On The Cover: Dr. Derschaun Brown

DR. DERSCHAUN BROWN is the Founder and President of Helping Individuals Succeed (HIS), a community driven, non-profit organization dedicated to developing positive character in the lives of innercity youth and their families. Raised in Detroit, MI, her desire to effect positive change in the community inspired the launch of the HIS Agency in August 2004.

Dr. Derschaun had the following to share with SISTAH Talk:

SISTAH Talk: Who is Dr. Derschaun Brown?

Dr. Derschaun: I am a woman of God, a wife, a mother of one and a business owner of several successful businesses to include a nonprofit where I get to do what I love, which is helping individuals succeed in life.

Since the very beginning, my vision for the HIS Agency has been to empower inner-city with youth the tools needed to boost their self-esteem and confidence. My vision was cultivated through my childhood, education and life experiences. As a child, life was filled with challenges, yet my mother refused to allow those challenges to stifle my creativity. At eight years old, she enrolled me into charm school which not only taught me about manners and etiquette it helped build my confidence to pursue other creative endeavors in music, modeling and acting. My mother encouraged me to succeed. After graduating from high school, I earned a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Davenport University and in 2013, I received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Most recently becoming a Certified Coach in 2019.

Before founding the HIS Agency in 2004, I worked in human resources and then went on to work for the Detroit Public Schools (DPS). While working at DPS I facilitated programs that boosted the confidence and self-esteem of young boys and girls. In 2019 I wrote my first book entitled I am the Gift aimed at helping young ladies boost their confidence and self-esteem. SISTAH Talk: Tell us about H.I.S. Agency.

Dr. Derschaun: I started HIS Agency in 2004 after working in the school system and being asked to mentor a group of at-promise girls, which quickly turned into a whole class grade and eventually the whole school and then multiple schools to opening HIS Agency as a non-profit. I found there was such a need to develop girls who had low self-esteem because of childhood traumas that were causing them to make decisions that could cost them their lives. started this non-profit to work with scholars and their families focusing on life skills, etiquette, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

SISTAH Talk: What has been your motivation to develop the businesses you have?

Dr. Derschaun: I have always been motivated by leaving a legacy for my son first, and second by growing businesses that allow me the freedom and flexibility to do what I want when I want while being compensated well as a result of the services I provide. Being an entrepreneur affords me that luxury, not to mention providing a service to clients that have a serious need to grow their entrepreneurial pursuits. While helping them to start and expand their businesses, I’m also showing business women how to show up confidently and boldly by demonstrating techniques to enhance their beauty effortlessly through my monthly Makeup for Beginners individual and group workshops and my biweekly Facebook LIVE makeup tutorials.

SISTAH Talk: Tell us more about Makeup For Beginners.

Dr. Derschaun: This workshop is a one-on-one or group makeup tutorial designed to show the everyday business woman/entrepreneur or CSuite executive the basic techniques to enhance their natural beauty while using only five products. Everybody doesn’t want to be “Beat to the Gawds” and women now more than ever don’t have time for a lot of steps and products. They

DR. DERSCHAUN BROWN

DERSCHAU N BROWN DR.

want it simple, yet beautiful. What I find is most women want to wear makeup but don’t know where to start, how to apply what they like properly, or what tools to use to get the look they want.

SISTAH Talk: What do you believe is the most difficult part of establishing a business or brand?

Dr. Derschaun: I would say the most difficult part of establishing a business is finding your niche. Many entrepreneurs want to serve everyone and you can’t because everyone isn’t your client/customer. Find your tribe and sell them products and services that they need. Once you hone in on who your client is and you give them what they need, they will likely continue doing business with you and share your product/service with their friends and family.

SISTAH Talk: What would you say to those who aspire to branch out into a new business?

Dr. Derschaun: Just Do it! Even if you’re afraid, jump out on faith and do it! If God gave you the vision, He will give you the provision to do it. Lastly, done is better than perfect. Don’t wait for your business idea to have every detail that you desire it to have before you launch. Hit Go! Sometimes small details prolong the process and stall you from getting started. You don’t need a full website or popping headshots to launch your business. You need a product/service that you believe in that people have a need for. You can always improve it as you grow. JUMP!

SISTAH Talk: What are some keys to entrepreneurial success?

Dr. Derschaun: Three keys to entrepreneurial success are: (1) Find a need and fill it. Of course, there is nothing new under the sun, but how YOU do a thing is new; (2) Don’t quit when things get tough. Sometimes you are so close to your goal and you quit too soon; and (3) Find a mentor who has done it before to help navigate your path and assist you in building your business.

SISTAH Talk: How can we contact you?

Dr. Derschaun: You can contact me via email at derschaun@gmail.com or via phone at 313-5222503 or any social media outlet using the name Derschaun. There’s only one Derschaun in the world and she’s me.