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

Hi Joycelyn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Have you ever heard the quote “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. That is how I feel about risk. You cannot start a business or launch a career without taking them. When taking a risk the outcome may not turn out how you hoped, and other times your risk will exceed your expectations. However, either way, you win! I don’t believe in losses! Only wins and lessons. When my risk does not produce what I had hoped for… I focus on what was gained from the experience. That empowers me! That gives me the strength needed to take the next risk! That fuels my determination to not give up.

When I began 3D Digital Designs I took a big risk. This step of faith changed the entire course of my destiny. I do not regret the risk I have taken.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am Coach Joy. A Detroit native, wife, mother, and BOSS. Graduate of Wayne State University, Founder of Born to Fly Mentoring, and Social Worker turned full-time CEO. I practiced micro social work for 7 years before firing my boss and becoming my own boss, full time. 3DDD was birthed out of my need for quality, timely designs. In 2019. I had to take my own flyer designing needs into what I later learned were “my own qualified and capable hands.” I’ve been delivering ridiculously stunning graphical and brand designs, inspirational products, and brand strategy coaching ever since. It’s funny because on a basic level I’ve shifted from micro to macro social work in practice. I bring visions to life, give legs to ideas, and coach people on how to create 5 figure incomes while enjoying the process!

My biggest challenge when I first began 3D Digital Designs was outgrowing my benchmarks. Setting the bar too low time and time again was my struggle. My 3-5 year goals were achieved within the first 6 months of business. My business took off at a mind-blowing rate. I found myself constantly trying to keep up.

My advice to a new CEO would be to not only think big… but think BIGGER! Think beyond your wildest dream and strategize on how you will manage the structure of your business without burning out when you get there. Make your goals measurable and attainable while leaving plenty of room for growth.


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.
When coming to Detroit, Downtown is where it’s at! Downtown Detroit hotels are amazing. 3 of them have casinos built in! I love this not for the gambling but you can often catch LIVE entertainment or a relaxing place to hear some music and wine down. You know this is Motown City so there are incredibly gifted people here. Once you leave out of the hotels you will encounter artists in the rawest form from painting, singing, and dancing. There are several outlet stores and restaurants for you to choose from. Right in the center of Woodward Ave. There’s Campus Martius Park. Cool things are hosted there all year round! Sometimes in the winter, they have ice skating, when it’s warmer you can ever catch go-cart racing. On other days you may find a live concert… you never know!

It is also a must to visit our Museums. We have the Motown Music Museum, African American Museum, Detroit Institute of Art and the Charles H. Wright Museum.

When it comes to good food I highly recommend Kuzzos Chicken and Waffles on the Livernois Ave. of fashion. Here you’re able to park and walk blocks while encountering storefronts of small businesses!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have always had a strong support network! My mom, dad, and siblings growing up were that! Then I was rooted in a strong church home that encouraged and honored the successes of our youth often. This is where I met my very first mentors Carmen Soles and Johnetta Mccloed. With this network, I achieved the honor roll and I engaged in extracurricular activities.

When I evolved to high school I interviewed for Student Government. I was grateful to have been accepted. In this organization, we prepared for Michigan Youth in Government. We practice parliamentary procedures daily and a different member would rotate chairing the meeting. When it was my time to chair, the instructor over the organization Ms. Sonya Coleman would be stern with me. Her demeanor would change when instructing me and I noticed she was much harder on me than others!

As a 10th grader, I was confused! “Why is this woman so hard on me,” I asked myself. One day I kept messing up and she told me sternly, in front of everyone “ Do it again! I’m preparing you to be the president of Student Government and a leader at MYIG”. Even more confused I wondered what did this woman see in me? Something gave her the unction that I could go all the way! Far beyond what I could ever dream!

This was the very first time I experienced someone believing in me outside of the support network I was born and raised through! I still don’t know specifically what she saw until this day.

Nonetheless, by my Sr. Year, I was president of ICADSG and Lt. Government in Lansing at MYIG. She wrote me stellar recommendation Letters for scholarships that opened even more doors for my future. I received a scholarship from General Motors and The Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association which I went on to intern during my freshman year of college.

Thank you, Mrs. Coleman. I’ve experienced a lot of people believing in me but you are by far one of the first people who ignited a fire that made me believe in myself in the school setting. I was always an honor student and engaged in activities. However, when I met you I was able to dream and achieve far beyond that. This fire still burns today. I believe that I can do anything!

Website: 3ddigitaldeisgnsllc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3d_digitaldesigns/

Image Credits
Keila Ford Photograhy q11 Studions The GV Image

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