Powerful Women of Purpose Series. Meet Desiree Foster-Collins
Quick Facts:
Desiree is the President of Excellence by Design, LLC, Coach, Speaker and Trainer who helps business owners and organizations grow their greatest assets – themselves and their people and help their business look GREAT through video marketing for social media.
What is your definition of Purpose?
My definition of purpose is becoming aware of WHO you TRULY are and accepting that person flaws and all. Purpose is operating in your God-given strengths and using it to add value to others. Purpose to me is recognizing that your story was allowed to you for you to learn, grow, change and win in life.
When did you know for sure what your purpose is and what you wanted to contribute to the world as a career?
Wow…. this was truly brought about from dealing with so many blows and let downs in life. My childhood was traumatic and learned very strategic coping and safety mechanisms that helped me to survive. One thing I knew on the inside, even when life has dealt me blows is that I have the ability at any given point in time in my life to change… to become a better version of myself. Recently as I have been trying to figure out how to maximize myself in my business …. meaning … there are MANY things that I love to do that comprise who I am. How can I utilize all of those skill sets and talents and incorporate them into what I wanted.
I’m creative. This is the space of me that allows for me to decompress when I need to and more importantly dream on paper or computer screen. I love beautiful things. I love to decorate and put things together. My son is an artist and he had grown his social media platform into over 100K people following his video work. So I looked into it and found that I truly enjoyed the creation process of video and picture editing and marketing. Looked into it a little more and decided to make an investment in myself that would yield a return. So we started our “Creativend Social Media Services” where we can help small business owner market their business using video animation on social media. I find that people get so frustrated with social media because it changes so fast so they decide to do nothing at all.
Also I am a HGTV fanatic so décor and decorating make me smile. Mannnnnnn…. Let me stop lying… pretty things make me really, really happy. I love beautiful things. There can be unique quirkiness involved…so as there is beauty I’m at peace.
I Love business startups.
I love the strategic planning and design process of developing a business and watching things come together. I love working with people who know that if there is someone that go can alongside them cheer them on, knowing the risks…. They would do it anyway. They are courageous. It takes a lot of courage to follow your heart’s dream, your pocketbook being a little lighter than normal… All for the sake of learning how to fail properly. My mentor says that the BEST experience is ‘evaluated experience.’
Lastly, I LOVE helping people. Becoming a Coach, Speaker and Trainer started off as a ‘checkbox’ item. However what I have found from being a part of the John Maxwell Team has afforded me the opportunity to live what I have learned and to add value to everyone that I come in contact with. My goal is to help others become the best version of themselves in the workplace and at home.
To date what's your most significant accomplishment?
My most significant accomplishment was becoming a member of the John Maxwell team of world class coaches, speakers and trainers, I’m so excited that I am being used by God to be and make the difference for others.
What's one tip you would give to someone trying to figure out what their purpose is, and living it no matter what?
The advice that I would give is to be crystal clear on knowing who you are, operate in your strengths, embrace change, learn all you can, laugh A LOT and have fun because LIFE is good.
What's your definition of beauty and how do you celebrate your individual beauty?
My definition of beauty is a woman who values herself enough to not allow anyone or anything to distract her from knowing how much she is loved by God. She is a woman who is clear on her purpose and plan. Beauty is an inside job.
Besides the Bible what's your favorite self-development book?
Now… this is a tough one. My favorite(s) are 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth and No Limits. Both are by John Maxwell and I highly recommend them.
To learn more about Desiree's work go to www.excellencebydesign.us
