Aspire. 

According to Webster “Aspire” is all about: seeking to attain or accomplish a particular goal. But if you’re Dawn Nicole Baldwin there’s no seeking about it. She’s already done it!

With an impressive resume working with clients like Willow Creek Church and Big Idea (creators of Veggie Tales) Dawn has a passion for learning, stretching imaginations & making a difference. She’s currently focused on helping churches reach peoplemore effectively as founder & lead strategist of AspireOne

Keep reading in order to learn more about Dawn and AspireOne. Here’s the interview:

1. How did you get from here to there? I started my first business when I was 13, (selling customized locker illustrations to classmates) so I guess you can say I’ve always been an entrepreneur although my path is a bit nontraditional. My career started at a boutique ad agency but the hours required made it really challenging for a young mom with two small children, so I quickly launched out on my own. During this time I also volunteered heavily at Willow Creek Community Church in communications & after a few years I was offered a staff position leading the department. My husband, Keith, left the ad agency he worked with to take over my small roster of clients while I was at Willow. I’ve always been a huge fan of VeggieTales so when I was offered a position at Big Idea Productions, I leapt at the opportunity. Our little company was beginning to grow, so after spending two years with Bob & Larry, I left the vegetables to rejoin Keith at AspireOne in 2001. Over the past eight years I’ve been privileged to work with some incredibly talented people while pursuing my passions of writing and speaking. I absolutely love my team and the clients we partner with. Recently, I joined Jarbyco (a mobile communications startup) as a senior partner in addition to my role at AspireOne.
2. Give us the Big Idea behind AspireOne? The reason why we exist is to help churches reach people more effectively. There are so many that feel they are the community’s best kept secret or are battling misperceptions–not only of their church, but sometimes Christianty in general. Our passion is to help churches understand how to live out their unique purpose and communicate that with clarity.
3. I applaud your vision for AspireOne. What is your “God size” vision for it? Our God-sized vision is to enable churches at a deeper level and on a global scale. Helping churches not only understand marketplace best practices, but the unique purpose God has in mind for their specific church. This is beyond brand strategies, marketing tactics or convincing some not to imitate what other influential churches are doing. But helping each church realize their potential and connecting others to that vision.
4. Please identify one of your leadership weaknesses that’s been exposed while functioning as the Lead Strategist of AspireOne. It’s hard for me to believe that God would use me in the way it appears He might want to. Honestly, I’m humbled by some of the circles I’m invited to play in, and a lack of confidence can become exposed due to the absence of a pedigreed education or experience climbing a traditional corporate ladder. It’s caused me to hold back when I’ve needed to speak up or step forward because I’ve doubted my abilities.
5. How have you closed that leadership gap? It may sound trite, but I’ve been stretching my faith to trust God more & myself less. I’ve also been intentionally looking to surround myself with people who will be honest with me about what I can and can’t do and then balance our teams with talented people who complement those skills.

As I sign off, I wonder one thing about you…what are you aspiring to become. I’d like to know. Shoot me a comment below.