I am so excited to be sharing yet another fabulous and truly inspirational woman, who I’m lucky enough to call a friend, Adrienne Dorison! By day she works her 9-5 gig, but her true passion is what has fueled her new en-devour and what I’m sure will become her full-time business here shortly! She turned a brief stint in blogging into a full fledged business helping women find their niche market area and then growing their own business!!
Name: Adrienne Dorison
Age: 29 as of last week!!
Job/Title: I’ve got two…Supply Chain Analyst/Project Management for a Large Fortune 500 Paper company
Dream Job/Side Gig: Business Coach to Fulfillment Seekers
City: Prattville, AL
Your day job is intense, to say the least, how did you decide that starting your own business was what you wanted to do?
Yes, you’re right, my day job is intense, it’s also sort of suffocating if I’m being completely honest – which is the only way to be in my opinion. I have a lot of responsibility at the day job, I am a high performer and I’m completely unfulfilled. The work I do there is not filling my soul’s purpose. I knew I had a bigger calling on my life, a calling to serve others, and while I was doing a great job at the corporate gig, it wasn’t my real dream. There was sort of a moment where I said…why the heck would I work my tail off for someone else’s dream, when I actually have my own?!
The side business started off very organically just as a blog to help re-spark that creativity muscle inside of me that was being suffocated at work. People were connecting to the blog in a big way and that’s when it hit me, I want to do this in an even bigger way on a more personal level – and that’s where the business began!
You describe yourself as being a dream Catalyst & Strategist…can you explain what that means?
I know that everyone out there has a dream in their heart. They are sitting at their desk job daydreaming about what they REALLY want to do be doing with their lives. That’s where I come in. I help women transform that dream into their reality. We work closely together to create the change in their life that they’re yearning for.
Strategist because there needs to be plan. I give women the tools and the real actionable plan that they need to actually make those dreams come true. In theory, dreams are fabulous, but I am all about the doing! I use real business & marketing strategy to create a step-by-step process for each of my clients, so that they can make their dreams come true! And not just daydream about them!
I can’t imagine there being anything more rewarding that helping other women achieve their goals like you have, what inspired you to start this journey?
It’s seriously the best. It fires me up to see these women getting exactly what they’ve always wanted, but didn’t know how to get it. The inspiration honestly stemmed from frustration at my own day job. I had sort of an ah-ha moment during my annual review. I was told that “exceeds expectations” was only available for one employee on the team each year, and they just rotate it each year. It had nothing to do with merit, and I knew it didn’t really matter how hard I worked. I wasn’t interested in that model.
I knew in my heart I had something bigger inside of me, and the more I looked around at my company, the more I realized what I wanted for my life was not there. We can get wrapped up in climbing the corporate ladder, but I realized I was climbing the wrong ladder, my ladder was on a completely different wall. I had to give myself permission to follow my dreams.
I compare it to being in a toxic dating relationship…it may be scary to leave, but if you’re unhappy or even miserable, you need to day goodbye. Because as scary as it is to leave the comfort, if you stay you’re saying NO to every positive and healthy relationship that could potentially come into your life!
It’s about saying YES to yourself and your dreams, and saying NO to the thing you really don’t want anymore anyway.
What’s a typical day like for you being a 9-5(er) and also building your brand?
It can be busy, but I’ve made a conscious effort to slim down and do less during this season of my life. I typically wake up and meditate first, and then engage with some of my clients and in my facebook group. Then head off to the day job! Sometimes I take client calls during my lunch break, or write a blog post etc, but sometimes I just eat – totally depends on my energy levels!
After work I head to the gym and take a bootcamp or spin class with my workout buddies, I also teach classes some days! I head home after that and eat dinner with my boyfriend. He has been so helpful and supportive ever since I started the business, he cooks so that I have time to get to work or take client calls. He has no idea how important he is to actually keeping my business running, just by taking off some of the household pressures! I usually take a couple client calls in the evening and work on any other business critical tasks! I try to hit the sack around 10 and do it all over again the next day! This is a busy season of my life, and seeing it for the season that it is helps to keep me motivated. I know once I quit the day job, I will have less crazy days!
What is your advice to anyone that has toyed with the idea of starting their own side business that they one day hope to grow into a full-time job?
You must know what is important to grow the business versus what is just keeping you busy. The idea is to really streamline during this time when you’ve got a lot going on at one time. You also need to stay in your own lane. Stop looking at what everyone else is doing and comparing yourselves to them, you are not them, you are you and that’s even better!
What has been your most inspired moment?
Definitely seeing my first clients get their first clients! It’s so inspiring to see their hard work pay off, they are making their own dreams come true and there is nothing more magical than that!
If you could have dinner with any woman in the world who would it be?
Right now it’s got to be Marie Forleo. Not only is she killing it in the coaching industry, but she’s hilarious like me, so I know it would be an entertaining dinner!
What three things do you never leave the house without?
My phone (eeek trying to be less attached to this thing), water – trying to drink more during the day, so I keep a bottle with me wherever I go, my planner – it keeps my entire life in order, and I’m old school and like to have a physical one so I can write things down.
Is there one book you would suggest reading for women that are interested in becoming their own boss?
Abundance by Peter Diamandis & Steven Kotler. While this isn’t a book that will give you the step-by-step guide to starting your own business, it will transform your mindset which is the most important piece to becoming an entrepreneur! Especially if you’re currently thinking in scarcity mindset – “I won’t be able to make enough money, etc…” Read this now!
Do you have a favorite app or website that helps you with time management or effectively managing your time?
YES! I live for 30/30 app for task management and I keep my to-do’s straight on to-do list!
Huge thank you to Adrienne for being part of this little series! As someone that has just recently started her own business, I’m taking serious notes from what Adrienne had to say!! If you want to ask Adrienne anything her contact information can be found here.
You may have also seen some of my favorite inspirational quotes spread throughout the post – do you have a quote you like to live by?
P.S. I’m also over at Wedding Party today dishing about 6 essential beauty products!!
xo,
So inspiring! I just love reading other successful women's stories! Great feature.
I love this series, B! It's so wonderful reading about such amazing women. And you know how much I LOVE that YSL quote!!!
So fun getting to know these women through this series, and Adrienne Dorison sounds like n incredible individual.
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Such an awesome series girl! These women really inspire me to challenge myself and follow my dreams. And love all of those inspirational quotes!!
LOVE hearing the stories of others who just go for it and start a business!
It's so great to hear people going after their dreams!
Love this! Would be such a fulfilling job helping other women achieve their own success! These quotes are great. xo
Love this! Would be such a fulfilling job helping other women achieve their own success! These quotes are great. xo
Yes! I totally admire her! Tons of hard work and multi tasking and it sounds like really promoting the growth of other women. Fabulous interview!!!!
Such a great post and I am loving all your inspirational words. You always find the best ones!
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
Such an inspiring series, love this! And I had to lol when I read paper company, all I could think was Dunder Mifflin 😛
hahaha totally Dunder Mifflin … but WORSE! xoxo
Love this series! Empowering women and building them up, instead of knocking them down, is the best!
ah she is tres inspirational! and so busy. owning your own gig is no joke – and a ton of hard work – but so worth it i hear! good post chica!
cheshirekatblog.com
wayyyy worth it Kerri! xoxo
Thanks for sharing other women's interests and stories! I totally get what it's like to feel suffocated at a day/desk job… But it pays the bills! Hopefully she can transition to her dream gig soon!
I'll be leaving the day job in July! It's totally possible for anyone willing to work towards it! I don't believe any of us need to stay suffocated! I'm ready to live a life with more than 2 weeks vacation too! xoxo
Wow, so inspiring! I admire her drive and overall honesty with herself. Such a great read!
Adrienne sounds lovely. I love her drive! This was so great to read, I've been toying with an idea to start a side business, but it kinda scares me. Reading posts like this are inspiring. Thanks for always sharing these great women!
Hey Amanda! It can be scary, but the best way to do it is to start the gig on the side and grow it while you've got the day job, then set yourself up for a successful departure. I've done this for myself in less than 6 months. And you can too! I would love to hear more about the side gig! xoxo
She is so inspiring, I love her thoughts on why work for someone else's dreams when you have your own! So true. Also, the picture of the perfectly nude manicured nails reminded me to stop biting my nails, haha.
Brooke
pumps and push-ups
What a driven woman! Love this series and all of those quotes are perfect! I wish her luck in achieving her dreams!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Hi lovies! I am so flattered and inspired by all of your sweet comments! It's true that working the side gig + the day job can be tough, but oh so rewarding. And I'll be saying goodbye to corporate in July! I'd be more than happy to chat with any of you who want to start exploring and living your own dreams!
What an amazing woman!!! She is truly inspiring!
Absolutely amazing…she brought me to tears. I love reading about people pursuing their dreams…LOVE this series Biana!
awww thank you Emelia! Our dreams are our destiny if we're willing to pursue them! xoxo
This is a great post! I found a lot of inspiration from it! All of these prints and quotes are adorable!
~~Megan~~
poshprime.com
Love hearing about strong women! Such a great inspiration to do what you dream of doing!
This is VERY inspiring!
GET IT GIRL!
The comparison is the thief of joy quote is one of my favorites <3
Great series! I love all those quotes too. So pretty and inspiring. I think the YSL one is my favourite 🙂
Such an inspiring woman! She sounds like such a great person to know and work with! So many of us don't find fulfillment in our normal jobs and I love that you found something she is truly passionate about!
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
That is so great that she is helping other women fulfill their dreams, what a cool job!! Love it!
It's the best! xoxo
I love to see what someone's typical day is like. I think it tells you a good story.
I'm always a fan of strong woman profiles. Thanks for sharing!
Great interview, so much inspiration, she must be really great in person!
Tanya
stripesnvibes.com
BlogLovin
So many people (me included) want to make that leap to do what's in their hearts… so scary… I love the wisdom & encouragement here!
Cheering you on Rebecca Jo! Scary means you're onto something BIG! xoxo
Nice to meet Adrienne and learn more about her. She sounds like a smart and dedicate lady. Love your wedding post over at Wedding party. Can't believe you did your own makeup and it looked fabulous! I could have never pulled that off. I'm not that skilled!!
so amazing that she helps other women fulfill their dreams. now, i would like to travel all over the world and read all the (good) books for a living. all for free, of course. that's my dream, if she can help achieve that, she's a magician 😉
Hmmm…are you willing to share your book knowledge once you've read them? Do you have any other skills we can use while you travel (photography, cooking, blogging, speaking)? I am always up for a challenge, this sounds pretty doable. xoxo
Oh man, this post is perfect timing for me. It's so nice to find encouragement when there's a somewhat scary step ahead of you.
Scary steps ahead usually mean BIG SUCCESS right after that! You've got to go beyond that comfort zone to experience the magic! xoxo
I absolutely love this! What a great little boost of encouragement 🙂
XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
Thanks for sharing. i love to see women going after their dreams and making them happen!
She is so inspiring!!! And then I saw she lives in Alabama…even more awesome 🙂 I really wish i could be more like her and make my dreams a reality!
You can Nadine! You are totally entitled to and worthy of your dreams!
This was so, so crucial for me to read right now. I really needed this. Thanks so much for spotlighting her. Inspiring!
I'm going to need to check that book out! I'm hopeful that I'll have my own business to run one of these days! 😉 she sounds like an awesome gal!
Women with full time businesses of their own really inspire me, I think thats my overall goal!
Eleventh & Sixteenth
I'm loving this series Biana! Its so inspiring to read about the creativity and drive of these women!
Heidi
wishesandreality.com
Great post! Love the way she lives her life.
Florals&Smiles
Twitter
So inspirational! This is such a great post — and I'm loving all the quotes!
xo Southern Style
Fantastic read! Thank you so so so much for sharing. This seems to be a common theme going around lately. I love the positivity and the motivation in the air!!
Thank you!
sketchbookcloset.com
I love this series so much! What a great piece. I totally love Adrienne's 9-5 gig in conglomeration with her passion. My quote is "she believe she could so she did." xoxo
Such a great post!! She seems like such an amazing person!
Love this post, yay for Adrienne.
mimiandchichi.com/
I can totally relate to Adrienne's quote about your 9-5 not being your true passion. I'm so glad you posted this!!
xoxo
Karen
kensingtonwest.me.uk
I love this! Happy humpday to both of you!
What a wonderful feature! I love hearing about your inspiring friend! Thank you for sharing!
xo,
Jessica
fortheloveofbubbly.com
What an inspiration!! Adrienne is killing it and I think I need her services haha! Thank you for sharing such inspiring people!
Maggie
PolishedClosets.com
Let's set up a chat Maggie! I'd love to hear what you've got in the works and see how I can help!
Absolutely love this! Her and I are so in the same boat when it comes to our day jobs. I can't wait to leave mine as well! The best piece of advice I've ever gotten is to write your dream down. An unwritten dream will never become a reality until you write it down so you see it all the time.
I love this series!! Thanks for sharing it!
SO inspiring. love love women just DOING IT!
There's nothing more inspiring than hearing a woman starting a business through her blogging experience. I think it's great she was able to turn a hobby into a passion. I really need more inspiring stories like this. Thank you for the story B! (:
Happy anniversary! Those sunglasses are very pretty! You chose the perfect vow renewal location. It’s very pretty place. It’s really good that you are launching your own business. Well, thanks for sharing these pictures!
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