Ep 239 - Don’t Just Build a Business—Build a Foundation: Wisdom from Darcel Dillard-Suite

In Episode 240 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we’re joined by Darcel Dillard-Suite, a powerhouse entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and co-founder of Full Circle Health. With nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience, Darcel has built a thriving business alongside her husband, a psychiatrist, focused on holistic mental wellness and support for underrepresented communities. Her impact has been far-reaching, not just as a business leader, but as a mentor and motivator helping others rise through the challenges of entrepreneurship. 

Her napkin is a blueprint for success that every entrepreneur should take to heart: 

“Diversify, Stay Determined, Develop Strong Financial Advisors.” 

These aren’t just words—they’re lessons hard-won through years of navigating the entrepreneurial grind. And each of them holds a story that could change the way you build your business. 

Diversify or Die Trying 

"I learned the hard way that if I didn’t diversify this business and get income coming from other directions...we’re not going to make it," Darcel says. She and her husband took the leap to stop working for others and go all-in on their dream—but that dream needed legs to stand on. 

Early on, they realized that relying on just one stream of income wasn’t sustainable. So they built multiple revenue pathways, creatively expanding their offerings to weather industry changes and market shifts. In today’s economy, this wisdom is more relevant than ever. 

Stay Determined (Even When It’s Not Easy) 

“It gets frustrating. It really does,” Darcel admits. Entrepreneurship can be brutal. But Darcel reminds us that perseverance is what separates those who build legacy businesses from those who burn out. 

Her message is clear: grit matters. Building something that lasts means pushing through the tough moments, even when your dream feels distant. 

Don’t DIY Your Finances 

If there’s one thing Darcel wishes she knew earlier, it’s this: “Develop strong financial advisors.” 

She reflects on how she and her husband funded their early business ventures—by loaning themselves money from their mortgage. “We did all sorts of creative things,” she says. But what they lacked was financial strategy and structure. 

She’s transparent about how much smoother their growth could have been if they’d partnered with the right advisors from the start. The lesson? Don’t wait until you’re in a bind to bring in financial guidance. Build your bench early. 

 

5 Key Takeaways from Darcel Dillard-Suite 

1. Diversification Is Non-Negotiable 

“Just doing it this way isn't going to cut it.” 

Take Action: Audit your revenue streams—can your business survive if one dries up? If not, it's time to expand. 

2. Determination Is a Skill, Not a Trait 

“It gets frustrating...you can easily get discouraged.” 

Take Action: Schedule a weekly check-in with yourself or your team to reconnect with your “why.” 

3. Your Financial Advisors Should Be as Strong as Your Vision 

“I wish I had a financial advisor earlier on to teach me some things I learned later.” 

Take Action: Seek out a financial advisor who specializes in small businesses or startups and schedule a strategy session this quarter. 

4. Learn from the Hustle, But Don’t Get Stuck There 

Darcel and her husband bootstrapped creatively, but it came at a cost. 

Take Action: Reassess your funding strategies. Are they sustainable, or are you just surviving? 

5. Turn Experience Into Impact 

Now that Darcel has learned these lessons, she’s paying it forward. 

Take Action: Share your biggest business mistake with a mentee. Help someone else avoid your pitfalls. 

 

Darcel Dillard-Suite’s episode is a masterclass in real-talk entrepreneurship. It’s not about the highlight reel—it’s about the long-haul journey of building something meaningful, sustainable, and transformative. 

📝 What part of Darcel’s wisdom resonated with you the most? 

Post your takeaway on a napkin and share it with us using #PaperNapkinWisdom. 

Connect with Darcel Dillard-Suite: 

• 🌐 darceldillardsuite.com 

• 💼 Darcel on LinkedIn