At The Dames Group LLC, we are a company of performance builders and systems creators that deliver long-term sustained outcomes. We partner with clients to create or reimagine their learning functions by providing the following:
- Learning and Development Training
- Process Management
- Meeting Design and Facilitation
- Coaching
But what I’m really passionate about is people!
What's the Story Behind The Dames Group LLC?
As a first-generation graduate, a Caribbean woman hailing from Nassau, Bahamas and growing up in New York City, I’ve always had the drive to develop myself and be a resource to others. This drive was in part instilled by my upbringing and the dedication of the educators at Frederick Douglas Academy (FDA) in Harlem. I was fortunate to be a student of Dr. Lorraine Monroe, whose focus for FDA was to teach the student, not their upbringing or background. The level of education I received was incredible – and I didn’t realize how impactful it was until I became an adult.
I started on the entrepreneurial track to create an opportunity to work for myself. I launched my business in Philadelphia while matriculating from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), where I earned a Master of Science in Organizational Development & Leadership.
At the end of the program, I became the first student, woman & person of color to deliver a virtual Capstone project at PCOM. I had written my final capstone project on virtual learning. Eight years before the pandemic shut us down, I was helping companies think about virtual learning! And now, here we are, living in the space of virtual learning. The education motivated me to solidify exactly HOW The Dames Group would be a resource for others. I left Philadelphia in 2010 and have been operating in Montgomery County for the past 12 years.
Early in my business, motherhood became more of a priority, so moving to a new state – and trying to start a new business simultaneously – was not easy. I knew I wanted to be in business for myself, but the “how” to balance it all was not clear to me just then. Luckily I still had clients in Philly – so I traveled back and forth as I continued to learn about Maryland business development, specifically Montgomery County.
In 2011 Marriott International called and asked about my consulting skills and my ability to work with them in the DEI space (diversity, equity, and inclusion). That opportunity was a great start to my consulting business locally. I became a consultant for a year and then an employee for the next 3-½ years.
Creating relationships, building my brand, and making a name for myself became my focus. At the end of my time with Marriott International, I was confident in my preparation to work with the next client – Hilton Hotels. Working on Hilton’s project management team as a consultant allowed me to use my Lean Six Sigma background, work on projects like the Lifetime Diamond program, and launch the Live Nation partnership. It was an amazing year and a half to partner in the hospitality space.
Today, my mind is taking the next leap: virtual reality learning – and that’s who I want to meet. I want to meet the learners and developers in the VR space, take the teaching I’ve created in design, and put them into VR scenarios. As a learning professional, it’s my instinct that this is the direction work is going. I am now imagining how amazing it would be to put diversity scenarios in this kind of environment and have the next generation connect earlier with the value of DEI.
The Dames Group will be a resource for learning in the future by recognizing that the learning experience will look different for tomorrow’s learners, using tools to reinforce learning, and meeting learners where they are. I am now creating opportunities to tap into these learning methodology resources and utilize my OD (organizational development) and leadership background to create something that will make sense. Something that still hits the mark but provides some level of connection virtually. I think it will be an individual process – for people and companies – and The Dames Group’s niche is to create learning experiences by meeting people exactly where they are.
Through the development of relationships and being known as a resource that provided personalized learning experiences, we are excited about the ever changing world of learning and continue to innovate in ways that help our clients, their staffs, and leaders to reimage, innovate, or create learning.
What County Resources Have You Used in Building Your Business?
One of the resources I leaned into most heavily was the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC). The Dames Group sponsored events and provided several emotional intelligence training sessions for their group. They allow me to stay present with my presentation skills while also meeting new leaders in the area. As a result of my work and experience in hybrid learning, I provided perspective in an interview on how leaders can pivot their teams in times of change.
Additionally, I’m a new member of MBCC – now starting to lean into their resources – and this engagement is already paying off. I was able to connect with other small businesses and partner with a virtual office professional to help build my business and wealth.
What's Your Advice for Start-Ups?
Take time to connect with people. That’s how I’ve always been able to grow my business. Being able to show who you are is different from simply telling someone about your business. We all want to share our business, but we also want to connect with people. People do business with people that they connect with…and remember.
Now that the world is opening up again, take the time to connect with people. I’ve made some of the best connections by just leaning over and saying hello to someone. To build your business, you can’t be timid. Being able to show who you are when you’re talking about your business is powerful. Having a level of passion for it within you that will translate…you have to 100% bring YOU.
Also, help other people. I’ve been using my relationships and what I know about the internal processes of big companies to help business owners think strategically about how to get into corporate spaces and supply chains. I come from a corporate background. I worked for KPMG, and there I was able to see how deals are made – and what companies look for from small businesses to bring them into partnerships. I also help leaders of small businesses think about their exit strategies – will this business you’ve built have lasting value? What’s the plan?
As an entrepreneur with these particular experiences, I am always open to sitting down and having coffee and helping businesses connect the dots. It’s a form of giving back to the community – and it also helps my business grow.
What's Your Favorite MoCo Resource for Fun and Games?
I read the Rockville newspaper for notifications about local events and festivals that are resuming now [post Covid], which keeps my children and me out in the community.
I also appreciate that my children’s schools give so many resources for the students outside of what they learn academically; for instance, county activities that support the school curriculum. I’ve had a chance to meet many parents, been part of the NAACP parent committee, and had opportunities to develop resources for children of color.
