We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Debra J. Dean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Debra J., what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had not considered starting my own business before 2018. I really thought I would work for the same company until I retire. On February 14, 2017, I earned my Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. The week of Thanksgiving 2017, I took time off work to read a book. Little did I know it would have such an impact on my life. The book is called Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob Buford.

On January 25, 2018, my dad died. He had an adventurous spirit and I always loved how he embraced nature. He loved camping, fishing, and being outdoors. Since I had spent most of my adult life in a cubicle, his death and the idea that life is short started to resonate with me.

After 21-years with a financial services firm, I realized it was time to make the leap to becoming an entrepreneur. I wanted my life to be more intentional and have more meaning. My corporate job was good, but it didn’t align with my personal values any longer. I also wanted to enjoy life while I was still able-bodied.

On July 25, 2018 (my son’s 10th birthday), we moved from Iowa to Colorado sight unseen. We had never been to Colorado, but we wanted to see it. We learned that the community aligned more with my values. The setting was beautiful with the mountains and walking paths. It was definitely a step in the right direction.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I earned my Ph.D. by successfully defending my dissertation in 2017 titled, Religion and Spirituality in the Workplace. At first, I thought I would write a book about it, but God said wait.

Over the next few years, I saw the world we live in tank. The incivility and divide in our country grew more each day. COVID hit and caused people to retreat to their homes for over a year.

What sets me apart is that I waited to listen to what God wanted me to do. Along the way, I did the little stuff to learn how to launch a business/ministry. But I wasn’t super clear on my ideal client or niche until December 2020 when I had a call from the Faith and Opportunities Initiative at the White House. The person who called me cried and asked “where are all the Christians.”

You see – God doesn’t give us the end goal on day one. He gives us baby steps. As we are obedient to those smaller steps, He gives us more. When I heard that question I knew how my dissertation and all that I had been learning tied together.

His Kingdom Matters launched June 2021. At first, I thought it would be a networking group for Christians to get together and encourage, support, and equip one another. I needed this in my own corporate job, but I didn’t realize it was so needed until I got the call from the White House. As the ministry has unfolded the past year, I have prayed for God’s guidance with every step and tried to be diligent with listening and being obedient.

I knew upfront that I was to include three topics in the ministry: (a) bold and courageous, (b) revival, and (c) holiness. What I did not realize was how profound this material would be and how needed it was in our world. The ministry is set up online and we have monthly calls for members. I am currently working on the book that goes along with this ministry. It is titled, “Jesus Come Revive America: Forgive us Father for we have sinned.”

So, while I thought my business would be focused on religion and spirituality in the workplace, I have learned that it is not just that. It is more. It is about whole-life discipleship.

On one hand, this has not been easy. I have used almost all of my retirement account. I have had self-doubt. I have fear. But, along the way, God is teaching me to be obedient, patient, and determined. He continually provides for me. Just this week, I had an unexpected $1000 arrive in my Cash App. I broke down in tears and praised God. This tug-of-war between me being in control of my finances, my future, and everything and letting go to let God be in control has been evident the past few years. But it is getting better and I am seeing Him show up in big ways.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My daughter was just here with her fiance. This is the list I gave her:

Food: Urban Egg, La Hacienda, Slice 420, In & Out Burgers, Dutch Brothers Coffee

Activities: Garden of the Gods, Incline, Paint Mines, Ute Valley, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ultimately, I must give credit to God. Since 2017 and 2018 (probably before), I knew that God had a plan for me and that did not include sitting in a cubicle 40-hours a week. Through years of prayer for divine wisdom, guidance, and direction I have seen doors close, doors open, paths intersect, and paths take a hard right turn. What has been abundantly clear to me is that I want God in control of my life. I want to do His work – not mine. And I want to live on purpose – on mission for Christ.

I already mentioned the book Halftime by Bob Buford. I highly recommend this. After reading the book, I enlisted coaching services from the Halftime Institute and worked with my coach for a year. Her name is Carolyn Castleberry. It was a life-changing experience.

When I finally took the leap to leave my corporate job on November 3, 2018, I had no idea where to start with my own business and was completely unprepared. I was like a fish out of water and, being the primary breadwinner, I had little time to figure things out.

The first thing I did was enlist Carolyn Soldo with Brand Your Passions. She taught me about branding, identifying my niche and ideal client, developing my first product, and marketing. Her phrase of throwing spaghetti against a wall to see what sticks caught my attention as that was what I was doing before I met her. With her program, I learned how to be specific about the services I was offering and I also learned where my strengths and weaknesses were regarding sales.

I built my first program using Teachable. It was called Dean’s Moral Compass Academy. There were two pathways: one for adults looking to transition from the first half of their life (a job) to the second half (a mission) and the second pathway was for teenagers interested in learning more about character development, life skills, and college preparation.

I also invested in Sunny Lenarduzzi’s program called YouTube for Bosses. Her program changed my thought process on marketing and has elevated my thinking to a bigger stage.

Along the way, I met Belinda Ginter, a mindset coach, and Jessica Spino, a technical guru. These two ladies have been instrumental in helping me build my brand and launch my ministry. Without their know-how, support, and encouragement, I am not sure I would be where I am today.

Website: https://www.drdebradean.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.debra.dean/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debradean1/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrDebraJDean1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debra.jean.969

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz_K0ZzC845CGbsRtqc5oRA

Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz_K0ZzC845CGbsRtqc5oRA

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