Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Paul.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Lewisville, Texas, and I guess you can say that I always had a passion for media, speaking, and people. In high school, my classmates would call me, “Oprah,” because if you wanted to know the latest I was the go to.
In high school, I was always glued to the television watching every talk show that was hot at the time. Of course, it is no surprise that Oprah Winfrey was (and still is) one of my favorite media personalities. I also loved watching court tv shows, especially Star Jones. She had her own court tv show and was a legal commentator in the 90s. I thought that not only was she well-spoken and smart, but she was a brown skin like me and was successful in television. I would tell my mom that I wanted to be like Star Jones and have my own court tv show. In the 90s watching the OJ Simpson trial, it was impressive to see all the attorneys who would give commentary on the trial.
I knew if I wanted to have a court television show then I needed to be an attorney. I had it all planned out as a senior in high school (didn’t we all). My plan was to go to law school, and because all the big televised cases were criminal, I knew I would need to be a prosecutor or a criminal defense attorney. I imagined that a tv news station would interview me on a case and they would love my interview so much that I would start being their regular legal expert and then get my own hit court tv show.
God, of course, had different plans for my life. I graduated from Jarvis Christian College, and my media dreams were on hold working in corporate and other fields. I did get accepted into Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas, and knew this was the start of my court tv career. Again, God had different plans for my life. After one year in law school, I went to paralegal school to earn my paralegal certificate and worked as a paralegal with plans to return to law school. One of my paralegal jobs was with the NAACP – Houston Branch. That job like many others I had were putting me in a place to be surrounded by and gain more understanding of people.
You learn to appreciate what you have when you deal with people on a regular basis who are dealing with unimaginable circumstances. Not only did I work as a paralegal, but I worked in other fields. I still wanted to work in media, and with Houston being one of the largest cities in the nation, I knew there had to be somewhere I could start my media career. I didn’t have enough experience to be a news reporter and other media jobs I was not qualified for. God did open a door giving me an opportunity to start writing for a local magazine. I was so focused on the speaking side of media, that I didn’t fully appreciate the writing side until that experience.
Writing was a great open door for me as I had a minor in English. After writing for the magazine for a year, some of my articles would make the cover and my articles would receive positive responses. It was during that time writing proved that words on paper are just as powerful as on a microphone. I received an opportunity with that magazine to start doing their on-camera interviews in addition to writing. I would cover red carpet events, interview celebrities, notables, and cover community events. After a few years with that magazine, I took a position as an editor with another local magazine wanting to expand my knowledge of the media and newspaper business.
I started in radio through my talents being seen on video and interviews on YouTube. It shows the power of words and what we speak because before I received that radio opportunity, I would just talk to myself about how I would like to do television and radio. At an event, one of my mentors provided me the opportunity to audition to be a co-host on a radio show for a new radio station. After the audition, I was chosen as co-host and excited to be working and experiencing another area of media. That station gave me the name “Dr. Dawn,” the media personality giving truth to listeners when it came to life and love. After a little over a year, the station made changes (it happens) and the show was canceled.
With encouragement from a friend I decided to continue in radio doing my own radio show through a local public access station, and after I saw the show was getting some attention, I went through an IP attorney to own the Dr. Dawn® name. Public access was not only good for my budget, but it still allowed me to use my gift in radio. That experience forced me to do those things I didn’t have to do in radio at the station before. It pushed me to learn every area of radio (sales, engineering, etc.).
I know that people should not look down on small beginnings because I received many opportunities doing my radio show on public access. I didn’t look at it as public access and others didn’t either. My voice didn’t make any less of an impact because I was on a public access station. The audience experienced great content and conversation with notables. It also didn’t keep me from gaining great opportunities. I always believe that though you should appreciate the opportunities and experiences in the present, work as if you are already where you want to be. I would perform as if I was already syndicated.
In fact, the quality of the shows produced, audience engagement, marketing, and look of the studio had people thinking I was bigger than I really was. You do not have to have a lot to do a lot. Don’t look at what you don’t have. Instead be strategic with whatever you have to give you a BIG payoff. My weekly radio show can be heard every Friday at 10 AM (CST) on the airwaves of Synergy Radio Network, a station that has a reach of over 6 million people.
Visit www.synergyradionetwork.com for a list of all the cities and stations where my show airs. I am blessed to speak nationally and reach different audiences through guest appearances on NBC-KPRC, Fox 26, iHeartRadio, and other media platforms. God is such a great part of my life. I am so grateful for this purpose and for his plans for my life. I can trust that the future God has in store for me will continue to be purposeful. There is such a peace when you live in purpose.
Whether it’s radio, television, speaking, life coaching, or my media company, I know and understand that it is never about me, but about making a great impact in people’s lives through my gifts and work. That is a great responsibility that I will be forever grateful for, and I do not take it for granted.
Media for me is not a career, but a calling and a purpose. It’s about the message behind the microphone, and I have a responsibility with my words every time my voice is used and heard. Our words can hurt or heal. I say before every show, “My prescription is my words.” I want my words to be a light. I want my words to always heal, help, inspire, motivate, and empower.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it has not always been smooth.
A big struggle I had was not having the right people on the team. Just because someone is available does not mean that they are best for that position. I would deal with people who were available but had no drive or excitement about this business all because I needed the extra help. That energy was a struggle to my purpose. I now am in a place where I can only have people on my team who are truly present in this purpose. If your spirit is not right, then you are not right for my brand. I need more than just a body there, but I need someone who is motivated and understands that this is a purpose-driven brand. Even though it is my name, it’s not about me. Anyone who works with me has to understand that.
Another struggle was depending too much on others to help me out. Being disappointed TOO MANY times by people taught me to be able to understand what goes on behind the mic and to have a Plan B, C, D, and E. Some people say only have a Plan A. I disagree. My Plans B-E have helped me I don’t know how many times. I don’t stress because I know I can go to my other plans if A doesn’t pan out. In media and in any business things can happen. You better be prepared for anything. You should never be dependent on one person to do a major job. That is leaving the fate of your brand in someone’s hands… I will never do that again.
An obstacle was me in a sense in how I viewed social media when I first started. I had to stop worrying about posting 50 million times a day and if I didn’t post this or that then I wouldn’t be as successful. Social media is a great and valuable resource, but it is not the source of why I am here. God is my source, and I rely on him and my talents. I’m not pressured to do what is popular. I’m not pressured to post what is trending. That will put too much stress on you trying to keep up with everyone else, and also you become like everyone else.
Instead of feeling pressure to post or do what is popular, I do what is purposeful. That is confirmed when I receive opportunities to make television appearances speak, and when I receive messages from followers/my audience that what I posted or said they needed to hear. It means the world to me when people reach out to me to tell me that my page motivates them. You have to know who you are and be comfortable with who you are. You will operate on a whole other level with that mindset. God started opening doors for me when I realized that.
Some of the struggles also came when I wanted to be in total control and be in the driver’s seat. I was trying to do God’s job. That never works. You can’t lead. Let him lead.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Certified Life Coach, National Public Speaker and Media Personality – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have the radio, television, and life coaching business which is Dr. Dawn®. I am the No Judgment! Just Realness!™ coach. Not only do I talk life and love through media platforms, but also I enjoy helping support clients in their lives to achieve great success. Some people don’t have a support system, so I am that much-needed support for an individual. I don’t just do individual coaching, but group coaching as well.
Companies/groups/organizations/colleges will bring me in for my results-driven life coaching methods to be used for team building, a lunch and learn, or motivate their group. I always love to leave a positive impact when I coach or speak, and I know the methods and coaching practices I use to achieve that. My clients receive real results, and they deserve that. Again, part of the reason why what I do is unique and sought after is that I don’t look at it as a career, but a calling and purpose. People see and understand that, and more importantly, they appreciate that.
My media company is Obsessed with Media™. Through that company, I provide clients with professional writing and editing services. I also provide media coaching, media consulting, and other quality media services. To schedule a consultation, please visit www.obsessedwithmedia.com.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like best about Houston is that because it is one of the largest and most diverse cities, there will always be opportunities. However, opportunities won’t just come to you, but you have to go out and seek them. You have to network with the RIGHT people. There is ALWAYS something going on in this city. Take advantage of what Houston has to offer, and you will see advantages.
What I like least about Houston is the rain and flooding of course. But isn’t that always the answer? I don’t love the traffic of course. What can one expect being in one of the largest cities in the nation though? We do have the bus and the light rail, but it would be great to see more light rail in our city allowing us to travel to the airport and other areas like Sugar Land and The Woodlands.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheDrDawn.com
- Email: TheDrDawn@gmail.com
- Instagram: @TheDrDawn
- Facebook: @TheDrDawn
- Twitter: @TheDrDawn
Image Credit:
Ke’er, Point&Click Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
