Life & Work with Dean La Grange of Franklin, TN

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dean La Grange.

Dean, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Establishing DTC Paid Ads
Dean founded DTC Paid Ads in Nashville, Tennessee with a focused mission: to drive profitable growth for e-commerce brands and local service businesses through strategic paid media. What started as a solo venture quickly grew into a performance-driven agency serving over 20 clients nationwide.

Navigating the Paid Media Landscape

Dean committed to mastering the intricacies of digital advertising — diving deep into platform algorithms, testing creative strategies, and staying ahead of industry trends. This expertise became the foundation for campaigns that consistently deliver measurable results and high ROI.

Building Scalable Systems

To support client growth, Dean implemented systems that blend efficiency with customization. Leveraging automation and repeatable frameworks, DTC Paid Ads delivers consistent, high-quality execution across industries and business sizes.

Serving a Diverse Client Base

From fast-scaling e-commerce stores to local service providers, DTC Paid Ads tailors each strategy to align with client goals — whether increasing online conversions or dominating a local market.

Launching Aurum Creative Studio
In 2025, Dean partnered with Clayton Stakelbeck, founder of Outlier Media, to open Aurum Creative Studio — a space built for creators, brands, and storytellers to bring bold ideas to life.

There was a time I wished for a space like this —
Not just a studio, but a sanctuary.
A place where imagination isn’t limited by access or environment.
Where ideas move freely, and dreams aren’t delayed — they’re built.

This is that place. Welcome to the beginning.

Located in downtown Franklin, TN, Aurum blends state-of-the-art production capabilities with strategic creative direction. Whether it’s branded content, podcasts, product shoots, or full-scale campaigns — Aurum is designed to serve as a launchpad for creators and companies ready to make an impact.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road — but that’s where the growth happened. Early on, one of the biggest challenges was learning how to wear every hat — sales, fulfillment, client management, creative direction — all while building something that could scale. There were moments of self-doubt, failed campaigns, and hard lessons around setting expectations and delivering results under pressure.

Figuring out how to turn creative skills into a structured, performance-driven business took time. I had to learn to systemize, delegate, and stay grounded in the vision even when things felt uncertain. The pressure to constantly perform for clients while also building infrastructure behind the scenes was real — but it taught me how to lead, how to build a team, and how to keep showing up with integrity.

Every challenge shaped the way we operate now — with more clarity, more resilience, and a deeper commitment to creating meaningful, measurable work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I operate at the intersection of creativity and performance. I’m the founder of DTC Paid Ads, a performance marketing agency focused on helping e-commerce brands and local businesses scale profitably through paid media. I’m also the co-founder of Aurum Creative Studio in Franklin, TN — a production space built for creators and brands to bring their vision to life through high-impact content.

My work specializes in crafting ad campaigns that don’t just look good — they work. I focus heavily on storytelling, conversion psychology, and scalable systems that turn content into actual revenue. Whether it’s a local service business trying to dominate its market or an e-commerce brand launching its next hero product, I’m most proud of being able to connect the dots between creative and strategy in a way that drives real results.

What sets me apart is my ability to think like both a creative and a strategist. I can sit in the edit bay and fine-tune a video, then switch over to ad account optimization and walk a client through their revenue metrics. That dual focus — art and outcome — is what I believe builds lasting brands.

I don’t just want to make great work — I want to build platforms that empower others to do the same. That’s what drives everything I do.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Honestly, I stopped looking for mentors based on titles and started paying closer attention to results that actually reflect their character. I look for people whose life speaks louder than their content. Not just what they say — but how they live, what they’ve built, and how they carry themselves when things aren’t easy.

The best relationships I’ve built didn’t come from asking, “Will you mentor me?”
They came from showing up, serving, and adding value without expectations.

When you’re secure in who you are — not chasing validation — you attract the right people. The right voices find you when your posture says, “I’m here to grow,” not “I’m here to get.”

So my advice?
Make your life your loudest introduction.
Serve well. Ask better questions. Stay consistent in the work.
And don’t network for attention — connect for alignment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dtcpaidads.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/bringsnacks
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanlagrange/
• Other: https://aurum.dtcpaidads.com/nashville