What I Do

Daphne Houston, Inc. is a career planning, coaching and recruiting firm dedicated to helping you integrate who you are with what you do. We offer customized workshops, and one-on-one strategy sessions and creative career planning to help you successfully navigate your career path. Our personalized services are tailored to meet specific client needs. We work with corporations, ministries and small business owners to help them successfully and giftfully run their organizations. 

Do you love your work?  Are you using your Highest Gifts?
Daphne Houston, Inc. owner, Dr. Daphne Houston, believes your career should be an expression of who you are and who you were created to be. Your brilliance, passions, personal interests and values can and should be present in your work. And, above all, your work should be enjoyable!

Many people work all week and can't wait for the weekends or evenings, when they can do what they really love. Why do so many of us exist in works that don't challenge us, are emotionally unhealthy or in which we simply have no personal interest?

Can you imagine waking up every morning, refreshed, excited and enthused about going to work? Dr. Daphne believes it's not only possible; she is a living example of this truth.

Twice in her career, she has left high level positions where the rewards were great, but at the end of the work day, she was left feeling unfulfilled and out of touch with her values. She is now living her dream by helping others follow theirs. Houston believes your work shouldn't have to be a place where you check your values at the door. She is helping people everyday to successfully integrate who they are with what they do. At the end of your lifetime, you will have spent approximately 100,000 hours working-that's half the waking hours of your entire adult life! What are you waiting for?

Dr. Daphne 's Personalized Services Include:

• Strategic career planning and management assistance
• Client marketing, branding and positioning services (including resume and cover letter review/development)
• Coaching on work transitioning, interviewing and salary negotiation
• Tailored work search strategy sessions
• Personal and work/life balance coaching, groups and workshops
• Entrepreneur/small business planning, start-up and marketing assistance
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator  and Career Discovery assessment and interpretation sessions
• Customized presentations and seminars for companies and groups
• Team building workshops and keynote addresses

Approach

Daphne's business model was created specifically from a client-driven perspective. Her primary objective is to assist you in gaining greater clarity and focus regarding your work and to empower you to create a career that 1) leverages "what you do best," 2) addresses your individual desires/needs and 3) is a fit for you professionally and personally.

Based on feedback from Daphne Houston, Inc. clients over the past five years, Daphne has developed a client-driven model that allows her to spend more time focused on each individual client, provide you with quick and easy access to the most requested and beneficial services and resources and, deliver focused, insightful and powerful coaching and consulting that is practical, inspiring and strategic.

Career Coaching Packages 

Career Coaching Sessions Via Telephone and Email (Personal Investment: $45/15 minutes)

(coaching sessions are billed in 15 minute increments; there is a 30-minute minimum)

Affordable, effective and convenient. Career strategy, small business marketing and work/life balance sessions are available via telephone and through email. Clients find this vehicle highly effective and convenient for receiving targeted feedback on specific topics or for help with personal accountability and goal setting. Please visit with Dr. Daphne regarding this consulting option and how we can best accommodate your busy schedule. Evening and early morning appointments are available.         

Career Jump Start Package (Personal Investment: $495)

• Two personalized career strategy sessions with Daphne Houston
• Email support during the period you are working with Daphne
• Access to Daphne Houston, Inc.' password protected online Career Resource Success Center 
• Additional strategy sessions at the discounted rate of $225/session (includes email support)

Career Launch Package (Personal Investment:  $895)

• Four personalized career strategy sessions with Daphne Houston
• Email support during the period you are working with Daphne
• Access to Daphne Houston, Inc.' password protected online Career Management Resource
• Additional strategy sessions at the discounted rate of $225/session (includes email support)

Live Your Gift- Career Quest Program *Best Value* (Personal Investment: $1,600 - a $2,500 value)

This in-depth, comprehensive program uses a balanced approach to explore and identify options and develop an action plan for career change or transition. This program is ideal if you are re-entering the workforce, transitioning to a new field or employment sector, thinking of starting your own business or experiencing a major life change. The personalized program includes:

• A customized career blueprint for change/transition based on your needs
• Six one-hour strategy sessions
• Gifts, Values, Talent and Skills inventories
• Group Coaching VIP- 9 Simple Steps Teleseminar Series, CD and Self Study Kit ($200 value)
• Myers-Briggs Type Inventory, MBTI and/or Career/Life Discovery--assessment and interpretation
• Career development and visioning exercises
• Supervised homework and customized resources
• Coaching and feedback on career and personal branding topics
• Idea generation and mind-mapping
• Work search, resume and cover letter critique/assistance, if needed
• Career marketing and planning
• A customized hand-crafted personal branding statement ($150 value)
• Access to Daphne Houston, Inc.' password protected online Career Success Resource Center 
• Email support from Daphne during the period you are working with her, at no additional charge (regular phone/email coaching rate is regularly $180/hour)
• One 30-minute phone coaching session ($90 value)
• Additional strategy sessions at the discounted rate of $225/session

Note: In almost all cases, career coaching and small business consulting are considered deductible expenses when filing your income taxes. Consult your accountant for more information.

A Single Career Strategy Session with Dr. Daphne (Personal Investment: $250)

What Does A Strategy Session Include? 

• Preparation and review time: Prior to your session Daphne will spend 30 minutes of brainstorming/preparation time reviewing your intake materials and resume. She will develop initial, personalized strategies and suggested resources for you based on your stated needs (provided that you email your materials 48 hours prior to meeting).
• 1-hour coaching/consulting session with Daphne:  A typical session includes coaching/strategizing, feedback and interactive exercises/homework to help you gain clarity and focus.
• Personalized materials: You leave with customized handouts/resources (if applicable) and a mini "Action Plan" listing relevant networking or informational interview contacts, companies, books/resources and networking events/groups recommended during their session. (Note: Work search clients also receive specific "Work Search Resources" handouts developed by Daphne specifically for the Austin market.)
• Email follow-up: Daphne follows-up each session with an email correspondence detailing specific contact information or additional information on resources that were discussed during the strategy session.
• 9 Simple Steps Teleseminar Recording CD (100 value)

Career-related topics covered during a session may include, but are not limited to: career management or planning, marketing yourself and your talents (including resume/biography development), identifying your personal brand and crafting a branding statement, preparing for/making a career change, starting or re-energizing a work search, and starting and/or marketing a small business.           

*Ideal for NEW clients who only need to see Dr. Daphne one time for a single session to cover such specific issues as 1) re-energizing or developing a work search plan/strategy, 2) developing and promoting your personal brand, 3) creating a resume that is a strategic marketing tool, 4) interviewing and tips on developing personal success stories, 5) salary negotiation and determining your market worth, 5) strategies for work/life balance, 6) improving work satisfaction or preparing for a performance review or 7)resources/strategies for marketing your small business.

Special Services for Ministries

All of my life it seems, God has spoken to me clearly about my divinely ordained purpose and mission in life, but not until, 1999 did I begin to realize it and I have been joyfully focused on it ever since. For years I had prayed for a way to help others live their gifts in the work of their life purpose, their mission, and their gift. 

I tried to figure out how to make that happen and actually make a living. I finally had that Aha moment, while consulting with a client who was searching for a new job, and when I began writing "Your Gift" in addition to other consulting, writing, speaking and coaching as tools to carry out my mission. My mission is uniquely suited to my gifts, talents and passion. My primary passion is helping people live their gifts- in work and in life. 

While I speak, coach, recruit and train in a variety of business venues around the country, I consider it a special privilege to speak with Christians about improving the quality of their work lives by living the life God Gifted them to live, serving as an example in their workplace and business and ensuring that their actions are aligned with their unique gifts, talents and passions. 

I look forward to the honor of sharing messages during Sunday worship services, Women's Day programs, conferences and ministry events.including mega-churches and small churches, and in cities large and small. 

My goal is to be of service and to be a vessel of God's inspiration and truth. If I can be of service to you and your community, please contact Charlene Turner, Director of Communications or email her at charlene@daphnehouston.com 

Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)/ Career Discovery (CDI) (Investment $250)

A career planning/ management tool  

We offer individual assessment/interpretation sessions and group workshops utilizing this highly effective assessment tool. See Dr. Daphne for more information on group training and "Valuing Gifts, Understanding Differences," a teambuilding workshop utilizing the CDI. Individual test, materials and session:

Outplacement and Career Services
Daphne Houston, Inc. offers assistance to human resource professionals and companies that are downsizing or restructuring. Services include providing employees with one-on-one counseling and work search assistance as well as group presentations and training. Please call today. We can make your work easier by providing support and resources to your employees during this challenging time. Popular workshop topics include:

• How to Define a Work "Fit" and Identify Your Non-Negotiables
• Work Search Strategies for the New Economy
• The Product is You: Marketing Yourself to Potential Employers (includes resume tips)
• Interviewing Your Potential Employer: What to Look for, What to Ask
• Nonprofit, Corporate, Government or Small Business--Which Sector is Right For Me?
• Preparing for a Successful Interview and Developing Personal Success Stories
• Everything's Negotiable: Successfully Negotiating Salary, Benefits and Beyond

• How to Prospect for and Conduct Effective Informational Interviews

Speaking:  Customized Presentations, Workshops, Seminars and Training
Daphne Houston, Inc. offers companies and organizations personalized workshops and presentations on a variety of employee communications, career development/fulfillment and marketing and public relations topics. Sample presentations/workshops include:

• Your Gift Will Make Room For You
• 10 Trends that Will Change the Way you Work and Live
• How to Gather an All Star Team
• Surviving and Thriving in an Uncertain Economy (geared toward the small business owner)
• Marketing Your Business from the Inside-Out (geared toward the small business owner)
• Finding and Experiencing Passion in Your Life
• Mentoring and Coaching for Managers
• Work Search Strategies for the New Economy
• Work/Life Balance: A Process, Not a Goal

Call today to discuss your company's needs and objectives.

FAQ's

I Read Above that Email Coaching Is Included in the Packages, What Does That Mean?

All Career and Small Business Jump Start, Focus and Career Quest clients have complimentary email access to Daphne for support while they are seeing her (the current rate for e-mail/phone coaching is $45/15 minutes). For example, if you're a Career Jump Start client and you see Daphne for two sessions in January, you would have email access to her for that month. If you see her for four sessions over a two-month period, you would have email access for two months. This access is designed to support you with "quick feedback" between sessions.*

However, email support is limited to specific questions. For example: "Do you know the name of a good recruiter in my field?", "How do I determine a salary range for this position?", "Do you have any contacts at ___company?", "Can you recommend a book or resource to help me polish my image or improve my networking skills?" or "Who would you recommend I hire to _____?"

If you have questions about more involved issues, you'll want to schedule a 30, 45 or 60-minute phone or email coaching session with Daphne for more in-depth feedback. (For example: "How should I position myself for this work opportunity?" "What changes should I make to my resume?", "What is the best way to approach setting up an informational interview?" or "I'm feeling stuck with my work search. What can I do to move forward?" or "What are some cost-effective ways to market my small business?") on phone/email coaching sessions.

*Clients can expect to receive a response from Dr. Daphne-during the workweek--within 24 hours on urgent issues and within 48 hours on non-urgent issues.

What Is the Benefit of Having Access to the Career Success Resource Center?

The Career Success Resource Center is a premier service available only to Daphne Houston, Inc.' clients who purchase career or small business support packages. Divided into three areas: Career Planning and Work Search; Personal Branding and Small Business Marketing; and Work/Life Effectiveness and Work and Money, the center is a password protected online resource library containing dozens of outstanding how-to articles, flyers packed with career strategies/tips, inspirational articles, resource lists, step-by-step guides, practical information and more. All materials were developed and written by Daphne Houston specifically for her clients. The information includes timely and relevant resources addressing clients' most requested coaching questions and topics. Here are a few titles for some of the articles you can access:

• Making a Successful Career Change; also, How to Jump Start a Career Change
• Top Work Search Strategies and Information on Free Work Search Resources
• Seven Career Mistakes to Avoid
• How to Increase Your Value in the Eyes of Your Employer
• How to Maximize Networking Opportunities;
• Facing/Overcoming Fears
• Work/Life Balance Strategies;
• Keeping the Passion in Your Profession
• Salary Negotiation 4 Steps to Getting What You're Worth and What You Want
• 20 Ways to Promote Your Career or Business
• Personal Branding Checklist and Creating a Resume that Sells You
• Resources and Tips for Launching and Marketing a Small Business   
• Surviving and Thriving in any Economy: For Small Business Owners
• Interviewing: Questions to Answer, Questions to Ask and Tips on Informational Interviews
• 20 Questions that will create a killer resume

What Can I Expect When Working with Daphne Houston, Inc.?

By choosing to set aside dedicated time to realize your career and life dreams, you are investing in your future. The time that you spend with Daphne Houston is exclusively devoted to helping you explore, brainstorm, prospect, plan, strategize and take action toward your desired goal. We offer a complementary left-brain/right-brain approach to career/life management that integrates practical business and marketing strategies with empowering personal insights.

Through working with Dr. Daphne you gain direct access to a seasoned career coach, creative business strategist and a corporate recruiting consultant. Daphne will draw on her marketing, career/personal development and business expertise to offer expert assistance through:

Coaching you and providing straight-forward, caring, constructive feedback and resources/solutions to help you gain clarity and focus on your next steps.

Supporting you in "where you are now" on your career/life path. For some, that means being there for you when you decide to make a radical change, for others it means assisting you in reframing your perspective about your current work/life situation.

Strategizing with you on your goals, timeline, action plan, options and providing resources and specific contacts and tools when/if needed.

Helpful Information About Daphne Houston, Inc.

Daphne Houston, Inc. Purpose Statement: To assist and support clients in integrating who they are with what they do by providing strategic, creative career/work-life planning and coaching; active listening; expertise; and honest, straightforward communication in a trusting and respectful environment.

Current Rates for Services: Payment is due at time of service. Payment of checks and cash are accepted. Returned Checks: There will be a $25.00 charge for all returned checks.

Hours: Office hours are 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., by appointment only. Special arrangements may be made for appointments outside of normal business hours.

Rescheduling Appointments: Please call at least 72 hours (3 business days) in advance when needing to reschedule an appointment so we are able to fill your scheduled time slot and deliver optimal service to all our clients. If an appointment is not cancelled at least 72 hours in advance, the client will be billed for 50% of their session rate. Thank you for respecting our time and yours.

Confidentiality: We completely respect and acknowledge our clients' need for privacy. Your relationship with Daphne Houston, Inc., as well as all phone, e-mail and in-person conversations, is completely confidential.

Communication/Feedback: We welcome open, honest communication and encourage clients to ask questions about any aspect of their experience with our firm. We look forward to your feedback on how we can better serve you. Please don't hesitate to contact Daphne Houston at any time regarding the service you receive or to ask for an evaluation form so you can provide us with comments or suggestions. We support a continuous improvement business model.

Workshops/Seminars: In addition to one-on-one strategy sessions, Daphne Houston also develops and presents seminars and workshops for companies and organizations. Workshops can center on career management/fulfillment, work/life balance, team building, small business or marketing/public relations topics. We also offer career services/outplacement assistance for companies who are downsizing. Please visit with Daphne Houston for further details.

Referrals/Testimonials: Referrals and testimonials are greatly appreciated. The majority of our clients are referred to us by current and past clients. Thank you for these personal recommendations!

Gift certificates are available for all Daphne Houston, Inc. services.

Daphne Houston, Inc. is owned and operated by Daphne Houston.