We had the good fortune of connecting with Deovani Jean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deovani, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting a business, for me, is an all-encompassing experience. It’s educational, communal, and even spiritual in many ways. Entrepreneurship constantly pushes me to evolve, improve my mindset, and expand how I see both myself and the world around me.

My journey with entrepreneurship actually goes back to when I was 14 years old designing clothes on Roblox. Even then I was fascinated with the idea of creating something from nothing and building a community around it. As I got older, it felt natural to continue that path into adulthood, this time with the proper structure and legality behind it.

What I’m building now is meant for creatives who are just starting out, much like I was only a few years ago. It’s for people looking to find community, grow their platforms, and bring financial prosperity into their creative process. Through 11:11 Co., my goal is to elevate both brands and individuals.

Being a bridge for others has always been at the center of my mindset. I believe in connecting people to opportunities, resources, and environments that help them move closer to what they envision for themselves.

At its core, 11:11 Co. is about building something bigger than myself. It’s about creating real pathways for creatives to grow, collaborate, and prosper while leaving behind a foundation strong enough for the next generation to build on.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Beyond being Black-owned, what really sets us apart is perspective. I’m coming in young and fresh, with a new approach to creativity and a strong ability to interweave that vision into others. At its core, 11:11 Co. is about building a collaborative, well-oiled system where ideas can thrive together. It’s for the culture, by the culture, while actively contributing to and expanding that culture in real time.

It hasn’t been easy. Building a business while developing my own career, navigating mental health, and now being a full-time student has pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. I think back to something Virgil Abloh said about always working on multiple projects at once. At times, I took that very literally, constantly balancing several things at once. While it isn’t always easy mentally, it has taught me how to stay in motion. If something isn’t flowing in one area, it often opens up in another.

Those experiences, along with that mindset, have played a key role in shaping me into the man and founder I want to be for my future team. I’ve learned how to adapt, how to keep going, and how to trust the process even when things feel uncertain.

I’m most proud of myself for doing the hardest part, which is continuing forward. There are moments where I feel like Sisyphus pushing the rock up a mountain, but I’ve realized the climb is part of the purpose. Each step builds something greater than the last, and I’m committed to seeing how far it can go.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you’re looking for somewhere down to earth, artsy, with great food options nearby, I always recommend Little Five Points. A lot of the creative community gravitates toward that area, and the local shops that have been around for years are filled with incredible people.

I especially think of the sister duo who owns Village Coffee House. It’s a great place to get work done and grab a really good chai.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe so much in my life to women. The first figures that come to mind are my mother and my sisters, who have been integral to my growth and shaped so much of the person I am today. I also think about mentors like Angela Watts and Autumn Naomi, who have continually provided me with opportunities to grow and expand both my mindset and my résumé.

Creatives like Akilah Ho-Young and Metta Conchetta allowed me onto their sets and shared invaluable lessons about both life and styling. Those experiences were foundational for me.

I am also deeply grateful for my friends who have held me through both my worst and best moments, like Jade Thompson and Asia Ferguson. I feel gratitude even for the people who are no longer on this journey with me, like my grandmother Yvonne Jean who passed in 2020 and fed me many times despite our language barrier. Their lessons and the moments we shared shaped who I am today.

I want to recognize the boys in my life as well. People like El Lewis and Cacy Faba have been instrumental in helping me reconnect with my manhood and feel at home with other men, something that once felt impossible as a young queer person growing up.

Finally, I have to thank myself for continuing forward even in hardship. The journey has not always been easy, but choosing to keep going has been one of the most important decisions I have ever made.

Website: https://www.agency1111.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stvdio1111?igsh=bWh4OHg2djhqYjJk&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deovanijean?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@deovni?si=VGsJpC94ucwT1yUt

Image Credits
COVER PHOTO SHOT BY WISDOM WARNER (@wisdom.tiff)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.