10 questions for our founder, David.
With branding and content creation, Work by Davey is more than a creative studio. It’s a reflection of continuous growth and a relentless pursuit of storytelling. We sat down with founder David Allen to discuss the origins of the brand, his influences, and where Work by Davey is headed.
What inspired you to start Work by Davey, and what was the initial vision for the brand?
Graduating college and looking for a job made me realize I had a passion for photography, videography, and graphic design. I didn’t want to wait for an employer to decide my value. I wanted to monetize my skills on my own terms.
I’ve always been drawn to making things. Designing T-shirts, conceptualizing visuals, building a personal brand. At first, Work by Davey was about turning my skills into income. Over time, it evolved into something bigger: a reflection of constant learning and growth, a platform for photography and videography, and a way to collaborate with other brands.
Who or what has influenced your approach to storytelling, branding, and content creation?
Pro wrestling… specifically WWE and WWF, has been a major influence. Wrestlers are micro-brands within a company, using their bodies, promos, and personas to tell stories. That had a huge impact on me.
Nike is another big one. After reading Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, I was sold on the story behind the brand. The way he transformed Blue Ribbon Sports into Nike, driven by a single vision, resonated with me.
How did you decide on the name “Work by Davey,” and what does it represent to you?
My nickname comes from my real name, David—so that part was simple. The “work” comes from my background. I spent over a decade in my family’s construction business, swinging a nine-pound hammer.
Transitioning into creative work felt different, but the mindset stayed the same. It still takes perseverance, labor, and consistency. Work by Davey is a reminder of that.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in building Work by Davey, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge has been socializing—connecting with the right people to grow the business. The hardest part isn’t making the content. It’s networking, forming partnerships, and generating income.
I had to figure out what Work by Davey was at its core. I started by creating content, then used that as a foundation to network, build partnerships, and scale the brand.
Were there moments when you considered giving up? What kept you going?
If you haven’t felt like quitting, you haven’t been tested hard enough. Creative work and entrepreneurship will put you through every emotion—frustration, doubt, exhaustion.
What keeps me going is knowing this is what I love to do. If I fail, I’ll get back up. As long as I keep moving forward, even an inch at a time, I know I’ll succeed.
How has Work by Davey evolved since its launch, and where do you see it heading in the future?
Right now, it’s about consistency—creating more content, especially for YouTube and long-form projects. The next step is expanding into physical and digital products. Stay tuned.
What sets Work by Davey apart from other creative studios?
A lot of people create content and call themselves a creative studio. But branding makes the difference. Do you want Coke or Pepsi? Or do you want RC Cola?
What sets Work by Davey apart is the personal story behind it. The brand is a reflection of quality, perseverance, and individuality. That’s what makes it different.
What are the core strengths of Work by Davey, and how do they benefit your clients?
Perseverance. Hard work. Prioritizing the quality of the work above everything else.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own freelance creative studio?
Have a vision and do whatever the fuck comes to mind. You’re going to have to recalibrate constantly, but as long as you know where you’re headed, that vision will be your North Star.
If you could collaborate with any brand or creator, who would it be and why?
That’s an impossible question, but A24 stands out. They’ve built an ecosystem around film, television, and creative products—books, candles, apparel—all connected to their brand’s storytelling.
That’s the direction I want to take Work by Davey. It’s not just about creating visuals; it’s about expanding ideas into physical and digital products. A24 understands that at the highest level, and I’d love to be part of something like that.