Little did I know that a few months after leaving my 9-5 job to start my entrepreneurial journey, when a friend suggested I attend a workshop, that the trajectory of my growth and development as a business owner — and as a person — would change dramatically, when I met Bob Burg. I am a content creator, brand implementer, communications coach and marketing strategist. I develop and deliver the marketing messages with and for my clients.
Regarding marketing, does it often feel like drinking from a firehose? Known as the “Message Therapist,” I work with clients so they can stand out, increase their exposure, and hit their mark in marketing! I make brands come alive on digital platforms so that an audience of followers is attracted to the messaging.
As owner of my marketing agency, Duchess Enterprise, LLC since 2007, the individuals I work with are a mixture of business professionals, entrepreneurs, direct sellers, and solopreneurs. We collaborate to make marketing messages “sticky” so that ideal clients are watching and aware long before they need what my clients have to offer. My clients pay me to keep them top-of-mind so that their potential clients think of them when they need your products and services.
I was the first-born of my parents’ eight children — I have five sisters and two brothers. I have my bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Education from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. I proudly served in the military, first as a company clerk in a medical unit (similar to the character “Radar” on M*A*S*H), then was honor graduate of my Army Medic class, advancing to Ambulance Platoon and later Treatment Platoon Sergeant before completing Officer Candidate School — OCS — and serving as a medical logistics officer. I worked in Corporate America for 30+ years as legal assistant and paralegal in a variety of large litigation law firms in and around Washington, DC before setting out on my entrepreneurial journey, forming my marketing company, where as a marketing strategist, I develop and deliver marketing messages on digital platforms, such as social media.
Q: Where were you born, where were you raised, and where do you currently live (City, State/Province, Country)?
I was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital and raised in Silver Spring, MD, a nearby suburb of Washington, DC. After college, I lived for 30 years between Washington, DC and Baltimore and then for six years in southern Maryland. I now reside in the small community of Chestertown on MD’s Eastern Shore.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song or movie and why does it resonate with you?
Ten 2-letter words that make ALL the difference: "If it is to be, it is up to me" — or "us" if referring to a team situation.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
I’ve always been a decent wordsmith and after 30+ years of helping to make lawyers “look good” in their court filings, I was intrigued by social media and decided to hang out my proverbial shingle and take on marketing for myself and for my clients.
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I most enjoy it when working with a client for a few months and having them see the results of our efforts turn into engagement and new clients from the marketing we have done. It’s not an overnight success, but within a few months of consistent activity, results become apparent.
Q: What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
I would tell my 18-year-old self to “get busy, start NOW, don’t wait, and give it a try! If at first it doesn’t work, try it a different way, learn and apply, and stay with it!”
Q: What is one of your favorite places to be or travel to?
I did a military/medical mission in Barbados, which required me to travel to that lovely island three times to plan and execute the mission. I made some fabulous connections with some terrific Bajans and have been back a handful of times since then, for enjoyment and pleasure and it holds a special place in my heart.
Q: If you could choose anyone (past or present, fictional or real) with whom to have lunch, who would it be and why?
I would love to dine and converse with Madeleine Albright. Her life and leadership was always a source of fascination for me and I would love the opportunity to have her share some insights on how she overcame challenges and was so well-liked and admired and had the respect of world leaders.
Q: Who inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
It’s imbedded in me since childhood to be the best possible version, so I would say my parents started it and I continue it in their honor.
Q: How did you first discover “The Go-Giver”?
I met Bob Burg in 2007, before “The Go-Giver” was published and became familiar with “Endless Referrals.” Soon thereafter, “The Go-Giver” was released, and I’ve been following Bob and John David Mann ever since!
Q: Who would you like to see featured on The Faces Of The Go-Giver Community and why?
Lisa Wilber and Jeff West, because their collaboration on the "Said The Lady With The Blue Hair" book project has been superb and stellar!
Q: Finally, how can we know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection or prospective customer/client for you?
If someone mentions they know marketing is important, but they don’t have time to figure out algorithms, platforms, etc., those would be terrific introductions and referrals for me. I help my clients strategize on a marketing approach that will attract their ideal clients using social media.
Please include your website link if you have one!
https://DuchessLLC.com
