
who we are.
we are dfs creative concepts. let us introduce ourselves.
we are a creative collective. we design. we develop. we strategize. we capture audiences. we wonder.
we dedicate ourselves to share your story, whatever that may be.
whether your message is to drive sales, boost engagement, yield awareness, call people to action, whatever: we’ll keep telling it to your audience. we find different, effective, interactive and measurable ways to tell them until they’re listening. that is what we call audience capture, and it’s our specialty.
about the team
we work hard for our clients. we love coffee, green tea, wine, kombucha, and infused water. what brings us together, what really drives us all, is that each (and every one) of us believes there’s always a better way to do something. this is what keeps us going. a better way to serve clients, a better way to serve each other, and a better way to serve our communities.
Dorothy Freeman Self
Founder + Principal
Dorothy spent the majority of her formative years in San Francisco, California followed by Jacksonville, Florida. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Furman University. Dorothy began her marketing career handling strategic partnerships and events for Gannett, the parent company of The Greenville News Media Group. During her tenure with The News, she quickly rose through the ranks to handle both B2C and B2B marketing initiatives.
After experiencing great success in these roles, she recognized (and gave into) the entrepreneurial spirit within and decided to start her own agency.
dfs creative concepts has quickly grown from serving local clients to international clients since its inception in 2013. As such, Dorothy has been honored by numerous publications for her work in the industry. Additionally, dfs creative concepts was awarded the Business of Integrity award by the Better Business Bureau of the Upstate. Subsequently, she was asked to step into the role of board member for the BBB of the Upstate, and also tapped to serve as Vice Chairwoman for the LARP (Local Advertising Review Panel), where she focuses her time on educating businesses about how to advertise ethically and effectively to further trust in the marketplace.
Dorothy is also a published author, having written for lifestyle magazines in the Upstate for many years. This passion for telling stories is what drives her and her team to tell their clients’ stories in effective, engaging, and emotional ways.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son, Freeman, and their dog, Sullivan.


Tim Brett
In Memoriam (1953-2022)
Tim brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the dfs team as our strategic advisor, having managed his public relations companies, ranging in size and scope, for nearly 30 years. In 2015, Brett downsized to form BrettSC, a small consulting firm that has allowed him to take on a number of key clients of his choosing.
Tim was one of the founders of LEAD Upstate, an event that honors local law enforcement. His quiet leadership helped to grow the event from a simple breakfast to one of the Upstate’s largest nonprofit events.
Tim began his public relations career in 1987, when he became Director of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations for Michelin North America, in Greenville, SC. For nearly seven years, he managed Michelin’s contracted lobbyists around the country, overseeing corporate contributions and managing Michelin’s participation in community affairs.
Early on in Tim’s career, he served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1982 until 1986. In addition, he was the Congressional Staff Aide to U.S. Representative Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. and later served as a campaign manager for Campbell’s 1984 re-election campaign.
In addition to a remarkable career, Tim remained active as a dedicated volunteer in his community. He served as a volunteer with The Salvation Army (chairman), YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Rotary, and many other nonprofit organizations. Tim served as a Newberry College Trustee, including vice-chair, for over a decade, as well as DOT Commissioner, Mauldin Rotary Club President, and current ReWa Commissioner.
Tim had a proven knack for helping civic groups, colleges, churches, and a variety of public service organizations achieve their fundraising goals, with successes that include:
- The Salvation Army’s Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center – Helped raise $15 million in local money, to get an endowment from the Kroc foundation of $60 million
- Habitat for Humanity Grace Point – Campaign Consultant-raised $1.5 million
- Greenville Tech/McAlister Square purchase – Consultant- $18 million purchase
- Perry Chapel at Perry Correctional Institute – Spearheaded $1 million for a chapel
- Co-Chaired the capital campaign allowing Mauldin First Baptist Church to dump all debt and raised $2.5 million
Mona Lopez
Mona is responsible for directing and supporting account managers, coordinators, and summer associates. She reviews our clients’ performance reporting on a daily basis, finding areas of opportunity and evaluating ways our campaigns can be further optimized. Mona oversees accounts receivable and accounts payable in order to maintain the dfs creative concepts workflow.


Kayla Carter Currey
Kayla oversees the operation and logistics of all corporate accounts at dfs creative concepts. She is responsible for the creation, coordination and execution of strategies for public relations, media relations, marketing and special events while building strong, long-lasting client relationships. As the trusted liaison for these accounts, Kayla leads and directs account coordinators and support staff to ensure the delivery of timely and successful marketing solutions to meet customer needs and objectives.
A Greenville native, Kayla graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Clemson University. She is an experienced and detail-oriented manager, marketing strategist, and content creator. Driven by her passion for fostering fruitful relationships, Kayla takes pride in providing concierge level customer service to each and every client.
Outside of the office, you’ll likely find her exploring downtown Greenville or dreaming up & working on projects at her new house with her husband and pup. She loves traveling to the coast and is the most content on a warm beach with a good book in hand.
Fun fact: Kayla’s favorite summer memory saw her living in a small North Carolina beach town with two of her dearest friends. True to form, she spent her days working at a local surf shop and explored the shores of the Outer Banks on the weekends.
Ali FauntLeRoy
Corporate Account Manager
Ali and Wills were excited to move back home to South Carolina, putting down roots in Greenville in the spring of 2020. She moved into her most exhausting (but most fun) role yet, becoming a mom to Noah in August of 2020.


Anna Champion
Corporate Account Manager
Anna is a Darlington, SC native, but happily calls Greenville home. She’s been drawn to the Upstate from the outset, since her time growing up was filled with trips to and from Death Valley to cheer on the Tigers. When out of the office, you’ll find her on the water at Lake Marion or Keowee with her family, traveling with friends, or spending time with her husband and their black lab, Blue.
Macale Fusco
Graphic Designer
Macale is the lead creative of our graphic design team. Whether it’s custom website design, print ads, logo creation, social media graphics, or anything in between, Macale effortlessly executes each project and helps brands tell their stories through perfect pairings of typography + color that are effortlessly intricate. Lest you be fooled by her petite frame; she is small but mighty and her bold designs pack a powerful punch. Macale’s moxie + tenacity are adored by coworkers and clients alike.
Her passion for designing began after taking her first graphic design course in high school where she immediately fell in love with the art. She has continued to hone her craft over the last decade, receiving a Bachelors of Science Degree in Graphic Communications with an emphasis in Brand Communications from Clemson University. During her time at Clemson, she was among a select few invited to enter into a branding competition for the first student-led creative agency at Clemson via the Erwin Center for Brand Communications. Macale’s winning brand concept has now taken shape as Cadency. You can read more about her innovative work here. Macale also spent her undergraduate years on the sidelines of Death Valley as a co-ed cheerleader. Go Tigers!
After her time at Clemson, Macale gained extensive experience working for a large corporation in Florida where she worked alongside regional and national clients in the development of custom graphics and creative solutions.
In her free time you’ll likely find Macale getting her workouts in (followed up with an iced coffee, of course), or taking it easy on Lake Hartwell with her family.


Emma Kerr
Multimedia Account Coordinator
Emma is our multimedia coordinator for many accounts at dfs creative concepts. She is responsible for overseeing video pre-production and post-production as well as managing multimedia projects, social media content. strategy, and various graphic design projects for our clients. Emma assists each of our account managers on marketing tactics and designs to promote brands. With each project she is deliberate in her work and executes creative storytelling with grace.
As a recent graduate from Furman University with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies – Media Track and Music, Emma has brought a significant amount of creativity to our team. Throughout her time at Furman, she balanced academics and musicianship all while working with The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship as a podcast student producer. In addition, since high school she has created artwork for her calligraphy business, specializing in hand lettering and wedding invitations. If you ever need a wedding calligrapher or beautiful hand-lettering of any kind, Emma is your girl!
In her free time, you will find Emma in her hometown of Charleston enjoying the beach, boating, cheering on the Clemson Tigers and spending time with friends and family!
Ella Chasteen
Intern


Kate Fricke
Intern
Sullivan Self
Mascot
A native of Traveler’s Rest, SC, Sullivan is our company mascot. She hails from Carolina Gilded Retrievers, where Dana Spinks personally selected her to join our DFS family due to her sweet spirit, spunky personality and great hair. Sullivan is known for greeting everyone with a smile, and has rapidly risen through the ranks to be known also as Chief Happiness Officer for the company. She takes this job very seriously, and we are happy to report that she “nails it every time” when she’s in the office.


Zoe Self
Junior Mascot
In her spare time, she enjoys staring at her human boss for uncomfortably long periods of time, walking without a leash, and climbing fences. Unlike her big sister Sullivan, she adores accessories and has never met a scarf or bandana she doesn’t like and consequently will not ruin. A frequent at Dog Culture, Zoe is known for her interpersonal effectiveness.