Justin Franks

My DC-based business provides digital services for thought leaders, small businesses, and civic organizations. I also help them leverage new technology and their existing assets to scale growth and market reach.

I hold over 12 years of professional experience across sectors helping to develop digital footprints for artists, thought leaders, small businesses, non-profits, and advocacy campaigns. I am constantly seeking creative ways to bridge digital and inter-generational divides through tech innovation and cooperation.

My studies in International Relations - Comparative Culture & Politics at Michigan State University were followed by several jobs held across multiple sectors. I have served as a licensed financial advisor, award-winning global telecommunications project manager, international youth advocacy production coordinator, and as a digital lead at a not-for-profit association managing their association-wide job board, email marketing, website platforms, conference events app, and digital marketing campaigns.

I dove into entrepreneurship and formed my own business ProgressiveDC LLC in 2017 and employ my skills helping small businesses and entrepreneurs define their digital presence. - particularly of underrepresented and mission-aligned businesses and civic ventures.

In my time in business, I've learned that access to resources and safe spaces for deep thinking, applied learning by doing, and exploring shared passions with other like-minded free thinkers are critical to entrepreneurial - and therefore business - success.

I am unapologetic about making efforts to bring people together to take on ambitious goals and seek to grow adoption of cooperative business models, public interest technologies, and to further promote the causes of behavioral health and digital equity in my capacity as a business owner now within a larger context of this new cooperative venture, CrowdWorkDC LCA (dba CrowdWork.Coop).