What type of work are you in and why did you choose that specific career path?
I am a marketing expert and have ownership in a various Startups and Agencies including The Flux List, Influencer Swap, Digital Growth Hackers, Enclothed, JustPark, CauliRice, Den, Veeqo, Bakround & GoHenry. I had a 10 year career in recruitment, with a successful exit in 2014, and decided 2 years to become a tech investor and digital agency owner after interviewing hundreds of startups and agencies in London throughout 2015.
What problem does your business solve?
My main business ‘Digital Growth’ Helps companies get more exposure on social media.
What is your No.1 business or personal goal for this year?
My number one goal for 2018 is to build lasting relationships.
What is working best in your business right now?
I launched a Facebook group – ‘Dream Team Secrets’ with my friends Jeannette Brixoux and Len Gordon easier this year. In the group we teach the secrets of Instagram. In a short time we’ve build a fantastic community of people who are all interested in social media.
Doing this has been a lot of fun, nice and challenging, but also highly complimentary to my Growth Agency because we’re able to educate our clients and they end up getting more value from our services.
How do you plan/schedule your day?
I am very blessed to have full independence and freedom to decide when and where I spend my time. Most days I will get up and have breakfast with my kids, take them to school, head into the office on the Ipswich waterfront to work with me team, go out somewhere nice for lunch, swim and sauna in the afternoon, go home and put my kids to bed, then work on various projects from home in the evenings. I also like to travel so managed to get out and work from places like London, Stockholm, Lisbon, Paris and Amsterdam over the last few months.
How do you tackle down days?
When the down days come around (which they always do eventually) I force myself to take rest, start going to bed earlier, try to meditate more often, and make sure I’m going to the gym, swimming and taking regular saunas… Sauna is proven to have countless physical and mental health benefits, and I really believe in this, so will always try to do that when feeling down, along with spending time with close friends and family. Family will always be the most important thing for me, and it’s I think important to remind yourself of that when things aren’t going so well with work or business.
What are your top tips for working with your team?
Top tips would be to try to be consistent and fair. Consistency is something I have struggled with, and will be working on improving this in the new year.
Besides money, what are your favourite ways to reward or compensate people?
I think it’s good to get away from the normal everyday work environment as a team where possible, and activities like this are a nice way to reward success and hard work. Earlier this year for example, I went with my team to play foot-golf for an afternoon as a reward for hitting a monthly target. It wasn’t expensive, but we all enjoyed it and it was nice to be out in the fresh air doing something healthy.
How would you treat/reward yourself for a job done good or a goal being achieved?
I love to travel so normally if things are going well or goals have been achieved on a personal level I’ll try to reward myself with trips away. Aiming for Los Angeles in early 2018 🙂
If you could offer a first-time business start-up only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t give up. Success is often a lot closer than it seems.
What are 3 words that describe you?
Enthusiastic, Chaotic, Fun.
If you could choose 1 word for 2018, that would inspire you and remind you to stay focused on your goal(s), what would it be?
Instagram.
What is one of your favourite quotes?
“A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at” Bruce Lee
Spill the beans, what are 3 of your favourite stationery items?
– Colourful Pens
– 15cm Rulers
– The Ultimate Diary Planner!
How can we find out more about and connect with you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danstephensonuk
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreamteamsecrets/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danstephensonuk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danlovesyou/
Website: http://www.digitalgrowthhackers.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/danstephensonuk
And finally, what is your “happy” song?
‘Straight from L.I.P’ by Cru