Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Parker.
Hi Desiree, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Desiree L Parker. I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Business degree. My business story began back in 1998 when my father and his friend came to me with a business proposition. Just to note, at the time I did not fully understand the true meaning of a business proposition, I accepted it as another job. At that time, I was going to school at Canisius College full time, my daughter was 2 years old and I was working at a local fast-food restaurant. My father and his friend got me started, and at the age of 21, I was known as the youngest African American female franchise owner in North America. When I got started with Subway, I did not start with the intent to have that title. My marketing guy researched and found that information. At that time, I just wanted to be able to show my daughter a great work ethic. I was a single mom, but I had a lot of support from my parents, my brother, and friends. My daughter was, and still is my only child, and I wanted to keep her active and give her access to many different opportunities for future reference. I learned a lot. I made a lot of mistakes. Then I learned and grew from those lessons. Having a large title, meant only that…a title. It came with a lot of responsibility. Over the years, I have worked in banking and finance, accounting, tax, health insurance, and doctors office, and more. The Combination of these jobs, I learned many valuable lessons. When I had my business, I was speaking to many people on a regular basis, consulting about getting started. As a business owner, we are responsible for our own accounting paperwork. I had a pencil, a graph/accounting paper, and a calculator. This was before the computer system came around and did the work for you. However, I find that very valuable skill to possess. Many ask where my experience came from. Many that knew me in my college years know that accounting was not one of my favorite subjects. However, I am a problem solver, and they tend to come in the form of numbers, which is what got me to like numbers. I have to know the outcome. Coming up through the ranks, I decided to assist small businesses. I also did a lot of speaking engagements. Many wanted to hear my story and how I got started. I do not have a Cinderella story, I did not a silver spoon story, but this was MY story. My daughter is now 27 years old. God is the head of my life. My daughter is my entire world. She is my why, and I did everything for her to learn something. My daughter, NaTania B Parker, has always been at the top of the list.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have been performing tasks of my business before I started my LLC. I actually just started my DLP Consulting business officially about three years ago. We would love to believe and say that everything was a smooth road, but you always have hiccups here and there. I have been operating my business as a referral-based business up to this point. I am now starting to branch out and advertising more. I live in Buffalo, New York. Over the past three years, besides Covid, I have had many challenges. The weather has been a huge factor when it comes to business whether it’s too cold, too snowy, too hot, it’s raining… That’s a huge bearing on business sometime. However, since Covid showed us more virtual use, I am able to branch out to other areas besides Buffalo. My customer base now extends as far as California. The challenges is more about the consistency of the business flow and account receivables.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about DLP Consulting WNY?
DLP Consulting WNY was started with the intent to help small businesses get started, move to the next level, as well as continue to grow. During Covid, many people started businesses but did not know necessarily know or understand the next steps after. DLP started offering four services at inception. However, with the knowledge of other areas, I decided to open up more services that many were asking for. The passion that I have for businesses is what motivates me to keep going. When I had my own business years ago, there was not a lot of help out for small businesses trying to make it in the industry without high costs to get help. My services center around consulting and coaching, bookkeeping, tax preparation, services, LLC formation, notary services, employee relations, and payroll services. I am known for my business, ethics, education, and experience. I cannot speak for the specific things that others do. However, I pride myself in educating my clients. Anybody can tell you what to do and how to do, but I also tell them why to do. As an adult, we want to have as much of the information as possible in order to move forward to that next step. That is why it is very important to me and many others.
My brand is DLP Consulting WNY. DLP is the initials in my full name. I am proud to have my brand on anything that I represent. I want others to recognize my logo and know who/what is behind it, all positive. I proudly stand behind what I am representing. My services are geared toward the smaller businesses. I understand the inter-workings of a small business owner/entrepreneur. I have been there personally. There are many things going on, and funds can sometime be tight, especially in the beginning. I try to make sure that my clients have the opportunity to either teach them how to do it themselves or work the services into their budget to be able to pay for them.
If there is something that you are in need of being done with your business and it is not advertised on my services list, I welcome you to ask if there’s something that I can provide the service for.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My dad, Joe Parker, has been encouraging me for many years to take on bookkeeping and tax services business. I finally did, and it was a great decision as I enjoy what I do. He also does my marketing and advertising for me. If you know or meet him, you will not get away without having a conversation about me and my business. My daughter, NaTania B Parker is a huge supporter of everything I do. She named my business and would help with my media and some articles. She is an actor, singer, dancer and lives in New York City now; she sends clients my way every chance she gets. I raised her and taught her about everything I do, especially when it comes to business and taxes. Many wants to talk to me because she is so fluent in it, and they want and need that information as well. My mom, Cathy Parker, comes in my office and helps with some administration duties. Having help with that is a huge help for me. Many businesses don’t have the time for the administration portion of their business and that can get them in trouble later down the line. NaTania says she left the granddogs, Chloe and Bella, in Buffalo with us. My dogs sit and lay near me as I work the long and late hours at home. My brother, Joseph Damon Parker, supports everything I do. He makes sure I have everything I need while I am in the office. I have postcards with all my services on it; everyone shares them wherever they go. I have a host of family and friends that supports me and what I do. No matter if it is a phone call, checking on me, or they send a referral, support is always a great thing to have around, and I truly appreciate everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dlpconsultingwny.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlp_consultingwny/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dlpconsultingwny/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desiree-parker-a1856123/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DLPConsultingNY
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZmb3e89kEHdpr40KakZPHA
Image Credits
Mayfield Media
