Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Silas.
Hi Denise, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
During the last 100 days of 2022 I was blessed to go through the devotional 100 Days of Believing Bigger with the author. This was a significant time because many were trying to figure out their new normal after the pandemic. At that time I had served in leadership with Mary Kay for 25 years. In Mary Kay we worked together to navigate through the pandemic and after. I am fortunate to be surrounded around a lot of women. Many of the women not in Mary Kay were struggling with finding a new normal. This is when I heard God tell me that women outside of the pink bubble needed the same support.
In December 2022 I did what I would do for my MaryKay community and hosted an empowerment breakfast for women outside of Mary Kay. What I thought would be one breakfast, ended up to be a series of 4. Embrace ME, Evolve ME, Engage ME and Elevate ME were held every couple of months through June of 2023. So many women kept asking for the next one, my daughter suggested we build what is now Empowered by DS in 2024. Our mission is to empower women, through experiences, to be the best versions of themselves in the current season of their lives. We want to see women unapologetically prioritize themselves while embracing, evolving and executing all of their gifts and talents.
Someone mentioned they would love to come to our Saturday morning Empowerment Workshops but the day didn’t work for them. Believing more women may have that same challenge, we created the Friday night event, Diva Dinner and Dialogue. This was a bimonthly event to build confidence, community and connections through conversation. It was such a great hit, for 2025 we increased the frequency, holding 9 in total.
Because we have so many women in the D.E.C.I.D.E. tribe that are not local, in 2024 we launched a quarterly EmpowerMEnt subscription box. Each quarter has a unique theme that is supported by scriptures and affirmations. Each box includes a curated collection of selfcare items and a custom journal to promote focus, confidence and progress not perfection.
In 2025 we added a one day retreat to Nashville and a weekly zoom conversation. The weekly zoom conversation, Let’s Talk About It Tuesday, covers topics to support women in all areas of their lives, faith, family/friends, fitness, finances and fun. The conversation include interviews, panels or presentations with experts or individuals sharing their testimony.
We close out the year with a Vision to Victory Celebration. This gives our tribe the place to celebrate all of their accomplishments including progress on their Vision Board they created in January. It is awesome to support and remind them of the desires of their hearts and keep them on track.
What started off as Mary Kay Director and Empowered by DS, is now 100% Empowered by DS. This transition came because I am able to impact more women without the boundary of the pink bubble. I have been blessed to have over 200 women experience Empowered by DS who were not a part of the pink bubble. I’m excited to support women in pursuing any area of passion that their heart desires.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Making a decision to transition from a business that I have built for over 25 years was tough. Because I was leading a team in Mary Kay, I initially struggled with what people would say if I was letting my team down. I found peace in knowing that I was doing what God had called me in that season of my life.
I also struggled with changing from something I had did for over 25 years. Because of my leadership position, I knew I had influence in Mary Kay, I questioned whether I would have the same influence with women outside of the pink bubble.
Under Empowered by DS there were a lot of new things I had to learn because Mary Kay provided a template that I followed. Under my own brand I had to set up a new website from scratch, utilize a new social media platform, getting an EIN number, and creating my own brand. There was a lot to learn but we were up for the challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Empowered by DS is an empowerment company for women. Denise Silas and her 2 daughters Alayah and Amonie are the founders. Denise is the empowerment coach who is known for “flippin switches and pushing buttons.” She wants to help you find your gifts and shine brightly. She will definitely stretch you and expand your comfort zone.
Specialize in event/experiences.
There are a lot of women who are stuck, burned out and even feeling isolated. Instead of just focusing on individual solutions, the experiences also support building healthy relationships and learning how other women deal with the same issues. Through these experiences like minded women find each other. In these community experiences she focuses on building confidence and connections.
Weekly – join the zoom conversation – Let’s Talk About It Tuesday to hear topics that will help navigate life.
Monthly – Attend the Diva Dinner and Dialogue for a divas night to have dialogue social selfcare, to build community
Quarterly Empowerment Workshops for personal, professional and leadership development.
Quarterly subscribe to the EmpowerME scubscription box for personal accountability for your person goals and hearts desires.
The EmpowerME box is also a great wellness product for companies to provide to their staff.
Yearly – Attend the Vision Board experience to ignite your dreams and the Vision and Victory Celebration to celebrate your wins.
One on One and Group Coaching are available.
Signature Training – Chaos Management – Time vs Capacity
15th Annual Feel the Teal in Your Hottest Heels for Ovarian Cancer Awareness in memory of Beatrice Miller (Denise’s Sister)
I would want people to know that Empowered by DS is PASSIONATE about helping women to be the best version of themselves in their current season of their lives. We want women to be unapologetically proud of who they are because they are God’s unique creation.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am looking for speakers who have a message for women to share on Let’s Talk About It Tuesday. This covers all areas. It also include testimonies where there is a lesson women can learn from.
I would love to host Diva Dinner and Dialogue or Vision Board Experience with their team at work, church or any other organization.
Join the D.E.C.I.D.E. Tribe FB Community – Divas Empowering & Connecting Individuals who Dare to Excel
Any group that want to help their team or staff on managing the chaos of life because they are wearing so many hats. I would love to do my Chaos Management Workshop.
Anyone that needs someone to curate workshop or conference for their group I can customize training to achieve their goals.
Use the EmpowerME Gift Box for employee gift
Inspirational Speaker for any event.
Looking for sponsors to partner with me to provide the different events.
Looking for partners to support the Annual Adopt A Grandparent where Empowered by DS take donations at $15/senior to support Sacred Heart Southern Missions in providing a gift for over 400 low income Seniors in Northern Mississippi.
Pricing:
- EmpowerME Gift Box (with tshirt) $55/box
- Diva Dinner and Dialogue $30/person
- Adopt A Grandparent $15/senior
- EmpowerME Gift Box (without Tshirt $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empoweredbyds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweredbyds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredbyds2024
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisesilas-empowerme
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmpoweredbyDS
- Other: https://linktr.ee/empoweredbyds
