First Episode 1/9/25!

In this episode of The Dr. Des Show, I take you through my journey of earning a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)—from deciding between a DRPH and a PhD, securing funding, managing full-time work while in school, dealing with burnout, and navigating the dissertation process. If you're thinking about getting a doctorate in public health or you're already deep in the struggle, this episode is for you! I break down the key differences between a DRPH and PhD, discuss whether a doctorate is the right choice for your career goals, and share tips for surviving and thriving in a doctoral program.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ DRPH vs. PhD: What's the Difference? – Understanding the key distinctions and choosing the right path for your career goals.

✅ Funding a Doctorate: How I Got Mine Fully Funded – The funding opportunities available and why you should never pay out of pocket for a PhD.

✅ Balancing Work & School – How I worked full-time while pursuing my DRPH and the lessons I learned.

✅ Burnout is Real: How to Manage Stress in a Doctoral Program – My personal experience with burnout and how I overcame it.

✅ Dissertation Survival Guide – Choosing a topic, handling research, and getting through the writing process.

✅ Should You Get a Doctorate? – A checklist to help you determine if a DRPH or PhD is right for you. Resources & Links Mentioned: 🎓 Public Health Club Workshop: DrPH vs. PhD – Learn from DRPH and PhD professionals about the career differences, salaries, and funding opportunities. 👉https://www.publichealthclub.com/membership

Join me LIVE in Atlanta on April 11, 2025 for The Business of Public Health Summit! We're talking entrepreneurship, career pivots, public health x tech and so much more! There will be a public health business pitch competition plus champagne! Secure your ticket here!🎟👉https://www.publichealthclub.com/business-of-public-health-summit

https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Are you ready to land your first public health consulting client? Whether you're just starting your consulting business or struggling to secure that first contract, this episode will walk you through the exact steps to make it happen! 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ The step-by-step process I used to land my first consulting client ✔️ The difference between an RFP (Request for Proposal) and an RFQ (Request for Quotation) ✔️ Why having a digital portfolio is a game-changer ✔️ The two main ways to land clients: applying for contracts vs. marketing your services ✔️ How to set up your consulting business (LLC, EIN, and SAM.gov registration) ✔️ The importance of niching down and how it impacts your success ✔️ How to leverage LinkedIn and personal branding to attract clients ✔️ The power of networking and visibility in growing your consulting business ✅ Key Takeaways & Action Steps: ✔️ Get clear on your niche – What expertise do you offer? What problem do you solve? ✔️ Build your digital portfolio – Showcase your work through a website or PDF portfolio ✔️ Set up your business structure – Get your LLC, EIN, and register on SAM.gov if needed ✔️ Apply for RFPs & RFQs – Learn where to find them and how to submit strong proposals ✔️ Market your services – Use LinkedIn, networking, and content creation to attract clients ✔️ Be consistent & visible – If you don’t talk about your business, no one will know it exists! 🔗 Resources Mentioned: 🎯 Digital Portfolio Workshop – Available inside The Public Health Club -https://www.publichealthclub.com/memb...

🎯 Resume Development Workshop – Includes a template to create a strong consulting resume - https://www.publichealthclub.com/memb...

🎯 Free Public Health Consulting Training – Happening on February 13 & 17 Register Now! Sign Up Here- https://www.publichealthclub.com/publ...

Don't forget that Subcontracting to 6 Figures is open for enrollment and registration closes on 2/23/25! If you want me to walk you through all the steps in creating your business and landing your first client then I hope to see you there! Learn More Here: https://www.publichealthclub.com/subc...

💡 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like this video if you found it helpful! 📩 Subscribe for more career and consulting tips! 📢 Comment below with your biggest takeaway or any questions you have! #PublicHealth #Consulting #Entrepreneurship #PublicHealthConsulting #CareerGrowth #DrDesShow

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 4 of The Dr. Des Show!

For as long as I could remember, I said I was going to be a doctor. A pediatrician, specifically. But when I got to college? Whew. Organic chemistry, physics, and even basic chemistry had me questioning my whole life.

I grew up in a small rural town where access to advanced science courses wasn’t the norm. So when I got to Florida State University, I quickly realized that many of my classmates were way ahead of me. I struggled, failed anatomy and physiology, and started doubting my entire plan.

This episode is about the reality of pivoting, letting go of a dream that no longer fits, and how failing a class was the push I needed to discover my true calling in public health.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The moment I realized med school wasn’t for me.
✅ How failing anatomy and physiology forced me to reassess my career path.
✅ Why the pressure to “choose the right major” in college can feel overwhelming.
✅ How I pivoted into public health—and why it was the best decision I ever made.
✅ Lessons on embracing failure, trusting the process, and allowing yourself to grow.

Lessons from This Episode:

💡 Lesson 1: Just because you’ve always wanted something doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
💡 Lesson 2: Failing isn’t a sign to quit—it’s a sign to reassess and pivot.
💡 Lesson 3: Your career path isn’t set in stone. It’s okay to change directions and pursue something new.
💡 Lesson 4: Trust yourself. The path you’re meant to take will always reveal itself in time.

Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to The Dr. Des Show and leave a review! Your feedback helps us grow and reach more listeners like you.

Remember: Your journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding what’s truly right for you.

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 3 of The Dr. Des Show!

In this episode, I’m taking you back to where it all started—my childhood in a family full of entrepreneurs. From selling candy behind the counter at my dad’s game room to watching my mom run her home health agency, entrepreneurship was more than a dream—it was my normal. This episode is for anyone wondering if entrepreneurship is for them or how to build a business when it doesn’t feel “natural.” Spoiler: I didn’t realize growing up around business owners wasn’t the norm, and it gave me a perspective on resilience, pivoting, and hustling that shaped my journey as a consultant and entrepreneur.

If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you or wondered how to start, this episode will show you that entrepreneurship isn’t just about what you’re born into—it’s about taking bold steps and betting on yourself.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How growing up in a family of entrepreneurs shaped my mindset.

✅ Lessons I learned from my parents, who built multiple businesses while working full-time.

✅ The importance of resilience and pivoting when times get tough.

✅ Why my childhood experiences—from selling candy to learning pool—helped me embrace entrepreneurship.

✅ How to take inspiration from your roots to build your own business.

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 2 of The Dr. Des Show! In this episode, I’m sharing how I built a $135K consulting business while balancing one of the biggest transitions of my life—becoming a new mom. Picture this: I was seven months pregnant when I told my doula I thought I’d be bored on maternity leave. (Spoiler: I wasn’t! 😂) Between midnight feedings and sleepless nights, I made the leap into consulting—and landed my first $40K contract while feeding my baby at 3 AM. This episode is for anyone wondering if you can juggle family, work, and entrepreneurship—and come out on the other side with a thriving business. 💼💡 -What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How I went from zero clients to $135K in consulting income within a year. ✅ The moment I realized I could make real money as a consultant. ✅ How I landed my first $40K contract—and how that led to more. ✅ Why you don’t have to be perfect to start a business. ✅ How I balanced late nights, motherhood, and business growth. Key Moments to Listen For: ⏱️ [00:00] – Introduction I share why this episode is so personal to me—building a consulting business while navigating new motherhood wasn’t easy, but it was life-changing. ⏱️ [02:15] – The Conversation That Sparked It All How a conversation with my doula led me to realize I wouldn’t be bored on maternity leave—and that I was ready to start my business. ⏱️ [06:00] – Landing My First $40K Contract I applied for my first Request for Proposal (RFP) with the CDC Foundation—and to my surprise, I won! This $40K contract changed everything and gave me the confidence to keep going. ⏱️ [09:40] – The $85K Contract That Followed After my first win, I landed another contract for $8K, and then another one for $85K. I break down how I scaled my consulting business while still adjusting to life with a newborn. ⏱️ [14:15] – Balancing Motherhood and a Business From late nights to early mornings and working while my baby slept, I talk about how I made it work without burning out (but let’s be real—it wasn’t always easy). ⏱️ [18:00] – Key Takeaways for Aspiring Consultants I share the four biggest lessons I learned from building my consulting business and why you don’t have to wait for the “perfect time” to start. ⏱️ [20:15] – Final Thoughts Why building a consulting business isn’t about perfection—it’s about trusting yourself, taking small steps, and staying ready for big opportunities. Lessons from This Episode: 💡 Lesson 1:You don’t have to wait for the perfect time to start your business. Start where you are, with what you have. 💡 Lesson 2:Your network is your most valuable resource—tap into it! 💡 Lesson 3:Balancing family and entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but with the right support system, it’s possible. 💡 Lesson 4:Big opportunities often come when you least expect them—stay ready! Join the Conversation: I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! 💬 What’s holding you back from starting your consulting business? 💬 Have you ever landed a big opportunity unexpectedly? Subscribe & Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to The Dr. Des Show and leave a review! Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more listeners like you. Let’s build something incredible together—one step at a time.