This month our Xcellent ATL team had the pleasure of sitting down with Darrea Dawson, a show-stopping team lead in our office. Dawson calls Wichita, Kansas home, and has been with the company since October of 2018.
Did you grow up in Wichita, or did you move around?
“I was raised in Wichita until the age of eleven, I then moved to Georgia and have been here ever since.”
What were you like as a kid?
“My parents would have described me as hardworking and quiet, but outgoing at times. They’ve called me talented, exceptional, athletic and studious.”
Were you involved in any sports as a kid?
“I played basketball in the position of second and third guard, but I was able to play all positions if needed. I used to skateboard as well. That was the first thing I ever wanted to be professional at.”
You were quite the athlete! How would you say that competitive environment shaped you?
“Being in sports showed me how to be competitive. I’ve always been competitive in nature. I always want to perform at my best and be able to say I can do anything I put my mind to.”
Did you know that you would end up in this career?
“I had no idea that would be in this field, but by the way my life was going, I knew I was going to do anything I needed to do to reach my end goal. This is a part of that journey so I decided to take it head on.”
What did you study in school?
“I went to college at SAE Institute of Technology for Audio Engineering.”
What is one life experience you feel has shaped you?
“I would just narrow it down to one experience because there are so many, and each play a specific role. I would narrow it down to having my two children because it helped me realize that my life isn’t just about me and my needs, but it’s about creating a better future for not only my kids but everyone who comes after.”
What is something we might not know about you just by looking at you?
“I’m going to change the world in some shape, form or fashion.”
When did you start with the company, and what were your initial thoughts?“I joined the team on Wednesday, October 14th. My first thought when starting the company was that no matter how hard it got, I had to stick in there. Something unique that I noticed is that everyone wants to be surrounded by positivity. I believe that if every job had this atmosphere, they would be a little better.”
How would you describe the culture at the company?
“I would describe it as a group of people who just want to be successful and are not satisfied with being average.”
What is something you’ve learned through your work that you didn’t know before?
“I learned that there was an opportunity to go from being entry level to owner in less than 18-24 months.”
What are your goals with the company?
“I want to eventually become an owner and use this as a vehicle to open other doors for more opportunities.”