Jo LaVerne Pearson is the owner and CEO of Dare to BE Your True Self. The company serves individuals who are interested in overall self-development with the intention of realizing their potential to lead productive and prosperous lives regardless of their chosen profession and lifestyle. She is also a graduate of LAEDA’s Entrepreneurial Development Training Program. We had a chance to sit down with Ms. Pearson to ask about her experience with entrepreneurship and LAEDA's training program.
LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
Since a child, becoming an entrepreneur has been a heart-felt passion and goal. Over the years, I realized all that I have done was preparing me for the moment of actualizing that goal.
LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?
What I do is who I am affirming to be. It a privilege to be able to express my true potential, gifts, and talents supported by education as well as personal and professional experiences. All of these things combined create a business model that substantiates me. Therefore, choosing this industry was not so much making an intellectual decision but more life reflection and assessment… It was naturally established.
LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending EDTP. What have the major takeaways been from the program? Have you had any “Ah-ha!” moments? How did the program help you?
Attending EDTP was an invaluable experience. Each component offered information and food for thought that has substantially assisted with formulating the business. My “Ah-Ha!” moment was when I pitched my business and was unanimously accepted into the program. It not only confirmed my business and life path but also spoke volumes to being on the right course. The program helped me to condense my vision into a comprehensive workable business plan and fine-tune the intangible aspects of the business with tangible and practical applications.
LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?
My journey to business start-up had been years in the making. I now find that my life experiences, professional opportunities, interests pursued, educational endeavors, and other things that I value were collectively building the stage to establish a business. The greatest challenge was being comfortable with promoting myself and openly being able to say I am good at what I do. The greatest success has been following and trusting my heart and gut (instinct) while incorporating the tangibles that support it which result in hitting a productive mark and owning a sustainable business. I do not believe in failure since every experience offers opportunity to grow, develop, and change; therefore, it is ultimately a win-win proposition.
LAEDA: Could you tell me a little bit about where your business is today?
My business has grown and been consistent as it morphs and refines itself based on its diverse client base, both nationally and internationally.
LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?
Be courageously honest with yourself about what your passion(s) is – what turns you on – while being eminently clear about what you bring to the table to support it excluding “should haves or would haves.” This opens the door to choose a business path that expresses who you are, so you are living through what you love. Also, it helps to maintain clear objectives when it comes to considering changes or making challenging decisions. There is a book and quote which says, “Do what you love. The money will follow.”
Congratulations to Jo LaVerne Pearson, MBA, M.Msc for completing EDTP and recommitting to her journey on the path of entrepreneurship. Dare to BE Your True Self is a full-service company providing comprehensive self-development coaching services through a holistically designed program that addresses the 7 Levels of Self. Services and products are offered through workshops, online, telephone, and in an office environment. The ideal customer is one who is seeking balance of mind, body, and spirit with an inherent interest in developing holistically to be optimum leaders in the workplace, community, and in their personal life.To get in touch with Ms. Pearson, you can email her at eupears@verizon.net and/ or give her a call at (856) 285-6160.
The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and one year of technical assistance. Apply online at www.LAEDA.com.