Desiree Sloan

I attribute my success to strong leadership guidance, especially from my CEO Banu D., who has been pouring into me and gave me opportunities to show that I could be a leader. She gave me the opportunity to transition into working in her company when I was about to get laid off from my last company, and she really saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. I didn't even know she was mentoring me that whole time until I took a step back and realized it. I also believe success comes from focusing on the process rather than just the end results. When it comes to recruitment, we get so excited for the end results, but we don't take the process into account. I think you need to stay focused on the process, cross all your T's and dot all your I's, and enjoy that journey, because not every time will you be able to extend an offer letter. Every process that you have will show who you are when you're going through that process. I'm also passionate about being a servant and helping people, which I believe is my most valuable trait. I love pouring into people and seeing who they want to be become reality, because a lot of people believe in themselves but just don't take the next step to do it, so they need encouragement and a different perspective.

The best career advice I’ve received has come through the mentorship of Banu D., the CEO of BD2 Consulting. She has played a significant role in my professional development by believing in my potential and giving me opportunities to grow into leadership roles. Through her guidance and support, she helped me navigate important transitions in my career and encouraged me to step into responsibilities that challenged me to grow. Her mentorship taught me the importance of trusting the process, embracing opportunities for growth, and having confidence in my ability to lead.

I would say to not force things, because the main thing when it comes to recruitment is that we want to be so excited for the end results, but we don't take the process into account. I would say stay focused on the process and make sure that you cross all your T's and dot all your I's, and enjoy that journey, because not every time you will be able to extend an offer letter. That process into account is important, because every process that you have will show who you are when you're going through that process. I also think time management is crucial, and you need to maintain strong leadership. A lot of people look up to you in a way that they expect you to lead, and if you show poor leadership, it trickles down to the whole effect of the foundation and everyone else. It's about maintaining that leadership and also being a listener. People like to be heard, and if you're not taking heed of what people are saying, they can feel dismissed or not valued. I'm really big on encouraging and also making sure people are heard. You have to make sure that you take people into account, especially when you're working with a team.

I would definitely have to say time management and keeping up with all the nuances between businesses. There's a lot of knowledge that you have to have in order to even be a leader, because a lot of people look up to you in a way that they expect you to lead. If you show poor leadership, it trickles down to the whole effect of the foundation and everyone else. So it's just maintaining that leadership and then also being a listener. People like to be heard, and if you're not taking heed of what people are saying, they can feel dismissed or not valued. I'm really big on encouraging and also making sure people are heard. I feel like that's challenging because a lot of times you have your own working motives when it comes to work, but you have to make sure that you take people into account, especially when you're working with a team.

I'm very passionate about being a servant. That is my most valuable trait, serving people. You will get delivered through their perspective because everybody's lifestyle is a little bit different. I love being outside in nature and enjoying simple things like a good walk in the park and feeding the animals. My friends kind of call me like the Snow White because I like to feed the animals and bring my little snacks with me. I'm also building on new interests like pickleball and pottery, which allow me to relax and stay active. But most importantly, I do ministry work as an outreach, serving in many different areas within the Houston area. We went to a nursing home last Friday, and it was very much needed for both ends, on our end and their end, just to have someone there to know that they're valued, that they're seen, and that they're heard. We spend time with people when some of them are neglected or just dropped off there. It was a very heartwarming experience. We also go out and feed the homeless and take care of those who are in need. I love pouring into people and seeing who they want to be become reality. A lot of people believe in themselves but just don't take the next step to do it, so they just need encouragement and a different perspective.