Looking Back

My first significant career stop took place in 1989, when I was named director of communications at a young and forward-thinking endowment that raised money to generate long-term resources to help fund pre-existing and proven—but under-funded—community-based projects in inner cities across America. My experiences there were deeply influential, and would profoundly shape my life. It was there I got to know the man who would become one of my most trusted life mentors, a man who consistently modeled the importance of asking great questions and in investing in others.

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After a stint with a second non-profit, I launched a brand strategy and communication design firm in 1999, in Fairfax, Virginia, with a minority business partner. Over the next decade, we were fortunate to be able to build a team that worked on projects for a variety of great clients across America. Starting from my basement, it only took a couple of years for our annual revenues to eclipse the $1 million mark, and we were thankful for what we were able to build. We created jobs, challenged our people to maintain a healthy work/life balance, did work we were proud of (often for causes we were excited about), turned a profit every year, and had fun in the process.

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By our tenth year, however, I was ready for a new challenge, and sold my interest in the firm to my business partner, who continues to run that company today. Since then, I have run a one-man brand consultancy, Dennis Creative, that allows me to do work that I enjoy while also providing greater flexibility for me to pursue a variety of other interests. 

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Over the course of my career, I have enjoyed working with businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes. From brand strategy and positioning to creative execution, I've helped leaders thoughtfully shape how their organizations  are perceived by their audiences. At the same time, I have found it to be incredibly fulfilling to mentor and invest in the lives of young, aspiring leaders. It has been an honor to be involved shaping the lives of the next generation.

It was that investment that has helped prepare me for this new season of my career: coaching.

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Looking Ahead

If you've read this far, please consider reading two more articles. In many ways, they are more important than all of the previous paragraphs.

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I've written a blog post, about how we think about coaching, here. And I've written another article that is not really a model we'll use as much as it is a piece that will give you a sense of how we use thoughtful questions in a coaching engagement. If you are looking for a coach, or are just curious about how we might be able to help, please read these two articles. 

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One final article might be helpful for you to read, if you are thinking, "Interesting stuff, Patrick—but what do you know about my particular business?" If your questions have gone in that direction, please read this blog post.

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Personal Stuff

My friends would say I've saved the best for last. Since 1991, I've been married to a truly amazing woman, Karey. We have four remarkable kids; our three children, Ryan, Megan, and Ethan, and our daughter-in-law Grace. In different ways, I absolutely marvel at each of them. It would be impossible for me to be more thankful for my family or any more proud of any of them.

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When I'm not working, I'm probably on a golf course, a ski slope, or SCUBA diving somewhere with my family—or daydreaming about being in one of those three places. If I'm not there, I'm probably in a gym coaching basketball or spending time with some of the students and graduates I've had the privilege of mentoring over the years.

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