Young Entrepreneur Interview: Alexis Morgan, Founder of the Dream Agency
Written by Christopher Demas Wednesday, October 03 2012
Interview with Alexis Morgan, Founder of the Dream Agency
A boutique public relations firm comprised of the top young PR professionals in the business today, The Dream Agency specializes in public relations as well as a variety of other services catering to our diverse clientele. Its goal is to build a relationship with its clients, their consumers, and the community, creating a unique brand identity and a trusting reputation along the way. Is is passionate, ambitious and determined to take on life, the world, and our business one endeavor at a time.
How did you decide to take the leap of faith into entrepreneurship?
I actually ‘fell’ into it. I never thought I would be an entrepreneur, I never thought about owning my own company, it’s just something that never interested me. One day I was looking for a job in college and thought why don’t I just start getting paid for what I do best which is pr. So that’s where the dream began and that’s how I ended up creating Dream Public Relations. I am thinking about creating another company involving international business development. Dream was the seed and, in a sense, now it’s budding into something much bigger.
What part of your background or education has helped you the most as a young entrepreneur?
I think my background in overall communication translated into communicating everyday with people and clients. COmmunication is key when you’re starting a business because there’s so much interaction with people involved.
What was the inspiration behind starting this venture?
My inspiration was the quote, ‘If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Doing public relations comes naturally to me, I don’t even feel like I’m ever working even during 100 hour weeks. I like working for myself without anyone watching over my shoulder. I think my love for PR and the efficiency I have when working for myself are the inspirations behind Dream PR.
What were you afraid of when starting your company and how have you overcome it?
As with any unknown, there is always some fear. I was afraid of failure, afraid I wasn't good enough to do the job, afraid I didn’t have what it took to run a business. It was petrifying - especially at the age of 21. I was providing a professional service and getting paid for it; I wasn’t just doing a project for class. I overcame my fear by tackling one hurtle as it came and as it continues to come. I realized there will be ups and downs but in the end it’s worth it. You win some, and you lose some but the most important thing is how you learn from it.
What do you see as the strategy to help grow your business?
I think for my business in the PR world, it’s networking. I think with anyone you meet you’re one degree of separation for someone that could be of benefit to you, as you to them. I’m always networking, on the subway to work, in central park, anywhere. I’ve had the blessing of never having to publish my services. All of our clients come from word of mouth and I think that says a lot about how networking can exponentially grow a business.
Where do you see the company in 6 months to a year from now?
I see Dream going international and break through barriers in so many countries around the world - spreading the dream. I think the fact that we’re all young with such ambition will help us achieve these goals.
How did you gather funding needed to build the company?
Luckily since we’re providing a service, it was a low barrier to entry. All we needed was funding for the website materials and the business licenses. From there it was all capital.
How have you been able to hire the type of employees you believe will help grow the business?
I hire based upon the qualities I see within myself, the desire to grow, the desire to succeed, and the desire to help companies achieve their full potential through PR. These qualities in a person culminate to a deeper desire to grow the business that we’re working for.
What do you know now that you wish you knew as the company initially launched?
I wish I knew how it could affect friendships. Getting into business with friends can be difficult and knowing how to handle certain situations would’ve been beneficial when we first started out.
What advice would you give college students and other young entrepreneurs starting their journey?
I would tell them to never give up. The world is your oyster and no dream is too big. Keep dream and keep striving. Set yourself apart from everyone else and don’t settle for mediocrity. Believe in what your doing, live it, breath it, dream it and it will happen. If there’s a will, there’s a way.