Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nate Ruben, Founder of Ruben Digital, located in Wheeling, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ruben Digital specializes in building brand identity and driving sales for clients utilizing the web, social, and other digital marketing solutions. We serve high-quality service providers.
Tell us about yourself
I spent a lot of time bouncing around from job to job. Since my first job as a seven-year-old working at my grandparents’ car wash, I have worked close to 20 jobs up until this point. Even as a kid, hard work ran through my blood. Turning 21 in January 2014 was an awakening. I realized I would never reach my life goals by working for someone else. It was time for me to build a business of my own. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to create, but I knew I needed to start soon. Later that spring, I had a romantic relationship crash and burned in the worst possible way.
I was crushed. What hurts the most was knowing that we both loved each other, but she knew neither of us was in a position to raise a child. That heartbreak led to the realization that I needed to be fully self-sustainable before I could ever truly love and support another person. Without knowing it, I closed the door to my heart, locking away love and vulnerability as I set out to build Ruben Digital Media at all costs. Don’t build a business like I did. In the beginning, almost everything was a great example of what not to do. I had a vague vision but no plan. I couldn’t articulate exactly what problems I was solving for clients.
I have also experienced the benefits of being adept at a holistic approach to digital marketing. Our social media profiles, email marketing lists, website blog, and video marketing has allowed Ruben Digital to express our viewpoints on social issues and encourage our audience to take action and get involved. I believe that my purpose here on Earth is to serve others, and it has been a great joy to serve my community in this fashion. I have most enjoyed the collaborative approach our team takes to having difficult conversations and then bringing those private conversations public. As we most recently participated in #BlackOutTuesday, I am proud to see how our team listened to each other and were able to make a decision in real-time to speak out on what matters most.
You may read the full story on this link - https://rubendigital.com/2020/06/ruben-digital-celebrates-six-years/.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I sold Ruben Digital in July this year.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing personal life balance with business success.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you care about this problem enough to work at least 5 years solving it.
- Find out who has done what you are looking to do and learn from them.
- Find who can help you get where you want faster.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://rubendigital.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NateRubenChi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naterubenchi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NateRubenChi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naterubenchi/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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