I’m a firm believer that our words have power! So the moment you give place to it in your mind and give a voice to it with your speech, you have just give life to it with your heart. THEN some other actions must accompany it.
At her core, Dr. Renee Sunday is a humanitarian with a servant’s heart. Her inspiration comes from helping others, no matter where they are in life or who they are. And while some would look at her life now and figure that she has everything together, that hasn’t always been the case. Her story and the life lessons she’s learned have been numerous; yet, they’ve always afforded her the opportunity to help others and infect them with one word: BELIEVE!
She was a great student in her younger years and always pushed herself to focus and make great grades. Although she was often taunted and teased for her tall stature and slim frame, she remained engrossed in her future. Obviously, it worked because she has been voted one of the “100 Top Anesthesiologists” in the country, via the Consumer’s Research Council of America. This has been an honor she’s received more than once. And because of her focus and perseverance, she wears many hats, including: Media Coach, Self-Help and Motivational Speaker, Grief & Loss Counselor, and Ordained Minister.
As life has been known to do, a major curve ball was thrown one day. And Dr. Sunday went from a 6-figure income to nothing, at no fault of hers. However, she now realizes that this set back was merely a set up for an even greater comeback! So in her hitting rock bottom, she actually was able to get back to the foundation within herself that had been overlooked for so long. And from that moment on, she learned how to TRUST and BELIEVE! For her, giving up was NEVER an option. So when the economy took a nosedive in 2008, she decided to create her own economy.
Today, she successfully runs and operates several business entities: Sunday’s Publishing, Good Deeds Media Network (radio and magazine), and R.S. Commerce, P.C. She also provides media coaching and consulting services, along with traveling the world with ministry and motivational speaking endeavors.
Dr. Sunday is a southern belle, from Alabama, and doesn’t mind sharing her gifts. Whether you need to publish a book or build a platform to share your story, she is equipped and experienced to push you into your destiny. She’s been on multiple platforms with the likes of Bishop T.D. Jakes, Oprah Winfrey, and has been a special guest on numerous TV stations and talk/radio shows. While operating in her gifts and loving every moment of it, she never wants to keep it all to her self. For that reason, she launched and operates the “Be Seen, Be Heard, Get Paid” movement.
Dr. Renee Sunday is a genuine spirited woman who’s love for humanity fuels her.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
Honestly, Renee Sunday Enterprises is equivalent to a tree with deep roots and many branches. It genuinely encompasses all of the gifts that I’ve been allowed to share with the world, to date. But it also leaves room for anything else that I may be blessed to birth in the future. So right now, RSE is like the substratum for all that I do, which includes: Sunday Publishing, Sunday Foundation, R.S. Commerce, P.C., Be Seen-Be Heard-Get Paid, Good Deeds Radio & TV, and the list goes on. So to sum it up, the idea was to get planted and branch out.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Well, it’s hard to say what a typical day is for me. Some may say it starts with breakfast or reading the paper, coffee or watching the news. Some even do some personal development by reading books or watching videos. But for me, it truly varies. There’s always a meeting or an interview. I’m always blessed to travel and speak at corporate events, ministering in churches, or simply helping a young lady sit down and make the blue print for her book. Then there’s always so much more in between. But the one sure thing that you can count on me doing is praying. Every single day, I start my day with prayer and meditation on the scripture. And THAT is what makes it productive. If I miss it or if I’m late, I can tell. So I strive to not miss praying and reading at all.
How do you bring ideas to life?
That starts with your mindset! Everybody has good ideas, but not everyone believes in those good ideas. But for me, the life of the idea comes when you first believe it then speak it. I’m a firm believer that our words have power! So the moment you give place to it in your mind and give a voice to it with your speech, you have just give life to it with your heart. THEN some other actions must accompany it.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Hmmmm, I don’t know if this is considered “trend” worthy. But I would have to say BELIEVING! I absolutely LOVE it when people begin to believe in themselves, whey that hidden confidence emerges and they’re mind decides to be unstoppable. It really gets me excited when people take a chance on themselves and simply believe.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
This one is easy. PRAYER! Without it, I’m not productive. Without it, nothing works. Without it, the contracts don’t come and the bookings cease. Prayer makes me productive. More prayer, more power. Little prayer, little power. No prayer, no power
What advice would you give your younger self?
Embrace the pain, and move along with it! That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned now, that I wish I could have been more prepared for as a child or even a teenager. If more people would be real about real life issues, others could be prepared for it. And embracing pain can propel us into greater. So while it may be easy to run and easy to reject it, I would tell my younger self to just go with the flow and learn the lesson in it.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Not enough women know about cars! I know that sounds funny, and I know that some “new age” women would disagree. But I’m convinced that the majority of women can’t change a tire or can’t check the oil. And while that’s not an indictment on anyone, I think women (in general) feel like there will always be a husband or father or brother or someone else who will come to our rescue when we’re in vehicular distress. Let me tell you something…..that is NOT always the case! And I experienced it first hand!!! That’s one of the reasons I wrote “50 Things A Lady Needs to Know About a Car.”
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
The one thing I do over and over is serve! I know it seems simple, I know it seems trivial, and it may even seem like it doesn’t make sense. But in serving, we are constantly figuring out ways to allow our gifts to bless others. In serving, we strive to give the best parts of ourselves in order to help others heal and mature. Everything always goes back to servitude. The more you serve, the more doors that will open up for you. And entrepreneurs must remember that their sole purpose for being who they are is to serve!
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
I’ve always been willing to learn from those who have been where I am and have surpassed where I’m headed. This allows me to always bring my “A game” and help clients the way I’m supposed to. Sometimes, we can get caught up on competition instead of seeing how we can learn from others. So when I get to meet someone who is successful in where I want success, I allow God to open the door for a connection. This has allowed me to meet some very influential people, who’s wisdom and walk have challenged me to stay on top of my game.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Anytime there is procrastination, something dies or something fails. And I’ve had quite a few instances where the ball was dropped. Sometimes, it was due to fear. Sometimes, it was due to my lack of trust in others. As an entrepreneur, that’s a dangerous place to be in. But I had to learn how to outsource the resources that are available to me. I don’t have to miss deadlines and I don’t have to do everything on my own. But if I allow someone else to operate in their gift, then I can keep myself and someone else from failing.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One great business that the world needs to see more of is dealing with sharing testimonies that build platforms for others. Everyone has their own stories of triumph, as well as stories of victory. Unfortunately, not enough people are open to share. But if there were more businesses and platforms to provide healing and restoration through sharing your story, the world would be a better place. I don’t know quite have a name for it, but that would be a great business. Almost like a traveling entity that provides hope.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I believe that we should always invest in ourselves, be it for personal or professional reasons. And while I’ve always done that, I would say I recently spent $100 on outsourcing. This goes back to utilizing the resources available to you. Not only did this help me professionally, but personally. I was able to meet some strenuous deadlines and give myself a moment to breathe and not worry.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Social media is a definite web service that enables my productivity. I’m able to reach people all over the world and engage with them, building my audience but also encouraging them. Again, it goes back to servitude. And social media platforms have helped me do more than I ever imagined! If entrepreneurs and those building their brand aren’t making the most of social media, they’re doing themselves a great disservice!
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
While my intent isn’t necessarily to promote “my” books, I think that EVERYBODY should read Sunday Grief M.D. I wrote this book in the midst of dealing with my own grief process, after the loss of my brother. And often times, as Christians, we’re told to pray about it or shout over it. But we’re not often told to deal with it, even the parts of “it” that are uncomfortable and unattractive. This book answers questions about journeying through the grief process and helps the reader to recognize that they are not alone.
What is your favorite quote?
It’s actually a Biblical scripture, but its one that I quote all of the time. It’s gotten me through every major and minor event in my life. It reads, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In
Key learnings:
- Three important things to remember in life are: 1) I believe, 2) I trust, and 3) I serve.
- No matter where someone is in their life journey, those 3 elements must always be embedded in one’s DNA. Then, and only then, can success and joy come alive.
- When you believe in yourself, you learn to trust your ability to soar. When you trust yourself, you become comfortable with serving your gift to the world. When you serve, you open doors that no man can shut and set yourself up for greatness.
Connect:
Website: www.ReneeSunday.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoodDeedsLive
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gooddeedslive
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ReneeSunday1
Instagram: www.instagram.com/drreneesunday
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/renee-sunday/66/561/456
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.