We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Hines. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.

Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I purchased the Arthur Shores Law Center in 2018. Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to do with the vacant portions of the building. I made three promises to the Hon. Helen Shores Lee and her husband when they offered to sell me the building. First, minority lawyers would always have an affordable place to practice law, secondly, I would keep the building in her fathers name, Arthur Shores, and finally that I would add vibrancy and assist with brining the space alive within the community. The first two where easy, it was the last promise that I knew, I needed assistance with. I knew it would be a place for small businesses, but I wanted to be sure it was what the businesses needed and not what I personally wanted. I know that would be the only way it could be successful. So, I held two focus groups, with local small business owners, to find out what the true need was. They wanted a space that was vibrant, embraced community and had quality affordable amenities.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Danielle DaChar Hines. I am an Entrepreneur, Investor, Military Officer, and Licensed Attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama. I was born and raised in Washington D.C., and have always had an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit and desire to help others.

Having passed the Alabama Bar in 2011, I practiced law in many areas. I shifted my law career to a more corporate focus, by working for a corporation in the area of real estate.

I have also enjoyed a career in the military, having been both enlisted and currently an officer in the Air National Guard.
I am not stranger to entrepreneurship I am not afraid to take calculated investment risks. Having opened other businesses over the years, in 2021 I opened CREED63 a Co-Working space, which stands for “Community, Resources, Entrepreneurship, Education and Development” in order to assist those who have or want a small business, as a support system community.

I think my journey shows my commitment to my community, by not only investing time but also money and resources.

I am graduate of Florida A&M University, have MPA with a concentration in Non-Profit and Governmental Management from Southeastern University, a law degree from Miles Law School, an LL.M in Employment Law from John Marshall Law School, in Atlanta and Ministry Leadership from Highlands College.

CREED63 is an inclusive space for the community and entrepreneurs to come together to work, create and be inspired. We offer modern shared office space and private offices in the National Historic Civil Rights District of Birmingham, AL. We are also a conduit for service provides to reach small business owners in one place and offer an online community as well as in person opportunities. Our membership base will represent a variety of businesses and industries. CREED63’s community is business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofits and startups. A great place to begin and grow entrepreneurial pursuits.

The mission of CREED63 is to assist in the economic development of the local community of the National Historic Civil Rights District and its entrepreneurs by way of providing a space that is vibrant, promotes culture and assists entrepreneurs through community programming, business resources, small business startup education and the development of sustainability programming for community business owners. We offer four main things, co-working, virtual offices, podcast studio and private offices.

CREED63 is located in the Arthur Shores Law Center, which was declared by the Department of Interior to be a “Contributing Structure to the Civil Rights Movement.” This historic location is in the midst of Downtown Birmingham. It is feet from the historic Kelly Ingram Park which was gained federal recognition in 2016 and is maintained by the National Parks Service. Additionally, this area is an American landmark, housing the Civil Rights Institute, and the 16th street Baptist Church.

I was intentional with everything including the name. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King address the Nation with his famous “ I have a Dream Speech.” The “63” is a tribute reflection from Dr. King’s inspiring speech and is fitting considering the location, mission and the fact that the building is named in honor of Dr. Kings Attorney, Arthur Shores. Creed is an inclusive space for the community and entrepreneurs to work, create and be inspired.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

We don’t refer to our customers as customers. We refer to them as community members. The reason why is because our business model and what we are building relies on a sense of community and trust. That trust is what has become the best source of new clients. We are genuine and we are building with them and along side them, and they know that. I am not just saying this, as we did not have a website or marketing plan in place and in 18 months, we have become home to over 133 small businesses.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Yes, absolutely our constant communication with our members is pivotal, to both their success and our commitment to them. It comes in the form of social media, programing exclusively for members and also direct connecting. Our Community Manager is the first face and person they see, day in and out and upon becoming a member. He realizes that checking in with them when they are just popping in or getting ready for a meeting, shows our sincerity. However, are always looking for ways to improve. We have a motto “Do everything with the spirit of excellence”. So keeping in touch by way of the things I just mentioned was not enough for us. So now, we have every new member schedule time to meet personally with me, and made my calendar available to current clients. The purpose of this is to not only see what they need, but to find out how we can help them and assist with any pressure points they have in their business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.creed63.com
• Instagram: @creed_63
• Facebook: creed63
• Other: email: [email protected]

Image Credits
No image credits, we took these photos