We had the good fortune of connecting with Dionne Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dionne, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I am a true ATLien! Born and raised on the southeast side of Atlanta. I have two of the most amazing parents, four older siblings and many extended church family members. Growing up in the church, servant leadership was all that I knew and the example that my father, Bishop Frankie Key, Sr. set for me. I was taught to always lead with compassion and empathy; to work hard for what I wanted in life and to never stop trusting the power that is within me to guide me throughout life’s journey. I grew up believing that nothing was impossible and I had a relentless drive to be “successful”. I didn’t accept no for an answer and I was committed to the journey no matter how long it would take.
Fortunately, that drive carried me through my college years at Clayton State University and allowed me to earn a Bachelor of Information Technology degree. While in college, I began working part-time as a customer service representative for a Commercial REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) that owned one of the top shopping malls in Atlanta. After a short time there I was offered a full-time mall marketing position. This is where and when I discovered my love for real estate…and the rest is history. I quickly began to climb the ranks in the commercial real estate industry working for top Fortune 500 companies. I felt blessed to be able to do what I loved every day with some of the best people in the real estate industry. As my career continued to ascend, that ride to the top started to cost me a little time here… and a little sleep there… until a little became A-LOT! I was operating under the belief that putting everyone and everything before myself meant that I was being a self-less person; and that was a good thing, right? Wrong.
I often worked long hours in the office and frequently took my work home with me, commuting three plus hours a day to and from my downtown office. By this time I had more than just me to consider. ‘I’ became ‘we’. I had (have) a loving, supportive husband (Ainsley), an amazing son, Amir (13) and a spunky daughter, Suri (6) but, I was too tired to play with my kids when I came home; too tired to engage in any conversation that was longer than 15 minutes about their day. I was a shell of myself. Stressed most days and now dealing with anxiety, burn out and resentment. My time was no longer my own and I didn’t know how to re-claim it.
I was “successful” at least by society’s definition; however, I didn’t feel successful. I was dealing with constant exhaustion, heart palpitations, hypertension, and emotional stress. I was out here in these streets holding my self-proclaimed ‘self-less’ title and didn’t realize that being self-less was literally killing me. I would eventually learn to be self-true.
Fast forward to October 2020 in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic with “Rona” and all his cousins roaming around, my health was in more danger than I could ever imagine. I no longer had the ‘option’ to take care of myself because at the tender age of 39, I was diagnosed with hypertensive heart disease. I was devastated. I was now being ‘forced’ to take care of ME and that’s when my wellness journey began.
I was always the strong one, always the problem solver, the shoulder to lean on, the independent one, the consistent friend. I was struggling because I had created a version of myself that didn’t need anyone else. I was successful… right? Following my diagnosis, I made the decision to choose me and reclaim my health and I vowed to help empower other women to do the same.
S0, in June 2021, I launched BOSSI Retreats, a women’s wellness company that curates luxe self-care retreats for professional working ‘BOSS’ women. I help CEOs, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, moms, wives, sisters, and friends reconnect their mind, body and spirit to achieve ultimate health and wellness.
Opening up about my experience allowed me to discover other women that were experiencing the same anxiety, burnout and frustration that I had experienced. I wanted to empower these women to focus on their wellness so in October 2021, I hosted my first sold-out Self-Care Retreat in beautiful Tulum, Mexico, and the wellness journey will continue in May 2022, in Scottsdale, Arizona, with more women taking their self-care journey to the next level. This is ultimately why I decided to start my own business.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Whenever you commit to something openly, there will always be things and people that will test your dedication and your commitment. Being a small business owner and new to entrepreneurship has it challenges. You are “all the things” and you wear all the hats… CEO, marketing manager, customer experience manager, event planner, social media content creator and PR specialist. It can be overwhelming at times.
Remembering to be kind to myself has been my saving grace. You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be a part of team “no sleep” to have a successful business. Even as business owners we must maintain healthy boundaries so that we can show up for our clients and customers as the best version of ourselves. It is also important not to seek outside validation. Believe in yourself and your vision. Keep going even when no one is clapping. Stay the course because God is faithful. I am most proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone and did it anyway.
At BOSSI Retreats, we help women discover a self-care routine that fits their lifestyle by providing the tools needed to develop healthier habits that will improve their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. We curate next level luxe Wellness Retreats that allow women to experience different self-care modalities such as yoga, meditation, sound bathing, breath-work, healthy eating, fitness, adventure, travel, and relationship building. We are teaching women that you can’t wait until you reach your breaking point to take the necessary steps to maintain your health, peace, joy, happiness and your coins! It has been proven that we do good when we feel good. It is our responsibility to ensure that each day we are getting what we need to deal with the stress and challenges we face in our daily lives.
What sets us apart from others is that we have a sweet spot for helping professional working “BOSS” women. Women that have traded their wellness for success. Women that have been defined by their titles for far too long. Women that have had to fight for every promotion, every title that they wear whether it be CEO, corporate leader, manager, momprenuer, sister, daughter or friend. It’s time to add another title to the list and that’s “Well Rested Working Woman”.
When you attend a BOSSI Retreat, you will not be judged, you will be supported, you will be respected, you will be valued and treated like the Queen you are. I take pride in curating the most empowering, luxurious experiences filled with positive vibes, rich culture and guidance from top health and wellness curators. There is always an element of surprise and freedom to make your wellness journey your own with the support of our community.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My best friend is arriving at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in the AM, our first stop would be brunch and mimosas at The Breakfast Boys. We would leave there and head to Midtown for a stroll through Piedmont Park…you know to walk around Dr the mimosas.
Then we would head over to the Woodhouse Day Spa for a relaxing massage and facial.
From there we would go to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, South City Kitchen. Then we would go for dessert and specialty coffee at Cafe Intermezzo.
We would start the next day with a hike at Sweetwater Creek, followed by lunch and beautiful views at the Drawbar inside the Bellyard Hotel then for dinner we would check out Chops Lobster Bar with pre-drinks at the Garden Bar.
Other favorite spots in Atlanta are:
1. Ponce City Market – Check out Bar Vegan
2. Truist Park – Check out The Battery
3. The Avalon – Check out shopping and dining
4. Agave Restaurant
5. Nan’s Fine Dining
6. Ray’s on the River
7. BQE
8. Huey Luey’s
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to the most amazing business coach – Janelle Nicole. I joined her 3 month business program called the Sidebiz Academy after realizing that I needed help navigating the purls of entrepreneurship and I don’t regret it. Her program and support has been very instrumental in the success of my business.
Please check her out at https://janellenicole.co or on Instagram at Janelle Nicole (heyjnicole).
Website: www.bossiretreats.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossiretreats/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075093938546
Image Credits
Kendrick Little of Lighthouse Media