Derrian Perry On Successfully Running His Boutique PR Firm & Life As An Entrepreneur

Surabhi Verma
Nov 6 · 4 min read

Our audience is keen to read about the stories of entrepreneurs creating a difference in the world. Tell us about yourself and your area of work.

My name is Derrian “Phreshy” Perry and I’m the owner of a boutique PR firm, I AM PHRESHY BRAND. Originally from Houston, Texas, I moved to Atlanta two years ago after being homeless. The goal was to follow my dreams after leaving corporate America. I now own one of the fastest-growing PR firms owned by any African American man.

Your story is inspiring in many ways. Walk us through your journey behind creating your brand.

Thank you! There has been a lot of hard work and sacrifice put into this brand. When I originally started I AM PHRESHY BRAND, it was more geared towards a fashion and entertainment blog. I’ve always been a pop culture fanatic and wanted to share my experiences with the world. At the time I was in corporate America so IAP was more of a hobby than it was anything. Although it has always been my dream to inspire and create a brand that would help others, I wasn’t at the place where it was a source of income. During that time, I went through a really bad break up and my entire brand was stolen from me. Fast forward to later years, I recreated the brand, but as a PR Firm. I had found my purpose was to connect the dots for people and help them build their brands. It was a passion that led me to take the leap a faith and dive headfirst into the PR world. I had no previous education or experience with PR except for working for a friend who had her own firm.

As a business owner, how do you plan to take your business to the next level?

Great Question! Well, I recently got Trademarked! It was very important to me to not only own my business but own the brand behind the business. I AM PHRESHY …literally! Much of my success has come from me being my own brand. Being relatable, being in the culture and sharing my journey. I never want to lose that essence. Outside of that, I’m constantly building a solid team. I believe that’s a HUGE part of getting to the next level. Your team has to be solid and know how to move.

How do you keep up with the growing competition in the market, especially when there are so many huge platforms already in the niche?

I don’t! Honestly, I use to pay so much attention to what other publicists or industry executives were doing but I realized how toxic that was. You began competing where competition doesn’t really exist. It only takes away from what I could be doing. I only look at where I started, compare it to where I am now and use it as motivation to where I am going to be. Another rule I have is” Collaboration over Competition”. We’re only limited by our network of people around. The bigger your network, the bigger your net worth and the more you can get done.

As an entrepreneur how do you keep up with your daily tasks and manage your stress levels?

Lol. I’m still learning the best ways. Right now I write everything down and keep everything on my phone. Most people who know me are aware of the fact that I am always working on my phone. There has to be a better solution, but right now putting everything in my phone and writing things down in notebooks work.

What is your favorite self-confidence quote?

I have a few but I think my all-time favorite is “Your magic is, there is only one you”…

For someone who is just starting out as an entrepreneur, what would be your best piece of advice?

There’s so much I could say, but I’ll keep it brief and simple. Put 150% in. Nothing worth having comes easy. Research your industry, understand your why and work purposefully. Those gems have helped me out tremendously.

What else can we see coming from you in the near future?

In the near future, you can expect expansion. I want to have offices in New York and Los Angeles. I’m currently working on my first tour. I would love to get more into producing television shows. By the end of 2020, I would have written my first book and had it published.

Where all can our audience find you?

Website: www.iamphreshy.com

Facebook: I AM PHRESHY BRAND

IG: @iamphreshy + @iamphreshybrand

Linkedin: Derrian Perry

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Surabhi Verma

Written by

Author: And She Quit Her Job, Founding Editor ‘The Inception’ on Medium, Entertainment Journalist (The Times Group), Former Copy Editor (Hindustan Times).

The Inception

About Artists & Entrepreneurs! Follow Us & Support The Cause!

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