Written By: Dr. Rhonda M. Wood
Two Years. Two Months. Two Weeks. And Two Days. No, that is not a countdown until her next vacation. Or how long she has left until she can comfortably retire. But instead, a representation of the total time she spent incarcerated in a federal prison as a result of operating a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise.
The FAULT
In 2004, Dawn Michelle Chamberlain, MPH, MBA, had it all. She was a beautiful woman. She had a loving family. And she was a successful business owner. Dawn was the CEO of a growing tax preparation agency. She had a gift for crunching numbers and enjoyed bringing financial empowerment to her community. She worked with individuals, couples, and families to help them take advantage of as many tax credits as possible. This allowed her clients to receive larger tax refunds to support their dreams of home ownership, college education, or paying down debt. She enjoyed the pleasure of watching her clients experience a level of financial freedom they had never seen before. She began to push more and more for tax opportunities so that her clients could receive larger returns. The problem was that many of her seemingly noble strategies were unethical and illegal. She had gone too far, and it cost her big time.
The FAILURE
In 2008, Dawn found herself involved in a five-year investigation for tax fraud against the United States of America. In 2013, she was indicted for her crimes and imprisoned the following year. Dawn knew what she was facing. She went from having it all to losing it all – her business, her family, and her life as she knew it. She vividly remembers that time in her life that felt more like she was facing a death sentence rather than a prison sentence. During one last gathering of family and friends before serving her sentence, Dawn remembers seeing everyone celebrating her before going to prison, but it felt like her funeral repast. It felt as if she had died. Dawn was about to begin a never-before-experienced journey of isolation.
The FIERCENESS
Following her release from prison in 2016, Dawn realized she had lost years but did not lose her zest for life or helping others. She was still a fierce, bold, confident leader whose inner strength allowed her to overcome major obstacles. Her ambition, drive, and unique personality allowed her to redefine and rediscover who she was, and she has become a role model in her community and for the next generation. Dawn is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, master trainer, coach, and author. Dawn is now on a mission to impact audiences worldwide by teaching them to Expand, Elevate and Eliminate Excuses to dominate as business owners and entrepreneurs. She specifically trains new, emerging, and aspiring business owners to identify and overcome challenges that keep them from building successful businesses effectively. Through sharing her personal journey of discovering her fierceness despite the multiple failures, including incarceration, Dawn challenges her audience to embrace their next level and Choose L.I.F.E. (Live In Fierceness Everyday).
In line with her unyielding passion for helping business owners succeed, Dawn is CEO of Dawn Michelle Enterprises Inc. and serves as Chief Visionary Officer of Felon Friendly Foundation. She equips clients with tools and strategies to put their best foot forward, reach their ideal clients, grow their businesses, and walk in their purpose. Dawn is also the founder of No Hustle University, a groundbreaking coaching program that provides entrepreneurship education and training to understand better resources, monetization, compliance, and other matters related to owning a business.
Recognized as a well-known figure in her community, Dawn is a fierce advocate and supporter of The Second Chance Act regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in communities, education, workforce, healthcare, housing, and entrepreneurship for those who have been impacted by the justice system. She also serves as Chairperson of Hooper Councill Positive Potential Project, a 501 C (3) non-profit organization dedicated to offering a progressive range of support services focused on facilitating the successful integration of target groups with high criminological risk factors and improving public safety in the community.
As an influential figure, Dawn is the host of her upcoming Onstage Plus Network TV series and author of a soon-to-be-released book, Stop Playing! Get Your Shiii Together: From Fed Life to Legit Business Life, which guides readers on building sustainable, successful businesses regardless of past experiences or current circumstances by using her own personal stories of transitioning from incarceration to becoming a successful businesswoman.
Are you ready to find your fierceness? Are you ready to Stop PLAYING and Get Your Shiiiii Together?
You can connect with Dawn at info@coachdawnmichelle.com, www.coachdawnmichelle.com or @coachdawnmichelle or @Iamfelonfriendly on all social media platforms.
