Dion Welton

Founder of Hope is Now

Dion Welton started his publication 5 years ago, Hope is Now, and are now one of the fastest growing faith based encouragement publications in the country today. Hope is Now can be found in Walmart, Walmart Canada, Barnes and Noble, and all kinds of retailers in the US and Canada. Readership has soared in the last 18 months, visibility has increased ten fold, Hope is Now can now be found in nearly 4,000 waiting rooms in addition to retailers. Recently Hope is Now introduced our Digital edition of Hope is Now, that has already seen thousands of views.
Dion Welton started Hope is Now with one thing in mind, HOPE, hope for the broken, Hope for overcoming Struggle, Hope for a new life a new path a chance to start over again. Hope is Now is not a RELIGIOUS Magazine, it is a faith based Encouragement publication that he believe does more for faith than many long standing religious or Christian publications.

Where did the idea for Hope is Now come from?

The idea for my company was born during a very difficult time in my life. Bad decisions, selfish self-centered living had landed me in a very dark place. As I went through that time, looked around at all the people around me, the word HOPE kept coming to me as I would sit and pray, think, meditate on where I was in my life at that time. I had reached a point of not knowing if there still was HOPE for me. I was a college graduate, played professional baske ball in Europe, came from a good family, good upbringing. What I learned through that process stuck with me for the rest of my life to this day. My company publishes one of the fastest growing Faith based encouragement magazines in Noth America. we are now in Walmart, Walmart Canada, Barnes and Noble, Books, A Million, and Chapters Indigo in Canada as well as several others. We are now also in over 4,000 waiting rooms across the country. It is a publication designed to reach every reader, every person, no matter background, faith, believer, non believer etc. The content is designed to lift up, share stories of overcoming struggle …HOPE. It is a wonderful endeavor to be involved in.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

A typical day for me is incredibly busy now, morning till night. In addition to all the business responsibilities that await each day, I have a father who is 83 and has leukemia, and an 84-year-old mother. I moved back to Indiana from Atlanta Ga to care for them after starting the magazine. I love them both very much and find it an honor to assist taking care of them for all they have done for me.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I love reading, studying, researching and that is how ideas come to life for me

What’s one trend that excites you?

Technology and how it is constantly changing how nearly every industry does business is trend that excites me

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Exercise, and reading are two things that help me be very productive.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Oh man, if I could go back to a younger self, I would do nearly everything different. I am a solid believer in “it isn’t where you start, it’s where you finish” But, if you ask my opinion, my priorities would be completely different.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Something everyone typically agrees with WE ALL NEED HOPE

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Never quit, never give up, if you believe in your dream, keep working hard to figure it out, be persistent, but for sure, never give up.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

One major strategy for my business was knowing I had a good product, a very well liked magazine, and the strategy then turned to getting it in front of the masses, letting people see it, feel it, look at it either in print or online. My strategy was, it’s a good product, now figure out how to put it in front of 100,000’s of thousands of people.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Not making good financial decisions early on, gambling in things working, instead of proving they work, and going forward.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Care…care of senior’s or aging people is a huge business and Believe there is a huge market there. There is healthcare, but also helping them with everyday life, travel, house upkeep, it’s a long list.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

My new website cost me basically 100.00 and it is the best I have ever had.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Apollo software is a data company with an amazing piece of software with how accurate it is, and the ability to market to so many people at once.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Be Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado. I have learned that business brings a lot of pressure and a lot of stress. I need to be centered, calm, peaceful, and that allows me to think clear, to be productive and not be saddled by my fears or hesitation, or anxiety.

What is your favorite quote?

“It’s not where you start, It’s where you finish”

Key Learnings:

  • Never quit, never give up, if you believe in your dream,
  • WE ALL NEED HOPE
  • “It’s not where you start, It’s where you finish”