We were lucky to catch up with Otishka Ferguson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Otishka, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
From age 6, I spent most of my free time in a beauty salon. My late uncle Drew worked for a salon before starting his salon. Spending this much time in a woman-centric business taught me how to be a woman, shaped my perspective on some of the challenges I might face in my womanhood journey, and fostered in me a passion for working alongside women entrepreneurs.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started Dani & Drew in July 2020. It was borne out of my desire to help businesses back home in The Bahamas adjust to the sudden shift from brick n’ brick-and-mortar to online businesses. I always knew that no matter where I lived, there would come a time to lend my skills back to my country, and the pandemic created the perfect opportunity to do that. Dani & Drew is a full-service consultancy that serves women-owned or women-centric startups and SMEs. We aim to bridge the North American and Caribbean markets through brand activations, e-commerce, and influencer marketing. I returned to Nassau, Bahamas, a year ago after living in Chicago and Los Angeles for seven years. I took some time to observe the market and reflect on my business’s challenges, failures, and successes thus far. My observation brought me back to my mission – to serve women. The world is not short on resources that help men succeed, but there is much to be desired when advancing entrepreneurial women. My first client was a long-time associate of mine, Shamika Rolle, the Founder and Head Esthetician of Tropics Beauty Café, a medical spa in Nassau, Bahamas. Tropics launched Aerolase, a state-of-the-art laser therapy technology that treats over 36 skin conditions.
Shamika did not want the typical digital marketing rollout, so we decided to do something that Bahamian-owned, smaller brands do not typically do – host a two-day beauty and wellness retreat with local and international influencers powered by local and international beauty and wellness brands! We had four influencers stay on property, including Denise Francis, a Bahamian-Jamaican beauty and fashion-focused influencer; Dinetia Dean, an actress, model, and travel content creator based in LA; Leah Marville, the former Miss Barbados World, certified life coach, and model (also based in LA). The ladies enjoyed an intimate pajama game night, a fitness session, a life coaching session with Leah, and a cocktail reception with 12 other women to end the retreat. Each guest at the retreat walked away with swag bags valued at $750. Our sponsors included Bahama Beach Fitness, BDB Wellness, Bombshell Collagen, Cariloha, Deal Bodies, Eat Me Skinny, Edge Couture, Fur, Jiggy Productions, Pink Sand Spirits, Refrsh Wellness, Schrammek, and Skin Script. It felt great to do something new and have it be so well-received.
I look forward to bringing more international brands to The Bahamas, a market ripe with women who have the purchasing power to support global brands!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I have a knack for cultivating organic relationships and earning people’s support for my work. Part of the reason for this is that I pursue excellence and seek it out in everything that I do. When people work with me, they know they are working with someone who is driven (does not get rattled by the word ‘no’), meticulous, reliable, and resourceful. So, when I partner with someone on a project, they know that they, too, need to be excellent; otherwise, it won’t work. Many people possess my hard skills and may be better at me in many areas, but few know how to build and manage relationships like I do. Few know how to push clients to be better while still allowing them autonomy to drive the decisions made in our working relationships. My advice is to check and answer your emails, stop doing business over text (it’s hazardous, lazy, and low quality), and be excellent in everything you do.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I want to work with women or owners of women-centric brands who want to step outside the box and connect with the rest of the world. The U.S. isn’t the only place to make things happen!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: otishka
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/otishka
Image Credits
Event Design: Otishka Ferguson (Dani & Drew)
Event Photographer: Mick Massaar (@damediamogul)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
