Meet Chris Degenaars of Long Drive Agency in McKinney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Degenaars.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I vividly remember the first time I told someone I wanted to go into advertising; I must’ve been maybe 7 or 8, and we had our neighbor/friend over to go swimming, and my friend’s dad asked me what I wanted to do when I was older. I told him I wanted to be the person who makes TV commercials and decides what’s put on billboards (I didn’t know what advertising or marketing was at this point) and he told me “that’s advertising – you don’t want to do that, there’s no money in it.”

I was always active on social media growing up, it was the first time I felt like I had a voice, like I could make a real impact.

After I graduated High School, I started working at a local bike shop in McKinney and managed their social media presence. In September of 2016, I received an email from Blake Davis, the founder of Long Drive Agency a marketing agency in McKinney offering me a part-time internship for his agency writing blogs. I jumped at the chance and by the end of 2016, I was offered a full-time position at LDA and dropped out of college to pursue this lifelong dream of mine to be in this industry.

Ms. Bowen, my marketing communications teacher at Plano West in 11th grade told me that this industry was no walk-in-the-park like people think and that it would take a lot of hard work to even get the chance to prove myself. She told me though if I put in the work that I could do it. She believed in me, and to I have no doubt that she directly changed my entire, I owe her for every bit of success I have had or will ever have.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been a rough ride to get here today. Growing up with an alcoholic dad who liked spending money we didn’t have and a mom who had to work, at times, up to 5 jobs just to pay the bills I had to grow up fast, I never really had a childhood, Before I knew it my parents were getting a divorce and everything seemed so out of control. I started working at my church before I could even tie my shoes.

I’ve battled depression for as long as I can remember and I’ve attempted to take my own life on multiple occasions.

I’ve had to sacrifice a lot over the years and I’ve lost best friends I thought would always be in my life and relationships with people who I gave my everything to.

I’ve attended more of my own friend’s funerals at 21 than most people will attend in their entire life. I’ve had the person who kept me from taking my own life in middle school take his own life.

And most recently, my dad passed away in February, which whether I like to admit it or not has taken a real big toll on me.

Long Drive Agency – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Long Drive Agency is a full-service marketing agency. We specialize in working with golf industry brands, such as country clubs and golf courses. We also have a software that we’ve developed for our clients, Digital Range, which is a cloud-based technology that allows our clients to manage their online presence and communication.

I’m currently the Director of Operations & Strategy at Long Drive Agency, I work with our clients to create and implement a variety of different strategies, as well as the internal agencies strategies and day-to-day operations. I wear basically every hat we have!

The thing I’m most proud of as a company is the same thing that sets us apart from other agencies: our commitment to creating experiences for our clients that help them build their brands. We are a small team, but we are forward-thinking, innovating, and constantly working to do better. There’s something amazing about walking into an office filled with people who are all passionate about what they’re doing and genuinely want to be there.

Outside of LDA, I’ve recently been selected to join the Board of Directors for the American Advertising Federation Dallas, the Unifying Voice for Advertising. I will (unofficially) be the youngest individual to hold a seat on the board.

I’m also involved with a startup business phone solution, PhoneLynk.io, consulting with the company for design and marketing. I also am the [former] co-founder of Wattage Coffee Company in McKinney.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is peace and joy independent of others. It’s being able to be mindful and present in each and every moment.

It’s being able to look yourself in the mirror and feel amazing about the impact you’re making.

Contact Info:

• Address: Long Drive Agency
  ATTN: Chris Degenaars
  7290 Virginia Pkwy
  Suite 3400
  McKinney, TX 75071
• Website: https://www.longdriveagency.com/
• Phone: +1 (469) 352-2714
• Email: chris@longdriveagency.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdegenaars/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisdegenaars/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrisdegenaars/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdegenaars/

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.