After years in the healthcare industry, Founder & CEO Courtney Roy’s DBA Business Centre is making strides in the place where it all began

By Staff Writers, BLKPRENEURSHIP.COM
4 minute read – Wed June 5, 2024

MARRERO, LA. – For Courtney Roy, her second home in Marrero, Louisiana has always been where her heart is. Born in Centerville, Illinois, across the river from St. Louis, and initially raised in East St. Louis, she grew up in a place once infamously known as the murder capital of the world. Her early years were marked by the challenges of living in a tough environment, but a move to Marrero in her youth opened new horizons. “I pride myself in saying I’m a Nola girl,” Roy states with palpable affection for her adopted city. “I love everything New Orleans. I couldn’t imagine myself in any other city.”

The journey from East St. Louis to becoming a successful businesswoman in New Orleans was not straightforward. Courtney’s family background played a pivotal role in shaping her path. She comes from a large family with five siblings—one sister and four brothers, one of whom she lost 11 years ago. “He was my best friend,” she says, her voice tinged with emotion. “Losing him was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to endure.”

Raised by parents who were both hardworking and entrepreneurial, Courtney’s mother was a registered nurse who later became a nurse practitioner, a significant achievement, especially for a Black woman at the time. Her father owned an auto repair shop. “Entrepreneurship was instilled in me from a young age,” she recalls. “My mom (Helen Tucker Roy) started a home health agency, and my dad ran his own auto repair shop. It was kind of a given, you know?”

Her mother’s journey, in particular, was nothing short of inspirational. She started three businesses in 1992, including a staffing agency, a CNA school, and a home health agency. “The home health agency stuck, and we’re 32 years in now,” Courtney proudly notes. “She was a rebel, a real force of nature.” Courtney’s mother had a stroke when Courtney was just ten years old, which left her paralyzed from the waist down. However, her mother defied the odds. “She walked out of the rehab center and never looked back,” Courtney says, recounting how her mother’s determination and resilience were a driving force in her life.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Courtney pursued a career in nursing, beginning as a CNA before becoming an LPN and then an RN, accumulating 25 years of nursing experience. Despite her initial desire to become an engineer, her mother’s influence led her towards healthcare. “I wanted to be a physical therapist, but my mom’s passion for nursing rubbed off on me,” she admits. “It was always in the back of my mind.”

Courtney’s entrepreneurial journey began in earnest when her mother passed away, leaving her the home health agency. At just 20 years old, she found herself with 20 employees, a young son, and a husband diagnosed with schizophrenia. “It was a lot to handle,” she admits. “But I had to grow up quickly and learn the business from the ground up.”

Running the business came with its own set of challenges. “I was 20 years old, and everyone I employed was much older,” she recalls. “I had to learn fast and prove myself.” This drive led her to further her education in nursing, so she could better understand and manage the operations. “I needed to know what my employees were talking about, so I went to nursing school.”

Courtney’s entrepreneurial spirit also manifested during her college years at Langston University. “My mom used to send me care packages from New Orleans, full of Zatarain’s products and other local treats,” she says with a laugh. “I started selling them to my college mates, and that’s where my business journey really began.” She recalls how she also became the “picture man” at college dances, selling Polaroid photos, further honing her business acumen.

After taking over the family business, Courtney continued to diversify her ventures. She has always maintained a hustle, from doing taxes to creating wedding and funeral programs. “I’ve always kept a hustle,” she says. “It’s what my mom taught me. If there’s a need, find a way to meet it.”

Today, Courtney runs DBA, a business named after her bonus mom, Debra Bates Anders. Despite initial resistance from the state due to the common meaning of “DBA” (Doing Business As), Courtney persisted. “It just clicked. My bonus mom’s initials were DBA, and that became the name of the business,” she explains.

DBA has grown under Courtney’s leadership, becoming more than just a business—it’s a community hub. She has launched initiatives like “Seat at The Table” and “Winning Women Wednesday” to empower local entrepreneurs, especially women. “I wanted to create a space where women could come together, learn, and support each other,” she explains.

Courtney’s commitment to her community extends beyond her business endeavors. She is a board member of the American Red Cross and a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. She actively mentors teenage girls, guiding them through the challenges of growing up and finding their paths. “Mentoring is close to my heart,” she says. “I see the difference it makes, and it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Her typical day is a balancing act between managing DBA and her home health agency. “I wake up late, stretch, meditate, and get dressed. I try to open DBA every day and then switch to working on the home health agency,” she describes. Despite the hectic schedule, she finds time to enjoy the little things in life. “I love watching birds and squirrels. It’s soothing and gives me perspective.”

Looking ahead, Courtney envisions DBA expanding with multiple locations and a nonprofit entity to offer business seminars and training. “I want DBA to be a place where small businesses can thrive and grow,” she says.

Courtney Roy’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, dedication, and community. From her humble beginnings in East St. Louis to her success in New Orleans, she embodies the spirit of a true Nola girl—determined, passionate, and always giving back. As she continues to grow her businesses and support her community, she remains an inspiration to those around her, proving that with hard work and heart, anything is possible.

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