Meet “Super” Dave Quinn, CEcD

Hi “Super” Dave, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?My work ethic was a gift from my dad. Raised in rural northeast Texas by a father born in the depression, work is what I grew up doing. From a very, very early age, I learned how to work and how to love the sense of accomplishment that came from a good day’s work.

Some days it was easy, and some days it wasn’t. Some days it was fun, and some days it wasn’t. Work was just a way of life. Something always needed to be done, so we did it. We found a way to mix in a little fun along the way, but never at the expense of the chores that needed to be done.

That work ethic carried over into my college years. Often, I had two and sometimes three different jobs to pay for college. I didn’t mind or know any different. It was simply something that needed to be done for me to get my college degree.

I always say my upbringing was a gift. I know how hard life can be, and it motivates me to work hard when I need to so I can take time to enjoy life.

I am a professional speaker, economic development coach, and founder of The Solutionist, a mastermind group explicitly designed for Economic Development Professionals. I strive to inspire others to take ownership of their lives and positively impact the world by sharing their God-given talents and abilities. I travel the country encouraging audiences to pursue their purpose and live their personal best.

I am also the Founder and Managing Partner of Day One Experts, an on-demand economic development and small business consulting firm. My team currently serves the North Texas communities of Fairview and Melissa, along with a number of private real estate developers and small businesses throughout the country.

In response to the pandemic in 2020, I founded the Texas Economic Development Connection, a digital content marketing cooperative designed to help Texas communities leverage the power of digital storytelling.

The TexasEDConnection targets out-of-state business owners with small to medium-sized businesses looking for opportunities to expand or relocate in Texas and efficiently connects them with professional economic developers in Texas.

In 2024 we are moving into Foreign Direct Investment marketing for our member communities. Taking economic development trade missions abroad to help foreign companies expand into Texas.

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?The ability to practice gratitude on a daily basis, communicate effectively and learning to network.

My advice is to first develop a habit of being grateful. Learn to find micro-moments of gratitude and then rack and stack them to create a day filled with gratitude.

Second, learn how to effectively communicate your vision to others. When people know what you are doing and understand why you are doing it becomes easy for them to know how to help you. Which leads to my third piece of advice.

Your network will impact your net worth. Learn how to become an effective networker. Learn the art of bringing value to every room you are in and watch how many interesting rooms you get invited into.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you? They loved me. They were hard on me and set the standard very high, but I never doubted if they loved me. I think if everyone would start the day with a mission to love others our world would be a much different place. Always start with love.