one of us should keep a traditional job for stability, or that our marriage would fail if we worked together. I was told, “God gave him that vision, not you,” and questioned for leaving my job to pursue this dream. But none of those doubts stopped us. Today, we stand proud of what we’ve accomplished, and through this business, we also have the ability to create and sustain a legacy for our family. That is one of the greatest blessings God has given us through this vision—a chance to build something bigger than ourselves that will have a lasting impact.
What I love most about my work is the freedom to make decisions without the barriers of red tape, which is a significant barrier to change. This allows us to fully align our efforts with our values and deliver support that meets each client where they are. It’s incredibly rewarding to be in a place to educate, uplift, and provide for our community in ways that are both authentic to who we are and deeply impactful. When starting my career, I wanted to be an event planner and open up a full-service event production company. I later fell in love with community and political organizing and I left one passion for another. However, with The Davis System, I have been able to marry both of my passions, having had the opportunity to execute large-scale community events for our clients. Being able to use all of my God-given skills and apply them to work that creates lasting change is a gift for which I am most grateful.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, three qualities have been particularly impactful: resilience, adaptability, and an understanding of the practical side of business. These qualities have not only shaped who I am but have also helped me navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and leadership with confidence and grace.
1. Resilience:
Being resilient means not giving up, even when the odds feel stacked against you. As young Black business owners, my husband and I face countless doubts about our abilities, our vision, and even our partnership. But resilience helps us block out the noise and stay grounded in God’s purpose. My advice for those just starting their journey is to understand that failure and setbacks are part of the process. Allow yourself to feel the waves of entrepreneurship, but don’t dwell—learn from those moments and let them fuel your growth.
2. Adaptability:
Adaptability is key in entrepreneurship, especially as business owners in a fast-changing industry like ours. Plans often shift, opportunities rise and end unexpectedly, and you have to be ready to adjust without losing sight of your overall vision. My advice is to remain flexible and open-minded. Trust that even when things don’t go as planned, they can work out for the best if you stay focused on your goals.
3. Understanding the Practical Side of Business:
This is a lesson I learned early on. Whatever your business is about, that’s what you’re passionate about—the craft, the service, the mission. But it’s easy to neglect the administrative tasks that keep your business afloat—things like supply orders, receipts, tax filings, and all the behind-the-scenes paperwork. As much as you need to focus on your craft to generate business, you must also maintain those essential administrative pieces. If you can’t or won’t do it yourself, you’ll have to hire someone which will always take money from your bottom line. Don’t underestimate how important these tasks are in keeping your business sustainable.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one obstacle we’re currently facing within The Davis System is how we effectively brand and position ourselves both locally and nationally. Our base is Massachusetts, where we have an extremely deep and extensive network. Many clients we’ve had the privilege of working with came to us through word-of-mouth recommendations—a testament to the quality of our work and network. However, as we aim to expand beyond Massachusetts and take on larger, national-impact work, we know that relying solely on word-of-mouth will not be enough.
Our challenge is figuring out how to clearly articulate who we are, what we do, and how we can support clients in multiple ways. We know the value we bring to the table, but we haven’t yet figured out how to position ourselves in a way that makes us stand out for larger RFPs, grants, or potential clients beyond our network who know us and our story well. It’s not just about showcasing our expertise; it’s about ensuring our story resonates with organizations aligning with our social change mission. We believe that when this is done effectively, we’ll be able to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
To address this challenge, we’re currently rethinking our approach to branding and marketing. We’re exploring strategies to better communicate our capabilities, such as how we equip our clients with the tools to create lasting and authentic community relationships. It’s important to us that this messaging not only attracts clients but also reflects our passion for grassroots organizing and our commitment to empowering underrepresented communities.
Looking ahead, our goal is to expand the reach of The Davis System in a way that stays true to our values. We want to position ourselves as a trusted partner for organizations and campaigns nationwide while continuing to serve our local community with the same level of dedication. Currently, most of our work encompasses project management and adding capacity, but we aim to be seen as strategy advisors. Ultimately, we want to scale in a way that allows us to take on larger projects and create broader social impact while also building generational wealth for our family and others who look like us.
This journey of growth is not just about business success—it’s about creating a system that uplifts communities and provides opportunities for others to do the same. God gave us this mission, and we’re committed to fulfilling it all the while staying true to who we are and the mission that drives us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedavissystem.com/
- Instagram: ladywithambition_ / thedavissystemllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDavisSystem
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/errin-davis/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedavissystemllc
Image Credits
Myles Person
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