Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Clark-Pitts
Hi Dawn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2016, I preached a sermon entitled, “My God is so F.L.Y. (Faithful, Loving, Yahweh), and a girlfriend told me I should put that on a t-shirt. After prayer and research into the t-shirt business, in 2019, I launched Divinely Designed Enterprises, LLC., an online Christian apparel company, which is based on Psalms 139:13-14. I started with three lines, my signature line, “Divinely Designed by God”, “You Can’t Block My Shine”, based on Matthew 5:16, and the initial inspiration, “My God is so F.L.Y. (Faithful, Loving, Yahweh). I was just getting started, when everything shutdown with the pandemic in 2020. I took that time to write a Christian devotional entitled, “Walking Out the Word: 365 Days of Applying God’s Word to Your Everyday Life.” The book was then incorporated into my product offering. I have expanded my business from just apparel to include accessories, such as water bottles, tumblers and notebooks. I also added a line for children called, God’s V.I.P., so parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles and anyone who loves a child could encourage the next generation in their faith. In 2021, with online sales not growing as much as I had hoped, I began to branch out into in-person sales, by vending at various local events and conferences, and I hosted my first in-person personal development event, in June of 2024. I’m still learning and growing as an entrepreneur, but I’m committed to my mission which is for everyone to embrace who God divinely created them to be and for them to use their gifts and talents to fulfill the purposes and plans He has for their life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has not been a smooth road; it has been quite rough and bumpy. As with many new entrepreneurs, have struggled with funding for products and on-going operational expenses. I have questioned whether my designs are resonating with my target market. I have in-fact struggled to define my target market. Also, my business is based on the drop shipping model; therefore, my profit margin is not has high as businesses that buy their products wholesale. So, determining pricing that is profitable and reasonable can be challenging. Additionally, now that I have begun to focus on in-person sales, trying to decided which vending opportunities are going to be profitable can be a challenge, since you are somewhat dependent on the event planner’s marketing. There is also the challenge of time management. I didn’t really understand the operational side of running a business and the amount time it takes to keep your business going, even when it’s mostly online.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I actually wear multiple professional hats. In addition to owning Divinely Designed Enterprises, LLC, I am a licensed professional counselor, with a part-time practice, call DDC Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC, I’m an ordained minister serving as an associate minister at New Liberty Baptist Church, and I’m also a full-time supervisor in information technology, for a local county government. I am able to combine my professional, clinical and ministerial experience to help people embrace the person God created them to be and walk in their divine purpose. I am known for encouraging people on their transformational journey of growth, both personally and spiritually. Although I am proud of my perseverance on the entrepreneurial road and I’m proud of the completion and publishing of my first book, I am most proud of two things. First, in 2013, I entered my first small business pitch competition, and I won the people’s choice award. Second, is first women’s event, I hosted last year. It was called, “Affirming the Greatness in You.” I’m proud that I was able to be an instrument of God’s love and source of encouragement to the women who attended to take one more step towards living the life God divinely designed for them.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is of Christmas, when I was about nine years-old. I came down the stairs that morning to see the Christmas tree lit up, and Christmas music filling the house. As an only child, most of the presents under that tree were mine. But, out of all the toys that were under the tree what stood out for me was a black baby doll in a lace dress with a lace bonnet. Her skin was a deep chocolate brown and her brown eyes were so bright. She also had facial features that were realistic for a black baby, almost like mine. I never imagined a doll could be so beautiful. Most of my other dolls were white or they had brown skin tones on top of a doll with white features. I’m sure finding that doll was like find a needle in a haystack for my mom. I’m grateful, because that doll was more than another toy. That baby doll encouraged me to have more of a positive self-image. She was a statement about blackness being beautiful, and it was an opportunity to care for something that looked like me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopdivinelydesigned.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinely_designed_enterprises/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivinelyDesignedByGod.Ps129.13
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-clark-pmp-llpc/
