Name: Jesse Alex
Hometown: St. Louis MO, Currently in Dallas TX
Company: Brand Fiend
Brand Fiend is a digital forward Boutique Branding Agency. We shape identities. We tell stories. We stir up emotions. We connect the dots. Above all, we transform ideas into experiences.
We work with small to medium size brands on anything from brand strategy, logo design, web design, social media management, brand exposure, public relations, and more.
Years Owned: 1.5 years
How have you grown since starting your company:
Of course I always want more for my business, being the perfectionist I am. But thinking back to when I first started & where I’m at now, I definitely see growth. The power of social media (when done right) and word of mouth is amazing. Also, getting out to different events letting people know what it is that I can do and how I can help their visions has worked really well, too. I was recently interviewed by AT&T as part of their small business/entrepreneur circle, as well. I can’t complain.
What is a lesson you learned from your customers:
I’ve learned that communication is the key. Having open and transparent communication with clients allows for a seamless process, most of the time lol. My clients teach me each and every day that patience is very important, especially when dealing with various different clients simultaneously.
Who inspires you the most:
My family & close circle of friends inspire me to keep pushing every day. They make sure I continue to follow my dreams as well as give me an outlet to just enjoy life, laugh, etc.
My uncle, Jermain Todd, inspires me on a business level. He started a custom furniture company a little over 10 years ago and I’ve seen the type of success he’s had. Not only does he make great furniture, but he has endorsements with New Balance, which is pretty cool. It shows me that with hard work, things are obtainable.
When did you realize Entrepreneurship was the path you wanted take?
At age 22 I started an online magazine with some of my friends while in college in Georgia. That’s when I truly realized I wanted to create something of my own, and work for myself. The online magazine did okay, but we put it to rest. I tried some other things in between time but it wasn’t until I was 26, when I started Brand Fiend. I wanted to combine my graphic/web design skills with everything I learned at corporate jobs such as YP.com and The Dallas Morning News where I worked in marketing & advertising. The rest was history.
Give me three songs you would have to put on a mix cd if this was some years ago?
Throw back songs? That’s hard to narrow down. I’ll give it a go.
Which restaurant has the best fries?
I’m big on fries so this is definitely a tough one. Right now I’ll have to say Wing Stop. It’s something about the seasoning lol. They just opened one right by my house & they’ve had me hooked lately.
Upcoming goals for 2016:
One of my goals for this year was to go after the clients I want. Another goal was to improve my own skills in order to help my clients that much more. It’s all about them at the end of the day.
Favorite thing to do with family?
Just to be in their presence. Most of my family is back home in St. Louis, so anytime we can all get together I just try to enjoy the moments we have together & make every second count.
Who do you think has control over the music game now?
It’s tough. Drake, Kendrick, and Cole are at the top right now, in my opinion.
Any upcoming events?
No upcoming events. But stay tuned to our Fiend Blog. We use that as a way to share experiences with various clients as well as a tool to provide you with tips on branding & running your business. If you’re looking for some motivation, subscribe to ourFiend Focus emails. Those are both platforms I’ll be using to share things I’ve learned along the way, & hopefully helping others on their journey to the top.
What inspired your company name?
It took me months to come up with the name Brand Fiend, simply because a lot of names out there are already taken. One night it just clicked for me. I figured we could use a pill to match the whole fiend theme & present it as the cure/solution to fixing your brand. It sounded good, so I ran with it. Now here we are.
Brand Fiend is a Boutique Brand Agency that is uniquely placed, tell me why you describe it as that?
I use that term simply because we’re a small unique brand. We handle things on a very personal level with our clients. We want to create an experience as if we’re right there in the trenches with our clients, and we back that up with our actions. We’re asmall team that delivers amazing results.
All business owners should …
Take risks. You never know what works until you try it. Have patience. You’ll never get where you want to be without patience, things don’t happen overnight. It takes a grind, everyone isn’t built for it.
Your Favorite Quote?
I love quotes, but can’t think of a favorite. Here’s one by Muhammad Ali that stuck with me most recently.
“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
Website: brandfiend.com & meetjessealex.com
Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook – @brandfiend
