Interview with Denise Renee, CEO of the Derenco Agency

Tell us a bit about The Derenco Agency.

The Derenco Agency is a boutique content writing firm that provides ghostwriting, editing, content strategy, and writing coaching services. We specialize in helping urban professionals and entrepreneurs write books that attract income-generating opportunities for their personal or business brand. Our main website is www.WriteYourBook.tips.

What gave you the idea for your business and how did it start?

I started my company when I was separating from my ex-husband. I had been working with him for five years on a business that was centered around his gifts and skill-set. I had been so immersed in our business and marriage that as I was coming out of it, I had to really search myself and remind myself what my gifts and talents were. I had to remember where I shined and what made me happy. Writing was one of those things and I knew I could build my own business around it.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about being a writer, editor, and consultant is having the opportunity to work with a variety of people on a variety of projects. By helping business professionals express their thoughts in their own words, I’m constantly being introduced to new industries and concepts as well as new approaches to familiar subjects. Every project brings its own challenges and exciting learning opportunities so I’m constantly growing as a person and as a business owner.

What are your keys to making yourself productive?

My keys to productivity are to (1) have a clearly defined goal or target, (2) break down the accomplishment of that goal into small steps, and (3) place those action steps on specific days on my calendar so I’ll follow through and make consistent progress until it’s finished.

Tell us one long-term goal in your career.

One of my goals is to inspire, encourage, and empower at least 10,000 professionals and entrepreneurs to share their expertise in the form of a book.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?

As a creative person, I’m very sensitive about the relationships I build with my clients and the work I produce for them. Over the last 12 months specifically, I’ve learned that I should embrace situations that could be deemed as “failures” or “mistakes” as teachable moments and opportunities for me to improve my skills or how I am presenting and executing projects for my clients. I don’t have to be defined by the mistakes or failures, neither do I have to be depressed about the situations for months. I can accept the learning lesson quickly and move on to the next person or team I’m meant to help.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?

I would tell any writer who aspires to leverage their talents for hire to work on their “inner game.” Creatives have a tendency to be self-doubting and self-deprecating when, in reality, they probably have the skills and chops they’re fretting over. So don’t stress-out over getting more training or taking another course. Sure, it could benefit you. But you’ll probably learn most of what you really need by simply putting yourself out there. So focus instead on getting started. Work on your self-confidence. Learn how to market yourself effectively. And be prepared to dust yourself off quickly whenever you fall.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

My other creative expression is music so when I’m not writing for clients, I love working on creating music or going out to hear great Jazz and Soul bands play. I also love the fact that my 8-year-old son still loves hanging out with me and doing “fun” stuff. My goal is to keep that flame kindled through his teen years and all the way into adulthood!

Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.

Since I’m a writer, of course I’m going to recommend books over websites! I’ve recently read The One Thing by Gary Keller and Rhinoceros Success by Scott Alexander. The One Thing is amazing for helping you to get focused on being extraordinary in what you do. Rhinoceros Success is great for helping you stir up your motivation to accomplish your goals.