Meet Dennis Baker | Media and Innovation Expert, Fixer and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dennis Baker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dennis, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I run several businesses (a media PR firm, and am also an author) but what led me to start www.PolisAssist.com. was a simple realization: no company or government entity had digitized and democratized all the parking information in Los Angeles.

As a frequent visitor to LA (often one to two times a week), I became frustrated with the lack of information about parking and the complexity of the signage. I wanted to make this easier for people. The name Polis comes from the ancient Greek city-state in its ideal form, and my vision was to make urban life better (more ideal) for city dwellers. Parking is one of the biggest pain points people face.

Over time, I also realized this was a social justice issue. The working poor in Los Angeles were disproportionately burdened by parking tickets. When they couldn’t pay, the fines would escalate and push them into financial disarray. In effect, parking tickets were functioning as a regressive tax. Polis Assist was created to level the playing field.

I launched the app before COVID, and it was just beginning to gain traction when the pandemic hit, forcing us into a hiatus. Now, we are in the relaunch phase, bringing new features and offerings to improve the product for Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City.

Alongside Polis Assist, I have also run a media company DM Baker Media Relations (www.dmbaker,.com) for 25 years, serving a wide range of nonprofits—from cultural arts organizations to international aid groups to small educational nonprofits—as well as for-profit clients in aviation, tech, fashion, entertainment, and publishing, including New York Times bestselling authors.

Most recently, I published a book: Building Your Board of Directors for Life: Create a Network That Guides, Supports, and Inspires You (Post Hill Press / Simon & Schuster).(www.yourboard4life.com) Released September 30, the book is a strategic approach to mentorship, decision-making, and relationship-building. It also explores how to serve as a mentor for others through a servant leadership model. The book features insights and experiences from a wide range of accomplished individuals, including Olympic champion Apolo Ohno, actor Doug Jones, entrepreneur Kathy Ireland, restaurateur Will Guidara, and others.

What should our readers know about your business?
“My business journey has really been about combining creativity, entrepreneurship, and impact. I run DM Baker Media, a consulting and PR firm that has worked with nonprofits, authors, and corporations to tell their stories and raise millions of dollars for causes that matter. As mentioned before I’m the founder of Polis Assist, Inc., a tech startup born out of my own frustration with how complex and inequitable parking is in cities like Los Angeles. We built one of the first apps to democratize parking information, making city life a little easier while addressing what I came to see as a social justice issue. Polis was created to also help with the environment. 30% of driving congestion in LA is due to drivers searching for available parking. Polis can help to address this problem.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. I launched Polis Assist right before COVID, which meant putting everything on hold just as we were gaining traction. I’ve faced setbacks in fundraising cycles, in scaling teams, and in balancing multiple ventures. But I’ve learned resilience, the importance of adapting, and the value of having a strong personal advisory network to lean on. That lesson—never go it alone—has been central to how I’ve overcome challenges.

What sets me apart is that I don’t see business as a single lane. I bring together media, technology, fundraising, and writing with a focus on mentorship and service. That’s really the heartbeat of my upcoming book, Building Your Board of Directors for Life. The book shares the framework I’ve used my whole life: building a network of trusted advisors and mentors to guide important decisions, both personal and professional. My approach—whether in business, philanthropy, or writing—has always been to help others connect, grow, and succeed.

I’m proud of the fact that my work touches multiple arenas—supporting nonprofits, mentoring leaders, innovating in tech, and now sharing my philosophy through writing. What I’d want the world to know about my story is that success isn’t about one career path or one big break. It’s about building relationships, staying curious, and being willing to pivot when challenges come. For me, business is ultimately about service (Servant Leadership is my model): making life better, whether through an app, a nonprofit campaign, or a book that inspires someone to build their own ‘board of directors for life.’”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Los Angeles, I’d start with the Griffith Observatory. Not only is it fascinating from an astronomical perspective, but it’s also architecturally and historically significant. Iconic films like Rebel Without a Cause were shot there, and its Art Deco design is quintessentially LA. Plus, the views from the hilltop are absolutely breathtaking.

From there, I’d head to Santa Monica to enjoy the beach and oceanfront atmosphere, followed by the Universal Studios backlot tour for a taste of Hollywood magic. For dining, I’d take them to the Beverly Hills Hotel for lunch at the Polo Lounge, a legendary spot where countless famous figures have dined. Later, we’d stop at the Chateau Marmont for drinks—another storied Hollywood landmark. Maybe dinner at anyone of the countless excellent restaraunts in LA.

Culturally, I’d make sure to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Getty Center for its world-class collection and stunning architecture, and the Petersen Automotive Museum for something uniquely LA.

Finally, I’d whisk them away to Santa Barbara County for a day of wine tasting and a curated culinary experience, all set against some of the most beautiful surroundings in California.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This question goes to the heart of my new book, Building Your Board of Directors for Life: Create a Network That Guides, Supports, and Inspires You. In it, I share stories of the mentors who shaped my development over the decades—from my first mentor, John Robinson, the mayor of my hometown, to Dan O’Connor, a bank CEO; George Newtown, a university dean; John Michler, a corporate lawyer; and Barbara Greenleaf, a New York Times journalist, among others.

Each of them provided far more than advice. They became true stakeholders in my life, following up with me, holding me accountable, and ensuring I stayed on track. By carefully curating and maintaining these relationships, I gained the confidence to step into business, politics, education, and entertainment at a very young age—ventures I might never have attempted without their guidance. I have also looked to people of history who I have read extensively about, Churchill, Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, Wm. Wilberforce, and many others. All displayed tremendous problem solving skills, courage and perseverance.

Website: www.yourboard4life.com www.dmbaker.com www.polisassist.com

Instagram: @dmbakermedia

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-b-0a0abb134/

Image Credits
Headshot is by Brian Buffon