Amplifying Underrepresented Voices

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Colbert, CEO and Founder of DCP Entertainment, located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We're probably most known for our award-winning podcasts, but we're a multimedia production house and network that focuses on portraying the experiences and giving a voice to communities of color, women, LGBTQ+, and disabled individuals. We reach people emotionally with some of the tough and honest conversations but also the fun, upbeat, insightful conversations. Our audience is a reflection of the communities we portray as well as the advocates and people curious to learn more about the people and topics that impact their lives.

Tell us about yourself

I created DCP Entertainment toward the end of my tenure at SiriusXM (SXM Media) because I looked across the media landscape and noticed not only the lack of true diversity in authentic content for underrepresented communities but also the lack of support those kinds of shows would get for development and marketing. So with that in mind, I wanted to create a business that would be able to benefit from the wealth of talent that was not being invested in behind the scenes and in front of the camera, but I also wanted to show major media companies that it is beneficial to their bottom-line to be as invested in these communities as I am.

And while doing all that, it is equally important to me that we uplift other independent networks, shows, and individuals that are on that same mission. We can all help bring in more audiences and money into the digital media marketplace so that everyone's bank accounts are getting some extra commas. So all of that motivates me as I want to be part of the movement that helps create true equity in media.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We're fortunate to have a lot of accomplishments, but one that I'm recently realizing is an accomplishment is that I sit on 4 podcast boards (LWC Studios, Podcasting Seriously Awards Fund, BIPOC Podcast Creators, The Podcast Academy) and I'm a judge for 3 podcast awards (Webby Awards, New York Festival Radio Awards, The Ambies). With my mission of creating equity in digital media, I've now worked my way into positions that can allow me to start impacting change in very tangible ways. And it's amazing to take a step back and realize that.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Where do I start!? I'll keep it fairly broad and say that the hardest thing is mental and emotional exhaustion. We pour everything into these endeavors, especially with the constant multitasking, decisions, calls/emails/texts/slack/social media, and trying to keep pace with ever-changing industries. And even though our work can be rewarding and rejuvenating, it can still make it more difficult to be as mentally and emotionally present as we'd like to be in our personal life.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Marketing should be one of (if not your top) budget items.
Be ready to pivot because no successful business stayed exactly the same as when it debuted.
Get connected with other business owners in your field that are at varying levels of their entrepreneurial journey so you can learn from and support each other.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dcpofficial.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DCPofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcpofficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DCPOfficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dcpentertainment/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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