Over the years, a number of differently-abled people have defied these expectations and gone on to do wonderful things one of whom is Timothy Hancock. An entrepreneur with 80% hearing loss, Hancock has taken on one of the toughest media sectors in the world and has done so in style.
Deluxe Version At Heart
The world of media and fashion is very cutthroat on its own but tapping into luxury publication is another beast entirely. The market is very niche and very discerning and many have tried and failed to break into it, but not Timothy Hancock.
What is even more impressive is that Hancock started the now famous Deluxe Version print magazine when he was just 27 years old. The luxury publication aims to be a guide to “discover the best version of you.” Usually, people in media at that age are getting their first serious editing gigs or being taken under the wing of a more experienced publisher but rarely are they starting their own publication.
When the magazine was first founded in the mid-2010s, the digital landscape was all the rage with everyone who could start their own blog or publication. Many of these have since fallen by the wayside, a forgotten relic of an era of online and offline excess. 7 years after its launch, Deluxe Version has continued to grow strong, reaching an audience that numbers in the thousands while remaining headquartered in the city of Las Vegas.
Hancock has also become somewhat of a successful social media curator on his Instagram , sharing a lifestyle of attainable luxury that allows his followers to relate to him.
Hancock’s story is nothing if not an inspiring one of commitment and self-belief. Despite losing 80% of his hearing since birth, Hancock has not been deterred from pursuing his dreams. Making use of small hearing aids that allow him to function in his everyday life, Hancock has been able to keep up with the jet-setting and fast-paced world of luxury publications. His work has taken him everywhere from Singapore to Dubai to st. Tropez and Cabo San Lucas. Those who know him best would describe him as a very determined force and this has shined through in his work and business model.
Major Milestones
While starting a print luxury publication at the age of 27 is an incredible feat in itself, it only scratches the surface of what Hancock has been able to achieve thus far. He was awarded, in 2017, the top 30 under 30 by Wynn Nightlife as one of the top executives in the United States.
His rise to success has also been profiled by top publications like Forbes and Yahoo! Finance and all this is before his 35th birthday. Being able to sustain a publication for as long as Deluxe Version has been in existence is impressive in itself and Hancock’s business practices reflect a deep desire to make a difference with his work.
A majority of the assignments at Deluxe Version are given to female entrepreneurs, freelancers, and award winning journalists. This has shown to be a winning formula as the magazine recently launched its Interiors+Design edition and has also featured iconic figures like Olivia Newton-John, UFC’s Arianny Celeste, and Shania Twain on its cover. With all these accolades in such a short time, it will be interesting to see what Hancock does moving forward both personally and professionally.
