CEO CHATS: Dominique Temple, DT CONSULTING Founder

Dominique Temple is the Founder and CEO behind DT CONSULTING, a full-service brand-building and communications agency specialising in launching global beauty, luxury and lifestyle brands. Since launching in early 2024, Dominique has quickly built an impressive client roster, including Rhode, Merit, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Tower 28, and Réalisation, to name just a few.

We sat down with Dominique to talk about how she juggles multiple high-profile accounts, what she looks for in the brands she partners with, and what’s next for DT CONSULTING.

Can you define your agency?

DT CONSULTING is a full-service brand-building and communications agency specialising in launching global beauty, luxury and lifestyle brands.
 
Known for their strategic work and focus on brand development, Dominique and her team expertly harness the power of brand storytelling whilst delivering bespoke communications strategies, compelling brand partnerships, influencer marketing management and experiential events that disrupt, drive commercial success and build cultural relevance for brands. Their creative approach combined with a global network allow brands to garner long-lasting reputations and conquer new territories.

What's your agency mantra?

"Disrupt the market. Set every brand apart and take them to the next level. AND have fun!"  

I always encourage my team to be disruptive in their approach, bring a point of difference and stand out. We spend a lot of time as a team sharing what we have seen in the industry or parallel universes, researching new suppliers, venues, developing our network locally and globally, meeting with creatives to build relationships, adapt ways of thinking, develop brand collaborations and ideas to bring to our clients. So much of what we do is relationship based, so having strong contacts is really key to success and centred to my approach. 

What sets your agency apart?

We are passionate about building brands of our generation.

"We centre them in the cultural zeitgeist, garner long-lasting reputations, conquer new territories and drive commercial success." 

As strategic experts and storytellers, we harness the power of brand narratives with a creative approach to brand development, community-building and influencer marketing.

How do you manage your time between client vs stakeholders (influencer / press / VIP / creatives)? How do you ensure the right output vs retainer?  

It certainly is a dance, but one that I really enjoy. I am super involved in the day to day with my team and clients. I love to be fully engrossed and delve into our client strategies and brand launches. I spend a lot of time working closely with our founders, c-suite and leadership teams on global thought-leadership, wider brand building and bringing to life the vision of each client. We excel working closely and collaboratively with our client in-house teams so really get involved in every detail and touch point becoming true growth partners. 

I also know how to hire brilliant talent who are experts in their own areas.

"I am building a team that supports each side of the table so we all carry each other and bring a breadth of experience across different channels." 

It’s important to acknowledge what you know and what you don’t know, find the person that does and hire them!

What does the future hold for DT Consulting? 

We have had an incredible 18 months of growth since I launched the agency so it has been a very busy few months, building the team out, already our first office move and of course servicing and developing our client roster. The support of clients and friends in the industry has been overwhelming and I will be forever grateful for this blessed start.

We are focused on continuing to deliver high impact brand growth strategies for our clients, building our reputation in the industry and of course growing and developing the DT Consulting team. Through the trust of our work in the UK, we are starting to roll out more global services across EU, US and other key markets which is exciting. 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own agency? 

Do it! Believing in yourself and creating something of your own is not to be underestimated. It creates a really rewarding sense of achievement that you cannot compare. I feel really proud to have created a welcoming and happy work environment for so many women to develop their careers and that we contribute daily to the growth of what I think are some of the best brands in the industry. We have a really good company culture that feels family-like and I will continue to nurture that environment. We are still a start up so everyone works really hard and goes that extra mile. I’m so proud of my team and the wonderful PRs / brand builders they all are. I feel so lucky to work with them on a daily basis. 

"I would also say, take risks when you feel it’s right! Ask questions and really listen. Have conviction in your instincts, they are often right." 

In an industry that changes so rapidly and constantly, how do you stay ahead and constantly pivot to stay fresh? 

Having started my career as a beauty editor, I have always understood the importance of understanding the industry at large and also industries that surround ours. It’s important to read what’s happening within global news, culture and other emerging markets. We are passionate about our industry in every way and evolve our approach adapting to what’s current and relevant. 

I am forever reading about our industry and taking inspiration from other creative people that inspire me across fashion, beauty, interiors, music, tech, culture and arts. I am particularly inspired when industries intersect. Some of the most successful collaborations and brands are born of this meeting of minds! 

Working across so many brands, how do you creatively ensure they maintain their unique sense of identity and you are constantly rolling out fresh concepts to stay relevant? 

"When I work on a brand, I have a vision in my head of where they need to go and what we need to do to get them there - it's like a puzzle.'

I always say we are great PRs but we need the tools to support us, that is a great, often efficacious product, dedicated founders, strong marketing and of course, understanding the power of community and influence. Working with brands that share our vision and understand what it takes to grow brands to the next level is really important and what forms the best partnership. 

How do you choose which clients to work with? Do you have a partner selection process?

As an agency I think it’s important to have a roster that compliments each other. Editor and influencer relationships are so important these days so you may be in one meeting talking about all or multiple of your brands and they need to work together or at least sit alongside each other. We are also a brand so it’s important to me that the roster reflects our approach and my brand vision for DT Consulting. Curating the right client list is everything and integral to success.