Episode 115 - Dawn Kelly, the moment she lost her much loved corporate job
On this episode I have Dawn Kelly. Dawn tells her story of losing her much loved corporate job, the feeling of emptiness the closed door left her with, the moment words from her daughter made her get up and start to make plans. She went on to found The Nourish Spot, a healthy eating business in Queens New York.
Dawn now campaigns on issues of creating opportunity for young people, healing communities with real food, evolving after loss and the power of mentoring others.
Love this podcast? Give us a five star review or rating on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your Podcasts, it really helps us make more great content like this episode.
More about Dawn
A graduate of Howard University, Dawn’s 30 plus year public and media relations career promoting campaigns and companies, food and entertainment, people and places, finance and retirement have taken her all around the world. In fact, she can say hello to you in quite a few languages.
Formerly Department Vice President of Prudential Financial Inc. and director of public relations for our own York College/CUNY, Kelly is a trusted, seasoned and proven public relations and strategic communications executive with an award winning track record of implementing large-scale innovative, integrated communications plans to build brand awareness for businesses, including her own. After her three decade long corporate and nonprofit career, Dawn is now the CEO of The Nourish Spot Inc., a family owned, quick serve healthy food, smoothie and natural juice bar located on the iconic Guy R Brewer Blvd (formerly New York Boulevard) located in Jamaica, Queens, NYC. Kelly is presently a member of the NYC Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Commission, a board member of the York College/CUNY Foundation Board and member of NYC Queens Community Board 12.
Dawn was recently named 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year by Queens Economic Development Corporation and the Empire State Development’s Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EAC) and Power Women of Queens from Schneps Media.
She calls herself an accidental but divine entrepreneur, as she expected to work for some big company until retirement. Some would say God had other plans. Dawn’s life changed six years ago in September, 2015 when a new boss eliminated her role. Relying upon her determination, faith and own resources, Dawn is now a courageous entrepreneur. In March, 2016 she and her young adult children, Owen and Jade, made the business decision to establish an S-corp to provide healthier beverage and food options in the food desert of Southeast Queens through The Nourish Spot Inc.
With the assistance of her daughter/COO, Jade Duncan, Dawn has partnered with a variety of community based organizations and the Mayor of NYC’s CCAP program to provide culinary and hospitality training and ultimately jobs to high school and college students residing in Southeast Queens and beyond. In its infancy, The Nourish Spot was named micro business of the year 2019 by the U.S. Small Business Administration NY District and it is certified as a MWBE, WBE and a DBE by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The Nourish Spot Inc. has become the community gathering spot where career opportunities are shared, strategic partnerships are set including the relationship cultivated between LincNYC/South Jamaica Reads and The Nourish Spot that features read alouds, free book share initiative, wellness information and a healthy snack. In addition, authors and books recommended by Dawn to the non profit has yielded great results. Dawn was also recently elected to serve as a coach and mentor for the NYC Department of Small Business Services that is dedicated to helping startups establish and grow businesses. As an avid reader, Dawn genuinely understands the need to not only nourish the body but the mind and soul too.
The Nourish Spot Hour, to communicate information, services and solutions of value. Dawn interviews entrepreneurs and safety net and community development program directors from across the nation to shed light on their missions and initiatives.
The Nourish Spot Hour can be found on Google Play, IHeart Radio, You Tube and Spotify.
