Entrepreneur Interview: Amber Rodgers, Divorcing Independent Very Able Survivors AKA D.I.V.A.S

Business Name:
Divorcing Independent Very Able Survivors AKA D.I.V.A.S

Website URL:
www.divorcingdiva.com
www.divastogether.com

Year Founded:
2010

Business Partners:
Amber Rodgers Founder
Bo Brown CFO
John Snell CEO
Brent Trice COO
Kende-Le Marketing Director

Number of Employees:
6 and growing

What does your company do?
Divorcing Independent Very Able Survivors helps people transition from being married to becoming a happy and healthy divorcee.  We provide them with the resources and support that they need to get through this awful transition in their lives.  Poeple going through a divorce often feel very much alone.  This is the reason the it is one of the number one causes for adult suicide.  Men are 4 times as likely to commit suicide during a divorce.  We help men and women.

It is our misson to let people know that they can get through divorce.  We have an online presence, and we also offer many suppport groups including a monthly survivor event where we honor someone who has been divorced and made it to the other side.  This encourages the people just going through a divorce to see that they can be happy and healthy during and after this process. We have helped hundreds during this process.  We provide support in many ares including but not limited to legal, Emotional and Financial. We want people to understand that they no longer have to feel ashamed or alone during divorce.  100% of people are affected by divorce even if they have not been divorced themselves they have had a family member, a friend or maybe a coworker get divorced.  They do nt know where to turn and we are here to offer a solution!

Was there a specific turning point when you realized your business was moving to the next level?

Building the right team is essential.  The company must be able to run even if the founder is not around say a tragig death or something so it is essential to have the right team in place.  I have blogged about this.

http://www.divastogether.com/node/25

What processes or procedures have you implemented that have helped grow your company?
Something that is key aside from having the right team is setting up the right advisory board, and people who are willing to help out on comitees.  As a leader sometimes we want to do it all ourselves but it is important to train those around you to do what they need to do in order to make the company sucessful.  Have goals that are written out.  Make sure your leaders are clear on those goals.

What is most rewarding about running your business?

The most rewarding thing is watching the transformation we make in people’s lives.  We are able to help them get their sense of self back. Many times their self-esteem has been shattered and we are able to give them a little piece of their soul back. I also know that we have literally saved lives!

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
People in many cities and states are wanting to start their own chapters.  Managing the growth and making sure the model is perfect in Dallas before we explore other options.  Also, being a business owner it never goes away you are literally thinking about it from the time you wake up and the time you go to sleep.  Also, this is such a new concept that it can be hard to get people to wrap their heads around it.

If you were starting over today, what would you do differently?
I have learned a lot of lessons but i would have checked the background more of some consultants I used.  I would have asked for a portfolio from them.  However, though I have made many mistakes I have learned something from each of them and I am glad that I did at an early stage of the business.

What advice do you have for other business owners?
Survive the storm.  If you are very passionate about what you do you can make it happen.  Surrond yourself with positive people who can share in your vision.  Only give certain parts of the vision to certain people.  They may not be able to see the “big picture” so you give them what they need to start on the smaller picture that will get you to the big picture.  Your leaders need to know the big picture. Do not try to do it all on your own!

Please list any favorite books, tools or resources (software, website, etc.) you would recommend for others:
www.blogsvertise.com, www.klout.com, www.clickbank.com, Facebook, Books “Who Moved My Cheese” Simple but good message. “The Secret” “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” “What is Your Plan BE.”

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
I see this as my purpose in life.  I had a vision.  When going through my divorce I thought I was going to die so I prayed about it.  When I woke up that night I heard “you are going to go through the worst of the worst but when you get better you will be better than ever.”  At 3AM i flew out of bed and wrote DIVORCING INDEPENDENT VERY ABLE SURVIVORS.  I knew this is where God had lead me and sometimes knowing is harder than thinking.  I literally lost everything to start this business.  Even at one point loosing my kids.  People have called me crazy and I am crazy about this I am crazy about the fact that I never want anyone to go through what I did.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
“If you can help enough people get what they want you can get what you want.” -Zig Zigilar

There is no better point in life than knowing you have a true purpose.  Work your life backward and there is a purpose there.