Today we’d like to introduce you to Dayna Gilchrist.
Dayna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
“It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together”
Hype started in a little apartment in Santa Monica, CA. At the time, I was working for an experiential agency and saw a huge disconnect between the people building the marketing campaigns and those chosen to execute them. I knew we could build an agency to bridge that gap. Our mission was to build an agency that could see the “bigger picture”, and find the right people representing all these amazing brands. My business partner at the time and I sat side by side, working around the clock to figure out how to take this idea and make it a reality.
Shortly after we got our business license in Los Angeles, we locked in our first client- the agency that I left. We were so fortunate to have the relationships that we did and right out of the gate we worked with brands like Paramount Pictures and Jimmy Fallon. But it was round the clock. Starting out, I had just left a fantastic job working for an LA-based firm where I moved up really quickly. I had a steady paycheck, great bonuses, vacation time and a cell phone I could shut off. Now as the CEO and sole owner, there’s rarely a moment that you feel your work is “done” for the day. Through the different stages of the agency, I have basically worn every hat- janitor, specialist, legal/HR, accounting, customer service, CFO, CMO, CEO, you name it.
Today, I am so happy where I am and where the business is.
I found the importance of work/life balance to enjoy time with family and getting in a workout! 11+ years later I never stopped giving Hype everything I have, and Hype is now an industry leader. The Hype! Agency is now one of the top execution and staffing partners in the experiential industry, working with some of the largest brands and agencies in the U.S. and worldwide.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
“If it was easy, everyone would do it”; whenever I am faced with a challenge, I can hear my dad telling me this each and every time (and now I say it to my kids). Now don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade my current situation for anything in the world. I am so grateful to be able to do what I love, but with everything worth it in life, there are always bumps along the way. People often say to me, “wow, you have your own company, you’re so lucky” or “it must be great to work for yourself”. Statements like that make me smile but I cringe a little inside. When everything is invested in your own business, it is almost impossible to turn on the “off” switch and it can border on obsession.
Blood, sweat and tears are more the reality when you have your own business. Oh, and doing it all with a smile on your face because you are not only responsible for providing for your own family, but your responsible for the livelihood of your employees as well. But I was born to do hard. I was born to get through the challenges. I do it in every part of my life. Whatever I choose to do I always pick the most extreme option. If I am going to do something, I’m going to pick the most challenging thing to be great at. And my advice to people just starting out: there will be hard times, but it is so worth it in the end.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Hype! Agency – what should we know?
“Make your passion your paycheck”
The number one thing that not only sets apart from others in the industry, also make me the proudest is the Hype team, and the passion we all have. It’s one of those proud mom moments. You decide to have a baby, (Hype- my first baby) and you do all the right things. You put all the systems in place but you can only control so much. You have to foster a team and create a culture that shares in the same values, the same passions. As I look at Hype today, in its “teenager years”, I see this team we’ve built that is truly passionate about the agency and what we do. The team is dedicated to making our clients’ programs a success each and every time. We all work crazy hours, follow and find best practices- and the passion we have for what we do is like no other.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
“You cannot do this alone.”
Whether you’ve started by yourself or you’re just starting out, you will not survive it you do not have an army. I started the business with a partner and in 2015 when we split, my strength to take the business to the next level as the sole owner was my army. My husband is an incredible support. He supports me as a woman, a career-focused person, a CEO, and as a friend. When you have your own company, you need a backbone supporting your decisions and giving you honest opinions and advice.
When I decided to leave my comfortable job, and start out on my own, my father supported me and gave me his stamp of approval. When I made the decision to move away from my business partner, getting that support. Having a support system to bounce ideas off of, having people to give you strength when you’re down, and receiving advice when you need it is truly a key to success. From financial advisors to friends, colleagues and clients, you align yourself with amazing, smart people that won’t kiss your ass but will support you through good times and bad, is absolutely a necessity.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1617 pacific coast highway, suite k
redondo beach, ca 90277 - Website: thehypeagency.com
- Phone: 1-844-GET-HYPE
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/thehypeagency
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/HypeAgency
- Twitter: twitter.com/The_Hype_Agency
- Other: www.linkedin.com/company/the-hype-agency
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