Dionne L. Grayson, Founder & Principal
Building Your Dreams LLC, founded in 2004, is an education and publishing company with its headquarters in Milwaukee. Through its Ready, Set, Grow! dba, the company produces children’s literature and educational tools designed to nurture foundational abilities—learning to read, gaining self‑assurance, and forming positive connections. These essentials support children as they grow academically and navigate the world around them.
When asked what being an NMSDC‑certified business represents, Dionne points to the doors it has opened and the community it has connected her to. Her journey through the certification space has shaped both her perspective and her company’s trajectory. She shares: “I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the NMSDC network. About four years ago, I participated in a pitch competition and was fortunate to be one of the winners, which led to my first exposure to the WBENC Conference. Attending and vending at that conference opened my eyes to the power of networking within the certification ecosystem and became a true entry point into opportunities like Top Shelf, Goldman Sachs 10KSB, and the Kohl’s Mentorship Program. Those experiences fundamentally shaped my understanding of the retail landscape and helped position my business for growth. I remain thankful for the relationships built along the way – including staying in touch with one of the judges – and I’m proud to be NMSDC certified.”
Our Success
Our publishing division, Ready, Set, Grow! Publications, has seen significant momentum, earning shelf space with prominent retailers and increasing our product line to almost 60 items. This advancement stems from a deliberate strategy—planning ahead, staying true to our purpose, and creating resources designed to support children and families in a variety of settings.
