In this Business Blast podcast episode, host Tyler Wagner interviews Dominique "Dom" Francis, the Workforce Development Manager for South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control. Dom shares a recent personal story about graduating with a master’s in public health and enduring six months of unemployment, emphasizing how the forced downtime led to self‑discovery and the importance of not fighting such opportunities. She explains her core professional insight that public health is an entirely interconnected system—no action exists in a vacuum. Dom offers general business advice centered on proactive communication, noting that simple interactions can spark valuable relationships. When asked what she would tell her younger self, she advises against rushing and encourages enjoying each phase despite anxiety. Her philosophy of happiness focuses on maintaining a state of peace rather than chasing specific emotions. The book "Eat That Frog" is highlighted as her current favorite, with the key takeaway to tackle the most challenging task first each day. Dom’s favorite quote, "If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do you no harm," reflects both her Christian faith and a secular view on internal resilience. Finally, she directs listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn.
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Welcome to the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host, Tyler Wagner. This episode is brought to you by Authors Unite. Authors Unite provides you with all the resources you need to become a successful author. You can learn more about Authors Unite and join the free community at authorsunite.com. Now let's jump into the episode.
All right everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host Tyler Wagner. Today I have Dom Francis with us. He's the Workforce Development Manager for South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control. So welcome to the show, Dom.
Thank you.
Of course, man. Thanks for joining us. Uh, we'll dive into the first one. The first question I have for you, Dom, is what is the best story from your life that has an underlying valuable message?
I would say the story I choose is a very recent one. I graduated with my master's degree from the Arnold School of Public Health in December 2017, and then for a little over 6 months, I was unemployed. And it was super painful because it was the first time in my life I was not employed. Or in school that I can remember, because before that I had been in school since I was 5. Anyways, point being, don't fight the opportunity you have to get to know yourself and explore your interests. As frustrating as these last few months have been, I learned a substantial amount about myself, and I don't think I would have learned them had I not been So not at my own will, forced to not have a job.
Definitely. The next one is, is what is your most valuable piece of information that we should know that is within your expertise or industry?
Within my expertise, let's say good, good information to know is everything is interrelated in public health. Understand that nothing— I mean, really, it's, it's The way the universe works, except maybe space or a black hole, nothing is in a vacuum. So understand that every action has a direct pro or con or an indirect pro or con to every other element that exists. So just keep that in mind.
And what's your best piece of overall business advice? So not necessarily industry specific.
Um, overall business advice. Make sure that you're not afraid to communicate. You'd be surprised where a newfound relationship will go, as simple as a hi in an elevator.
And if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?
Uh, it's going to sound really cliché, but don't rush it. Just enjoy what you're going through, because as anxious as you might be about whatever the challenge is at the time, You're just going to be anxious to the same degree about something else months from then or a year from then. Don't sweat it.
And in your opinion, what is the key to happiness?
The key to happiness, I feel, is actually not even advertently trying to be happy. Because happy is an emotion, like sad is, like mad is, insert whatever emotion you want to. Try to maintain peace, and peace is more about a state of mind than an emotion. So that way, when you're angry, you can still be peaceful. When you're sad, you can still be peaceful. If you're always trying to maintain one emotion, that's going to frustrate you. But if you try to maintain one specific state of mind, it makes you that easy. It makes it that much easier for you to return to happiness.
Yes, I love that, man. And what is the best book that you've read, and what was the number one thing you learned from that?
Best book I've read is probably, at least right now at this stage in my life, Eat That Frog. Number one thing I learned from it is do the worst, most challenging task you can on your to-do list as soon as possible when the day starts. It'll make your life easier.
And what is your favorite quote and why?
My favorite quote is If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do you no harm. And I really like that quote just because from a faith-based standpoint as a Christian, kind of the ultimate opponent is our own sin. So if you're— if you focus on finding peace and not feeling tempted but being confident in your ability not to sin, you do well. But even on a more secular standpoint, if you're at peace, as I kind of mentioned earlier, it's harder for things to rattle you. So just try to maintain your own personal sphere of influence and everything else is easier.
Love it, man. Thank you so much for coming on. The last question I have before we let you go is, where is the best place for people to find you online?
At this stage of my life, just LinkedIn, to be honest.
Perfect, man. Thanks again for joining us. I appreciate it.
Thank you. You have a good one.
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