We recently connected with Del Harrison: Comedian – Singer Business Woman and have shared our conversation below.
Del, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?
I got mentors. Mentors and coaches.
I already had comedy mentors but one day I called this place called the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) asking about a grant and this lady called me back and explained to me that the way to the grant was through their free business coaching program. This was my first introduction to all the free services that the state offers to small business owners.
From there, I began taking classes for marketing, branding, social media, formulating a business plan, financial projections and getting my company “funding” ready. Grant money is the one thing the pandemic introduced me to. There is so much grant money out there for small businesses.
Needless to say, my mind was blown away with the concept of free money. Sidenote: even when I tell people about some grants that are out there for their business, people can’t wrap their mind around it. They ask “now am I gonna have to pay it back?” “No”, I say, “it’s a grant.” “Well, they just give you money?” “If you have a good plan,” I say. They will still respond, “well, I don’t know.”
[Well, I do! Bye! – Got another grant application to fill out]. I live in a freelance world: a world where you will perform a gig and a company is comfortable saying “we pay in 90 days.” “90 Days! But my rent is due tomorrow!” I’m not going to get a part time job. This is a bet on thine self kind of lifestyle.
I feel like when the Lord showed me the free coaching programs along with other mentoring programs, he opened the door to the financial freedom life.
Sidenote Deux: Did you know there’s a company called Start Small Think Big that provides free financial, legal and marketing services from top firms for your business?
Did you also know the state of California has a Youth for hire program where they will help you to hire youth for the summer and then, THEY will pay the youth YOU hire? I can’t wait to use this service.
I attribute receiving all this great information to help me operate like a real CEO to 2 things:
1) Not having money and
2) Proclaiming and affirming I’m rich every day!
When you have money, sometimes, you forget to look for the free resources that are available to you. Let’s say you get a $30,000 check. Your first instincts might be to pay for something cause you have the money. However, when you don’t have the tangible money but the “I know there’s a way” money mindset, a way will be revealed and more than likely, it won’t cost you a dime. AND it may even pay YOU along the way.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a comedian, actress, singer, content creator, voice actor (with my own home studio), talk show and radio show host, and I produce live shows. I recently produced my own comedy and music special and another comedy special that were sold to a distributor.
What I want people to know most about me and my brand is that I literally think of my fans with everything I post and make sure to put out the hilarious content and good music on my social media. I want my brand to pick you up out of the problems and drop you off at the sweet spot of happiness.The same with my music: I want you to jam, be enlightened with a real story and real lyrics, but then back to jamming.
When people come to see me perform live, I never know what skill I’m going to pull out first or last – whether it’s comedy, music or storytelling, especially when I’m hosting. Probably all 3. I want the audience to come along for the ride and feel as free as I do when I’m performing. After all, that’s what life is about: freedom to be!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn “compare and despair”. In this business, your friends are always blowing up and doing something that’s on your vision board, too. Careful not to look too close at their journey now, so you don’t fall off yours! And if you do get a glimpse of their progress, be sure to shout a hallelujah to the high heavens for their success – for it will soon be yours.
Sidenote Trois: Here’s a reminder that people lie on social media … a lot!
That’s the one thing I’m mastering along the way – keeping my eyes on the Lord and nothing else. Everything else leads to sadness. The Lord is leading me beyond my wildest dreams. Every time I look away, there’s a feeling in my chest that alerts me that I’m focused on the wrong thing. I get back to gratitude which puts my eyes on the Lord again and so many blessings pour in that I can’t even catch them all.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Initially, I received a grant for my business which I used to catch up on some bills. After going through the coaching program, I received another grant and a business loan to improve the quality of my voice over studio. I wasn’t sure at first but I had a feeling that as soon as I upgraded my studio, it would lead to more work and it has:
1) My radio show, Up Late with Sha & Del on 108 Soul, was granted two monthly specials for Black History and Women’s History Months on Sirius XM;
2) I booked multiple voice overs for Divorce Court;
3) I started getting more call backs for voice over work; and
4) I just booked a huge commercial for voice over.
One thing I learned from the coaching program was how to divvy up the money properly and what to invest in to help me advance as a business. The other key thing I’m learning is patience – knowing the next invoice will be paid and in my account soon. So just keeping praising!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.iamdelharrison.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdelharrison
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamdeharrisonofficial
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamdelharrison
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iamdelharrison
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamdelharrison
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamdelharrisonofficial