We had the good fortune of connecting with Frances Atwater-Dunlap and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frances, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Consistency and accountability go hand in hand when it comes to achieving any goal. In fact, it is a part of my foundation as a person. I have made a lot of careless mistakes in my business career. Some of those mistakes could have been avoided, while other mistakes were necessary for my growth. However, I have been committed to learning from everything I go through and consistency and accountability has always been what keeps me focused and grounded.

Growth is not always a pretty process; sometimes it hurts, or it is uncomfortable. Ultimately, growth is not intended to look or feel the same, no matter how many times we experience it. I have had to be very intentional about the decisions I make when it comes to conducting business. I have bypassed some great opportunities because it was not the right opportunity for me or the direction, I want to take my business. See, that is the whole point to consistency and accountability being your foundation, you know what is needed for you despite how great an opportunity looks. It is important for me to be my most unapologetic, authentic self! I owe that to Quality Assurance Consultation (QAC)!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a Business Enhancement Specialist, providing business development and management services. The word “enhancement” comes from having the ability of taking an idea or an unfinished plan to a totally different level. Sometimes, I am surprised at what I can do as a writer/creator.

I started by random “likelihood”, just helping people with various business/programmatic tasks for their business. From there, I found myself forming official business protocols and processes to operate as a legitimate business. So, oddly enough, Quality Assurance Consultation was formed by chance, but it was divine intervention. The process has not been easy. I really had to feel my way around because I was functioning in unchartered waters. Of course, I had my skills and natural talent, but I never knew how to run a business. I had to learn so much about operational protocols, business sustainability and the overall mechanics of executing a business plan. I got frustrated a lot, but I was committed to giving it all I had to give.

In 2019, I was recognized and ranked #1 in the state of Georgia and #6 in the country for having the most state and federal approved grants as a Grant Writer. This year, I rank #1 for securing the most state and federal funding in the entire southern region (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia) of the United States. It is a very surreal accomplishment for me because I don’t do anything to be recognized. I owe it to my clients to produce quality work and that is what has driven me to succeed in business.

2021 has catapulted my career beyond my imagination! I have implemented different elements of business to diversify my skillset and QAC. I have now entered several business ventures with the CBD industry, real estate investment as well as purchasing a pre-existing vending machine business. “I don’t want to “penguin hold” myself when it comes to learning and evolving as a businesswoman. I want to be well-rounded and knowledgeable about all facets of commerce and quality so that I can be effective in helping others.” 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friends all know that I’m actually not a social person at all. I enjoy reading and watching a good movie or tv show. However, I am a foodie and I enjoy shopping for nice inexpensive things. So, we would probably find somewhere that encompasses all the things we like to do.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a loving husband who encourages me and keep me sane during some of my most challenging times. He is truly “the man behind my machine.” I have also been blessed to be born into an amazing support system within my family. My parents, Godparents, aunts and uncles have all be instrumental in the way I think and how I process my ideas for business. Their encouragement and motivation mean everything to me!

Website: www.qaconsultation.com

Facebook: qaconsultation

Other: Email: connect@qaconsultation.com

Image Credits
Pharod Thomas Photography

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