I remember the first time I met Darshunda...she had a bigger than life personality and a laugh that was so infectious! I can literally still hear her laugh in my head...and would know it was hers instantly if I heard it. We never really developed a true friendship, but she was always nice when we were around each other. I always remembered her for being the type of person that could command a room as soon as she walked in, and someone that always seemed to know exactly what she wanted and how to go get it. I've sat in the distance and watched her become a complete BOSS, and have been so inspired. When I met her, I knew it was only going to be a matter of time before it would happen!!! I was really nervous when I messaged her asking if she would be apart of feature...but was so super thankful that she not only agreed...but agreed without hesitation!!! I know that her story will inspire you just as it has inspired me over the years!!
I introduce you to the Beautiful BOSS Darshunda Osioh-Polk, MBA
*Generally
speaking, what was your childhood like?
Looking back, I had a
childhood like many; middle class working parents, we had birthday parties, a
few family trips, both parents in the home, 2 sisters, 1 brother. We never went
hungry, lights got cut off here and there, schools’ shoes weren’t always the
newest but always name brand. We weren’t a big family, mainly my father's 54
brothers and sisters live in Nigeria and Europe so growing up it was my
mothers’ side with a few cousins from my dad’s side. Born and raised Dallas, TX
at St. Paul hospital lol!
*What
have you learned over your lifetime that you’d like to share with the younger
generation?
Never stop fantasizing…. I do not say “dream” because we can’t necessarily
control our dreams, whereas our fantasies are controlled and made of; our
deepest hearts desires, the things that internally make us happy, we fantasize
about the bigger, better, badass part of ourselves…NEVER STOP SEEING THAT,
that vision and fantasy of self will build confidence, determination, goals,
strength and serve as vital life tool.
*What
has the journey/process been like for you to get to where you are today?
Still on it…but my process
has been one of self-actualization and spirituality. I had to journey through
becoming comfortable in my own DARK skin and so many other issues but realizing
that I must take care of me first and release the guilt of doing so; God does
the rest.
*What
sacrifices have you had to endure to get to where you are today?
Sacrifices is a strong
word. As a businesswoman I make compromises and priorities. I’ve had to sacrifice
paying the mortgage at home in order to fund business payroll, lol a lot of
times but I don’t see sacrifices.
*What
do you do for a living?
I am the owner and
Program Director at Helping Hands - we specialize in creating employment
opportunities, community funding, and social services. Co-owner at Polk’s
Transport- dispatch and commodity logistics
*What
motivates you the most?
Personal Success
*You
are a complete BOSS…as a woman, why do you feel like creating this path for
yourself was/is necessary?
I believe the black
women is the most under protected individual in the world. I almost died at the
age of 29 from a stroke caused by undue stress, anxiety, and poor mental
healthcare from a company I had worked for since I was 19. This company hired
my replacement before my last day and THEREFORE my path was necessary and is
like many others. These companies will work us in the ground for a few coins,
then we get content with that guaranteed check, and continue to put off our
dreams, passions, and successes and therefore the path is necessary. I
remember when I first got the entrepreneurial bite and was planning to resign. I
was making $25.72/hr. and I remembered thinking WAIT! If they pay me $25/hr HOW
MUCH ARE THEY MAKING OFF ME!?? I refused to continue to be a worker getting ROBBED
LOL! I resigned, gave it to God, and started Helping Hands the following year.
*What
was it like where you grew up?
I grew up in the
Pleasant Grove/Mesquite/Balch Springs area of Dallas so you could literally be
in Pleasant Grove in a shootout, but cross the street into mesquite and you
have your soccer moms at the park with the kids lol. I was blessed to
experience the life situations where I grew up. I played outside, made tents in
the woods, family vacations, stole candy from the corner store, fought, water
gun fights in the summers, snuck and smoked cigarettes, loved recess because I
was good at Tetherball, rode bikes, normal childhood until I saw my first
murder and dead body at 13yo, my father was deported, mother turned to addiction; by this time we lost everything so where we grew up wasn’t important.
*Describe
your most important friendship(s).
Loaded question lol….
My most important friendships are with my sister AND two best friends. These
women are from completely different worlds when it comes to their perspectives,
so they always keep me level and open to different perceptions. They are not
afraid, intimidated, or fearful of being honest with me. You need this around you as you grow!
*What
did you want to be when you grew up?
Lawyer
*Were
there any moments you recall as true breakthroughs in any area of your life?
1.
Graduated with my
Master – suffered deep depression during this time.
2.
The day my best friend
died- had never experience a loss of this magnitude and it happened in a good
time in my life, so I was unhappy, guilty, and depressed for being happy when
my best friend was dead…
3.
Hired First employee –
I knew then this was bigger than me and Gods had plans for my business to grow.
4.
The day I got married-
God revealed that he had been molding my husband for me for years; long love
story lol
5.
The week my business
ALMOST closed- I got cocky and God humbled me quick!
6.
The moment I thought
my marriage was over in the first YEAR- I was afraid of losing the love I knew
was created for me. No one taught me how to be married.
7.
The day my father died-
still working through this one
I have experienced so many
breakthroughs and they all were beautiful lessons. Hard as hell but beautiful
lessons.
*Have
your dreams and goals changed through your life?
Of course, they change
daily lol!
*How
do you define a “good life” or a “successful life?”
I define a good life
as “waking up at whatever time I want!” Successful life is
defined as being internally happy with the “things” you want/have in life.
*Do
you think a person needs to first overcome serious setbacks or challenges to be
truly successful?
Not sure I understand
the question...what are considered setbacks/challenges? Does a setback have to
be traumatic? I don’t think a person has
to overcome something to be successful. Success is a mindset that is learned
and can be formulated; you can formulate your mind to be and think successfully,
whether you’ve “overcome” a setback or challenge or not? I’ve been homeless; I
overcame that setback; but doesn’t mean I am successful? My opinion.
*What
would you like your children and grandchildren to remember about you?
My mama/granny was a
fucking boss!! UNFUCKWITABLE in everything she did.
*Who
was the most influential person to you as a child?
Mrs. Viola
Camble-Bailey – Spruce HS speech and debate Teacher- First person that taught
me how to put educated evidence behind any argument I stood on. This woman
heard me in the hallway one day “checking” somebody and she said we need to use
that voice in a better way. She put me on the path to college without having to
play basketball, which is what I wanted.
*What
is your greatest hope?
My greatest hope is
that at least half of my fantasies come true 😊
*Anything
you would like to say about your “platform” “area of expertise” “business” or
anything at all?
I created a business
on the platform of what I love and am passionate about; and that is building
and helping people. At every one of those breakthrough moments in my life I had
MY PEOPLE to get me through it. I recognize this as a daily blessing; the fact
that I’ve had good PEOPLE surrounded around to HELP ME. My people weren’t
always blood family, or people that I speak with today, and that doesn’t
matter. We all need help and we’re all going to need people to help us. Helping
Hands was founded to Help People and provide employment
opportunities! Employment opportunities geared at serving children, communities,
and families; while receiving competitive compensation, flexible schedules,
work from home options and all under minimal supervision. My company has always
been rooted in my faith in God, so naturally I structured my business to be
pleasing to Him, helping children and putting good into this world. God will
bless what he is pleased with! Helping Hands executes several state and local
employment contracts aimed at servicing families and individuals within family
and child protective service programs. The CPS system has hundreds of thousands
of children and families needing valuable services. I found services that was
aligned with my passions and began making profit from outsourcing the services.
As we grow into our sixth year, we’re looking to carve a niche in the health and
human service market and become a complete service agency for all things
related to CPS services with the Texas region; talk about goals changing lol. I
found a niche in a service industry and capitalized.
Thank you again so much to Darshunda for participating in this feature!! Her story is truly inspiring! I hope you all got some inspiration and enjoyed reading more about her. I have linked the website to HelpingHands-Services below. Definitely check it out.
Lots of Love 💜
Rebekah
Beautiful and inspiring.
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