Working in Silicon Valley as a vice president and controller of a high tech company, Dawn Croft found financial success, but questioned the direction her career was going.

“Having hit 40, living in San Francisco, still very single and feeling unbelievably run down on one of my many international business trips, I thought there must be a better way to make a living,” wrote Croft.

Giving notice at her job, Croft took a sabbatical to consider her next move.

“Within two weeks, I had a call from a friend asking if I would do a one week consulting assignment, which eventually turned into a six month gig and my consulting business was born.”

Today, Croft lives and works in Napa, providing financial consulting work.

Which three people would you most like to have dinner with?

Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump and Madonna. They are icons of my generation. They are very successful and have created business empires, but they have also had to overcome adversity over the years or completely re-invent themselves to remain on top.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

Try: Residential property developer. I have an interest in this already and love to buy homes and update them.

Not Try: Gas station attendant. For some reason the smell of gas gives me an instant headache.

What was your first job?

In high school I worked at a dentist office. I thought I wanted to be an orthodontist. For $2.25 an hour I did everything from filing to developing X-rays, sewing curtains for the office, and, one day, chair-side assisting on a four wisdom teeth extraction. Even then, I was a bit of an over-achiever and able to perform under pressure. And, I didn’t faint.

What’s on your to-do list?

I have a habit before year end of taking an inventory of my life and planning out my next year. Since my birthday is around the same time, it is a way to take stock and make sure I am heading in the right direction.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

While I have done a lot of travel for business, I would love to do more for pleasure. China is definitely on my list.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I love to dance and I like rap and hip hop music. My favorite rap artist is Ludacris. I think he’s funny.

What is your favorite charity?

Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. While they give to people in need, they also teach being self-sufficient, and to break the cycle. Nothing moves me more (and keeps me more grounded) than a Sunday service at Glide. It makes me appreciate how truly blessed I am. When I lived in San Francisco, I went every week.

What was your childhood ambition?

 I think I worried my Mom a bit when I said I wanted to be a go-go dancer like on Laugh In, which was a popular TV program at that time.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

Right here. All you have to do is mention to people is that you live in Napa and you can see the envy. I grew up in New Jersey, which while beautiful in parts and known as the Garden State, generates quite a different reaction. 

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

Annette Geisner-Kinch and Spencer Kinch of Bacchus Fulfillment, American Canyon.

George McCuen of McCuen Investments, Napa.

Susan Knapp of A Perfect Pear from Napa Valley, Napa.

Myles Davis of Myles Davis Electric, Napa.

Dan Ritzenthaler of Drink the Leaf, Napa.

More from Dawn Croft

Where are you from?

I grew up in Hackettstown, N.J., the town that makes M&Ms.

We used to smell chocolate at night. Now I smell wine.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Instant recognition. I’d love for every business in Napa Valley to know about us and be taking advantage of all the services Consultants 2 Business has to offer.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced? 

Expanding the business and getting the word out. In the last year, I have expanded my business and moved into new offices to do more than just financial work. I am now able to offer pretty much anything a business may need — finance and accounting, sales and marketing, graphic design, Web site development and even our newest product — videos.

People are afraid that consultants will cost them a fortune and they won’t get any benefit. However, once people meet me and my team and see our pricing, they become believers. I haven’t yet completely figured out yet how to make that whole process of potential clients finding us quicker and easier.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

I grew up in a small town in New Jersey, so there weren’t many jobs for students. One summer I worked the fast food circuit. Each day, I worked from before lunch at a burger joint and then changed out of that uniform and worked the evening shift at a fried chicken and fish restaurant. By the time I got home at night, even two or three showers didn’t remove the “aroma” and I still have an aversion to the red and yellow polyester colors of my uniforms.

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?

Start a small business incubator. Years ago I did volunteer work at the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center in San Francisco. If your start-up business was selected, you got low cost office space, coaching and support for your business, and banking relationships, etc., basically support and services that nursed a business along during its early stages until it made it on its own. I thought it was a wonderful idea which hatched many successful businesses and provided entrepreneurs the resources they needed to be truly successful.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?

I think the most challenging project was when one international company I was working with went through (in just six months), a spin-off of one division, a sale of another division, and then an acquisition attempt on the remaining business. From a finance perspective, it was a very busy time and I was responsible for preparing and responding to all the due diligence inquiries, and eventually determining what personnel went with what division (essentially deciding who stayed and who was let go). It was the toughest job I have had both mentally and emotionally.

Who do you most admire in the business world?

While I have admired certain people’s talents, I’ve yet to find everything in one person. The most successful executives know what they are good at and then surround themselves with employees that complement their skills and make up for what they may lack (or not enjoy doing). 

I can’t live without: morning coffee and a nice glass of sparkling wine/champagne when I come home from work.

Each Wednesday the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled. To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com