Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Deitz.
Steve, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At 10 years old, my entrepreneurial journey had officially started. After soccer practice, I would come home and draw imaginative posters of spaceships (of course) and fantasy landscapes which I would sell the following day at school for fifty cents each. Looking back, I wonder what my inspired young mind could’ve conjured up through an extended reality headset or a tablet-based practical application that children will be working in the very near future. My 5th grade business did not end up scaling enough to pay for my Design Communications degree at Texas Tech. However, it foreshadowed the drive to pursue a career in creative. After working for two small agencies and freelance contracting for a few years, a colleague and I proactively reached out to the Dallas Mavericks. We pitched 12 visual content concepts for the jumbotron and they bought 4 of them on the spot! That was 2008 and 900lbs was born. Fast-forward to 2018 and our tech-driven creative agency has more than 23 employees! I am thankful and proud.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are obstacles everyday. The key is to learn from those challenges and not let them become barriers or dwell on them. A compartmentalization mindset is key. Truly innovative concepts often involve first-of-its-kind combinations of technologies, software, analytics, etc. This can often induce struggles like interactive development bugs during testing or onsite implementation. Our teams diligently to prepare in advance. Budgetary hurdles often arise from multi-phase scopes. Timelines can be a challenge when working backwards from a concrete date and proactive communication early-on can mitigate complications. Our priority is focusing on client results while be mindful of the protection of our team. I am thankful that 900lbs has never had to raise capital or outside investment. It has always been incremental and organic. However, cash flow fluctuations are inevitable. It’s all a part of the journey!
Please tell us about 900lbs.
Our goal at 900lbs is to be the most innovative creative agency in Texas and nationally known. We help our client’s transition further into the Experience Age through the production of scalable, interactive initiatives and compelling, immersive visual storytelling that drive results. From interactive “wow” marketing experiences to multi-phase practical applications utilizing emerging technologies, the need for rapid prototyping and scalable, iterative design is critical. We seamlessly integrate ourselves into a diverse range of business units to help solve problems, analyze data, and collaborate to visualize the art of the possible. Content remains king and it all starts with the story… From large-scale LED walls to expansive environments, visual design comes in all shapes and sizes. Our team excels at utilizing consumer-centric, intuitive combinations of video production, motion graphics, and animated user interface design to ensure that even complex messaging or technical information is engaging and compelling. We are trusted by the following clients: PepsiCo, NCR, Bell Helicopter, Harman International, Royal Caribbean, Shell Oil, Activision, Interstate Batteries, etc. I have a super-talented team and I am proud of culture that we have cultivated at 900lbs. Our new office in Addison is the foundation of an ever-learning environment that spawns incredible creative.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start all over and do things a little differently, I would try to spend a little more time with all of the amazing friends and business colleagues that I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years. Driving a business forward and staying focused on needs and objectives can make it difficult to direct as much time as I’d like to. My wife and I maximize our time outside of our careers and enjoy an experience-driven life together. However, we are also very supportive of independence and we have made a concerted effort to take two days or evenings per week to concentrate on social events with friends. It’s all about balance. Vivir el momento!
Pricing:
- 900lbs works on a diverse range of initiatives, from $15K to seven figures
Contact Info:
- Address: 5301 Alpha Road Suite A10 Dallas Texas 75240
- Website: www.900lbs.com
- Phone: 469-360-5928
- Email: steve@900lbs.com
- Instagram: 900lbs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/900lbs/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/900lbs?lang=en
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