Today we’d like to introduce you to Darren Dodson.
Hi Darren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I did my bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Systems from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and I had some basic web and app development knowledge. So in November 2019, before the pandemic, Mr. Chester Williams, the Founder, and CEO of A Better Chance A Better Community, reached out to me and asked if I could make an app and website for their organization. I had a great time creating it, and they were a wonderful client, but I hadn’t thought of building a business at the time. I then went to study abroad in Australia, which was truly a life-changing experience, and I learned a lot about the industry and myself. When I came back, I realized I could make something out of this, so in June 2020, I founded Dodson Development.
Starting, I didn’t have many clients, and I was doing a lot of volunteer work to get my name out there. Slowly but surely, I started taking on more projects; my next project was building a barbershop website, then I started doing a few more websites, got my first billboard put up, and the rest was history. I met many great people along the way, and once I got my name out there and built up a client base, I got into a steady workflow and built my business up to where it is today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It took me a while to get started, as I was also finishing my last year of college. Additionally, it can be difficult to stay motivated when there are not many clients. Ultimately, I kept fighting because I knew this could be bigger, and I knew I had a passion for this. I kept learning new skills to help clients with different projects, and adjusting to different business demands taught me a lot. I’m happy I stuck with it, and I look forward to seeing Dodson Development’s progress.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Something that makes me stand out from others is my ability to provide different services and my low price point for high-quality work. So Dodson Development is a one-stop shop for various services; I do web development, apps, GIS services, LinkedIn managing, video editing, storage hosting, flyers, logo designs, cartoons, commercials, and a little bit of everything! Brand-wise, I’m proud of my background because my business started catering to nonprofits, church organizations, and clients living in rural areas. My first billboard that I had put up was in Northeastern North Carolina, and the people I met were unforgettable. I wanted to continue to give back, offering my services for a low cost, and I’m beyond thankful for the experience.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I learned was to take my time and realize that only some things will happen overnight. I realized how much I was able to learn from the experience of growing my business, and I cherished the journey rather than just the destination. By making the most of this experience, I learned to do what I do best: build the highest quality work and do it all with a smile.
Pricing:
- Websites starting at $300+
- Apps starting at $2000+
- GIS maps starting at $500+
- Video editing starting at $200+
- Website hosting starting at $15+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dodson-development.com
- Instagram: dodsondevelop
- Twitter: dodsondevelop
