This interview is part of our The Middle Market Fast 50 honorees program, which was created in 2019 to recognize the leaders of companies that may fly under the radar but are often economic powerhouses for the region. To be considered, awardees had to have led a company — public or private — that brings in total revenue between $25 million and $1 billion.
As a Puget Sound-area native, Jay Deutsch has always been passionate about seeing communities around him thrive. So, as a teenager, when he saw the need to create a merchandising agency that could span industries and have a global impact, he set out on a journey of entrepreneurship. At 54, he is still at the helm of the company he co-founded — BDA Inc. — and he’s loving every minute of it.
About Jay Deutsch:
Co-founder and CEO, Bensussen Deutsch and Associates
What was it like being a teenage entrepreneur? It started with me and my best friend, Eric Bensussen, wanting to find a way to make money in sports. I was wired to be an entrepreneur well before the age of 16, as we were buying, selling and then making collectible buttons for the hydroplane teams at Seafair. We knew we needed to do more business than just a few summer weekends, so I called the NFL in the fall of 1984 and asked for a license to make Seattle Seahawks merchandise. After making multiple calls to explain why this was such a great idea, they gave us the license and my company was born.
Back in the those startup days, what did you learn about leadership? Two things: learn from your mistakes and treat others as you want to be treated. Early on, when you don’t have a daily mentor, you discover how to build great roads after running into a few brick walls. You value building long-term relationships based on respect, friendships and trust versus just doing a one-and-done deal (with) a clear winner/loser.
What’s something that you didn’t anticipate when you started the company? Honestly … that we would still be going so strong 38-plus years later and that I would love it so much! When you’re 16 years old and you start a business, it was something that you hoped for, but impossible to fathom.
As a company, you actively give back to the community. Why? “Pay it Forward” has always been my personal way of life. I am so lucky and fortunate in my life, and it certainly didn’t have to be this way … The great thing that BDA provides is more resources in which to do so, and a body of amazing BDA’ers to help make this a larger reality. We make many donations of money and merchandise, but it’s the volunteering and time commitments that sometimes make the biggest impact! I believe this has inspired others to do the same, and this is when pay it forward starts to work its force on the world.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? Go for it!! Whether you’re 16, 36 or 56 … run into it, trust your gut, work your ass off and surround yourself with passionate people. And while each of those ages certainly come with different risk tolerance levels, you can mitigate them while still going for it! One more thing — don’t be afraid to ask questions or even for help. This is a sign of strength, not weakness.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
An honest and direct conversation about the current hiring climate and how to best move forward with workforce development across different industries.
Inno Under 25 is a recognition of the top founders, entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders under 25 in your local ecosystem.
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