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Like many, Teresa Dodson knows the pain of going through a difficult financial situation. She’s turned that pain into a successful career helping others get the support she didn’t know was available. One of the most respected professionals in the debt settlement market, Dodson has a knack for sizing people up and she’s almost never wrong. Read on to learn more about Teresa, the nonprofit organization she is building, and where her happy place is.
Name: Teresa Dodson
Job Title: Founder/CEO
Company: Greenbacks Consulting Inc. & Women of Debt Relief
Length of time at current company: Greenbacks Consulting – 16 years / Women of Debt Relief – 4 years
Length of time in industry: 23 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
By accident and dumb luck. I had always worked for Ad Agencies running their creative departments. One day I woke up and thought I want to do something that makes a difference or helps people. I want to make an impact. So, I started looking for companies and/or industries that looked interesting. I happen to interview for a debt settlement company as a director of operations. I didn’t know the first thing about debt settlement but was intrigued. But I did know how it felt to be in debt and collections. I had been through bankruptcy five years prior to this and had no idea this was an option. This was something I could really get behind. Helping consumers with debt and how to navigate through it.
What is your career highlight so far?
I have many “highlights” in my career. Here are a couple.
- Truly helping consumers over the last 23 years has been very rewarding.
- Working with the banking and collections side of the industry to help bridge the gap and create understanding between debt settlement and creditors
When or how are you most productive?
When I’m able to be creative, think through a better or new way of doing something. Then having smart people around me to collaborate with to make it all a reality.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Being in my career as long as I have; I have more than one. There are people who helped me immensely in my career on both sides of the industry. But all of them had a few things in common: Saw the need for change and doing things better. They were never afraid to take risks and neither am I.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
- Follow through. It’s really simple and most people lack this ability. Do what say you’re going to do, follow though and get it done.
- Sizing people up. I know that sounded judgy. What I mean is I can know after five minutes with someone if they are the right fit for a position, project or a company. I’ve been wrong twice in my career, but I can nail it 95% of the time.
What do you like most about this industry?
Helping to provide some financial relief to consumers and helping get their life back on track.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Negative perceptions, better education on both sides of the industry. I’m still in meetings where one side or both have bad information or lack of understanding pertaining to what service is provided.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Rockstar or running a dog rescue.
Describe a typical work day.
As a consultant, this changes and no day is typical. I’m always involved in some sort of start up that’s trying to change the world! While growing my non-profit Women of Debt Relief. Let’s just say it never stops.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Live Music, concerts, and festivals. Music has always been my happy place since I was a kid and still is.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Is it ok to share more than one piece of advice?
- Keep turning over rocks. Take the meeting even if you don’t want to; you never know what may come of it.
- Numbers and Data do not lie. Base business decisions on facts
What are you currently reading?
I wish I could sound really cool, but absolutely nothing right now.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I actually care about making a difference, innovation and progress.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Rob Fite
