River City 6: Dave Distefano
Eleven Twenty-Three is a full service advertising agency that specializes in customized, multi-tiered media planning, creative services and brand development. Dave Distefano is a partner and Creative Director at Eleven Twenty-Three.
Tell us a little about your business. – Since 2013, our strategy and creativity have helped many well-known local brands be in ‘the right place at the right time’ to reach their audience.
How did you get started in the business? – I started right out of college (and newly married) as a designer at a church and worldwide missions ministry in Tulsa, OK. The job description said ‘graphic designer,’ but it should have said ‘one-man band moonlighting as Swiss Army knife.’ Through my 2 ½ years there I was tasked with not only design, but sculpture/fabrication of custom signage, web design, A/V solutions and some video production. This experience sort of defined my career, as I went on to work at a print shop, a vinyl design shop for vehicles, a sign shop and ultimately two ad agencies before starting Eleven Twenty-Three.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Starting a new business and keeping a work/life balance. The business thing I’m getting the hang of. The work/life balance? I think it’s something a person always has to strive to maintain. A close second is the challenge of trying to go north/south across the middle of Omaha. Can a guy get an expressway in that direction please?
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – This is going to sound weird, but…successfully navigating numerous workplaces filled with women. I’ve been the outnumbered gender pretty much everywhere I work! Our agency is no different than all my other jobs, either. That being said, I genuinely feel like I have sisters who have my back, so it’s all good.
Tell us a little about your family. – I’ve been married for 16 years to a woman who I thank God for daily. She’s a registered nurse and a strong, smart classy woman to boot. Why she loves and supports me defies reason, but it’s a blessing for sure. We have two children, ages 12 and 6.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – When I decided to scale the Woodmen tower Spider-Man style. Kidding. Making the jump and starting a business with my partner, Shana Boyd, tops the list. Becoming a business owner is a scary yet exhilarating experience. You find out how tenacious you really are when a company’s existence is up to you. You also learn how to rely on the strengths of your partners and the professionals you collaborate with.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – What is this ‘day off’ you speak of?
What are you the most proud of? – My son and daughter. Their intelligence and wit never ceases to amaze me, and catches their teachers off-guard, unfortunately.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Honorable.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – ‘Clair De Lune’ by Debussy. For you kids out there, he was one of those guys who made inspiring music that didn’t involve lyrics about breaking up over Snapchat.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – It’s a tie between Mark Twain and Leonardo da Vinci.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Via email at dave@11twentythree.com or visit our company’s website at 11twentythree.com.