We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

Well, I was raised in foster care and then ended up aging out on my 18th birthday. For those that don’t know what that is, “Aging out” means turning 18 while still in the foster care system.

Only 3% of young adults who age out of foster care go on to be successful, which the system considers success as getting a college degree or full-time job. I believe this is because of the lack of support and guidance young adults have access to upon aging out. They get a lot of financial resources, such as: housing stipend, free college until 28, health insurance, food stamps, and numerous of other resources. But no strategy on how to manage them with an intentional outcome. So when thinking of starting my business, I wanted to fill that gap. And the best way to fund it and create an impact was going to be provide housing with expectations of living an intentional lifestyle. But I couldn’t do housing alone because I had no money. So I called my good friend and asked him did he want to partner with me to find people we could pitch the idea to in real estate. In less than 3 months of searching we landed our 1st partner and investor to acquire 4 properties.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Dreams And Success Homes, Inc and DASH Foundation, Inc together make up the DASH Network. The DASH Network is a social impact project that is creating a therapeutic empowerment housing and coaching network throughout Florida that empowers young adults aging out of foster care to establish self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and financial freedom. DASH Inc is a real estate company acquiring multi-family homes throughout the state and renovating them into our SMART DREAMS Home model and then collaborating with our foundation to provide our tenants with experiential learning programs that educate, develop, and support their personal and professional growth. Together our vision is that every young adult who ages out of foster care or high risk communities has the opportunity to become financially literate and not co-dependent on the government.

Getting to where I am has not been easy. Success takes, purpose, grit, and long days of consistent hard work. My success formula is DREAMS! Be the (D)river of your life, build (R)elationships, seek (E)ducation, establish (A)ccountability, stay (M)otivated, and ground yourself (S)piritually.

But when I say education, I am not talking about the type I used to hear about when i was young or in the system being told to go to school. Although, I am a very big supporter of general education and finishing high school first. And if you must, get a GED. But I am talking about specialized education. If you want to be a professional in the industry working for someone, then yes, I am empowering you to go to college. But if you say you just want to be successful, then you need specialized education in the area you want to be successful in. And you must be willing to know your WHY! Because your WHY will be the only thing that matters and can push you through the challenges that will face you ahead.

I would say to everyone, Dream Big, Dream Beyond, And Dream Now! Go after your DREAMS and do what you love 1st to create the lifestyle you can live forever and let your Jobs be second to cover the bills, not your entire lifestyle. If you approach life with that mindset, you will then be able to strategize every day to thrive and do what you love rather than survive and stay doing what makes you just comfortable !

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spot in Miami is the Mikes Sports bar, they have one of the best rooftop view of the city that you can experience and the best wings ever. But the best experience I have had in Miami I would have to say is at Bayside. There are lots of small shops and stores to shop in, several varieties of restaurants to enjoy, and a variety of water activities and experiences you can purchase.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

2 people in my life surely deserve the credit.

My Foster Mom Pam Benton. I could not explain this in one paragraph, but what I can say is, ever since I met her at the age of 14 in foster care, she has been my safe place to vent and/or receive wisdom about life. She is one of the most compassionate and loving people I know. Every moment that I have had during a dark time in my life, she has been there to remind me of God’s love for us and how he always has a plan and our best interest at heart no matter what we go through.

My Foster Father Matt McKibbin
He is a special one. When I thought the definition of a man was just being strong and protective, through him I learned it’s not. It’s also about being able to be patient, kind, and loving through every experience with your family and the world. It’s been to many times I have seen my father reflect these characteristics when I would be cursing and ready to fight because I felt disrespected or angry. The biggest time being, building a relationship with me. I have put us in several situations in life where people would have judged me and stop talking to me, but Matt, he never did and would always continue to. be there. Let him tell it, it’s because of my personal accountability values, but really, it’s his heart and passion for caring about others.

Because of these 2 amazing individuals, I have been able to grow in life personally and professionally to establish the DASH innovative model of care. A model that provides exactly what they did for me and meets people where they are at by supporting them through their life trauma and challenges without judgement. Everyone in our entire network is truly becoming resilient through personal confidence and using their life experiences as sources to empower them into self-sufficiency and financial freedom.

Website: www.dashfoundationinc.org

Instagram: smartdreamsceo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartdreamsceo/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzwohk5T8j9fJV3G99rYmeg

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