Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joya Courtney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Joya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
My love of bringing people together really did birth the business I run now. I used to conduct a lot of networking events, aid in acquisitions, and was, what the old term used to be “a headhunter” where I would find bands and artists into venues, bringing businesses to audiences they had never reached before. I honestly enjoy bringing people into new opportunities, as well as making sure that efforts people made to make a difference, were gaining the proper attention, and their energy was being focused correctly.
My first real check as a business, was from the Activities and Events Director of a community college in California. With a few connections of his, I was able to negotiate not just a performance agreement for all the events for the remaining year at the college, but was able concrete an agreement for a few locations to perform within four other of the campuses within the community college system. The additional I enjoyed the rewards of the hard work and challenges I faced, and learning lessons I did about business, as well as music.
Joya, 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?
My name is Joya Courtney, I am a single mother first, a serial entrepreneur second, and a life-long student of life, as well as book education. I consider myself proficient at building, and bridging gaps in order to allow businesses to expand and increase their resources, as well as their return on investment. I created DLC Marketing after several years of already creating many lucrative relationships between individuals, as well as businesses, based purely off the love of what comes to me naturally. I am all about family first, always, in all ways. My Grandfather was a huge influence on my business desires. From owning multiple car dealerships, promoter of the old Model T, and being the first Chairman of the Football Hall of Fame, to multiple moments of recognition from the City of Canton Ohio, for his generations in business, as well as his dedication to his community. That being said, I would credit a lot of my foundational mind-frames of equal business return on investments from him, as well as the vital need for any business owner to remember the greatest sacrifice of business is all ways putting family first. Always.
I am a very strong advocate for community foundations, be it locally, or nationwide, as a Korean American, and an Adoptee. I enjoy spending time riding horses, and exploring new places, anything that forces me to slow down and shift gears from being a mom and business woman, to just being in the moment. Finally finding an even balance is definitely a vital part of my success over so many years. Especially after the craziness and Asian hate issues during the craziness of Covid. I truly believe Peace is a necessity in order to have true Prosperity.
Experience/Lessons Learned?
The best advice that I can possibly give someone based off lessons I’ve learned, is that as much as you’re in love with it, and it is something you’ve been manifesting and wanting for a while to happen; remain grounded in reality. Let’s remember the fact that looking at any project or product that you’re about to release, from a consumer’s perspective, rather than just looking at it as your own business venture.
So, in a nutshell, always approach things like you’re a consumer who would be buying the product or service you’re wanting to sell. What experience would you want to have? If the endeavor is for children, what would you want your own children to experience? This opens your eyes to so many things that are often not addressed when operating under the mindset mentioned firstly. I definitely attribute a good chunk of my longevity with many clients due to simple dedication. Dedication that they stay grounded and centered, and of course my own dedication to keeping my word as best as I possibly can!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
A little foreshadowing first; DLC stands for Dedication, Longevity and Commitment. My current reputation is one that came from a foundation of bringing together individuals, connecting them with opportunities for themselves, or their businesses, and being strongly supportive of each and every individual, be them a client, curious customer, or an associate. I started my business based on old school principles: you stand behind your word, your handshake IS your word, and you communicate with as much transparency as possible. Trust is paramount, for every piece of what DLC stands for, and I am very proud of being known as someone who can always be counted on, who under-promises yet always over-delivers. whose word is her bond. This has definitely played an intricate part in shaping my reputation in the early years. That being said, someone doing their research on me, could speak to a client I’ve had for 20 years, or someone who has just started working with me, and you would get the same review from both: Transparent and tenacious as they come, dedicated and committed to her clientele, with the ability to get you what is you need to in order to be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dlcinnovativesolutions.com
- Instagram: dlcceo
- Facebook: facebook.com/dlcmarketingllc