Deneen L. Garrett is a Dream Lifestyle™ Coach, Cultural Alchemist, international speaker, writer, and the host of the Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation podcast. She empowers Women of Color globally to live lives they love without waiting for permission or the “right time.” Through storytelling, creativity, and community, she shifts culture and amplifies joy. Deneen’s work centers on helping women live boldly and intentionally, fostering authenticity and freedom. She is also an advocate for Black and African Diaspora artists and leads initiatives to elevate cultural representation and ownership.
Could you elaborate on the nature of your business, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
Deneen L. Garrett LLC is grounded in one transformative mission: to empower Women of Color to stop postponing joy and start living their Dream Lifestyle™—now. Through coaching, public speaking, writing, and my podcast Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation, I support women in unapologetically centering themselves, amplifying their voices, and aligning their lives with their deepest values.
As a Cultural Alchemist, I use storytelling as a catalyst for change—to dismantle limiting beliefs, challenge societal narratives, and make space for authenticity, freedom, and joy. My work helps women across the globe reclaim their time, live boldly, and lead lives defined by intention—not external expectations.
A growing dimension of my work focuses on culture-shifting through the arts. I amplify the voices and visibility of Black and African Diaspora artists—especially those from Detroit—while inspiring the rise of 100 Black Art Collectors. This intersection of empowerment and cultural advocacy is about legacy, representation, and creating new spaces for joy and ownership.
What inspired you to start your journey as a coach and entrepreneur? Were there any specific events, challenges, or people that motivated you to take this path?
My journey was inspired by witnessing far too many brilliant Women of Color stuck in survival mode—unseen, undervalued, and waiting for “someday” to choose themselves. After more than 20 years in corporate, leading diversity and inclusion efforts and hosting empowering conversations, I reached a pivotal moment: I could continue playing small within systems not built for me—or I could create something radically different.
The turning point came when I chose to live boldly. I retired early, walked away from the grind, and became the coach and example I wished I’d had. I made a commitment to show Women of Color that they don’t have to wait for permission to live fully.
My journey is rooted in liberation, purpose, and giving others the blueprint to design a life they love. That blueprint is My 3+Ds Framework™—Dream, Decide/Design, Drive—a powerful process that helps women envision their ideal life, make intentional choices, and take aligned action.
I empower Women of Color to live their Dream Lifestyle™—not someday, but now. And I don’t just coach this—I live it. Through intentional travel and deep engagement with art by artists of the African Diaspora, I model what it looks like to choose joy, center yourself, and lead a life defined by authenticity and purpose.
Looking back at the beginning of your career, what were the major challenges you faced when establishing yourself as a leader/coach? How did you overcome those obstacles?
One of the earliest challenges was learning to pause. After retiring from corporate, I immediately stepped into entrepreneurship with the same grind mentality—without giving myself space to reflect, be still, and intentionally shape what I truly wanted my next chapter to look like. That period of transition required unlearning hustle culture and embracing purposeful living. It also inspired me to create My 3+Ds Framework™: Dream, Decide/Design, Drive—a roadmap for moving from vision to aligned action.
Another major hurdle was building clientele. Many people—especially Women of Color—have been conditioned to put themselves last, making it difficult to prioritize investing in personal development and coaching. Like many Black women entrepreneurs, I also faced the persistent challenge of access to funding—less than 1% (0.34% of U.S. venture capital dollars in 2022) of venture capital goes to us.
I overcame these obstacles by getting innovative and resourceful. I monetized my voice through coaching, public speaking, podcasting, and writing. I built a global community grounded in storytelling, shared experiences, and empowerment. Most importantly, I stayed rooted in my mission. By trusting my voice and honoring my vision, I turned purpose into power—and impact into sustainable opportunity.
Would you like to share any remarkable achievement?
Absolutely. One of my proudest achievements is building a global platform that reaches and empowers Women of Color in over 30 countries. My podcast, Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation, has found top audiences in the UK, Bangladesh, and the Philippines—proving that our stories are universal. Another major milestone was making my international speaking debut in London, transforming passion into global impact. But the most meaningful achievement is hearing from women who say, “Because of you, I chose me.” That’s the legacy I’m here to build.
Women are a growing force in workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women have always been leaders—often without the title, recognition, or compensation. What’s different now is that we’re boldly stepping into visible leadership and challenging the systems that were never built for us. What inspires me most is seeing women lead on their own terms—founding purpose-driven businesses, building inclusive communities, and redefining what power, success, and leadership truly look like.
Yet the challenges persist: pay inequity, underrepresentation in executive roles, and systemic barriers that still hold many back. That’s why it’s not just about increasing the number of women at the table—it’s about reshaping the table entirely. Representation is critical, but transformation is the goal.
What message/advice would you have for future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Say yes to yourself—loudly and without hesitation. You don’t need permission, a title, or the “perfect” time. You are the moment. Build a life and business that reflects who you are—not just what’s expected. Your voice, your vision, and your story matter. Challenges will come—especially for Women of Color—but you are built for this. Stay rooted in your “why,” surround yourself with people who pour into you, and take up space boldly. You were never meant to play small. Dream loud. Live now.
Please insert website or social media links:
DeneenLGarrett.com
