Today we’d like to introduce you to Ty D. Davis CEO/Founder of Dare to be /Yer’self/.
Ty, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Dare to be /yer’self/ was founded in the midst of a rough patch in my life. I was unsure as to what path I was would embark on and what the future held for me. Upon graduation with a degree in communications from Spring Arbor University, I took up an opportunity to study abroad in China. While there, I soon began to realize that I had not placed myself in a way that would help me reach my full potential. I had secured a position to begin my career with an automotive company; however, I was lacking the passion and excitement as one would expect to start a new job. Overall, I felt that my true calling lay somewhere else. I was living a life to please my family and fit into a social group that wasn’t meant for me. This is when I decided that I have put my ambition first. I could no longer strive to achieve the goals that society had burdened me with. I had to discover who I was and in doing so, give myself the opportunity to set my own goals and develop my own vision. I packed my bags and headed back home to Michigan. Coming back was no easy task but it made me invest all my time and effort into myself. I had no choice but to success by my own will. My first job back was a customer liaison for Lululemon.
I was convinced that I wanted to get into the legal profession. I have always had an urgent to help others who have been marginalized. I believed that the most effective way to do this was to become a lawyer. This leads me to preparing for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). However, as time went on, I realized that the law was not my calling. I would not be able to do what I intended to do. With some months of reflection and self-discovery, as well as working as a Business Development Executive to the CEO of a technological software company, things seemed to be promising when I was suddenly let go from my job. For months, I struggled, bouncing from interview to interview while doing my best to stay afloat. My savings hit an all-time low and the sense of despair, despondency, and discontent that I felt fueled my drive to finally just take a leap of faith and act in spite of the risks. That’s how Dare to be /yer’self/ started; it was at a time when I realized that I had to dare myself to push past my fears and the false narrative that was preventing me from living to my full potential. I dared myself to dive towards entrepreneurship despite my fears. I didn’t know how any of it would turn out, I was anxious over what my family, friends, and those around me would feel, but being at rock bottom and with nothing to lose was a blessing. It eliminated the fear that had held me captive for so long. It was only when I seemingly lost everything that I gained confidence in myself. The experience pushed me to forge a new path and doing so was the start of an entirely different chapter in my life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not! Being the face of adversity is never easy nor acceptable. However, I’m reminded of what my grandmother Josephine Baker always says, “shoot for the stars and one day you might land on the moon.” I’ve used that advice as my meal ticket to never settle for anything, and within this past year, I’ve been stretched beyond my breaking points but, from all the stretching that has come from it and I now see how God had to break me down in order to humble me and remind me of days when I do have to never forget the days I went without. Truly this wasn’t easy but by God’s grace, mercy and a lot of prayerful nights, I making it happen and I just want to encourage anyone else out there that you can make it too. It wasn’t easy going without and my social circle not knowing what I was going through but “in order to get to something you have to go through something.” And after what I went through I know God’s favor is all over my life.
Dare To Be /Yer’self/ – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Dare to be /Yer’self\ is a motivational/inspirational concept that challenges & inspires others to be their true authentic selves, even though it might be tough to do that with all of the external pressures a person might face. Every month we release a new dare to be yer’self campaign while still remaining focused on the core mission of a true, authentic self. For the month of October, we partnered with Karmanos Cancer Insitute “Dare to be /Cur’ed/ for the month of November the slogan was dare to be /Thank•fel/ & for the month of December its dare to be /Joy•Fel/. So far this has become such an inspirational offering and it’s gaining national attention.
I inspire/challenge others to live their best life while going beyond what society says. While also & getting involved in community events to give back. I serve as the CEO/Founder of Dare to be /Yer’self/
I think my specialty is making people feel valuable and in turn, inspired and empowered. My degree is in Communications, I’m a people person and I wanted to play to my strengths while coupling those skills with my own challenges throughout life.
I’m known for empowering & uplifting others along with making everyone feel included & loved!
As a company, I’m proud of the support and how people are coming to learn more about dare to be /yer’self/ and the movement behind the name of the company.
It’s that we embrace people as they are and acknowledge that we all have many different vectors for getting through tough times or rising to the next level. For me, my relationship with God and my faith guided me through challenges and supported me while working to get to the next level of personal growth. We embrace all the resources that people find and the resilience they find within themselves to be happy and fulfilled in life.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Wow! It’s crazy because. For the longest time, I defined success in terms of finances. However, now I view success as being able to use platform as a voice to reach others. I have used my platform via social media to spread the Dare to be /Yer’self/ message which has helped with its growth.
My success is based on the following criteria: Remain humble and never stop spreading the message of Dare to be /Yer’self/. My two strategic planning partners are very supportive. I collaborate with them constantly; especially when I need a second opinion on future steps or direction for my platform. Even though I don’t have a lot of knowledge of the business world, I am learning quickly. In the meantime, I will continue to use my gift of communication to promote Dare to be /Yer’self/.
Pricing:
- Dare to be /Yer’self/short sleeve shirts $29.00
- Dare to be /Thank’fel long sleeves $39.00
- Dare to be Thank’fel crew necks $49.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.daretby.com
- Email: tyrikddavis@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyd.davis/ | https://www.instagram.com/daretobeyourselfllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ty.d.davis
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tyd_davis
Image Credit:
Photo credit goes to Emily Lynn & Luke Koronich
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