Today we’d like to introduce you to Dion McInnis.
Dion, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
What I am now is what I have been for a long time. I tell people, “I’ve been a photographer since six, a writer since 12 and a poet since birth.” Those senses and sensibilities have carried me through a variety of career paths and life.
I was born in San Antonio, but my family moved to Houston very, very soon thereafter. I lived in the same house in Houston all my life, until I married. I grew up in an area that had the look, feel, happiness and magic of the setting of the TV show, “Wonder Years.” It couldn’t have been more wonderful!
I attended Strake Jesuit, and then crammed a four-year bachelor’s degree program at UH into eight years. It was a tight fit, but I got it done. From the moment I left high school, my work as a freelance writer and photographer began. My marketing logo and concept was featured in a national photography magazine before I was 22, based on the explanation I shared that “I didn’t want to be perceived as just another college kid with a camera.” Years later, I wrote for that magazine and another national photo magazine.
Writing and photography, and being a dad, seemed to be involved in every breath that I took. That is still true today, despite the various career paths along the way.
In 1987, with a family including two kids, and a mortgage, I left the freelance world to join the ranks of universities. I accepted a job at UH-Cullen College of Engineering as the writer/photographer and coordinator of publications. Before long, tapping into my experiences as a chamber of commerce member and board member, my role in the university changed as I created an office of engineering external relations. I had a great boss and for seven years we rocked in external relations endeavors. I served three other universities after that one, leaving the University of Houston-Clear Lake as their associate vice president for university advancement in 2014 after 13 years of service. The call to use my abilities for others, and to find outlets for my creative nature was overpowering.
Empowered Creativity Institute was born. I believe that we are all called to create in everything we do. Individuals, teams, businesses, nonprofits, creatives and expressives — everyone! — can find a happier, more successful life when they learn to access the creative potential that has been developed within them thanks to the lives they’ve lived. All my work, as author, speaker, photographer, writer, coach and consultant is based in that belief. While it may be confusing how to somehow it all fits together, it sure makes sense in my head!
I’ve written 13 books, had photography exhibited for decades, taught photography in the Czech Republic three times, raised millions of dollars for universities and nonprofits … it has been a blast, but my favorite role is, has been, and always will be that of being a dad. Not surprisingly, of my books, “Daddin’: The Verb of Being a Dad” will always have a special place in my heart.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
All roads look smooth if you get to a high enough altitude when looking at them. However…
The road has been bumpy at times. Welcome to the human race, right? Traffic signs have been taken down before I arrived to where I needed them. Distractions led to me taking turns one way when I could have taken another. There were pauses while construction crews worked on the road, slowing my pace to a crawl. But all-in-all, the road has been a wonderful, adventurous path filled with beauty and stories.
I would never say that I was on the wrong road or took the worse of the options for routes. If I love where I am today, I have to love the route that got me here.
The path led me to jobs with good bosses and bad bosses; to financial security and bankruptcy; to fulfillment at work and being totally stifled; to clear answers and profound confusion; to faith-full and faith confusion; to utter joy and deep pain of loss … but, as I tell others, joy, happiness and success are achievable because of the life you live, not despite it. I am the father, coach, writer, creative, teacher, guide, mentor, speaker, friend, etc., because of my life experiences, not despite them.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Empowered Creativity Institute story. Tell us more about the business.
My company is Empowered Creativity Institute. It is a labor of love, but took longer than nine months to birth. It is still developing, as all young ones do.
I’ve always felt that I have been blessed with an array of gifts. I also feel that people are called to use their gifts and talents. Many of my decisions in life and business are based upon whether I am utilizing what I have been given for the benefit of others.
After 27 years of service to universities, the time came to utilize more of my gifts and satisfy my creative hunger. All along the way, I stayed involved in writing, photography, speaking and teaching, but the time to move on was clear in my mind. So, I did. This would be a good place to show a photo of a bumpy, circuitous road!
First, I headed back to just writing and photography. A friend reminded me that being able to pay bills is generally a good thing and perhaps I should consider keeping a hand in the world of fundraising for nonprofits to generate income. I was very successful in that realm, and realized that using those skills could possibly help fund the other interests. I listened to a lot of advice and sought out several coaches to help lead me into what I called, “Life: Phase Three.”
One of the coaches asked me about what I wanted to do and why. I told her that at its most basic, I want to help others find and access their creative natures (everyone has it) to have more successful, happier lives. With a bit of conversational volley, the name “Empowered Creativity Institute” was born. This would be a good place to show a photo of a straighter, smoother road. Unfortunately, the wonderful road has traffic lights every 100 yards, the lights are not synchronized and there isn’t a gas station anywhere!
Under that umbrella, I offered various services that fit together in my mind, but they were very confusing to everyone else. I guess that is fair. Who else could see how public speaking, fundraising, team development, coaching, photography, sales training, board development, copywriting for marketing of various types, etc. fit together? I had candid friends who would point out the challenges in understanding what I offered to others. As one said, “Dion, I know exactly how you can benefit me, my business and my life. But I have no idea how to tell others.” Maybe my business was like the complicated, artistic, moody kid that only a parent could love and understand. That might work for kids and parents, but not for building a business.
No coach comes down from the mountaintop with stone tablets. I tell my clients the same thing applies to me when I am helping them. I had listened and responded to too much advice instead of mixing it together for a success/happiness stew.
I believe it has all come together properly now, emphasizing coaching, speaking and programs, of which I have a few. But they harmonize well together instead of coming across as a cacophony. I feel more confident with the message and purpose, and I believe that is 90% of the marketing/sales process.
All that to say this: I empower others through personalized services and programs based on the potential of creativity in everyone. I do this by listening, listening and more listening, and then sharing stories, wisdom and strategies to make the new knowledge and inspiration immediately usable. People know me as an enthusiastic, optimistic, realistic, wise, empowerment junkie who believes in them. I am earthy in my approach, not theoretical, academic or foo-foo. I share because I care, and empower because I’ve been un-empowered at times and know that is no way to live life or find joy. It’s not about me … it is about you. Always has been; always will be.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck only happens to those who are in the game. So, stay in the game and play your heart out.
It was bad luck that I opened my storefront photography studio in 1985, a few minutes before the Houston economy went down the toilet. Or was it? Those were rough times, but they led me to an exhausting job search that concluded two years later when I started work at University of Houston which began a very successful 27-year career in the university advancement field (alumni and community relations, fundraising, and communications). So, was it bad luck or good luck? Of course, there are probably dozens of other examples I could offer, too. I don’t dwell on the topic of luck, though.
Life is about change. You can be a victim of it, an agent of it, or a nimble adventurer with it. You’ll never know about “luck” until the end when you look back.
One of my speeches is titled, “Effecting Change: Three Things to Do, One Way To Do It.” Spoiler alert: The three things are 1. Go where the action is, 2. Play your heart out, and 3. Do no harm. There is nothing about luck in the presentation. Oh, the one way to do it? I guess you’ll have to watch the video on my website! I don’t ponder luck’s role, but I do abide the three things and the one way.
Pricing:
- Personalized coaching programs range from $300 to $1000 per month
- Keynote and other presentations range from $1000 and up. Contact for specific quotes and options.
- Personalized photography that celebrates who you are not just how you look starts at $500
- Team development programs, using their brains not their brawn. Starting at $2500
Contact Info:
- Address: 2500 South Shore Blvd, Suite B
League City, TX 77573
(by appointment only) - Website: www.DionMcInnis.com
- Phone: 832-877-8821
- Email: Dion@DionMcInnis.com
Image Credit:
Dion McInnis
Justin McInnis
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