Meet Dee Jackson

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dee Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dee below.

Hi Dee, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience was shaped early on, growing up as the only girl on both sides of my family for 12 years. I had a younger brother and a lot of older male cousins, and none of them treated me any differently because I was a girl. If anything, I had to prove myself even more. To keep up, I learned how to stand up for myself, to fight for my place, and to grow a tough skin. That environment taught me how to hold my own and not back down.

Another major part of my resilience came from my dad. He taught me the value of things—lessons I didn’t fully appreciate at the time. I remember when all the kids at school had designer gym shoes, and I wanted a pair too. My dad said he’d help me get them, but only if I could come up with half the money myself. I was too young for a job, and my allowance wasn’t enough, so I had to figure out another way. My little brother and I started a lemonade stand every weekend. Bit by bit, I saved up, combining what I earned with my allowance. A couple of months later, I had enough to get the shoes—with my dad’s help, of course.

That experience sparked something in me. It was the beginning of my entrepreneurial spirit, and it taught me how to think creatively, work hard, and be resourceful. Between that and growing up constantly having to prove myself in a male-dominated environment, I learned how to meet challenges head-on.

Looking back, I now understand how much my upbringing shaped me. The lessons, the struggles, and the support from my family—all of it built the resilience I carry with me today. I’m grateful for those experiences, because they made me who I am.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the Founder and CEO of Sodalis Productions, a creative production company that has proudly provided high-quality, diverse entertainment for nearly a decade. At Sodalis Productions we specialize in producing dynamic events that blend poetry, dance, comedy, jazz concerts, and more—creating unforgettable experiences while showcasing and uplifting local talent. In addition to entertainment, Sodalis offers full-service marketing, promotions, and event planning/execution for clients looking to bring their visions to life.

As we celebrate our 9th anniversary, I’m proud of the community we’ve built. Many of the artists who’ve performed in our shows have become like family, and our success is a direct result of the collaborative spirit within our team. I believe deeply in collaboration over competition, and I’m always open to working with fellow entrepreneurs who share that mindset—because when we work together, we can accomplish anything.

In addition to Sodalis, I recently founded Thrive Digital Media, a marketing agency designed to help small business owners get their brands noticed. Thrive focuses on affordable, full-service marketing solutions including digital marketing, print marketing, and grassroots (‘boots on the ground’) campaigns—because visibility is everything. If people can’t find your business, they can’t support it. My mission through Thrive is to empower fellow entrepreneurs with the tools and strategy they need to grow and succeed.

At the heart of all I do is a commitment to creativity, community, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Whether through entertainment or marketing, I’m passionate about building platforms that amplify others and bring people together.

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?

The three qualities that were most impactful to my journey are:

Resilience:

Resilience has been absolutely essential. As an entrepreneur, you have to be ready to make mistakes, face setbacks, and even fail—but the key is to never give up. Every challenge I’ve faced has taught me something and made me stronger. It’s not about avoiding failure, but about having the strength to get back up, learn, and keep moving forward.

Commitment to Lifelong Learning:

The ability—and willingness—to constantly learn has kept me growing. Whether it’s learning from my mistakes, staying up to date with new industry strategies, reading, taking classes, or networking with others, I never stop seeking knowledge. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones, and I believe that if you’re not learning, you’re not evolving.

Community and Teamwork:

While being self-sufficient is important, success is rarely a solo journey. I’ve learned the value of building a strong team and surrounding myself with people who bring different skills to the table. Many of the artists and collaborators I work with have become like family. We support one another, fill in each other’s gaps, and grow together. Community and collaboration have been just as vital as any business strategy.

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?
The biggest piece of advice I can give is: don’t give up. Developing a tough skin is crucial, because mistakes and failures are part of the journey. You’re going to make errors, face setbacks, or launch something that doesn’t work out—and that’s okay. What matters is that you keep going. If you stop, you’ll never know what your business—or you—could’ve become. Resilience is built through the process of trying, failing, learning, and trying again.

Also, get out there and learn. In the beginning, attend entrepreneur events, vendor expos, and networking opportunities. That’s where I picked up a lot of valuable skills—from how to present myself, to how to speak to different kinds of people, and how to market what I do effectively. Networking opens doors to resources, knowledge, and relationships that you wouldn’t find just working alone.

And most importantly: don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seek out a mentor—someone who’s already navigated the path you’re on. A good mentor can offer wisdom, share hard-earned lessons, and help you avoid common pitfalls. None of us succeed in isolation, and asking for guidance is not a weakness—it’s a smart move.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

As a founder and creative entrepreneur, I believe deeply in the power of partnership and shared expertise. I’m actively looking to collaborate with entrepreneurs from all walks of life—whether you’re in tech, the arts, digital marketing, advertising, sales, or beyond.

Every industry brings something unique to the table, and when we combine our strengths and knowledge, we unlock far more opportunities and resources than we could alone. Together, we can go further, faster—and help each other reach our goals while building something truly impactful.

If you’re passionate about your craft and believe in the power of community and collaboration, let’s connect. I’m excited to build, create, and grow with like-minded entrepreneurs.

For collaboration or to book our services they can reach out to [email protected] or 586-834-7399

Contact Info:

• Website: sodalisproductions.com & thrivedigitalmedia.com both businesses info
• Instagram: @sodalisproductions & @digitalmediathrives
• Facebook: @sodalisproductions & @thrivedigitalmedia

Image Credits

Sodalis Productions