Meet Devon Douglas

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Devon Douglas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Devon, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I wrestled with imposter syndrome for a long time—both in my 9-to-5 job and when I decided to start my own business. But deep down, I knew the life I wanted, and I understood that the only way to make it a reality was by taking risks. My vision wasn’t about becoming a millionaire or owning a mansion or luxury car. It was about freedom—financial freedom and the ability to live life on my own terms. I knew I had to build something of my own to achieve that.

Once I set my sights on this goal, I understood the next step: I had to take action. I was terrified of cold-calling, emailing, and posting on social media, but eventually, I asked myself, “Who really cares?” I’d send out emails to potential clients and get no response… but that was okay. I’d post on social media and only get a few likes… and that was okay too. I realized that rejection was simply part of the journey. If I let it hold me back, I’d never move forward.

So I kept going. Posting on social media helped me market myself, and over time, people started to notice. Word of mouth spread, and my business began to grow. It wasn’t always smooth, but I kept showing up, and it paid off.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I graduated from Towson University in 2022 and was fortunate to dive straight into my marketing career. My early experiences included internships with non-profits and sports organizations, where I managed social media and created content. While I enjoyed the work, I wasn’t fully certain that this was the career path I wanted to pursue long-term. Over the next few years, I worked as a social media strategist, and while I enjoyed much of the work, I felt the urge to create something of my own—something where I could play by my own rules. That’s when I founded *Score Advertising Agency*.

However, attracting clients was a struggle. For months, I faced challenges in bringing in business. But everything changed one day while watching a young athlete’s highlight reel. I had an epiphany: *I could create something like that—but better*. This moment of clarity led to a rebrand of my business to *Score Media Company*, and that’s when things truly began to take off.

I decided to focus on the sports and fitness industries, areas I was deeply passionate about, having played sports my whole life—soccer for over 20 years, including semi-professionally. My new focus resonated with both me and my clients. I started targeting sports clubs, personal trainers, gyms, and athletes, and within a short time, I landed three monthly retainer clients.

At the time, I was also creating content for a nursing home, gun range, and other businesses for my 9-to-5. While those projects were fun, they didn’t fulfill me. What makes *Score Media Company* unique is my genuine connection to the people I serve. Whether I’m helping athletes get recruited through my work or helping small businesses grow their clientele, I understand their needs from both a personal and professional perspective.

As a former high-level athlete, I have a unique advantage: I know what looks good both from the viewpoint of an athlete and as a content producer. This perspective is invaluable, especially when creating content that will perform well on social media. As a current social media strategist for my 9-to-5, I understand what works and what doesn’t. I craft media that not only helps my clients stand out but also ensures that their content performs at its best, helping them achieve real results.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned several key lessons that have shaped my growth as an entrepreneur. The most important one, for me, has been the willingness to step outside my comfort zone. Confidence has always been a challenge for me, but I’ve learned that stepping into uncomfortable situations—whether starting or running my business—has opened doors I never expected. It has allowed me to connect with incredible people and work on projects that I never thought would come my way so early in my business.

Equally important is the mindset of always being a student. I’ve consistently sought out resources to improve my skills, watching countless YouTube tutorials on sports photography and videography, experimenting with camera settings, and learning about the best equipment for my needs. I’ve also paid close attention to industry leaders. I observed their strategies and behaviors, and did everything I could to learn what sets them apart and how I could apply those lessons to my own work.

Lastly, thinking outside the box and embracing innovation has been crucial. Creativity is more than just coming up with new ideas—it’s about finding unique solutions to problems, pushing boundaries, and staying ahead of the curve. By constantly challenging myself to think differently, I’ve been able to bring fresh perspectives to my work and offer something truly valuable to my clients.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge I’m currently facing is marketing my business, and I believe it will always be a struggle for me, especially since I’m handling every aspect of it myself. I’ve been trying a variety of methods—emailing, cold calling, and leveraging social media, including boosting posts. While these tactics have certainly been helpful and are essential to my company’s growth, I’ve come to realize that there’s no substitute for being “on the ground.”

What I mean is that building direct connections within my local community—whether at sports fields, gyms, or through interactions with coaches, parents, and players—will ultimately be the most effective form of marketing. The other strategies can only take me so far. Face-to-face interactions allow me to build genuine relationships and introduce myself to potential clients in a more personal way. This direct approach gives me more control over reaching my target audience, rather than relying on the unpredictable social media algorithms or hoping for responses to my emails or calls. By getting out there and making real connections, I can ensure that my business resonates more deeply with the people I want to reach.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

N/A (All images taken by Devon Douglas)

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