We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn Patrice and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?

Since the age of 16, my favorite quote has been “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” -Leo Buscaglia
With my spiritual foundation, I’ve always known that God has placed a special talent/skill set in everyone, and it’s equally important to honor God by fulfilling your purpose here on earth. This quote has been my accountability check when certain times arose in navigating my entrepreneurship journey. When times have been unclear about how to brand my Image Consulting company, I would reflect on this quote many times throughout the years.
See, I’m not your ordinary Image Consultant that focuses solely on the outward image of my clients. My gift is working from the inside out, which is a true reflection of one’s true self. When a person improves the fabric of their inner character, then styling a client for any occasion is the easy part of my job. Having confidence is an important attribute for everyone to have in life, however, it must be felt from the inside of a person’s spirit, which will naturally show through their clothing. Not a facade of confidence, but the real thing!
What I like about this quote is that it’s a reminder that no matter what you go through in life honor God, and he will honor you with continued guidance in fulfilling your life’s purpose. It’s up to you to figure out what makes your heart happy, and when that happens it’s only right to acknowledge God for blessing you with those talents. You will have moments in life when you get off track, this quote is a reminder to never throw in the towel on life. Always remember to keep going because we’re all here at this divine time in history to make our mark in the world big or small.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

What sets my business apart from other Image Consulting brands, is me! I have an innate gift to naturally encourage a person, while styling at the same time is top tier. I focus on the inner image of my client’s spirits versus solely working on styling their outer appearance. I really take my time in building a trusted rapport with my clients. I listen to their needs, and I encourage their spirits to believe in the process of change and mostly to believe in themselves. I have a saying “You already have everything you need inside of you, I’m just here to ignite it.”
I’m excited about my new book “Inspirational Life Lessons” being published, as I mentioned when I encourage my clients it’s a form of affirmation, which I wholeheartedly believe everyone should speak positivity to themselves.
Since I was a teenager, I’ve always had a great sense of style and when I graduated from college my friends would always ask me to style them for any occasion and to declutter their closets because I loved to organize spaces. When I first started Dawn Patrice Consulting Services, LLC, 10 years ago I was encouraged by those same friends to start a styling business. My journey in entrepreneurship hasn’t been easy, because for one I didn’t know any business owners or even where to start. However, I did have a figure-it-out mentality, and that’s exactly what I did. I would hear different clues from conversations, then go to sites to establish my company, and I would build  relationships with other creatives an creating my logo, etc. The one thing I would often ask myself “How will I market what I do?” My brand has always been bigger than styling, decluttering, and makeover sessions. It’s been about ensuring that every client felt empowered to be their authentic self unapologetically from the inside out. I realized I spent more time listening and transforming the mindsets of clients, the easy part was the styling component. I can honestly say I over thought so badly that at times I became stagnant in my business development.
Nevertheless, I eventually would meet more creatives along my entrepreneurship journey that helped me navigate business on how to market and promote my brand. The greatest lesson I’ve learned during this journey is to NEVER give up on yourself, no matter how long it takes, you can do it.
The last thing I want people to know about me is my motto “Character will sustain you for a lifetime” it’s not about how you make a living, but who you are in every aspect of your life. Be sure your character precedes you before any introduction.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my guests first arrive in my home city of Atlanta, GA on Sunday morning I’ll take them to Breakfast at Barneys. The ambiance in this restaurant is bold with beautiful textures throughout, with great soulful music in the background, and their food/service matches the energy of this establishment. On Tuesday, go to the outdoor shops at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia, catch a movie and grab a bite to eat. Tuesday night attend Bamba Tuesday at Rock Steady for the best dance atmosphere for Afro-Beats in the city. Wednesday we’ll take a hike alongside the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs, GA at the Chattahoochee Bamboo Forest, then head over to the West End to get a smoothie at Wadada Healthy Market & Juice Bar. On Thursday, go to the Georgia Aquarium, Coca-Cola Factory, and the National Center for Civic and Human Rights Museum. Afterward, go less than 5 miles away to Slutty Vegan on Edgewood Ave, and then get a nice cool-down treat from Scream Ice Cream Rolls located at Underground Atlanta. In preparation for Friday night festivities, I’ll take my guests to get their manicure & Pedi done at Nailz & Beyond in Jonesboro, GA, while we’re in the area go to Nouveau Bar & Grill for lunch, and then end our evening at Whiskey Mistress. On their departure day, I’ll take them to The Real Milk & Honey in College Park, Ga before dropping them off at Hartsfield Jackson Airport.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The biggest shoutout is to GOD! Then my mother, and my friends for always encouraging and believing in me to pursue my gifts and talents. A special shoutout to Shantel Anderson for the recognition of this opportunity to share my story.

Website: www.iamdawnpatrice.com

Instagram: iamdawnpatrice

Facebook: Dawn Patrice Consulting Services

Youtube: Dawn Patrice

Image Credits
Raybphotography (Black/white photo)

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