For over 15 years, Dion Welton has served as a marketing researcher and consultant while also graduating from St. Thomas University with a degree in business communication. Alongside this, Dion is an acclaimed author who founded the fastest-growing faith-based encouragement publication Hope is Now, a highly circulated magazine nationwide! On top of that, he often graces the airwaves as a radio host and public speaker. Dion is a basketball player and highly sought-after motivational speaker, whose radio program FREE ON THE INSIDE has earned him national acclaim. He draws inspiration from those who face adversity, learn from their mistakes, and triumph over despair in life, ultimately striving for joy through the creation of a meaningful existence.
How did you get started in this business?
The idea for this business came to me during a very difficult time in my life. Bad decisions and self-centered living had landed me in a very dark place. As I went through that bad patch in life only one word kept coming to me and that was HOPE. I would sit and pray, think, and meditate on where I was in my life at that time. I had reached a point of not knowing if there still was HOPE for me. I was a college graduate, played professional baseball in Europe, and came from a good family, and a good upbringing but I ended up in darkness. What I learned through that process stuck with me for the rest of my life to this day.
I started this company that publishes one of the fastest-growing Faith based encouragement magazines in North America. We are now in Walmart, Walmart Canada, Barnes and Noble, Books, A Million, and Chapters Indigo in Canada as well as several others. We are now also in over 4,000 waiting rooms across the country. It is a publication designed to reach every reader, every person, no matter background, faith, believer, non-believer, etc. The content is designed to lift, and share stories of overcoming struggle …HOPE. It is a wonderful endeavor to be involved in.
How do you make money?
Selling my publication is how I make money.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
It took me a while to grab the attention of the readers and finally become profitable.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
No! I was starting to spread the message of HOPE, so I couldn’t be, by any means, doubtful about the power of my message.
How did you get your first customer?
A dental clinic was the first subscriber of the ‘Hope is Now‘ magazine.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
One marketing strategy for my business has always been believing that I have a good product, a very well-liked magazine. When I believe this only then I can make people believe it too. The marketing strategy that has helped me generate new business is getting my product in front of the masses, letting people see it, feel it, and look at it either in print or online. For me, an effective marketing strategy is to put the product in front of hundreds of thousands of people.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
Firing the caretaker of my parents because she was being dishonest in her work, although my parents were comfortable with her presence.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
Believing in myself and my product and reading, studying, and researching to learn more every day are what make me successful.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Whenever I find that my work is making a positive impact on anyone’s life I feel immensely satisfied.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
I plan to reach hundreds of thousands of people in the future and I am genuinely excited about making a positive impact in people’s lives.
What business books have inspired you?
“Be Anxious for Nothing” written by Max Lucado. This particular book has inspired me to take work pressure in a positive way. It taught me that business brings a lot of pressure and a lot of stress and it’s the same for every entrepreneur. In order to succeed, one has to be centered, calm, and peaceful because only then can one think clearly, be productive, and not be saddled by fear, hesitation, or anxiety.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
If you believe in your dream then never quit! Never give up and keep working hard from one failure to the next success. Just be persistent.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
Why not? Anyone wishing to contact me can drop a message to my social media handles or LinkedIn.