Here we are readers. It’s the last Phind out Phriday of
2011. So who gets to wrap up the year for us and how did I decide who that
person would be? When selecting who to interview for this final Phriday it
didn’t take me long to decide to re-interview
Brandon Davis the Editor in Chief of American Dreaming Magazine, a magazine
which sets out to use words to write pieces which inform, inspire, and
instruct. Mr. Davis was actually the
first featured entrepreneur on the blog.But if I talked to him before,
what has he done to deserve to be talked to again?
Good question.
He made a part of his dream a tangible reality in just a few
short months since we first met. I thought you all should read about it and
hopefully be encouraged to chase your own dreams in this new year even
harder.
Simple answer.
Last time we met, Mr. Davis and I met at the gelato shop in
Rittenhouse. This time I was headed to Northern Liberties. I met Mr. Davis on a
cloudy Saturday afternoon at The Dreaming Building. He gave me a tour of the loft style space
before we sat down to talk. High ceilings, clearly designated spaces for work and
play (video game set up and basketball), comfortable seating, and art adorned
walls.
Phreedum: I like
it.
BD: Thanks.
Phreedum: No problem.
Tell me about acquiring this space.
BD: We applied
for a $25,000.00 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project online. We had a space
in the past and then didn’t renew the lease because we wanted to put more money
into the business so we worked from home or various coffee shops throughout the
city.
Phreedum: So then
having this kind of space was always a part of your vision for American
Dreaming Magazine?
BD: I put a co-op
space on the vision board for American Dreaming Magazine about a year ago. If anything goes on the board it’s gone
through a lot of thought and revision first. Things, this space included, only
make the board once I believe it will further the mission and vision of the
company and with time, creativity, and hard work is achievable. Plus, when we stopped working in an office
space it felt like wherever we met the creativity was left there. The
creativity was getting left at coffee shops, diners, home etc. We wanted to
house the creativity.
Phreedum: When
you applied for the grant for the space what did you say you wanted?
BD: Beyond an
office space we wanted a co-op space for other dreamers. We wanted a space
where people could come and work on their dreams, receive education and
feedback, mentorship, have access to other entrepreneurs, and showcase their
talents and skills.
Phreedum: Who are
the “other dreamers?”
BD: Anyone and
everyone from the writer to the makeup artist. The photographer and the
videographer. The dancer to the yoga instructor. If you want to do a pop up
shop, an art show, or a photo shoot let us know. This space was sought after and selected with
young entrepreneurs in mind. It’s our
desire to help entrepreneurs with the struggle of being a start up. If you’re
creative and need a space, we’re here to help.
Phreedum: I’m assuming since we last met, that applying
for and receiving the grant and acquiring this space were entrepreneurial
highlights for you. Any others?
BD: Getting the
grant definitely was a huge highlight. When we applied we applied for
$25,000.00 and we didn’t know that grant amount was typically reserved for
larger companies. To compete with larger corporations and high schools for the
grant and receive it, was great for us. As you mentioned, so was acquiring the
space. A lot of time and energy went into selecting the perfect space and to
find it has been just as great as receiving the funding for it. We were also
recently featured in Philadelphia’s Business Journal for the work we have been
doing and hope to continue doing- supporting young dreamers in Philadelphia.
Phreedum:
Speaking of Philadelphia, Why Philadelphia? You could have set up shop
anywhere.
BD: Philly needs
this. There is no other space created for and by young people. We want Philly’s
young people to support young businesses, to connect, build, and grow. We want to invite, inspire, and celebrate the
great young talent the city has and being here, we get to do that.
Phreedum: In 2011
you all not only continued to put out great magazines but you sought after and
achieved a space for American Dreaming Magazine and other dreamers. What can we
expect in 2012?
BD: You can
expect dreams to come true. As young entrepreneurs utilize this space you can
expect to see their goals met and dreams unfold. You can expect art shows,
fashion shows, trunk shows, pop up shops, workshops about various skills,
experts in various fields speaking to interested persons, yoga classes , etc.
Something is going to be going on at the building every day if we can help
it.
We are also launching our Boot Strap Project. It’s a contest
and 20 people need to sign up before the contest can officially start. Once 20
people sign up each person will be responsible for recruiting 50 people to
subscribe to the magazine. The first person to have 50 people sign up will win $1,000.00
to fund their dream. Everyone else who signed up will get $5.00 for each person
they were able to get to subscribe to the magazine. We intend to launch this
project on January 2nd, 2011. People can visit the website for more
information.
Phreedum: Last
question. Any words of encouragement for the other dreamers?
BD: Be
relentless. Once you have a dream go for it. People won’t get it, but you don’t
need to get distracted, slow down, or stop because of other people. This building started as words on a vision
board. Now it’s a space that houses the vision board.
For more information about Brandon Davis and American
Dreaming Magazine visit http://americandreamingmagazine.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment