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

Desmond, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

In the digital marketing and business landscape, the most striking trend that we’ve been witnessing is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various aspects of our operations. It’s a trend that’s challenging, thrilling, and one we’re actively embracing.

Let me illustrate this with a story.

We were recently approached by a retail client struggling with customer engagement and retention. Traditional marketing methods weren’t providing the outcomes they desired. Seeing this, we proposed a solution leveraging AI – a predictive model to analyze customer behavior and create personalized marketing strategies.

With the AI model’s implementation, the client’s marketing campaign took a dramatic turn. The system was able to anticipate customer buying patterns, detect their preferences, and use this information to create individually-tailored messages. Consequently, we saw a significant boost in customer engagement and an uptick in sales, marking a new era in the client’s marketing approach.

However, as captivating as AI’s potential is, it does come with challenges. One of our primary concerns is maintaining the fine line between automation and personal touch. While AI allows us to process data at scale, we’re mindful that our strategies don’t become too robotic and impersonal. Additionally, AI demands a considerable investment in technology and talent, which poses an entry barrier for many businesses.

But at The Incubator, we see these challenges as opportunities. To stay ahead of the curve, we have a dedicated research and development team that’s continually studying emerging AI technologies, learning their capabilities, and exploring ways we can harness them to serve our clients better. We also regularly conduct training programs for our staff to ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest AI trends and tools.

We firmly believe that the future of marketing lies in the fusion of human creativity and AI’s computational power. At the end of the day, our goal is to utilize AI to enhance our clients’ marketing efforts, providing them with insights and strategies that are not just data-driven but also mindful of the human element that makes marketing resonate with its audiences.

Desmond, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Desmond Stanley, the Managing Partner at The Incubator LLC, a progressive digital marketing agency based in Cleveland, Ohio. I am an accomplished speaker and entrepreneur with extensive experience in business administration, accounting, and of course, digital marketing. But before I delve into my work, allow me to share a bit about my journey.

My professional story started in the finance department at the City of Cleveland, where I served as a Project Coordinator. Following that, I took on a role as a Staff Accountant at CLE Consulting Firm. These experiences helped shape my understanding of business dynamics, efficiency, and innovation.

However, I always had a passion for the digital world, and the way it could shape narratives and influence decisions. This led me to the digital marketing realm, and eventually to founding The Incubator LLC.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with over 100 small business owners and notable brands, including Cleveland City Councilman Richard Starr, The Crispy Chick, Cavitch Familo & Durkin Law Firm, and the Lutheran East High School Football Team, helping them improve their businesses through tailored digital strategies.

What sets us apart at The Incubator is our commitment to understanding our client’s needs and creating strategies that amplify their brand’s unique voice. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we focus on delivering personalized services that align with our clients’ business goals and the interests of their audiences.

Outside of my professional life, I have a strong dedication to community service. As a former college football player and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, I’ve always sought ways to contribute positively to my community. One of my proudest achievements is founding The Homeless Care Package Project during my college years, which has since expanded to eight cities across the U.S.

In addition to running The Incubator, I offer speaking engagements and workshops on a variety of topics. My sessions are designed to impart practical knowledge and inspire innovative thinking. Whether it’s a one-hour speaking engagement, a three-hour workshop, or a full-day seminar, I’m ready to share my insights and experiences to help your organization grow.

I pride myself on bringing a dynamic and engaging approach to these sessions, always tailored to the needs and interests of the audience. And for each engagement, I provide photos and a video to use for promotional or marketing purposes, further extending the reach and impact of the event.

For booking inquiries, please email me at dstanley@theincubatorcle.com or call 216-484-4448. I’m excited to share my knowledge, insights, and passion with your organization.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and The Incubator LLC. I look forward to the possibility of working with you and making a positive impact on your organization.

Best,
Desmond Stanley
Managing Partner, The Incubator LLC
www.theincubatorcle.com

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the most defining moments in my career, and indeed, the story of The Incubator LLC, was when we had to make a major pivot – a transition from a thriving event space to a full-fledged digital marketing agency. This unexpected turn of events forced us to rethink our business model and redefine our brand, but it also led to an exciting new chapter in our journey.

Let me take you back to the start.

The Incubator began as a 3,300 square foot event space located in Downtown Cleveland. It was a bustling venue, booked months in advance and generating great revenue. My business partner and I were thrilled with the success we had achieved. However, life has a way of throwing curveballs, and due to circumstances beyond our control, we found ourselves having to vacate our much-loved space.

It was a challenging time. We had built a successful business model and brand around our event space, and losing that felt like losing part of our identity. But we were determined not to let this setback break us. Instead, we saw it as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves.

We decided to pivot – not a small adjustment, but a significant change in direction. We started investing in our personal brands, focusing on social media and content creation. We delved into the digital marketing space, learning about its intricacies, trends, and potential. Through rigorous research and constant learning, we upskilled ourselves to be able to deliver digital marketing services.

The transition was not easy. We had to learn new skills, understand a whole new industry, and build our brand from the ground up. But our determination and persistence paid off. Today, The Incubator LLC is a successful digital marketing agency, serving a diverse portfolio of clients across the United States.

What this experience taught me is the importance of resilience and adaptability in business. It’s not the challenges that define us, but how we respond to them. We could have accepted the loss and moved on, but we chose to pivot, and in doing so, we opened doors to new opportunities and experiences.

So if you’re facing a tough situation, remember that sometimes, the end of something can be the beginning of something even better.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building a solid reputation within a market, especially one as dynamic as digital marketing, isn’t an overnight job. It’s the culmination of consistent effort, quality work, and above all, genuine relationships. For me and The Incubator LLC, our reputation is rooted in our commitment to these principles.

Firstly, the cornerstone of our reputation has been the quality of our work. Our pivot from an event space to a digital marketing agency required a significant investment in learning, research, and skill-building. As a result, we’re able to offer our clients cutting-edge, data-driven strategies that truly deliver results. Success stories from clients like Cleveland City Councilman Richard Starr, The Crispy Chick, Cavitch Familo & Durkin Law Firm, and the Lutheran East High School Football Team, among others, have been instrumental in cementing our reputation.

However, I strongly believe that the biggest driving force behind our growing reputation has been our commitment to leveraging personal networks and personal branding. In today’s digital era, the line between professional and personal branding is increasingly blurred. People want to do business with people, not faceless corporations. I’ve always made a concerted effort to be open, approachable, and authentic in my personal brand and this has invariably reflected on The Incubator.

I frequently share insights, experiences, and thought leadership content across my personal social media platforms. This not only positions me as a knowledgeable expert in the field, but it also gives potential clients a glimpse into the person behind The Incubator, making our brand more relatable and trustworthy.

This authenticity, coupled with active networking, has been a significant source of new business. Many of our clients come to us through personal referrals or direct contact from my network. I’ve found that a positive, genuine, and consistent personal brand can funnel leads to your business more effectively than any sales pitch.

In conclusion, the reputation we’ve built for The Incubator LLC has been a mix of delivering high-quality work, maintaining strong relationships, and harnessing the power of personal branding. It’s a testament to our belief that business is as much about people and relationships as it is about strategies and bottom lines.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theincubatorcle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ceo_dez/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceodezstanley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmond-stanley-164b4aa7
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ceo_dez
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTerYj1f4CK0AGhDl8-IqCg
• Other: https://ig.me/j/AbZiSwX2NXVyjsCx/