We recently connected with Daegan Jacobs and have shared our conversation below.
Daegan , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?
I believe anyone can say they want to be successful. However it takes action. Being successful to me means fulfilling whatever goals you have and achieving them to the best of your ability, this includes not cutting corners to get to your goal faster. Whenever I have a goal I want to achieve, I make sure to have a clear understanding and outline of how I can complete this goal. Often times, breaking the goal down to digestible bites helps tremendously. I also believe that hard work and consistency is definitely a key aspect to success. I like to remind myself often to not be extreme about how to accomplish my goals, as long as I’m making an effort everyday, thats all that matters. I also believe that you need to have the ability to adapt. Life has so many unexpected bumps and to me being able to pivot around hard times or problems really makes you strong.
Additionally, I believe that having great networking skills really matters. Having the ability to carry out a proper conversation with people really matters in just about every industry. Success is often about who you know and this often can lead to new opportunities to better yourself or your business.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Daegan Jacobs. I am a 16 year old entrepreneur from Sandy Springs, Georgia. I am the founder and owner of Shaggy Shakes LLC. In 2017, at just eight years old, I launched Shaggy Shakes with a heartfelt mission. Inspired by a desire to help others, I decided to use my love for milkshakes to support a cause I deeply cared about. I chose to raise funds for the Zadie Project, an initiative dedicated to feeding underprivileged children and families in the Atlanta area.
I set up a small stand outside Souper Jenny’s, where I began selling my unique, handcrafted shakes. With a few basic ingredients and a blender, I created a range of delicious flavors, all while passionately promoting my cause. My efforts quickly gained traction, and the community rallied around my initiative.
The success of Shaggy Shakes allowed me to raise significant funds for the Zadie Project, I raised $2,500 in the first day which made a real difference in the lives of local children and families. My entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to giving back turned my simple idea into a powerful force for good, this demonstrated that even young innovators can make a meaningful impact.
In 2024, I started selling my shakes at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market. People loved it! Since Im still in school, it worked out perfectly. Every Saturday from April 30th to November 24th I would set up shop and make shakes.
I have a passion for being physically active and staying healthy. This is primarily from my mom who has competed in some of the world’s hardest endurance races around the world, including the Boston Marathon and 29029 Everesting. This has motivated me to keep my shakes healthy by only using organic fruit and vegetables. Keeping my ingredients simple but being creative with the flavors. This truly sets me apart from other shake business as I keep it simple and real. I don’t add in a bunch of artificial sweeteners, and definitely not a million ingredients. With Shaggy Shakes, you can be sure you’re getting exactly what the menu says. Shaggy Shakes’ slogan is “Shakes That Make You Great”. I believe in the power of great nutrition to transform how you feel. Shaggy Shakes are packed with all the nutrients your body needs, giving you that perfect boost of energy and vitality. I believe when you nourish your body right, greatness follows – and that’s exactly what Shaggy Shakes aims to deliver with every shake.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
I believe that one of the best strategies for growing my clientele is to be polite. As simple as it sounds I believe it goes a long way in business. I’ve learned that people are more likely to engage and purchase from your business when you make them feel valued and respected. Politeness in communication builds trust and fosters new relationships. In the end, showing kindness can turn a simple purchase into repeat business. This increases clientele because if a customer feels great about their interaction with the business, they are more likely to recommend it to their friends and family.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
One book that I’ve read that has curated my thinking and philosophy is a book by Dale Carnegie called “How To Win Friends and Influence People”. This book is truly an outstanding book as it outlines the importance of listening to others and how influencing is done better when doing it with appreciation, kindness, and respect. Rather than using persuasion to win people over to your way of thinking. The book demonstrated to me that using these simple traits can really improve your business and ultimately can build trust, which can create positive connections and can build positive long lasting relationships.
Additionally, throughout my life I have surrounded myself with very successful individuals. Most of these individuals are my friends, and I believe that by being with them I have adapted to their ways of thinking and they motivate me to go further and often times get out of my comfort zone. I believe that when you are surrounded by two people who are failing, you’ll become the third one, and if you are with two successful people, you will become the third. The people you surround yourself with molds your mind, actions, and results. Therefore, choosing the right circle will determine whether you remain stuck or you move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shaggyshakes.com
- Instagram: shag.gyshakes
Image Credits
Daegan Jacobs