This week we are highlighting DRC Development for their generous 2022 Girl Flock Party Gold Sponsorship at our annual event on March 27th.

Meet the owner, Dr. Caitlin Walker: “I've been in the business of empowering others for over a decade. As a dance instructor, physical therapist, health and wellness educator, and learning and development professional, my priority has been to help others reach their goals. I'm passionate about providing people and organizations the tools they need to become the best version of themselves they can be, and I'm working to make the world a kinder and more equitable place.”

What is the origin story of DRC Development?

As a dance instructor and health and wellness educator, I was finding a lack of quality and accessible services which inspired me to develop the first iteration of my company. I read a comment on a former ballerina’s social media where someone with a disability said, “I know that as someone with this kind of disability it is a dream to have a ballet class, but could it be possible?” and no one replied to her. My heart shattered. Dance has been the greatest joy and source of physical and emotional strength in my life, and I wanted to use my talents to work towards a world where people feel welcome and able to pursue all their heart’s desires regardless of their previously experienced physical, social, or economical struggles. So, I created a company to provide injury prevention training, health and wellness education, dance lessons, fitness training, and physical therapy.

Then in my own career journey into organizational leadership, through my professional volunteerism with nonprofits, and amongst my friends and peers, I also began to see a gap in access to professional development opportunities. Typically, someone is in a leadership position for roughly seven years before a company invests in their leadership development. This means 1) people are in leadership positions without support and 2) most leadership development is reserved for people deemed worthy by higher-ups within their organizations. To overcome the bias and legacy of systematic oppression in business, there needs to be accessible options for people who aren’t making senior-level wages and who may not look, sound, or live like what has historically been identified as “leadership material.”

I chose to bring my health and wellness and my professional services under a single development company because often coaching or consulting for one lane naturally leads to the other. People and organizations are complex! Also, I’m passionate about supporting empowerment with every tool I have.

Explain what your business does.

DRC Development provides a holistic approach to coaching and consulting with a variety of services for individuals and organizations. Services include career coaching, stress and time management coaching, leadership training, virtual dance, fitness classes, and more!

What is your business niche?

My niche is being a generalist in a world of niche businesses! I support holistic growth in people and organizations through my diverse experiences, education and training, and viewpoints and strategies. People and organizations deserve complete and creative care.

How many employees?

DRC Development is currently a one-woman operation.

What are 3 things people should know about DRC Development?

1. This is a safe and welcoming space for all people to grow.

2. You don’t need to know exactly where you want to go or how you want to develop yourself or your organization to engage in DRC Development’s services. You only need to know that you want to start.

3. We will work towards your ideal self, not your ought self. It’s about who you want to be, not who you’ve thought you should or could be.

What are your goals for the business?

DRC Development’s vision is a world with equity in professional and wellness development, and its mission is to provide high-value services that empower people and organizations to grow into the best version of themselves. My goal is to make the world a kinder and more equitable place by helping people become who they want to be, not who the world said they should or could be.

How would you spend an extra $100,000 at DRC Development?

If I had an extra $100,000, I would offer scholarships to offset childcare/eldercare expenses and lost income for people who wanted to participate in my services. I would also provide travel stipends or create a system for lending technological equipment.

While my pricing matrix and various offerings are designed to provide a high value option, there are still systematic socioeconomic barriers for working parents, familial caregivers, and hourly employees (particularly the working poor). These barriers also disproportionately affect women and minorities.

Favorite quote?

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” - Frederick Buechner