I launched Diplomatic Enterprises in 2013 because I was tired of being told no and I wanted to create a place where I could leverage my skills, interests, and expertise. Over the course of twelve and a half years, I grew and developed a business I wanted, doing the projects I wanted, with clients I wanted and that wanted me. I’ve worked on political campaigns, books, branding projects, launched and scaled companies, reviewed multi-million-dollar agreements, created brand strategies, and built corporate giving offices. I’ve collaborated with athletes, entertainers, creatives, entrepreneurs, universities, governments, and anyone with a dollar and a dream. And as of the publication of this post, the doors of DE are closed.

The decision to close the company was not reached overnight, nor was it workshopped with a team of experts. I thought about it, prayed about it, cried about it, discussed it with my fiancé then came to the realization that I already knew to be true; it was time to move on. Even after I made the decision, I wrestled with feelings of failure, fatigue, and fear of what was next. DE is older than both my sons combined and it’s all I’ve known for twelve and a half years.

I could go on and on about all the wins, the losses, and near misses. I could draft a master’s thesis about the myriad of feelings and emotions, including grief, I’ve grappled with during this time. If you gave me a podcast mic and some editing software, I could wax poetically about all the lessons learned and an extensive list of what not to do when running an attorney-led consulting firm. But I won’t. Instead, I will say thank you.

I want to thank everyone that has ever Liked, Shared, or Retweeted a post about DE or its clients. I want to thank everyone that has ever tagged me in a post, introduced me via text/email, or told someone that knew someone, “I know a lawyer” in reference to me. I want to thank everyone I’ve ever been blessed to call a client. You fed me, clothed me, housed me, taught me, and had patience with me. I’ve learned more about legal, branding and operations through the lens of clients in fashion, hospitality, healthcare, beauty, sports, entertainment, and consumer goods than I thought I would. In the 12.5 years DE was in operation, we’ve only run ads once. Our success was based on two things: 1. Doing great work; and 2. Making evangelists out of our clients. There is no such thing as self-made. We are all byproducts of nature, nurture, and our experiences. I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am without you. I’m profoundly blessed to have met each and every one of you, and my family and I are all the better for knowing you.

So, what’s next? Great question. For the first time in my life, I don’t immediately know. Also, a first for me, I’m okay with that. In the short term, what’s next is closing out the fall semester at the institution where I’m currently teaching classes in business law. After that, rest. I’ve been running like a thoroughbred in the longest Kentucky Derby ever and I’m in desperate need of rest. After I’ve had some time to sit with everything, reimagine the possible in light of the past and present, I’ll be back. Not as the Founder/President of Diplomatic Enterprises, but as Deuce and King’s father, Denver’s husband, Charles and Sharon’s son, Keisha, Kevin, Chris, and Michael’s brother. And what’s more, I’ll be back as someone much better because of the experiences of the last 12.5 years. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!

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