Today we’d like to introduce you to Dozie Oheri.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dozie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2012, I started my career working in the nonprofit industry and since then every job I’ve had has been working with children. Although I have raised children and been a caregiver for children all my life, I never saw that to be a major part of my profession until I worked in corporate America. I started Choose to DO, Inc. because at the time I saw a disconnect between youth organizations and the children they intended to reach, that angered me. I knew I could make a major positive impact in the lives of the kids I interacted with daily, but essentially company politics made it hard to do so. So, I told myself that I could start my own nonprofit that really reaches the kids and so Choose to DO, Inc. was born.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been smooth sailing. Someone told me that, “in life, you will have ups and downs, and the downs don’t last forever.” I apply that same thought process to my organization. This might sound cliché but when times get tough I might slow down production or take a break, but then I remind myself to push forward because there is a fire within me that won’t let me stop doing what I love to do.
So I have a parttime job as a nanny and I work on my nonprofit outside of that. There are times where I feel like there are not enough hours in a day to knock out my to-do list then the struggle becomes figuring out when to get things done, it’s an ongoing process for me.
I want to say to women looking to start a business that it is okay to have a job will you are taking the entrepreneurship route. Your present livelihood is just as important as your future livelihood!
Please tell us about Choose to DO, Inc.
Choose to DO, Inc. was established March 8, 2016, with the purpose to inspire girls and boys to be better versions of themselves.
Our mission is to focus on the physical and mental benefits of positive thinking while exposing our children to new life experiences.
In 2017, we launched three programs, Breaking the Cycle, Grandparents Day and Spa Day. Through our programs, we have mentored over 100 kids and counting.
We specialize in providing environments where children feel safe and empowered. We are known for our all girls program called Breaking the Cycle, which is a five-week program, held 1 to 2 hours a week, that promotes self-love and leadership among girls 9 -19 years old. As an organization, we are most proud of creating a brand that not only works with children but we also provide spaces for communities to come together that would not have done so otherwise.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
I would say know yourself first, spend time getting to know yourself because your business will be a reflection of who you are, your character, your work ethic, your happiness, your sadness, etc. If you don’t know who you are as a woman, that confusion will show up in your business. And don’t be afraid to ask for help, a woman is taught to be strong and take on whatever responsibility is given to us, especially black women. But it’s ok to ask for help, the idea that you can grow your business on your own is false. We need a support system made up of the knowledge of those who have been in your shoes or people to just offer encouragement. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, you can’t successfully grow your business on your own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.choosetodoinc.org/
- Email: doheri@choosetodoinc.org
- Instagram: @choosetodoinc
- Facebook: @choosetodoinc
- Twitter: @choosetodoinc
- Other: LinkedIn @choosetodoinc
Image Credit:
Personal Photo: Photographer – The Media Block, Relevant Images: Photographer – Brittaneé Coleman – Location Emancipation Park Houston
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