Posted Under: Entrepreneurship, Our Heroes

Today we have Sharita Lawson, the teacher turned entrepreneur under the “Our Heroes” series. Sharita decided to leave her, over half a decade career as a elementary school teacher to start a behavioral health agency that provides residential treatment for youth and adolscents who need round the clock care in order to manage their behaviors. Let’s talk to her and find out more about her teacher to entrepreneur journey…

DD: Who are you and what kind of corporate job were they at?

SL: I am Sharita Lawson, a former elementary school teacher turned entrepreneur. Not really sure if you consider the public school system a “corporate job” however, it definitely qualifies as a full time job/traditional job. I was an elementary school teacher for over five years when I decided to go into business for myself. In 2004 I made the decision to leave the classroom and open a behavioral health agency that provides residential treatment for youth and adolscents who need 24 care in order to manage their behaviors. After about five years in the business I evolved into consulting for other individuals seeking to start, substain, and growth the same type of company.

DD: What made you leave the job? When did you realize that you wanted to be an entrepreneur & why?

SL: I left my teaching job because my business began to grow it became too demanding to teach all day and run the business at night and weekends. In addition my business began to generate enough revenue to I felt comfortable leaving my full-time just.

Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs I think I have always known I was an entrepreneur. My family consisted of aunts and uncles who owned nursing homes, trucking companies, dump truck companies. My grandfather owned a cement company. my mother was actually the only child of four that went to college and got a job. I think growing up in a home with two educators made it easy to go in the same direction, even though there was something inside calling me to go into business for myself.

DD: What did you do to break the corporate jail? How did you prepare for the employee to entrepreneur transition?

SL: For over a year I worked on my business. I knew initially that I would not be able to jump into the business completely because I needed income. At the time I had three small children so there were a few more people depending on me. I worked non stop on my business. I would leave the school and immediately begin working. On Friday afternoons I would head to the business and would work all weekend then return to work on Monday mornings. Replacing a teaching salary isn’t too hard to do considering the small monthly salary. However, the teaching had one benefit I could appreciate, security. I made a plan to transition full time into the business once I was able to full replace my income and had several months of savings just in case. However, back in 2004 teaching jobs were easy to get so in the back of my mind I knew I could always find a job in my profession at the drop of a dime.

DD: What are your tips and suggestions for aspiring entrepreneurs?

SL: “A Dream, A Scheme, and A Team” this is my formula for success. DREAM – follow your dreams, even if they seem far fetched or if people tell you that you shouldn’t. You wouldn’t believe how many people told me I was crazy for leaving my stable teaching job. In spite of the nay sayers I did it anyway. I truly believe you can do anything to put your mind to. There is nothing more fulfilling than doing what you love.  SCHEME- plan, plan, plan and plan some more. Right it all down, set dates, and goals. Even if it not a formal business plan you still need a plan, not only for your business but for your life as well. TEAM-One of the hardest lessons that I had to learn was that I can’t do everything myself. Sometimes we are hesitant to ask for help. There are so many talented people out there who are looking for new opportunities and are willing to help out. If money is an issue then use what you have. bartering is a great way to get things done.

DD: How are you doing and how do you feel now?

SL: Today, business is good. I am exploring new adventures. There are two things I miss about the classroom though- 1. Being there with my own children and 2. My students. However, being in business for myself gives me a lot of flexible and the ability to do a lot more with my children. In spite of this, I couldn’t see myself working for anyone but me ever again.

DD: That was Sharita Lawson folks. I especially loved her formula “A Dream, A Scheme, and A Team”. So, now it’s your turn to follow your dream, figure out a scheme and find your team. Good luck!

Success to all!