Today we’d like to introduce you to Dashna Compere.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dashna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Wow, my story started when I moved from Miami to New York City. I’m a writer and a Dental Professional; an alumnus of NYU. A little into my first year at New York University College of Dentistry, my mother had a stroke. My parents were limited when it came to finance. I had no choice but to support myself. I was working at night as a front desk agent at a five-star hotel, going to school during the day and traveling back to Miami at least once a month to see my mother and to help my father with everything else. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed. At the time, only a few things kept me sane- Listening to motivational speakers, going to church, journaling and traveling. I was traveling so much that my skymiles were accumulating. I decided to start using those skymiles to travel to different countries and cities whenever I had a little break from school. It felt great to step away from everything once in a while to reassemble myself. The more I travelled, the more people were asking questions about the places I’ve visited, and the more they wanted me to share my experience with them. Because I was getting their attention, I took the opportunity to start encouraging others to be a better version of themselves. I created Mindsight Mondays- A series of inspirational quotes that I shared every Monday.
I believe your Monday is the reflection of your entire week. I also started focusing on the importance of Human connection. I attended events, organized different events amongst my friends at my house, I started volunteering at different homeless shelters and Dental events. Little did I know, all that I was doing was my personal therapy. Fast forward to a year and a half ago, I decided to turn my experience into a business. Therefore, I began to blog about it all. I figured I might be able to inspire one person to make a difference in someone else’s life. Unfiltered Soles is now a platform to inspire and uplift others. It’s a meeting point to connect us all (traveler’s, philosophers, professionals, bloggers etc…) I organized a yearly roundtable for the sake of human connection. Unfiltered Soles is a philanthropy, I organize a yearly Dental Outreach. I travel back to my country (Haiti) once every year to educate children in different schools on oral health. I also give out toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouth rinse and fluoride. I support a few orphanage and schools in Haiti. I am the sole provider behind it all, but I would love to expand, reach more and do more.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. One thing I’ve learned throughout this process is that nothing good comes easy. One major struggle is doing it alone. I have to be the eye, ears, hands, and all other parts of this business.
Unfiltered Soles – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Unfiltered Soles is a company that motivates people to walk into their purpose. I believe we were all created to help one another. For that reason I blog about things that help others. I organize yearly events to bring people together, I organize Dental outreach to help those who are less fortunate. I create give away i.e.: “pay my bill” I pick one person and I pay their bills. I believe Unfiltered Soles is mostly known for helping others; from giving advice to paying someone’s bill. The thing I am most proud of is the fulfillment I get from making a difference in someone’s life. I’ve always prayed for God to use me in a special way and I think this is his way of using me. I don’t do this for fame or money. My goal is to make a difference in ONE life. If I can change ONE life, just one life- I’ll consider my mission on earth accomplished. That is what sets me apart.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I grew up in Haiti. I remember the days that we did not have electricity and my mother would light up a gas lighting lamp to help me study. She’d sit with me for hours until I memorized each word. Somedays we did not have money to purchase gas for the lamp, so she would go sit with me under the public light poles to help me with my homework. I am beyond thankful for those moments. It’s because of them I am who I am today. That is my favorite childhood memory.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unfilteredsoles.com
- Email: info@unfilteredsoles.com
- Instagram: Unfilteredsoles
- Facebook: unfilteredsoles
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