Community Highlights: Meet D’nelle Dowis of Berry Interesting Productions, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to D’nelle Dowis.

Hi D’nelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2006, just after completing my undergraduate studies, I found myself working at a small, newly-founded local newspaper in Franklin, TN. As the youngest person on staff by about ten years, I became the go-to for all things internet-related. In addition to my beat reporting and typesetting duties, I was tasked with setting up the paper’s social media profiles, an email newsletter, and a website. At that point, I wasn’t skilled enough to personally handle all those tasks, but I got incredibly lucky. The local web development shop we engaged was owned by a developer who generously took me under his wing. He introduced me to WordPress websites and Emma email marketing software and, more importantly, demonstrated to me just how important empathetic project management can be to a website build!

While I had originally I thought I wanted to pursue journalism as a career, that experience revealed a path that I hadn’t previously considered, and I shifted my focus to the technical side of digital marketing. I landed an email marketing manager position at a very large direct-to-consumer marketing company, and the rest is history. Having watched my parents run their own business (and, to be honest, being a little bored with the email marketing), I started taking on freelance web development work on the side. My first paid website project was an eCommerce site for a small handmade soap company. I quoted them $300, which when all was said and done, worked out to about $0.25 an hour! While it wasn’t enough to support myself, it gave me a much deeper understanding of both the complexities of website development and of the challenges inherent in managing clients, scoping projects, and choosing tools. I learned that it’s not just about building the site; it involves branding, copywriting, photography, understanding user experience, aligning with the business’s larger goals, and – possibly the most challenging part – working with clients who have varying levels of understanding when it comes to digital projects.

Curiosity and a willingness to teach myself new things have been invaluable throughout my career. While I officially started my business in 2006, it wasn’t until 2012 that I went full-time, and then 2017 before I considered expanding my business beyond myself. The variety of experiences I had during those interim years – as a junior WordPress developer, website development project manager, account strategist, and marketing unicorn – have all served me well as I’ve focused on growing my business and on getting serious about focusing on who our ideal clients are.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the generosity of the WordPress community and the Together Digital network. They have supported me, provided advice, taught me invaluable lessons, and offered friendship and support. My motivation, from that very first freelance client I took on, has been to help others make smart decisions about their websites. Whether it’s budget, strategy, operations, or tech-stack choices, I’ve seen too many examples of “snake oil salesmen” in this industry. I aim to prevent anyone in my network from falling prey to those more interested in their budget than their story. Many of my conversations don’t end in sales, but those are some of the most satisfying conversations, because they so often result in sending the person in the best possible direction with the best possible advice I can give them about how to make smart decisions for their business, their career, or their digital footprint.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The mid-aughts were an interesting time for the internet. You could teach yourself just about anything for free, but I was just out of college and naive in many ways. Early on, I faced plenty of instances where I undercharged and ended up essentially working for free. Employment options were unstable, leading to years without health insurance or savings and the need for a second job to cover myself when freelancing didn’t pay the bills.

Making the leap into full-time business ownership was scary. The biggest obstacle was the sheer number of hats I had to wear. Not only did I have to run my business, but I also had to fulfill all client projects. While I occasionally hired contractors, the ultimate responsibility was mine. Without experience in financial forecasting, financing, bookkeeping, or sales, I often found myself winging it, leading to many “feast or famine” periods. Fortunately, I was surrounded by generous people offering advice and understanding clients. Hiring employees was initially possible due to a large client, which provided the financial stability needed to confidently expand.

The web development industry is not for the faint of heart. Rapid changes were the norm even when I started freelancing, and the pace has only increased. Additionally, being female-presenting in an industry closely related to IT has posed its challenges. I’ve often been relegated to note-taking roles in meetings, had my opinions dismissed, or been spoken over by men merely repeating my points. This has cost me clients. The internet can seem like the wild west, with multiple correct approaches to solving problems. Success often requires a level of outward bravado I don’t naturally possess nor enjoy expressing. As a worker, I focus more on process, attention to detail, staying within budget, and treating people right… rather than small talk, appearances, and competition. While this approach had definitely resulted in exceptional client loyalty and satisfying long-term relationships, it has made winning new business difficult. I’m not a salesperson at heart, and i suspect that that’s reflected in our revenues.

Still… owning my own business has been the best thing for my work-life balance, health, and wellbeing. It gives me time for friends and family, allows flexibility to meet my own needs and those of my family, and provides the variety and novelty my neurodivergent brain craves. I can’t imagine going back to a “real job.” While the stability of a steady paycheck and benefits package is appealing in theory, I feel more secure setting those things up for myself, independent of an employer.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Berry Interesting Productions (BIPi) is a powerhouse of technical support and advice tailored specifically for digital marketers. Our mission is to make the internet a better place for humans by providing exceptional support for website builds and ongoing technical needs. We cater to a diverse range of clients, from small business owners wearing multiple hats to overworked, understaffed marketing departments and small teams that often feel misunderstood by their larger organization.

We specialize in comprehensive website support and digital marketing tech solutions. Our services include:

Tailor-Made Website Support Packages: We offer customized support packages designed to fit the unique needs of each client, ensuring that whether you’re a fractional strategist or a small marketing team, you get the exact help you need. Our goal is to handle the technical burdens so you can focus on your brand and growth.

Technical Website Assessments: Our assessments provide a clear, actionable health check-up for your site, identifying critical areas for improvement and giving you the tools to advocate for necessary changes within your organization.

Automations & Integrations: We streamline processes by integrating your website with other tech platforms, eliminating redundant tasks and enhancing your marketing efficiency.

Website Builds & Projects: We undertake a select number of major projects each year, focusing on long-term quality rather than short-term gains. Whether it’s a new site build, redesign, or migration, we are committed to cultivating lasting relationships with both a website and the humans behind it.

What sets BIPi apart is our deep commitment to long-term client relationships and our extensive experience in the industry. With over 15 years of experience and having managed or built more than 300 websites, we don’t just execute projects; we nurture them. Our approach is defined by transparency, trust, and an unwavering focus on technical excellence and client satisfaction.

We are proud of the unique and supportive environment we’ve created for our clients. The stories of clients overcoming significant hurdles with our help—from recovering eCommerce functionality after a natural disaster to navigating complex technical challenges—reflect our dedication to being the opposite of what you might expect in the tech support space. Our brand is built on the trust and loyalty of those we’ve supported through their most challenging times. We’ve even had our websites win awards!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
nope, I think that’ll do it!

Pricing:

• Website Support plans start at $180/month
• The cost of a BIPi WordPress website starts at $5,400 and on average is $27,000
• Our services start at $180/hour

Contact Info:

• Website: https://berry-interesting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berry_interesting_productions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Berry.Interesting/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berry-interesting-productions-inc-
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@berryinteresting

Image Credits
Alicia Leigh Photography