Meet Mani O’Brien and Jaclyn Hawtin of Digital Dames

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mani O’Brien and Jaclyn Hawtin.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Digital Dames was started after 15 years of friendship between two digitally focused, forward thinking ambitious women from Phoenix Arizona. We met when we were 11 years old, took many classes together, learned how to play the violin in symphony, performed in dance troupes all throughout middle and high school. Once in college, we started brainstorming business ideas and there were many.

Jaclyn studied Systems Biology and went onto pursue a masters degree in Global Technology and International Development (Arizona State University) while Mani earned her degrees in Graphic Design/Branding (A.A.- FIDM Fashion Institute) and Journalism (B.A. – Arizona State University/Walter Cronkite School of Mass Communications). Our combined professional experience includes digitally-focused strategic work with clients in both the public and private sectors including Mayo Clinic, Adidas Originals, GUESS, FIDM, U.S. State Department, TOMS, multiple local and state governments and Project Runway.

With a shared passion for technology, we finally started experimenting with a business idea that inspired us and gave us fuel to move forward with Digital Dames. In 2014 we began co-hosting online webinars about email marketing and other online tips & tricks which really made clear how fun it was to work together! In 2017, we formally registered Digital Dames as a formal company focusing on a suite of full-service solutions, consulting and workshops in branding, marketing and digital solutions for small business owners.

Digital Dames makes it easy for women to leverage the latest technologies to start a business online. We wanted to find a way for other women and other marginalized communities to create opportunities for themselves and their businesses that we’ve created for ourselves through thousands of hours of self-learning and on the job development. We recognize the power of technology to give people the agency to run their businesses more efficiently, thus controlling more their own life and freedom. We do this because we believe that all women around the world should have the option to be fully self-sufficient and achieve the freedom to live as she pleases.

Has it been a smooth road?
We have gone through a number of challenges including lack of startup funding– we’ve bootstrapped and had to use our personal savings to start this business. Initially, we started the business with a totally different focus, realizing only after totally failing and going into debt that it wasn’t working (our first event had ZERO signups!). We innovated and transformed the business into what it is today.

The challenge of having a small team can be difficult to manage time, but luckily we’re crafty and work in tech so we have found ways to bring our office with us. Something unique about us is that Mani operates out of our LA office, Jaclyn is in San Francisco, and some of our biggest clients are abroad so technically, we are an international organization! We’re fortunate to have been able to develop a business model that gives us the freedom to work from anywhere, which is important to us because we both frequently travel and work abroad.

Additionally, on a personal note, we both come from very humble beginnings and paid our own way through college, working full-time and figuring out how to make ends meet with absolutely no financial safety net. Coming from this background influences the way we do business– we’re not afraid to take risks, we know how to make something out of nothing, and we’re grateful for every opportunity that comes our way.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We empower small businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profits to use digital technology to fuel their movement. We have a particular interest in empowering marginalized women around the world.

From our full-suite of digital services to our results-driven learning events, our services are designed to empower, inspire and most importantly, save businesses time and money by fast-tracking their understanding of how to manage their own successful online business.

Our primary goal is to empower female entrepreneurs through technology, especially open source technology. We provide technology consulting, education and managed services in different combinations to best serve the needs of our clients. We are flexible in our business model, and evolve with the needs of our clients, adopting a very a user-centered design organization where the needs of our clients determine how we structure our business.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
We can’t say enough good things about Los Angeles, especially downtown! There is so much fantastic creative energy and the DTLA community is extremely inspiring. Overall, LA is a wonderful place to be an entrepreneur. It’s full of young creative minds eager to make their stamp in the world. Certain kinds of business flourish here better than others.

Creative, forward-thinking, tech-oriented organizations tend to do well as there is such a huge opportunity in the entertainment industry for these services, not to mention the need for these services from all of the aspiring models, actors, makers, and musicians– everyone hustling to make their way in the world!

If someone is new to Los Angeles, our recommendation is to connect with as many people as possible– go to events, connect with as many people as you can and make true and lasting friendships.

Pricing:

• Web design packages starting as low as $899
• Website support packages starting as low as $79/month
• Marketing packages starting at $1,000/month

Contact Info:

• Website: digitaldamecollective.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/digitaldamecamp
• Facebook: facebook.com/digitaldames
• Twitter: twitter.com/digitaldamechat

Image Credit:
Mike Taing

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.