Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

At just 21 years old, Dejon Brooks invested his life savings to establish Trend Watchers. After successfully reaching over 50 million people through his own social channels, he now empowers countless content creators to achieve viral success by leveraging internet trends.

Can you share some background about yourself?

Absolutely! In high school, I was a dedicated YouTube creator. My sophomore year was largely spent on my channel until it was demonetized, which compelled me to explore alternative income streams online. I tried dropshipping, real estate wholesaling, and even launched a social media marketing agency, but unfortunately, none of these ventures succeeded.

Before I considered abandoning the idea of entrepreneurship altogether, I decided to make one last attempt with a new business called Trend Watchers. This platform alerts users about emerging trends before they explode in popularity. Over the past two years, I've focused on Trend Watchers, which has enabled me to assist tens of thousands of creators, helping them reach over 1 billion viewers through trends we highlight.

When viewed from a broader perspective, you'll notice that my primary focus has been on marketing. This skill has been honed over the years and I aim to continue improving it.

What motivated you to launch your business?

I observed that many creators struggled to gain viral traction on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. After personally reaching millions with my brands, I uncovered a consistent formula for producing viral content, with trending topics being a crucial component.

While several tools exist to identify trending topics, none were specifically tailored for content creators, which inspired me to develop Trend Watchers to fill that void.

Where is your business located?

Although I founded my business in Atlanta, Georgia, I structured it to operate entirely remotely.

How did you initiate your business? What were your initial steps?

Starting Trend Watchers was relatively straightforward due to my prior startup experiences. Within just six hours, I launched my website and set up Facebook ads. Remarkably, I secured my first paying customers the very next day.

The more challenging aspect was creating my software platform and establishing the necessary infrastructure. That was unfamiliar territory for me, and it took nearly two years to build a system that effectively delivers results for our users while ensuring a seamless experience.

What has been your most successful strategy for increasing business visibility?

One of the most effective strategies I implemented was sending an email to every new user upon signup. In these emails, I shared my story and included a personal photo, linking them to my Instagram where I engage with users. This personal touch greatly enhanced awareness, leading to increased press coverage and word-of-mouth referrals—a marketing approach I truly cherish.

What significant challenges have you faced, and how did you navigate them?

The toughest challenge I encountered was developing the software platform, especially considering my limited budget. To tackle this, I relied on my creativity and determination to find solutions that could bring my vision to life.

Initially, I designed the platform using images. I then created a clickable prototype and shared it with a developer from Upwork, who helped me turn my dream into reality for a few thousand dollars. What seemed financially unfeasible became possible through faith and relentless action.

How do you maintain focus?

My preferred method for staying focused is by setting clear goals. At the start of each year, I outline my annual and quarterly objectives. As the months progress, I establish monthly, weekly, and daily goals. This structured approach helps me prioritize essential tasks daily, especially in a world filled with distractions.

How do you distinguish your business from the competition?

I differentiate my business by sharing my daily challenges and experiences on platforms like Instagram and my email list. This transparency fosters a supportive community and retains paying customers. Additionally, Trend Watchers specifically caters to content creators, while competitors often target other sectors like venture capitalists.

What marketing approach has proven most effective for growing your business?

Leveraging dedicated YouTube influencer ads has been my most effective marketing strategy. I theorized that if influencers dedicated an entire video to reviewing my platform, viewers would be more likely to watch the entire content and subsequently sign up, rather than skipping a brief ad segment. This approach successfully helped me reach my first 5,000 users on Trend Watchers.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

My best advice is to take action. Engaging in action creates a win-win scenario. If your efforts succeed, that's fantastic! If they don’t, the lessons learned often lead to new opportunities. My early failures were instrumental in preparing me to launch Trend Watchers. I learned that procrastination is the worst enemy; I would rather make mistakes than not try at all.

What’s your favorite app, blog, or book, and why?

Currently, my favorite business book is "The Magic of Thinking Big." It consistently motivates me to strive for more—not in a negative sense, but as an encouraging push to help even more people. It's easy to settle into comfort, but this book inspires me to elevate my ambitions.

What’s your go-to business tool or resource, and why?

Calendly is my favorite business tool. It allows me to share my calendar effortlessly, making appointment scheduling a breeze. This not only enhances my professionalism but also saves time I would otherwise spend coordinating schedules.

Who do you look up to in the business world?

Sam Ovens is my current business role model. After investing in his $2,000 program at 18, my perspective on business transformed. I admire how he simplifies complex concepts with systematic processes.

How do you balance work and personal life?

I balance my work and personal life by assigning specific hours for each. I prefer planning my days and weeks using a Google spreadsheet, which helps me identify critical tasks before engaging in leisure activities.

What’s your favorite way to unwind?

I enjoy taking a clipboard, a blank sheet of paper, and a pen to a natural setting for a few hours. This method allows me to work through challenges while enjoying a serene environment. If I can’t go outdoors, a quick power nap also helps me recharge.

What are your goals for the next six months?

In the coming six months, I plan to establish a sales team to significantly boost revenue. After spending the last two years developing infrastructure and processes, it’s time to expand both user acquisition and cash flow.

How can readers connect with you?

You can reach me on Instagram or through my website. I’m quite responsive on Instagram if you’d like to get in touch!

Chapter 2: Learning from Experience

The first video titled "How I Started My Business | Story of Lavendaire" shares personal insights on entrepreneurial journeys and lessons learned.

The second video, "This is how I started...", offers further inspiration and motivation for budding entrepreneurs.