Get To Know DRP Founder
MEET DEBRA LUTSKY
She is a highly-sought-after designer and e-commerce expert for some of today’s best-known brands. But the brand that she’s most proud to work with is Digital Retail Partners, the online retail and branding agency she launched five years ago.
What was your first job? What skills from that job do you use today?
My first job ever was when I was 13 and worked at a fast food stop at the summer fairgrounds in California. But that doesn't count!
My first real job after graduating college was working for a small branding agency in Greenwich, Connecticut. I consider that job to be my 5th year of school since I truly learned the fundamentals of how design agencies operate, working with real clients, budgets, and timelines. I use all of these practices in my business today.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
I am very passionate about design in general. I just gravitate to anything design related whether it is a beautiful website, interior, packaging or even video. This makes my job easier because I love what I do. I consider the main component of running a business that offers professional services is helping other businesses. I truly enjoy helping start-ups launch and established businesses grow.
Tell us about someone who has inspired you or helped you along the way? How has that person impacted your work today?
I have had so many wonderful mentors, friends, and colleagues help me to get this business started but my biggest inspiration and supporter has been my husband, Adam.
As an entrepreneur as well, he helped me take the first step to apply for my LLC and open a business bank account. He shared years of business wisdom but more importantly convinced me even on bad days that I could do this. Two years ago he joined the company as our director of operations and continues to support me everyday to run this business.
What is something you wish you’d known before entering your line of work?
It is incredibly important as an entrepreneur to still make time for yourself.
Starting a business is all encompassing and it definitely impacts your personal life but it is crucial to recharge your batteries, take breaks, and a step back every once in a while to continue to stay inspired.
More about Debra
With her extensive background in traditional graphic design and development, Debra founded Digital Retail Partners in 2015. She saw the shift early on in traditional retail and focused her efforts on learning Shopify, one of the world’s largest eCommerce platforms. Debra joined the ranks of the few individuals in the region to become a certified expert in its use. She works with businesses all over the world but especially enjoys supporting local retailers and start-ups.
In addition to running the agency, she is now giving back to help other young women develop businesses and careers in design and development. In design school, 70% of students are women but only .1% of all creative agencies are founded by women. DRP donates their time and works with the Connecticut Women's Business Development Council to provide training and education for women to launch and scale their businesses. She is a leader in the community of women cheering each other on to succeed. Debra was honored in 2018 with the Women Rising Award by the WBDC.
Debra holds a dual Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in communication design from Parsons The New School for Design and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in creative writing from Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts.