We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Deitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, what value or principle matters most to you? Why?
There are a lot of 4 letter words that could describe 2020! This year has been the biggest reminder of how external macro factors (that are completely out of our control) can pose extreme threats to any business. Thankfully, 900lbs has been really strong through this pandemic. Turning obstacles into opportunities has always been a core mantra of our team. We are diversified and agility and adaptability is in our DNA. However, in a year of rapid change, our culture and team has needed a lot more focus. As a leader, I needed to listen more and gain a better understanding of my team’s headspace. We were missing the cultural adhesive that binds our team together. Our original core values were created years ago. They were a bit scripted now and they were not discussed enough in our week to week. They had lost their meaning and relevance. We needed a stronger compass. We scheduled several team workshops and the collaboration was truly amazing. Our team came together to create new values, which now carry real weight: a. Grit b. Passion c. Collaboration d. Adventure e. Integrity These five bold Core Values are representative of our true purpose. They are our adhesive. Our Gorilla Glue! Grit is OUR four letter word that describes 2020. We lift each other up in the face of adversity and we push through technical limitations to produce the highest quality work. This persistence and perseverance is what binds 900lbs together. It gives us the courage to bring the art of the possible to life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am so proud of what our team continues to accomplish. 900lbs is a future-focused interactive design agency. Our mission is to serve and empower our industry-trailblazing clients through the Experience Age and beyond. We utilize emerging technologies and technical tools to design scalable interactive initiatives and compelling visual storytelling solutions that drive results. I am excited about the evolution of our team and our inspired, ever-learning creative culture. Our unique balance of EQ and IQ is what sets us apart. I truly care about our team. We celebrate successes and make sure that everyone feels valued. We genuinely care about each other and we work hard to build a good springboard for personal and professional growth. Learning lessons… From people to process to technical barriers, there have been constant learning lessons over the past 10 years since starting 900lbs. Assessing the rapid changes in the marketplace and taking calculated risks are critical in any business’s success. For instance, we were early pioneers in VR and there was a period of time when we could’ve gone all in during the hype cycle. Thankfully, we did not and we stayed tool agnostic. Four years ago, the original cofounder and I parted ways amicably. Not burning the bridge was critical when we experienced a tremendous amount of growth afterwards. With the pandemic impacting everything, embracing change is something that we all have in common. I’ve always loved Bruce Lee’s quote “Be Like Water” and it is an important mindset with momentum heading into 2021!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have lived in Dallas for 20 years. The cultural transformation since that period of time has been incredible to see. There are so many areas to explore and little “clusters of cool.” Places: Bishop Arts District – 900lbs agency office resided there for 6 years Dallas Arboretum – Transports you out of the big city Perot Museum of Nature & Science – One of the great museums in the US and home of the infamous Run Exhibit (created by 900lbs) Klyde Warren Park – Fine example of an urban park Epic Central – Proud to be designing experiences in an up-and-coming destination area of Grand Prairie Sundance Square – Reminds me of a modern day version of the Duomo’s plaza in Florence, Italy Coffee: Davis Street Espresso – Enjoy some good conversation with no wifi Wild Detectives – Great scene. My old stompin grounds MudLeaf – Go to spot in Plano Food: Si Tapas – Reminds me of the honeymoon trip to Spain that my wife and I took Xoxo Dining Room – Good date night Veracruz Cafe – Best margarita and queso fundido Dahlia Bar & Bistro – Cool new place Legacy Food Hall – The diverse range of restaurants gives it a high-end South American “market” feel

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am surrounded by such brilliant people. My wife is so supportive and she encourages my unwavering drive and determination. Our advisory council at 900lbs has incredible depth and experience across a broad range. I have to give a huge 900 pound shoutout to Bill Doolittle. He is our “Chief Badass” and he works with our team on strategy, biz dev and leadership training. He has been instrumental in our growth. My favorite book for entrepreneurs is “The Hard Things About The Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz. Many business books romanticize the act of running a business and being a CEO. This book gets granular on all of the challenging decisions and situations that a leader faces.

Website: www.900lbs.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevedeitz/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-deitz-2a46b3a/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevedeitz?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.deitz.33

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