In the dynamic landscape of modern business, it takes a unique blend of insight, empathy, and expertise to foster both professional success and personal growth. Enter Dana Hatch, the visionary owner of a thriving Consulting and Coaching enterprise dedicated to this dual mission. With a holistic approach that intertwines business acumen with personal development, Dana has carved out a niche where she empowers clients to conquer challenges like imposter syndrome, find their voice, and embrace their power to lead.
Dana’s journey into this transformative field was sparked by her realization that traditional consulting often overlooked the individual behind the business. Her nearly 15 years in the industry revealed a glaring need for a methodology that nurtured both the organization and its people. By addressing this gap, Dana has not only catalyzed significant changes in her clients’ businesses but has also witnessed remarkable personal transformations.
In this insightful article for Women On Topp magazine, Dana delves into her professional journey, shares the core principles of her holistic approach, and provides actionable strategies for overcoming common barriers faced by women in business. Her story is a testament to the profound impact of integrating personal growth with professional success, offering a beacon of inspiration for aspiring female entrepreneurs.
Can you describe the moment or experience that inspired you to start your consulting and coaching business?
I have spent nearly 15 years in the consulting industry, and throughout my career, I consistently encountered a significant challenge. In consulting, the primary emphasis was always on the business rather than the individual. This approach tended to address surface issues without fully resolving them. However, as I began to broaden my perspective and focus on both the people and the business, I could bring about real change for my clients. It was at that point that I realized the importance of integrating both aspects and decided to apply this holistic approach to my work in the field.
How do you define a holistic approach in the context of your consulting and coaching services?
When examining a business, I carefully assess every aspect and individual within the organization to understand their collective impact. By recognizing everyone’s strengths and challenges, I address how they contribute to the organization’s challenges. From this understanding, I develop a tailored plan that benefits both the business and each team member, guiding them toward personal growth to enhance the organization as a whole. My approach focuses on nurturing trust, shaping the organizational culture, and promoting business growth.
How do you help clients tackle impostor syndrome and what strategies have proven most effective?
I begin by assisting clients in recognizing specific internal factors that could be contributing to their impostor syndrome. We explore how feelings of inadequacy are closely connected to impostor syndrome and discuss ways to address them. By examining the mental and physical manifestations of impostor syndrome, clients can regain control of their experiences. After identifying the root cause and its effects, clients then learn ways to reframe thoughts and take charge of their own narrative. The most successful strategies for overcoming impostor syndrome involve embracing your feelings rather than avoiding them and establishing a supportive community for sharing and discussion.
What are some common barriers your clients face in finding their voice, and how do you assist them in overcoming these?
One of the main challenges my clients encounter includes a lack of confidence in expressing their thoughts, fear of failure, concern about losing clients by voicing strong opinions, and a limited understanding of their own value. To assist my clients in overcoming these obstacles, I employ a range of coaching techniques. We first explore the underlying issues that contribute to these negative self-perceptions. Subsequently, we utilize consulting methods to accurately determine their market position and effectively support them in advancing both themselves and their business.
In what ways do you believe personal and professional development are interconnected?
Engaging in personal development is vital for self-enhancement and professional advancement. By understanding your abilities and ambitions, you can elevate your performance at work. Enhancing self-awareness, knowledge, emotional intelligence, and skills directly impacts your professional success. Recognizing your emotions and motivations can elevate self-assurance and work efficiency. Defining your values and beliefs helps clarify your purpose in both personal and professional realms, guiding you towards overall improvement. Establishing clear and attainable goals boosts motivation and productivity. Progress in personal growth fosters confidence and leads to further accomplishments. Dedication to self-improvement enhances leadership abilities, empowering you to mentor and motivate your team toward common goals.
How do you stay motivated and continually develop your own skills to provide the best support for your clients?
I am deeply dedicated to my work and the development of my clients. When clients come to me for help, they are usually facing tough personal or professional challenges, sometimes both. Guiding them through these tough times, assisting them in finding their inner strength and happiness, is a strong driving force for me. This commitment pushes me to improve constantly, expanding my skills to offer full support for the progress and success of every client that I have the privilege of working with.
What personal experiences have shaped your approach to coaching and consulting?
Growing up, I faced an undiagnosed learning disability that was only identified in my 20s. This led to feeling inadequate and unintelligent during my formative years. The education system’s one-size-fits-all approach made me feel like I didn’t belong. It greatly affected my self-esteem until I discovered alternative teaching methods that cater to individual learning styles. This experience has significantly influenced my coaching and consulting approach, inspiring me to adapt and diversify my methods to effectively communicate with clients to ensure that they are getting everything that they need from the process.
Can you share a time when you faced impostor syndrome yourself and how you dealt with it?
When I launched my company, I experienced impostor syndrome. Although I knew I was capable, I had always worked under someone else, which made it challenging to have faith in myself. At that point, I turned to a close friend whom I’ve known for many years, both personally and professionally. I shared my fears and emotions with him, and he guided me to shift my perspective. He reminded me of the numerous successful outcomes I had achieved for my clients, proving my competence. He highlighted that my insecurities were driving my self-doubt. Following my own advice to clients, I created a supportive network, learned to reframe negative thoughts, and compared them to logical reasoning. This approach helped me overcome that overwhelming feeling.
How do you define success for yourself, both personally and professionally?
I measure success in my personal and professional life by my ability to be proud of the impact that I have had on the lives of the people in my life. It’s important for me to know that I’ve consistently delivered my best efforts to both my clients and my loved ones. Making a positive impact on their lives is what I consider the highest achievement.
What advice would you give to other women who are looking to start their own business?
Believe in the importance of your message and the value you bring to the world. If you have something meaningful to share, you deserve to do so. If you’re finding it challenging to stay motivated or confident, don’t hesitate to seek assistance. It can be intimidating to admit when you need help, but it’s even more daunting to miss the chance to share your dream and gift with those who truly need it.
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![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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