Meet Dionne Watts-Williams | Brand Messaging Coach & Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dionne Watts-Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dionne, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My business came about as a result of friends, family, and colleagues asking me to either proofread their content, or write something for them from scratch (e.g., promotional content, bios, press releases, etc.).

I was always in love with writing, so helping clients sound like the superstars they are on paper gave me such joy!

I’ve been in business since 2007, and my passion really is about helping Black women – both entrepreneurs and corporate climbers – come out of professional obscurity.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I was such a shy, nervous, anxious child. I hated public speaking (even in small groups)…I stuttered, tripped over my words, and would even get sick to my stomach.

But writing? That was my outlet…and today, not only is it my passion, but I’m blessed to be able to do it for a living.

As a brand messaging consultant, I’ve leveraged 20+ years as a writer and strategist to help hundreds of brilliant, ambitious Black women – entrepreneurs and corporate climbers – shed fear and anxiety, share their brand stories, and come out of obscurity in their careers and businesses.

I have this crazy ability to take complex thoughts and concepts and arrange them in a way that is:
✔ simple, not insulting,
✔ inspiring, not cheesy, and
✔ exciting, not cliche.

I’ve written content for just about any and every platform you can think of: press releases, websites, social media content, scripts, radio ads, print ads, business plans, corporate sponsorship proposals, grants, professional bios – even resumes and LinkedIn profiles.

As a brand strategist, I can do it all – develop results-driven PR strategies, engage audiences via social media, manage media relationships, plan PR events, and create eye-catching branding materials.

I’ve worked with law firms, community-based organizations, international nonprofits, tourism bureaus, PR firms, and government agencies – so I know that strong strategies + resonating content = amazing results!

I learned that by embracing my God-given gifts, I didn’t have to struggle. And my clients – corporate professionals and entrepreneurs – don’t have to either.

My job is simple – to help clients speak their audience’s language without compromising their unique brand voice.

The process begins with a series of questions and a bit of soul searching. Once we pinpoint that pivitol moment, I take the answers and develop a central story that is the foundation for each client’s brand.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow…there really is so much to do in Philly!

I’d start with a quick tour of downtown Philadelphia – which of course isn’t complete without a stop at Reading Terminal Market – the country’s oldest public market with every type of food and unique finds you can think of. We’d take in a show at one of the theaters on South Broad Street, listen to some live jazz at South Kitchen, or do some shopping at the outlets at King of Prussia Mall.

Of course a trip to Philly isn’t complete without a cheesesteak, so we’d definitely have to hit up Dalessandro’s.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My late mother was really the epitome of ministering to people – even in a professional capacity. As an evangelist, she saw every touchpoint with others as an opportunity to help others, whether she was in the classroom as a teacher’s aide, as a housekeeper, or as a home health aide. When I look at her life, I see that it’s totally possible to be aligned with your purpose professionally. And it’s because of her influence that I feel that my role as a personal branding consultant is not just a job for me, but a ministry.

There are also personal experiences that weren’t so pleasant at the time, but looking back played a big role in the woman I’ve become today. Being hired just to fill a quota, dealing with gaslighting, and all of the other microaggressions that Black women face, forced me to rededicate myself to my God-given talents and abilities. So for that, I’m grateful. I’m not sure I’d be as confident, determined, and passionate as I am today had I not experienced that.

Website: www.workwithdionne.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/workwithdionne

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dwattswilliams

Twitter: www.twitter.com/workwithdionne

Facebook: www.facebook.com/workwithdionne

Image Credits
Aaron Stallworth Photography