Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bobby Machado, founder, and CEO of Signa Marketing, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Signa Marketing is a full-service digital agency with a focus on Search Engine Optimization (for Local and National companies), Paid Media Strategy, and UI/UX Strategy + Conversion Rate Optimization.
Our customers are both small to mid-market companies who are looking to add an extension of their team, whether we execute the CMO responsibilities (if they do not have one) or work closely with their CMO or Marketing Manager.
Tell us about yourself
The entrepreneurial side of my childhood started with Tang stands, selling my toys, having landscaping clients in the neighborhood, and even training horses for others. When I was in 5th grade, I had a Tang (orange powder drink) stand outside our family's apartment and sold Tang back to my parents and neighbors. I then turned that Tang stand into a "retail store" and had my toys on display to sell. I do remember, though, taking my Hot Wheels cars down and deciding to keep those.
Once in high school, I learned that my friend was making money building websites on the side. I taught myself how to build websites while I was racing motocross and working miscellaneous jobs at warehouses. Once I stopped racing dirt bikes, I went all in on website development and worked for various web companies, which then led me to be exposed to the world of online marketing and data.
Over the years, I was always involved in creating something, whether it be videos, broadcasting, building websites, running pay-per-click campaigns, creating content, and graphics, recording audio, playing music, and the list goes on. Literally, almost every service that an advertising agency offers. I was naturally interested in doing it for myself or for others. Being around action sports for most of my childhood, there was always something to create.
Where it all came together is my passion for business and people in general. I love the process of taking an idea and turning it into something. All the skill sets and interests I have developed over the years weren't because I was specifically in love with one trade but mostly because I was inspired by what I could create and do with them.
When it comes to people, I have always been in a "service" mindset, and this comes to building teams and having employees as well. Building an agency enabled an avenue for me to be of service to not only clients but also the very people I work with on a daily basis.
Continuously working on and building an environment in which the team is excited, backed by a purpose that we believe in, and focusing on delivering the best experience and results for our clients is what led to the forming of Signa Marketing.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Having an agency for the last eight years that is stable and growing.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is initially learning how to build a team. If you can hire correctly, you will never have a successful business that runs without the owner's involvement.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Truly understand what you are getting yourself into. Don't start a business just because you think that it's a ticket to lots of money in the future. That only happens to the ones that are successful.
- Sell a service or product that you actually stand by. If you can't sleep at night because you know you're selling a crappy product or service, then you should stop everything and figure out first if you are able to make the service or product great.
- Understand which skill sets you need from your team members. If you don't know what a great team member looks like in terms of a specific role, then see if you can find an opportunity to work at a company in the industry that you are interested in so that you can see the caliber of people that you need in order to build a great team.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.signamarketing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SignaMarketing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signamarketing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SignaMarketing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/signa-marketing-solutions/
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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