First, I have spent the past 40 years striving to become an ordained minister in pastoral care to those in grief, crisis, and loss. As an old social worker it took me nearly 30 years to get approval as a female to enter seminary. I graduated in 2005 with MDiv and in 2016 with my doctorate. I have been a trainer of Chaplains, social workers, and Grief Counselors in a corporate healthcare system who downsized me in November 2020. My husband and I have been striving to get Dr. Deb Ministries (DDM) going at the same time slowly behind the scenes while working this full time corporate work. Don (husband) signed me up in October for this coaching and I had also this past October wrapped up my Enneagram Certification in a program for psych social spiritual awareness program.
I tell you all this to say, I graduated on Oct 11th on a Sunday afternoon with Enneagram Certification. We went to dinner and celebrated the one more thing to be added to my desire to start DDM and slowly begin part-time with it while my corporate healthcare work was my main bread and butter and benefits package. The plan was to work until 65 going slow with DDM and then full time with DDM when I could retire from corporate healthcare. On Monday, Oct. 12th I had a call out of the blue and completely unexpected downsizing conversation of the psychosocial department. While the merger had been friendly over the Summer and all downsizing was supposed to be over: it wasn't. 24 hours earlier we were having a celebration dinner over the long Certification work done! My husband was thrilled still! ""OK, God is telling you it is Dr. Deb Ministries full time now"" And he signed me up for the coaching program with EPM and Marisa.
Now, I am a grief expert and I am a minister. So, I vetted more and started slowly to give myself permission to grieve with my team and colleagues in healthcare, say my goodbyes, and have additional conversations with the president of our company that was bought out. It was truly over and all goodbyes done and no tears and no regrets; I moved forward.
I watched a video of Marisa in a boat rowing around near a family property and telling a story of her uncle's death, traveling on a bus from college to get to a funeral, her family, and her dreams. As a collector of peoples stories and finding them sacred pieces of ourselves being exposed; I was moved by her transparency and genuine demeanor. I told my husband I would watch and learn and move through the process she is offering. That's the video that sold me on Marisa specifically.
I have finished re writes on a book, done 194 XP's, been on coaching with coach Carrie, and outlined and chatter boxed Exper. product but not launched fully yet. I have also looked at other product ideas to utilize for the ""Bird's Eye"" view of how I envision this market ministry to look and become. The Webinar series from Don Crowther was outstanding! And it (webinars) are absolutely going to play a part of how DDM functions too!
If anyone would have told me that DDM would become my full time market ministry work in 2021 I would not have believed it. However, my husband and this program process of EPM have me all in! Thank you!
Each year I pick a prayer word as a guiding meditation through out the year. 2021 is 'connect'. EPM is a main connection I have come to value. Thank you again.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
Ongoing support is available and the training wheels are not forever: We can fly and soar like eagles ( Isaiah 40:31) EPM reminds me of this verse and it is a great mantra for me!
How did EPM help you become successful?
The process can be overwhelming with a thousand emails coming at you but I felt empowered and I do not define success by money. I never have! I am successful in having a plan, a process, and a purpose that drives me forward: EPM helped me clarify that plan, process, and design multiple possibilities into a main purpose!
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
I am ready to own my own voice in what Dr. Deb is able to offer. I am comfortable that my tribe will be comfortable with me and me with them in a hospitable and genuine support in faith care, self care, self/soul awareness, and renewal out of grief, crisis and loss. Connecting with those who will connect with me is the win-win-win for each and all. That is success for all then too!
What has been the biggest change in your business?
Overwhelmed at all the possibilities as I plan out Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 for this year. I am excited and open to the marathon approach of diligence, and perseverance feeding my spirit. I am not a sprinter type but I am not a quitter type either. So, starting a business in Covid and chaos is not phasing me and I am inspired that the timing is actually perfect. And for me that is actually a hysterical thing to say if you know anything about type one on the Enneagram!
What is now possible for you because of your Experience Product?
Everything is possible and the product itself is a great place to start.