Today we’d like to introduce you to Desireé Harris-Bonner.
Desireé, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
This firm was birthed out of necessity… a need to pay the bills, actually. In 2012, after a thirty-year career working in the IT/Telecom industry with major Fortune 20 companies and in my 50s, I found myself as part of a RIF (Reduction in Force).
Truthfully, I thought that I would take my severance and spend the next few months resting before jumping back into the workforce. I came from the era of the baby boomers who believed you stayed with a company forever, so starting my own business was never a thought. You work until you get the gold watch. Plus, my kids were adults, and with my experience and education, I had no doubt that I would be able to find comparable employment easily — and in a short time — before my funds ran out.
Ummm… that’s not what happened.
When I was ready to put my resume back out there, no one was paying me any attention — no interviews, callbacks, or opportunities. I tried for almost a year, but I couldn’t get any response to feelers, inquiries, or referrals. Nothing!
So, in March 2014, when all my savings were gone, I had already sold my car to pay the mortgage and keep the lights on, and my house was heading for foreclosure, I prayed about what to do next. I heard that still, small voice within me ask, “What’s in your hand?”
After a moment of reflection, I realized that everything I had acquired while working for those companies was still mine… I could do this for myself. And an entrepreneur was born!
That same day, I registered my LLC and never looked back!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, not at all! And if anyone were to say that entrepreneurship is a cakewalk, they’re not telling the whole story.
Don’t get me wrong, though… although there are seasons when everything is flowing; it’s a journey of faith from day to day.
As a new solo-preneur, I found the most significant challenge to be a lack of mentors who could support navigating entrepreneurship, especially in the self-publishing industry. Therefore, this lack of leadership drove me to continue to expand in this space to help others who don’t have access to much-needed knowledge and information… to smooth the way for them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the beginning, or at least for the first few months of my business, I focused on tasks that resembled a virtual assistant. However, I quickly realized that this was no fun for me, so I carved out the pieces that I enjoyed — wordsmithing and design — and enhanced them with additional components from my previous work experience as a program manager, which included developing strategy, organizing information, and ensuring that the content delivered supported goals and requirements.
Then, one day, a close friend told me about a book she was writing. After sharing snippets of the text, and since I had already gone through the process of self-publishing my work twice before, I told her I would be happy to help her.
And that’s when the shift happened. My focus was now on those individuals who wanted to write a book, yet didn’t know where to start. They’d done research online, had asked friends for advice, and maybe even sought professional help, but still didn’t know who to trust.
From that moment, I began to operate as a spiritual midwife for emerging authors by providing the ghostwriting, editing, and book creation & design support my clients needed to finally get their words from heart to paper to published… what that means is that I help them birth their book babies.
I have partnered with over 500 new and seasoned indie authors throughout the past eight years to self-publish their books… with excellence. Because although you can do it yourself, you don’t have to do it BY yourself!
Who else deserves credit for your story?
One of my favorite Scriptures states that no man [or woman] can do these things except that God is with them (John 3:2b), so first and foremost, I endeavor to do business in alignment with Him. DHBonner Virtual Solutions was borne out of my relationship with the Holy Spirit and is sustained through a relationship with Him. I can do nothing apart from Him, so the credit first goes to Him.
And, although it is true that I didn’t have mentors in the initial stages, without the loving support of Sarah Grace, Angel Miller Barrino, and Nellie A. Wosu, beloved sister-friends along the way who encouraged, challenged, and empowered me, I would not have been able to hone my craft, build my expertise, and develop my style… my brand… my niche… my way of doing things.
I’ve also had the pleasure of collaborating with several other peers with who I have not only shared knowledge but also have greatly learned. And let’s be clear… it is difficult and nearly impossible to be successful operating in a bubble, so many times, this extends beyond technical knowledge or skill enhancement. A listening ear or sounding board may be all we need to get us beyond the breaking point.
When it’s all said and done, however, there is no way that I would be able to do what I do… the WAY I do what I do without an incredible team of trusted freelancers who flow well and work seamlessly with my clients or me. As a service-based business that depends on those with a passion for telling their stories — and I firmly believe that everybody has at least one — I am beyond grateful.
Statistics state that 20% of new businesses fail within the first year, 45% within the first five, and 65% within the first ten — with only 25% making it to fifteen years or more. This firm that began out of necessity is now a solid, stable entity preparing for its ninth year, and though I don’t know what tomorrow holds, I do know who has my tomorrow in His hand. I’m still learning, and I’m still growing. Prayerfully, I’ll never stop.
Now… what can we help YOU birth forth today?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dhbonner.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dhbonner
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dhbonner
Image Credits
Nick F. Nelson (www.brandprenuer.com)
