Awkward and Proud: Darryl Stevens Of DIGITECH On How Embracing Your True Self Can Be Your Social Superpower
An interview with Dr. Bharat Sangani
Celebrate Your Quirks. Your quirks are your superpower. Early in my career, I struggled with being a bit obsessive about details in web design. What I thought was “too much” turned out to be what set me apart. Clients began praising DIGITECH for its precision and creativity. Embracing those quirks made my work more authentic and elevated my business.
In a world that often pressures us to fit in, embracing quirks and authenticity can become a unique advantage. Leaning into what makes you different, even if it feels awkward, can foster genuine connections and unlock personal empowerment. In this series, we we would like to explore how embracing one’s true self can transform social interactions and become a powerful tool for building meaningful relationships. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Darryl Stevens.
Darryl is a naturally gifted creative visionary and businessman. He possesses the ability to see beyond conventional boundaries and transform chaos into order through innovation and creativity. As the founder & CEO of DIGITECH, he has attained self-taught mastery in the fields of web design, web development, and search engine optimization, armed only with a keyboard and a mouse. Darryl has been recognized as a contributor by Forbes and featured in Entrepreneur and Inc. Magazine.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
My passion for digital marketing and web design was ignited by curiosity and the desire to build something from the ground up. I didn’t have the usual tech background, I literally learned everything I know on a keyboard and a mouse and an obsessive desire to solve problems. My interest in blending design and functionality to solve real-world problems started early on. I’d spend hours trying things, breaking things, and reassembling them, learning along the way.
Starting DIGITECH was my way of making that passion into purpose. I wanted to provide a service that was better integrated into the real world than what I had seen previously; almost all digital agencies focused on aesthetics or technical performance but rarely both. I dreamed of combining my creative flair and strategic mind to create experiences that were both beautiful and effective.
In examining this now, it’s been an incredible trek of perseverance, self-awareness and the notion that given enough desire and grit you can produce exceptional things.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Success is never an isolated phase, and for me, there is one person who serves that purpose, a mentor I met early in my career. He was not only a mentor in business but in how to tackle challenges with grace and ingenuity.
I can clearly recall working on a project that felt like it was slipping away from me, tight deadlines, the client was changeable, I was overwhelmed. My mentor, whom I spoke to late one night, said to me, “You don’t need to know all the answers, you just need to have the willingness to find them and the bravery to call on others when it gets tough.” That piece of advice changed that for me. I contacted collaborators, solicited feedback, and kept identifying new angles. Not only did the project succeed, but it also strengthened my faith in the spirit of teamwork.
His wisdom shaped how I lead today, building a strong, collaborative team and never shying away from asking for help.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
The three character traits that have proven most instrumental to my success are curiosity, resilience, and empathy. All have contributed to my experience both as a business owner and as the founder of DIGITECH with the current culture and vision.
Curiosity, asking why I am a naturally curious person and this drives me to ask questions and explore the “why” behind everything. I wanted to know, not just how websites looked, but how they worked in the early days of my career, what makes a website fast, easy to use and optimized. After hours spent comparing APIs and testing out effective design strategies, DIGITECH was born! Curiosity propels me to stay ahead of trends and tackle every project as if it is the first.
Resilience: Doing DIGITECH was not a one-way road. I lost a big client early on that I had worked hard to get. Monthly income dropped significantly, but I took that setback to refine our service delivery and diversify our client base, so that no one loss could leave us dangling. That experience showed me how to convert challenges into opportunities.
Empathy: Empathy drives the way I interact with clients and manage my team. This was a project where the client had difficulty expressing their vision. Rather than rush the process, I leaned in, listened hard, collaborated, and helped make their ideas a reality. This not only led to a successful project but also established a long-term relationship.
These characteristics, curiosity, resilience, and empathy, aren’t simply keys to success, they serve as the building blocks of innovation, leadership and creating meaningful connections.
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now turn to the crux of our interview. Can you recall a moment when embracing your awkwardness led to a meaningful personal or professional breakthrough? What shifted for you in that experience?
In the early days of my career, I had the opportunity to pitch a major project to a client, and I felt so out of my element in the formal and high-stakes environment. I’ve always preferred being behind the screen, concentrated on creativity and problem-solving rather than on-tear in front of an audience. I fumbled covering my pitch, felt a flush of awkwardness wash over me and thought of pretending to “recover,” cutting through the moment as if it hadn’t happened. Rather, I just stopped and said, “I got so excited about that part, I lost my train of thought for a second, let me start over.”
That moment of frankness changed the energy in the room. Instead of viewing me as someone who was trying to impress them, they were able to see my inherent passion for the project. Later, the client said my authenticity clinched the deal. Celebrating my ‘awkward’ side taught me that being authentic resonates deeper than being perfect and it is the lesson I carry to this day, which guides my leadership and creativity.
Many people feel pressure to ‘fit in’ socially. What advice do you have for someone struggling to be their authentic self in a world that often rewards conformity?
My advice is to accept this because your true power is being you. Fear of judgment is what makes you feel like you have to fit in, but there’s power in standing out. The world doesn’t need more of the same, it needs your unique perspective, talents and voice.
Begin by figuring out how you are different, and own it. For me, I’ve always been this naturally curious, slightly bizarre person, and that was a source of discomfort early on in my career. However, when I embraced that curiosity, it became the foundation for my success, spurring innovation and creative problem solving.
Authenticity attracts authenticity; remember that. You attract people and opportunities who share your values when you come as your true self. Be true to what makes you, you and see how the correct relationships and opportunities find their way to you in return.
How do you think embracing your quirks and imperfections can enhance connections with others, especially in professional or high-pressure settings?
Embracing your quirks and imperfections is a game-changer for building genuine connections, especially in professional or high-pressure settings. In my experience, people are drawn to authenticity more than perfection. When you show up as your true self, flaws, quirks, and all, you create a relatable and human dynamic that fosters trust. I’ve walked into client pitches feeling nervous about being overly detailed or unconventional, only to realize that those same “quirks” are what made me stand out.
For example, early in my career, I admitted during a pitch that I didn’t have the answer to a technical question but was excited to find a creative solution. That vulnerability broke down barriers and led to an honest, collaborative relationship with the client. Embracing your imperfections not only helps you connect with others on a deeper level but also inspires them to be authentic in return, creating an atmosphere of trust and innovation.
What role does vulnerability play in transforming awkwardness into a superpower? Can you share a time when showing vulnerability opened doors or strengthened relationships?
It is the motion of bragging about our flaws insteads of hiding them that makes vulnerability the key ingredient to transforming awkwardness into a superpower. It’s during these times of vulnerability and transparency that we connect over the reality of what we are each going through. Early in my career, I strode into a pitch meeting that I felt completely out of my depth in. Rather than posing as someone who had all the answers, I owned the narrative and said, “I’m not here to sell you perfection, but I’m here to solve problems with you.” That vulnerability totally changed the tune of the meeting, it went from being a pitch to an open collaboration.
The client later told me that being honest was what made the difference in them wanting to work with me. Embracing the thing that made me feel uncomfortable fostered trust and gave me a chance to demonstrate my value. Vulnerability isn’t a weakness, it’s the real you that makes others want to remember you and relate with you in a personal way and a professional way.
What are “5 Ways To Embrace Your True Self”?
1. Celebrate Your Quirks
Your quirks are your superpower. Early in my career, I struggled with being a bit obsessive about details in web design. What I thought was “too much” turned out to be what set me apart. Clients began praising DIGITECH for its precision and creativity. Embracing those quirks made my work more authentic and elevated my business.
2. Acknowledge Your Vulnerabilities
I once stumbled in a major pitch, losing my train of thought. Instead of pretending nothing happened, I admitted, “Wow, I’m nervous because I’m passionate about this project.” That vulnerability disarmed the room and turned an awkward moment into a connection. Being open about imperfections creates trust and relatability.
3. Align Your Work with Your Values
When I founded DIGITECH, I focused on blending creativity with function because that’s what resonates with me. Building a business aligned with my vision helped me stay passionate and authentic. Success comes naturally when you stay true to your principles.
4. Surround Yourself with the Right People
Finding my tribe of mentors and collaborators has been transformative. Early in my journey, a mentor encouraged me to lean into my unique leadership style instead of mimicking others. This guidance not only shaped my business but also gave me confidence to grow in my own way.
5. Take Risks to Express Yourself
I’ve learned that taking risks, whether by trying a bold design or sharing a new idea, is essential for embracing your true self. Not every idea will land, but every effort builds confidence and reinforces your authenticity. True success comes from being unapologetically you.
Do you believe that celebrating awkwardness can inspire innovation and creativity? How has staying true to yourself influenced your approach to problem-solving or leadership?
Yes, the celebration of awkwardness is the door to innovation and creativity. By embracing what sets you apart, an unconventional idea, a unique perspective, a quirk of personality, you open the door to finding solutions other people might not consider. Awkwardness tends to arise from not conforming to pre-established molds, and that’s exactly where the alchemy of creativity exists: outside the standard.
It has deeply influenced how I approach problem solving and leadership for me, being true to myself. As I was starting out in my career, I leaned into my natural curiosity and the desire to ask “out-of-the-box” questions, even if they felt awkward in the moment. That attitude spurned inventive concepts, such as user-centered design approaches that questioned traditional web conventions. Owning my quirks in my leadership had led to a greater sense of authenticity and stronger connections with my team as well as my clients. When people catch you being yourself, it emboldens them to do the same which creates a place where creativity grows.
How can our readers further follow your work?
Readers can follow my work via our portfolio showcase and innovative projects we put up on our DIGITECH website. I also have a LinkedIn profile.
My writing for outlets like Forbes also provides a deeper exploration of the strategies and trends that are influencing the digital landscape. I enjoy networking with those aligned and would love to hear from you here or online. Whether it’s on social media, our site, or through industry articles, I love sharing, collaborating, and helping bring amazing digital experiences to life for others.
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
Thank you! It’s been a pleasure sharing my thoughts, and I appreciate the opportunity to contribute. Wishing you and your readers all the best as well. Stay curious, stay creative, and keep pushing boundaries, great things happen when we embrace innovation and authenticity. Take care!
About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.
Awkward and Proud: Darryl Stevens Of DIGITECH On How Embracing Your True Self Can Be Your Social… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.