Featured Member: Dr. Sarah David

Let’s get the basics out of the way. Who are you? Where are you from? I am Dr. Sarah David of Houston, TX.

How did you launch your business and/or dream? I just launched NICE –The National Institute for Career Empowerment – on October 5, 201l, on National Do Something NICE Day. My website is www.nicealliance.com. NICE is my platform to provide education for the entrepreneurial journey.

What do you love about being a female entrepreneur? I love the flexibility and the opportunity to harness my creativity and all of my gifts in helping support others to do what they love! I enjoy inspiring the development of others via empowerment and reinvention strategies to build business, career and leadership skills, emotional intelligence, professional presence and powerful personal brands.

Why did you start your business? I started my business because I knew that God had a much bigger platform for me to share with others. In my career as a career counselor, business coach and personal branding strategist, I was seeing people in business and professional settings, doing things that really did not fulfill them. In working with them, we began to identify what they wanted their life to look like. Many times our life’s work plays a major part in our fulfillment. My business was created to support others that want options in doing what they love, 365.

How did you launch your business and/or dream? I recently launched my business officially on October 5, National Do Something NICE Day. Although I have been an entrepreneur for years, this was my first big launch! I enjoy the excitement around creating something new and getting the word out to others so they can benefit from the information. I did a FREE teleclass to spread the word. I also created a video on my website in anticipation of the launch at www.nicealliance.com that got a lot of attention I did not anticipate. It was lots of fun and I received a lot of wonderful feedback from it. It is all about getting yourself out there and being comfortable with the discomfort we have around perfection.

What is your mission statement? My mission is to empower, educate and enrich entrepreneurs and professionals to unleash their expertise so they can do what they love! So many people have talents that others need to tap into, but many times they may not be aware of it. Or they’ve had glimpses of their talent, but aren’t sure how to harness it. I provide a platform for them to share their talents, strengths and skills with others.

How do you stay inspired? I stay inspired knowing that what I am doing positively impacts the clients I am serve. I stay inspired by being able to give back to charities and causes I care about. Knowing that I am doing what I have been designed to do inspires me. I believe in education and investing in mentors and coaches who can teach me what I need to know. I stay inspired in working with them and being a part of networking and support groups.

Why do you feel Inspired Women Succeed? Inspired woman succeed because of our relentless drive, determination, and knowing that God has given us wonderful gifts to share with the world that can’t be delivered by anyone but us. It is a dis-service to ourselves and others if we keep them to ourselves.

What are the biggest challenges you have overcome as a female entrepreneur? I work full-time and have been blessed to have built my business alongside my full-time job. I believe women have many facets to life and we play multiple roles such as mother, grandmother, wife, CEO or employee, sister and friend, and it takes a lot to balance all of those roles. Balance has been a challenge I’ve had to overcome. When we do a lot, we can sometimes neglect ourselves as we are helping others. I make sure that I include family time and self care and spiritual growth in my life as a mandatory part of my well-being and encourage others to do the same.

What is your BIG DREAM for your business – what do you hope will happen? I am building a legacy business and want to change the lives of others, not only in the United States but all over the world.

How do you incorporate your faith into your business? I became a Christian in 1983 at a church off-base outside of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, while my father was in the Air Force. Since then, my faith in God has kept me centered and gives me the perfect foundation for all areas of my life. I can do only because He gives me the capacity that allows me to. Daily devotionals and prayer really helps me to connect my faith and incorporate it into my business.

What are you favorite biblical parallels and verses that encourage you? Why? Romans 12:6-8 is one of the many verses that encourages me because it speaks to our responsibility to share our gifts. “And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8

How do you promote/market your business? I have been blessed with many wonderful connections with corporations and people throughout my career. I leverage the knowledge and relationship of others that have been brought into my life. I also share my message through social media and developing relationships, both online and face to face.

What is the biggest risk that you have taken in your business? Has it paid off? The biggest risk to date is just stepping out on faith, but it really is not a risk at all. It just feels like it. Investing in yourself, when you are not certain of the results you will get, can be scary. I learned a long time ago that if I don’t invest in myself, how do I expect others to do so? All of my investments in time and money have definitely paid off, and I am so grateful I just took the leap of faith.

What risk do you need to take now? My theme this year is FEARLESS. I want to live my life with no regrets wondering what would have been if only. I think that is why I have explored so much in business. Now that we have launched, I will continue to make bold moves towards growing my programs and services so we can impact the lives of entrepreneurs and professionals wanting to position themselves as leading authorities in doing what they love! It means stepping out into territory that is unfamiliar to me, but understanding it is important to give myself grace as I learn and grow.

What media opportunities have you had? To date I had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with others and co-author and contribute to a number of books including Inspired Women Succeed by Diane Cunningham and Joane Fore, Smart Women Live Their Why by Sheri McConnell and participate as a speaker in the Smart Women Virtual Conference Event, and working as a contributor for a personal branding book Personal Branding for Dummies by Susan Chritton.

I am working on my own media campaign with the launch of my upcoming business/career book Jump-Start Your Career Now: 50 Strategies to Promote Your Personal Brand for Career Advancement, Transition or Reinvention that will do a soft launch Black Friday, November 25, 2011, and officially launch January 2012. I am looking forward to opportunities to contribute to magazines and other media outlets such as radio and television in 2012.

What one woman epitomizes (for you) a model of Christian entrepreneurial leadership? Why? I have a number of women who are wonderful Christian entrepreneurial leaders that have helped inspire me along my path. Diane Cunningham for acting fast, Sheri McConnell on leverage, Christine Kane for living on purpose, Sandi Krakowski for learning how to interact with clients. They all have inspired me in some form or fashion, and I am so blessed to have been able to incorporate different components of their teachings into my business and life.

What 3 tips would you share with a friend setting out on her own entrepreneurial adventure? First, I would share to trust your instincts and the ache in your belly when you know that you are on the right path to doing what you love. I would recommend to seek it out; otherwise, we go through life merely existing instead of receiving the true fulfillment that comes with living our mission. In doing what it is we love, we have to do what we are. Explore this opportunity by doing a lot of self reflection and assessments as needed to help confirm your thoughts. This helps us with the research we need to do about ourselves, as well about the opportunity we are seeking.

The second tip I would share is to enlist the assistance of a coach or mentor and get training. I know how dramatically my life changed when I enlisted the help of coaches and mentors in my business and from the feedback I have received from my clients. Finally, I would share to schedule time to accomplish your goals. Put it on the calendar. Give yourself a deadline. I have found if I don’t do that, then I can spend as much time as allowed on a project. Deadlines make us accountable, along with accountability topartners and our coaches.

What resources and books would you recommend—the ones which have best helped you? I love the Bible and all of the great tools for life that it teaches.

What do you have coming up? Events? Book Signings? We are currently in full swing with our membership drive for new charter members. For anyone registering the month of October we are offering a reduced pricing. I will be releasing my book: Jump Start Your Career Now – Black Friday, November 25, and a portion of those proceeds will go to one of my favorite charities “Dress for Success.”

Tell us about your family and your support group. I have such a supportive family, who have always taught me that I can accomplish anything. My mom is a wonderful role model and my little sister is my biggest fan. Support groups for business are important and I encourage others to get involved. Find your “people” out there in networking groups and social networks.

Who were/are your mentors? My mentors are many and some of them are official mentors that I have intentionally sought out for specific gifts they have to share with me in areas of my business or life. Some of my mentors are unofficial mentors; for example, I may subscribe to someone I can learn from so I can hear their message that comes in my inbox every week or follow them on Twitter or friend them on Facebook. My mentors have included James Malinchak, Sheri McConnell and Sandi Krakowski.

What else would you like to share with us? I would love to offer our free bookmarks and a free report 10 Business Ideas You Can Implement to Generate Income Now, plus 7 Bonus Strategies to Do What You Love 365 for anyone who signs up to receive our e-newsletter.

Dr. Sarah David, Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of NICE – The National Institute for Career Empowerment, is a thought leader and social entrepreneur in the field of career, personal and professional enrichment. She specializes in facilitating creative ways to increase the success of others by equipping them to do what they love and create dream careers through entrepreneurship.

She believes that people can take who they are-personality, values, abilities and skills-and translate that into a fulfilling business or career that aligns with their dreams, goals, mission and passions. She believes that we have all been given a calling and if we can determine what that is, we can lead a more inspired and meaningful life. She also encourages and highlights those making a difference in our world through philanthropy. Visit www.nicealliance.com for free tools to help you Do What You Love 365!