We had the good fortune of connecting with MO Dean and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi MO, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be honest, I started MODean management on a whim. And I met a poet who I saw tremendous talent in and it dropped in my spirit to go into business with him. When I first decided to go into business with him, I didn’t know how I could add to him. But, one day after his performance at a church, he asked me to help him sell some CDs after the Service. I agreed. But then he handed me a drawstring duffel bag of CDs. I asked “do you have a price sign and a place to display them?“ He says, “no, just this bag.“ It was at that moment I realized how I could help him. Long story short, the next day I was heading to work. I was a chief operating officer at the time, and it dropped in my spirit again “just make it official. Just make it official, and I already have the name MODean management“ and I went home and purchased the LLC and here we are today.
What should our readers know about your business?
To me, MODean Management is a manifestation of blind faith and abundant favor that God has placed on my life. I say that because I started MDM on a whim. But, it wasn’t really a “whim”, it dropped in my spirit one day to make my new talent management gig into a legal business. The name even dropped almost instantaneously- MODean Management. So, I started it that day and we are a year in and we’ve accomplished some great things. In December 2019 we produced the theatrical play, “Too Much Drama, to Stay Focused” at the EpiCenter in Austell, Ga. With just one and a half months to raise the money and put on successful show, we were able to acquire more than $20,000 and end with a net profit. Since then, MDM has evolved into a Business Consultant Agency and a production company is also in the works. The purpose of the production company, MODivation is to produce content that challenges the perceptions of African Americans in media. It also allows me an opportunity to express my creativity, and I really enjoy that.
The biggest lesson that I’ve learned on this journey is to go at your own speed. We get so caught up and overwhelmed with everything when we try to keep up with everyone around us. So, learn to take your time and stay in your own lane. Your experience of life is independent of those around you, so make the most of that experience by being present.
The one thing that I want the world to know about me and my brand, is that no matter what we do, it will always be done with the purest of intentions to encourage people to live life one day at a time and make the most of it.
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.
Well, I first would take them to La Madeline in Atlanta for a nice brunch, then a walk around Piedmont always helps walk off all that delicious French food. I would then take them to Little Five Points to do some shopping. There is this little collection of shops on the corner and it has a Spirituality, Incense, Stones merchandise and I just LOVE going in there to get my sage and handmade candles that promote different energies like prosperity, love, joy etc.
For dinner we would go to places like The Consulate, Marcel’s, OLG, Juicy Crab, The Lazy Dog, A couple of Jamaican spots around the city, just depends on the mood of the day. And of course we would go dancing at Tongue and Groove, Republic, The Blue Martini, etc. Then additional activities like indoor skydiving, hiking, karaoke, live music joints are always options that I enjoy, regularly. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout my number 1 fan, K.O.! From the first day we met, he saw greatness in me and has done everything in his power to support, encourage, and do my education in the world of entrepreneurship. Another person that I would love to shoutout is my mentor Cherylann. She has taught me valuable principles such as knowing your worth and doing a job so well that they have to come back to you for future business. These two people have truly impacted my current reality and is pushing me to my fullest capabilities.
Website: modeanmanagement.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modean_management/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modeanmanagement