Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Dean.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Sure. Prior to starting my business, I worked in the beauty industry. While I thoroughly enjoyed making people look and feel beautiful, I would always feel the pull that there was something more for me to do. I had this knowing, even as a little girl, that I would own my own business. I remember going on a field trip in the 7th grade where we had the opportunity to shadow employees at a Fortune 500 company. The lady I was shadowing took me into her big office, sat me down, and asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember confidently saying that I wanted to own a hair salon with an attached spa. Together we came up with a name and a full-on concept. I reflect back on that day often and it makes me laugh because while I don’t own a salon, I was so certain that I would be a business owner.
Fast forward to me as a 20-something-year-old, working for various beauty brands, behind the scenes at fashion shows, and even helping cosmetics lines re-develop their products; I started to get this strong sense that I could shift from making other companies money and turn that same strategy, focus and creativity towards cultivating my own business to build the life I desired. That was part of the driving force behind Dean Street Creative being birthed.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
I’ve had the opportunity to sit at the feet of some pretty awesome mentors when I first started out as an entrepreneur but when I began to scale my business, I didn’t have a lot of support doing so.
At that time I was charging $3500 for clients to work with me on their rebranding projects. I realized that in order to deliver at the level I desired for my clients, I had to raise my prices. I couldn’t find anyone I felt was equipped to guide me to the next level so this forced me to increase my belief level in myself, and develop my own strategy for scaling which allowed me to quantum leap from $3500 to $15K projects within a matter of 30 days.
The best part was that first 5 figure deal I closed happened over the phone, without the client ever having seen my face. Today, clients invest anywhere from $7500 (to work with me for a day) or up to $100K on projects. And I feel grateful that I get to teach this to my clients as well.
I need to also add this disclaimer: I don’t believe that things have to be hard. I enjoy ease and manifesting quickly. So I don’t know that I would call that a challenge but it was certainly an invitation to trust myself and ask for what I truly desired.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I specialize in helping brilliant entrepreneurs craft powerful brands that are authentic to them and highly profitable. The work that I get to do with clients is unique and my approach is very different than many brand designers/coaches because I look at the totality of the person I am working with in order to help them refine their look and how they show up and embody their expertise which may require anything from a mindset shift to learning decorum when engaging with potential clients, to how to close high-end deals. After that, we focus on building their online brand, producing products and experiences for their clients because what’s the use in having a brand that just looks pretty but isn’t really moving the needle – not just in terms of revenue but also in the areas of marketing, customer service, and overall experience?
Regarding what separates me from the competition, I have a saying, “The belief that you have competition is evidence that you aren’t operating in your true genius.”
I believe that when you are truly doing highly transformative work and showing up as your most potent and powerful self, you have absolutely zero competition.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
My best piece of advice would be to learn to trust yourself unequivocally. When you trust yourself you’re able to make the phone call, send the email, ask for the sale, speak your truth, and launch the product. Even if you get a “no”, you’re able to keep going until you get a “yes”. What allowed me to scale my business was my unwavering trust in myself. I trust that I can deliver. I trust that I can keep my word to myself, most importantly, and then to my clients. I trust in my ability that I know what I know. I find that many people aren’t making the money they want to make OR they aren’t calling in the opportunities they desire because underneath what they say they want, there is a lack of trust in their ability to make it happen.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success to me is the ability to call in, at will, what you desire. And even if you don’t get the outcome you hoped for, just the act itself is a success because many people never even try. I also think oftentimes, people attempt to co-opt someone else’s definition of success to fit their life and goals and this leads to comparison, stagnancy, and even depression. I don’t believe there is a one-size fits all approach to success. I think it can look like and be whatever YOU want it to be.
What’s next for you?
I’m in the process of launching physical products and more in-person experiences for creative entrepreneurs. I am also calling in speaking engagements, sitting on panels at events to discuss transformational branding, and continuing the work that I get to do with my clients on an even larger scale.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
You can learn more about the work I do with clients at www.deanstreetcreative and connect with me on Instagram @deanstreetcreative