Success Story Feature with Kelsey Dixon From davies + dixon!

Kelsey Dixon and Makenzie Davies went from co-workers, to friends, to co-founders in 5 years and are now the co-founders of a successful digital marketing firm in Seattle, WA! Their firm, davies + dixon, started out as Makenzie’s idea and now has grown to a complete firm with 6 full-time and several part time contractors. 

Although Kelsey was hesitant to join Makenzie at first, they worked together and built their way up to an entire successful brand and team at davies + dixon. Through their marketing techniques to their entrepreneurship skills to their dedication, this duo has one success story you don’t want to miss. Keep reading to learn all about their journey, tips, and and day-to-day at davies + dixon! 

 Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living. 

My name is Kelsey Dixon and I am cofounder and president of davies + dixon, a digital marketing firm. We are a little over 5 years old, based in Seattle, WA and serving clients globally. We're a team of 6 full time and several amazing part time contractors! As president, I manage a lot of the backend of the business: HR, finances, legal, business development, etc. 

What’s your background? What drew you to start your own business? 

My co-founder (Makenzie Davies) and I met in 2010 while working for a division of Avon in NYC. We were both in the communications/marketing department and grew to respect each other a bunch professionally, then on a friendship level! We stayed in touch despite living in different states for five years and moving onto different industries. In 2014, we both found ourselves moving to the northwest. Makenzie arrived first and we held a lot of career-oriented convos for my move. One day, out of the blue, amidst making connections for me for full time 9-5 jobs, Makenzie called me and said she's starting a marketing firm and would like for me to cofound it with her. I was shocked and said no for a while. Two of my bigger hesitations were that I loved the industry I moved into (events/hospitality/tourism) and I had hoped to live abroad one day. Ultimately, we decided to service the industry I loved, and build a remote/location independent business. Ever since, we've built based on our values. 

What were some things you did in order to get your company/s started? 

Asked a lot of questions! Mentorship is huge for us. And any advice I got, I always followed up on how I implemented it and what results I saw. We also attended a TON of events and networked like wild. We were both new to Seattle and starting a business, we had to start spreading our wings, and fast. 

How long did it take you to be where you are today? 

I didn't know I wanted to be an entrepreneur. Honestly, it just wasn't really an option that crossed my mind. Makenzie saw it in me, though! I feel that I needed every bit of experience to get where I am today. All of my other roles led me here and made me learn such valuable experience to apply into what I'm doing today. So, to more formally answer the question, 30 years? (I'm 30 now)! 

What are your biggest accomplishments since you started your company? 

I would have to say either earning 40 under 40 recognition from Connect Corporate, Makenzie earning a 40 under 40 recognition from Puget Sound Business Journal, keynoting my story at a women in travel event or even growing 30-40% every year since inception and learning our worth. Honestly, it is also the day to day, like when someone on my team says "Thank you for caring about the whole person that I am." Our culture at d+d being very come as you are, respectful, centered, collaborative and connected. 

What has been the biggest risks you’ve taken with your company? 

Hiring. Hiring is amazing and scary because now we're not just in this for ourselves. From culture to compensation, we owe it to our team to build thoughtfully. But seeing the value the team has brought to the table, with their own unique skill sets, perspectives and energy, has been incredible. 

How did you get over mindset hurdles and propel yourself through tough moments as an entrepreneur? 

Reach out to mentors and chat through it. I am SO so grateful for them. I also am a huge advocate for getting myself outdoors. That is my meditation and reflection time. I like 

challenging myself outside of my desk because it builds my confidence slowly but surely in overcoming obstacles. So, I do big hikes/missions, full travels and I keep myself moving. 

As a business owner, what does your typical day look like? 

Well, I'll address a 2020 typical day (VERY different from all previous years!) I typically wake up early enough to have some morning time alone, and accomplish a few personal tasks or values, like chatting with a friend, buying a birthday present, planning a trip, etc. I start checking emails somewhere between 7:30-8:30 a.m. Usually meetings throughout the day between 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Meetings with the team or clients, prospective clients, general networking, etc. Or attending workshops, virtual events, etc. Any spare time between is responding to emails or slacks, executing work for clients or for the business. I try and get up and walk around every hour, drink a lot of water and eat something every few hours. Typically, after work, I'll move, do a workout, etc., make dinner and catch up on personal things. All other years, I was nonstop: in office by 6:30/7 a.m., traveling, going to events, hanging with friends, running to meetings, going to workout classes, grabbing drinks, etc. 

What are some practical things you do to manage your time effectively? 

Asana is our saving grace. I put everything on my task list and plan my days according to my workload (always knowing that more will surprise me every hour) :) I also love starting my day with something personal, so I feel fulfilled to put my all into my workday. We use our calendars religiously too. Including standing meetings, but also standing time blocks for head-down space. We now have embraced "Flex Fridays" where we schedule no meetings and can start/finish whenever we please as long as we clock about a half day. It's been great for workload management, but also mental health! I schedule in personal stuff too. This all was especially important when I was doing a lot of running around in previous years (I was on a plane at least twice a month). 

What was a major moment of transformation for you in your life since you started your business? 

Truly realizing that anything is possible. Society doesn't have to dictate the norm or the way work gets done or the way you make a living for yourself. 

What would you say is your motto to keep things flowing? 

"That I am unwilling to live a quiet life." 

What’s one thing people would be surprised you do in your role? 

I think I surprise people generally. I am a small person and I guess I have a very innocent looking face. Most people don't expect me to command a room. When I meet folks professionally, it's often surprising to learn how I spend a lot of my free time and how often I ensure it's built into my schedule despite being a business founder. But I blend it. On my way to some outdoor adventure, my husband's driving and I'm in the passenger seat catching up on work. When I'm traveling, I'm usually working remotely (with a healthy balance of taking time off). People tend to assume that it has to be one or the other, and that's just not the way it works for me. 

We know starting a business can sometimes be stressful and take a lot of your personal time, What are your top 3 ways to deal with the stress and/or practice self-care? 

Getting outside, chatting with friends, family, mentors and finally, working out 

What’s next for you and your business? 

We're going to continue to grow. We don't have plans or desires to become huge by any means (we like being very tailored and boutique), but we will open up other offerings and continue to build our team to service them. We'll also continue along the location-independent/remote work path so we feel the world is our oyster in terms of business, but also a biz/life blend or centeredness for us and our team members. 

What is some advice you’d give to someone who is interested in starting a new business opportunity or someone whom just started their journey? 

The same advice that was given to me: "Imagine how hard you'll work. Now triple that, and that's the reality." And, be humble, above no given task, but also ask for help and know/build your worth. 

There it is! From friendship to co-founders, it’s truly a journey that led to success. Their determination and commitment to their brand is inspiring and motivational. Follow them on social media as they continue to post fun and engaging content @daviesanddixion.