First Episode 1/9/25!

In this solo episode, Dr. Des takes you deep into the real talk behind job promotions and career pivots. From her first promotion at the Florida Department of Health to launching a consulting career, she unpacks the unglamorous truth behind getting ahead in public health. You’ll hear about the power of a digital portfolio, why you might have to apply for a promotion (even when you’re already doing the work), and how to tell when it’s time to move on from a job that’s no longer serving you. Whether you're feeling stuck, underpaid, or just ready for your next step, this episode will help you get clear—and get moving.

Key Takeaways:

💼 Promotions in Public Health Aren’t Always Guaranteed: Unlike some industries, public health doesn’t always offer a clear path to advancement—you often have to apply and compete, even internally.

📁 Build a Digital Portfolio: Dr. Des shares how her collection of saved work—GIS maps, RFPs, presentations—helped her land both jobs and her first consulting contract.

📉 Don’t Wait for Fairness—Build Your Leverage: You may be the most qualified, but if you’re underpaid or overlooked, focus on stacking your skills and resume to pivot up or out.

🚪 Knowing When to Leave: When your job becomes repetitive, unfulfilling, or stalls your salary growth, it may be time to move on—even if the benefits are decent.

🧭 Get Mentorship and Be Proactive: Investing in mentors, joining communities like the Public Health Club, and taking initiative (even when unpaid) can create new leadership and income opportunities.

Mentioned in This Episode: The Public Health Club – Get access to mentorship sessions, workshops, and the digital portfolio training

How to use informational interviews on LinkedIn to connect with potential mentors

Dr. Des’s own leap from administrator to consultant—and what sparked the shift

Join the Public Health Club for a free 7-day trial and access the Digital Portfolio Workshop. Whether you're job hunting, preparing to pivot, or trying to position yourself for a promotion, the tools and community are here to help you thrive.

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

🎙 Final Episode: The Future of Public Health – Where Do We Go From Here? In this power-packed final episode of the Business of Public Health Summit Insider Series, Dr. Des and Dr. Brittny James are keeping it real about the future of public health!

🚀 From career pivots to building financial success, they break down what’s next in the field and how YOU can stay ahead. With federal job uncertainty, the rise of consulting & entrepreneurship, and the need for public health professionals to create their own opportunities, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the evolving workforce!

🔥 🎯 Key Takeaways:

🔍 The Future of Public Health Careers – What’s changing, and how can you prepare?

💼 From Federal to Financial Freedom – How to leverage government experience for consulting & private sector roles.

📲 Social Media = Career Growth? – Why public health professionals must embrace digital platforms to share insights & expand influence.

🚪 Create Your Own Opportunities – Don’t wait for a seat at the table—build your own!

💰 Impact & Income – How to make a difference while securing financial success in public health.

🎟 Join Us at the Business of Public Health Summit! 📅 April 11th | Atlanta, GA This isn’t just a conference—it’s an experience! ✨ Connect with industry leaders, mentors, and fellow public health professionals ready to help you take your career to the next level. If you haven’t grabbed your ticket yet, what are you waiting for? ⏳

🎙️ Welcome back to The Dr. Des Show and our Business of Public Health Insider Sessions with Doc B!

In this third session, we’re pulling back the curtain on how we landed our very first public health consulting clients. If you’ve ever wondered how to get started in public health consulting, find clients, or secure contracts, this episode is packed with firsthand experiences and strategies that worked for us.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The different ways public health consultants land their first clients. The role of networking, relationships, and referrals in getting hired. How applying to RFPs and RFQs can get your foot in the door.

The exact steps we took to turn one client into a growing business. The importance of knowing your worth and pricing your services properly.

🔥 Why You Should Listen: Real-World Advice: Hear exactly how we secured our first contracts and how you can do the same.

Actionable Steps: Learn where to find contracts, how to approach potential clients, and how to pitch your services. Common Pitfalls to

Avoid: Don't make the same mistakes we did—learn from our experiences! Industry Secrets: Discover how word-of-mouth and strategic networking can transform your career.

🚀 Bonus Discussion: We also dive into imposter syndrome in public health, why public health professionals are underpaid, and how to transition from full-time employment to consulting—without feeling lost in the process.

Welcome back to The Dr. Des Show! We’re diving into Episode 2 of our special four-part Business of Public Health Summit Insider series with Dr. Brittny James!

🎙️ In this episode, we’re getting real about starting, building, and sustaining a business in public health. Dr. Brittny James shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, how she manages her time and finances, and why having a plan (not just a business plan) is everything when scaling a business.

We also talk about:

✅ The mindset shift from 9-5 to full-time entrepreneur

✅ Why time management and systems are crucial

✅ The biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make

✅ The importance of networking & getting in the room

✅ Balancing business with life, relationships, and mental health

🔥 PLUS – We’re dropping gems about what to expect at The Business of Public Health Summit on April 11th (tickets are moving fast – grab yours now!).

Why You Should Listen:

💡 Real Talk – No fluff! We’re giving you the unfiltered truth about entrepreneurship in public health.

📌 Actionable Advice – Not just theory. We break down what it really takes to succeed.

🗣 Exclusive Insider Access – Get insights from successful public health entrepreneurs.

🎟 Summit Sneak Peek – Learn how to make the most out of the event, including who to connect with and what questions to ask.

🎙 Welcome to The Dr. Des Show! This is the first episode in our four-part series leading up to the Business of Public Health Summit on April 11, 2025, in Atlanta, GA! If you haven’t grabbed your ticket yet, what are you waiting for?! 🎟

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dr. Brittny James, also known as Doc B, the Chief Operating Officer of Healthcare & Emergency Solutions and CEO of Project Chick Planner. We’re diving into our journeys in public health, career pivots, and the moment we realized that public health entrepreneurship was the way to go.

🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How our careers started in the Department of Health and what made us leave The aha moment that showed us public health consulting was the real bag

💰 Why public health programs don’t teach entrepreneurship (but should!)

How Dr. James built multiple successful businesses (while managing a team of 100+ people) The importance of branding yourself as a business and making money in public health

💡 Key Takeaways: You are the business. If you have skills, you can market them and get contracts. There is money in public health. We were out here signing contracts for consultants making our yearly salary in six months!

😳 Imposter syndrome is real, but so is your expertise. Stop doubting yourself and go after those opportunities. Networking and mentorship matter. The right connection can change your career.

🎧 Tune in and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about public health careers! 💬 Join the Conversation: Are you ready to make moves in public health? Join The Public Health Club for mentorship, career tips, and consulting opportunities! 🎟 Get Your Ticket to the Business of Public Health Summit! 📍 Atlanta, GA | April 11, 2025 | Limited Spots Available 👉 Subscribe & Leave a Review! If this episode resonated with you, show us some love by rating and reviewing the podcast! It helps more public health professionals find this space.

In this episode, Dr. Des dives deep into Shiny Object Syndrome—that overwhelming feeling of having a million business ideas but struggling to execute them effectively. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get distracted by new opportunities, but without proper strategies, this can lead to burnout and lack of progress. Dr. Des shares personal experiences, practical strategies, and an actionable game plan to help you stay focused while still nurturing your creative business ideas.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🔹 What is Shiny Object Syndrome?

• Understanding why entrepreneurs often feel pulled in multiple directions.

• How constantly jumping from one idea to the next can prevent real success.

🔹 Dr. Des' Personal Struggles with Shiny Object Syndrome

• Juggling consulting, coaching, and content creation while maintaining balance.

• Learning to say no and prioritizing what aligns with core business values.

🔹 Strategies to Organize and Execute Your Ideas

• Brain Dumping & Prioritization: Writing down ideas and evaluating them later.

• Aligning with Core Values: If an idea doesn’t fit your mission, it’s not the right time.

• The Power of “Not Right Now”: Placing ideas in a queue instead of abandoning them.

• Batching Content & Work Tasks: How dedicating set days for different tasks increases productivity.

• Blocking Distractions: Avoiding random projects that don’t align with long-term goals.

🔹 Why Saying “No” Can Be a Form of Self-Care

• Declining one-on-one coaching sessions to preserve energy and time.

• Shifting from one-on-one services to scalable group coaching models.

• Recognizing that saying no to distractions means saying yes to family, rest, and self-care.

🔹 Time Management Hacks for Entrepreneurs

• Theme Your Days: Keeping all meetings on one day to free up time for deep work.

• AI & Automation: Tools like ChatGPT, scheduling platforms, and AI note-takers.

• Scheduling & Pre-planning Social Media Content: Staying visible without being glued to social media.

🔹 Making Money Without Trading Time for It

• Moving from trading hours for dollars to passive income through courses & memberships.

• How Dr. Des structured her Subcontracting to 6 Figures course to be hands-off while still providing value.

• Why launching a digital product or membership model can free up time while increasing impact.

Action Plan: How to Turn Your Million Ideas into Actionable Success

✅ Step 1: Write It Down – Keep a notepad or digital document to store all your new business ideas.

✅ Step 2: Prioritize Your Ideas – Align each idea with your business mission & long-term goals before acting on it.

✅ Step 3: Set Clear Business Goals – Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to determine if an idea is worth pursuing.

✅ Step 4: Structure Your Time – Use batching, scheduling, and automation to stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.

✅ Step 5: Learn to Say No – If an opportunity takes time away from your priorities, it’s okay to decline it.

✅ Step 6: Focus on Scalable Income – Shift from one-on-one services to group programs, courses, and digital products to maximize impact while working less.

🙌 Share this episode with a friend who needs help prioritizing their business ideas!

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.