Today, we are interviewing Natasha Lee, a Speaker, Influencer, Thought Leader, Business Enthusiast, Philanthropist, Editor, Educator and serial entrepreneur who is the proud Founder & CEO of Make Your Dreams Come True (MYDCT) & Being That Girl (That Girl).
Please tell me about yourself.
Make Your Dreams Come True (MYDCT) & Being That Girl (That Girl), both companies were solely built to encourage and aid others to create their own legacy, live their dreams, and support others to do the same. I do this by using education, technology, influence, business, and community service. Through these companies, I have an opportunity to utilize the many skills that I possess, including Engineering, Marketing, Project Management, Business Development, Lead Generation, Sales, Software Development, Mentorship, and so much more. While my business pursuits make me proud, there is no greater role than being a Servant to my God Jehovah and a Mother to my offsprings Rashard, Nathan, and Tia. Here are a few random things about me. I LOVE to learn, laugh, dance, create, and read books. I am beyond silly, love to quote movie scenes during a conversation, I genuinely have a natural affection for all people. I enjoy having peace of mind, visits to the library, museums, and gathering with my friends and family. My favorite ice cream is Butter Pecan.
How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us about your journey.
My mother, although most of my life, she considered to be a ‘homemaker,’ inculcated entrepreneurship into my thoughts at an early age. One morning when I was about 8 years old, while walking to school during a Detroit winter storm, I needed to understand why I was walking instead of being driven. I asked my mother where my father was because usually, he would drive us to school. At this point, my mother explained to me that my father worked overtime at Ford Motor Company. She explained to me the concept of work and overtime. My mother further explained how to escape the rat race and the professional options that would allow me to retire before 60 years old. She described entrepreneurship was the only profession that would allow me to retire young, offer flexibility, and give me freedom. Hence, there was nothing else that I wanted to do. Moving forward through life, I ONLY aspired to be an entrepreneur. By the time I was 11 years old. I would draft business ideas and even draft blueprints of buildings. While my mother sold me on the ‘American Dream,’ she didn’t explain how hard it would be to achieve the goal. On my road to being an internationally known entrepreneur and influencer, challenges and obstacles were at the forefront. Some challenges and obstacles were inherited, such as discrimination, redlining, ‘the hood’ and poverty. Some obstacles were self-inflicted, such as being a 2x teen mother. So how did I get here? I did everything that I could do to WIN. I graduated top 10% of my high school class; infact, by the 10th grade, I completed all necessary classes required for graduation except the two core classes that I required to take each semester until the state allowed me to graduate. During my last 2 years of high school, I technically only needed to attend school 2 hours a day. Therefore they allowed me to work as a school administration at the Elementary school I graduated from. Upon graduation receiving nearly every award/recognition that can be received from a High School, I earned from my academics and writing skills nearly $150,000 in scholarship monies for school. I was accepted to over 15 Universities, including a prestigious private local university, Lawrence Technology University. I would be one of three African American students in every lecture. Between the ages of 16 and 23, I worked within many industries, including education, automotive, banking, call centers, importing, transporting, engineering, and many more. In these positions, I was often the youngest and only one of 3 to 5 African American’s working in the positions acquired. During my position as a Sales Analyst at Budco Call Center in Highland Park, Michigan, I discovered exactly how valuable I was. During my employment, I became one of the top sales agents responsible for selling extended service plans for Ford and Chrysler. This position paid 6K-8K per month, which was impressive for a 20-year-old in the hood. After aiding Budco with closing a possible client Harley Davison, they were further impressed with my sales techniques that my supervisor previewed to me to how much money I generated the company in revenue in phone sales. I discovered that I made them 1 million dollars within a 6-month timeframe. WOW!!! After discovering this information, I called my mother and told her that I was starting my own business, my own call center. I embarked on virtual and work from home companies. My first contract was processing inbound calls from home for Virgin Mobile. It was lucrative pay considering I was working in my pajamas on the weekends. My business started with me hiring a supervisor and one independent contractor, which quickly escalated to over 700 contractors globally. Launching my business in my home, expanding to my brother’s basement, eventually opening a Call Center in Eastpointe, Michigan, was by far one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had to date. My journey started as becoming the first of three Virtual Service Corporations to service Arise Corporation. This was a tremendous opportunity! I began creating a blueprint based on my experience and leaning on the experience of my brother and his wife’s knowledge as Store Managers for BlockBuster Video. Further, I would read as many business books as possible because a few years lapsed since my studies of business management and computer engineering at Lawrence Technology University.I watched videos on Youtube, listened to TedTalks, and took a keen interest in reading about gurus who made something out of nothing. After fostering a business model and strategy, it was time to expand. I began to facilitate work from home seminars where people would participate all over the world, even flying in to hear me speak. I began to explore freelancers and virtual project outsourcing platforms where I would learn the art of winning contracts. In a short period, we transferred from being a Call Center solely processing inbound calls to an outsourcing firm servicing clients globally. Literally, being the missing piece to their business dreams and making business dreams a reality!
Who are your role models?
To name a few, Jehovah, Jesus, my beloved mother, my siblings, the men and women in my family, inner-city communities who continue to make something out of nothing, my fellow influencers and entrepreneurs of Detroit, Oprah Winfrey, Aiko Dangote, Jeff Benzos, and Vishen Lakhiani.
What inspires you?
Honestly, my inspiration from the start of my career until now has been my children. My children inspire me to keep pressing forward, to continue to create a lasting impression on their hearts and mind. My prayers and hopes are that they retain the information and gratefully inherit a legacy that I’ve built for them. Further, I am inspired by those who I love! Lastly, I am inspired by my dead loved ones who no longer have the gift of life. For every life that is taken, I am compelled to love, live, laugh, and work harder while making my mark in history.
Please tell us about your company.
Make Your Dreams Come True (mydct.net) is an internationally known outsourcing firm. Professionals, Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Innovators, Fortune 50 and 500 companies outsource their business needs to our firm, and we get it done! There is no project too small or too big for our firm. Now in regards to Being That Girl, we encourage support and celebrate the success of women. Our collaborative partnerships stretch from the USA to the UK. It’s been a tremendous experience to have serviced thousands of business owners over the last 14 years. Being That Girl (That Girl) is my new baby, and it’s just about 2 ½ years old. Our sole purpose is to support the success of women from youth to adulthood while empowering them through fashion, media outlets, education, and business. So far, we have accomplished so much thus far. Subscribe to our site at www.iam-thatgirl.com for more information and follow our IG for all the good karma we share with our audience @be_thagirl_ Since every That Girl needs That Guy I am happy to announce that I have gifted my 19-year-old son Nathan Maxwell a business for his high school graduation. He is now the proud owner of Being That Guy. That Guy will offer all apparel and services as That Girl.
What’s your most memorable experience?
Being That Girl Macy’s Launch event was EVERYTHING! I’ve been awarded and recognized countless times during my entrepreneurship career. Honestly, I can’t say that there have been too many occasions that family has shown up for any speaking engagements, award ceremonies, etc. It’s usually one family member every so often. However, my friends have always shown up for these events. However, I felt all the love and appreciation from my family and friends when I announced that That Girl would be sold in Macy’s in both Michigan and Pittsburgh. I had the time of my life with them celebrating this milestone with my family during our Macy’s x That Girl fashion show. I can’t thank Macy’s enough for allowing me to partner with their brand for this and also share this momentous occasion inside their store. Indeed it was my most memorable occasion because I had the opportunity to finally share an entrepreneur moment with the people who I love the most. I am forever grateful.
Which social media channels work best for promoting your work? What exactly do you do on the social media channel that makes it work for you?
My favorite platform to use is Facebook. Facebook was the first platform that I joined, which is why I’m so comfortable with it. I’ve now utilized the platform for 8-9 years. Initially, I began to use the platform because I wanted to stay connected to family and friends. Entrepreneurship can get a little lonely at times. Lol In the interim for me, Facebook transformed from being a place where I could crack jokes, laugh with family and friends into a new business portal of opportunities. I believe I made the pivot from using social media for personal to business almost 4 years ago. I love the Facebook Groups. In fact, I have several of them, one Being That Girl, which has about 1600 members, where we develop all sorts of business initiatives, masterclasses, provide crowdfunded grants and encouragement, and so much more.
What’s your greatest fear?
I actually have two fears. 1) Living an unfulfilled life 2.) Not inheriting God’s Kingdom and Paradise
Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
I wish I understood the value of giving away opportunities. Early on in my entrepreneurial journey until maybe 3 years ago, I understood that everyone is not worthy of the opportunities that I possess or create. Regrettably, I have an inkling to see talents in people that they do not see in themselves. I spent many hours of time nourishing individuals who were not ready mentally, physically, financially, and who lacked confidence in themselves. While I enjoy the work, it’s a horrible feeling to invest time into something without ever seeing the end result. Have you ever heard the expression ‘Beating a dead dog? My grandmother would use this phrase when she felt like she invested time into something that wasn’t going to flourish. I had to learn the difference between a person who wanted it and the person who is willing to work for what they want it. Leadership and Mentorship are hard tasks, but when these roles are assumed, it’s important that you work with people who want it as badly as you would like for them to have it.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Faith, Dedication, Consistency, Patience, Endurance, and having Passion for all things that you are a part of. I am intentional about aligning my thoughts with my ability to execute. Lastly, there’s a motto that I follow, which is to NEVER compete with anyone but myself. I am my greatest competition.
What keeps you going when things get tough?
GOD because developing a personal relationship with him is the most powerful love and protection that you will ever need. He is indeed my strength. When I am weak, he makes me strong.
Any message for our readers.
Yes, here’s what I want our readers to know:
● Life is short, so live it up. Don’t let little minds detour you from your goals
● Be persistent in your pursuit to achieve your goals.
● Keep a low profile with high spirits that’s the way to true peace.
● NEVER stop imagining what ‘you’ know is possible.
● Don’t let the words NO detour you from greatness
● What caused you pain in the past is in the past. Live in this moment.
● Mental Health is part of being healthy. Explore professional therapy. The world will drive you crazy
● Stop trying to shrink yourself to fit into places you’ve outgrown
● You are your own rescue and responsibility
● Chin up, or your crown will slip!
How can people connect with you?
Contact me via our websites and social media pages.
You can also check out Instagram handles @imthatgirlnatasha and @be_thatgirl_.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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