Today we’d like to introduce you to Dionne Williams.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dionne. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Taking it all the way back to the late 90’s when I was in graduate school during the summer I interned for NBC Chicago in the community affairs department – from there, I learned many things regarding public relations, community affairs, events and met so many people in the business, civic and media industries. During that time, I was fortunate enough to have so many business leaders take me under their wing and allow me to take lead on their projects/events and also taught me many things in the field. That’s why it is so important to me to mentor emerging leaders in this field because of the amazing mentors and advocates I had in my life.
Networking was big for me during that time, I attended every event I could, built relationships and became more visible. This helped in breaking through the many cliques that this industry has and especially in Chicago. I always encourage people to not get discouraged from people blocking you continue to press forward and it takes time and perseverance.
I feel fortunate to have successfully run my company for 20 years and have planned thousands of events and provided many successful PR campaigns. Have worked with top corporations, non-profits, celebrities, cultural institutions and so many more in reaching their Public Relations and Event Management goals.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I always caution people who want to start their own business because it may look glamorous – but having all the things needed and systems in place when starting a business is very important. Forming your business structure whether a Scorp or LLC, having a business lawyer, a GOOD accountant is very key! TAXES are very important to me as I have had a business for many years and business owners have to deal with many issues as the business continues to grow in revenue. Ensuring you file taxes, meet IRS deadlines, estimated tax payments, keeping organized books, etc etc. I cant talk about this enough.
Also, I am an advocate for working mothers. When I was building my business, I had 3 small children and it was very difficult to do everything I had to do and raise these little ones – it was important to have a support system around me to ensure my home was taken care of and my business was still moving. Raising my kids and raising my business at the same time was my most difficult struggle. But now, both kids and business are flourishing!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about D. Williams Public Relations & Event Management Group – what should we know?
D. Williams Public Relations & Event Management Group provides quality public relations campaigns and concepts that are executed in national and local urban markets.
My clients have been featured in local and major market newspapers, national magazines, national shows, such as Billboard Magazine, E! Entertainment, Black Entertainment Television (BET), ABC, NBC, CNN, and CBS radio and television affiliated networks locally and nationwide.
My clients have included: Oscar Award Winning Actress Jennifer Hudson, R&B Legend Chaka Khan, Dwayne Wade’s Wade’s World Foundation, Playwright and actress Regina Taylor, American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), American Family Insurance, Johnson Publishing Company, Paul G Stewart Housing Campus, The N’Digo Foundation, The HistoryMakers, ORS Haircare, just to name a few.
My company also is also a premier Event Management professional producing high-end galas, celebrity concerts, conferences, and special events. I manage some of the major and notable events in the nation.
I am also the creator and owner of Emerge! Fashion Show which takes place during New York Fashion Week. Emerge! is one of the top collective emerging designer showcases during NYFW. Every year Emerge! presents the coveted Fashion Innovator Award which has been presented to Andre’ Leon Talley, Pat Cleveland, Beverly Johnson, Audrey Smaltz to name a few.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Hard work, persistence, patience, knowledge, resourcefulness
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Dwilliamspr.com
- Phone: (312) 428-9480
- Email: Dionne@dwilliamspr.com
- Instagram: DionneWilliams_
- Facebook: D. Williams Public Relations Group
- Twitter: Dionne Williams
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