Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in digital marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daniel Elliott, Founder & CEO of Appture Digital, LLC, located in Dallas, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

As someone who has been in the business for over 30 years, I know that assembling a team of professionals can be a time-consuming process, but finding the right fit is crucial. Throughout my career, I have been at the creative center of teams that have created over 744 websites, almost 200 mobile apps, and thousands of pages of print design. The teamwork between myself and my clients has helped to increase sales for clients by almost $1,000,000,000. I believe it's essential to take the time to find the right team to ensure success.

My background is quite diverse, with a multi-decade career crossing multiple disciplines in branding, design, marketing communications, telephony, and software development. In the early 1980s, I was hired by the J.M. Smucker Company as a product manager for their Natural Foods segment. That success (a 941% increase in sales) prompted me to launch my own food brokerage in 1986, also in the Natural Foods Industry, and it became a multi-million dollar sales company in less than 3 years. Being a techno-geek, I then ventured into telephony and healthcare informatics, finding a hole in the marketplace for a cross-discipline developer and marketing guru. My skill in business development was an ideal match with technology companies in Healthcare. Executone Information Systems, GS Edwards Signalling, Dukane Communications, and Honeywell all hired me to manage products and campaigns.

In 1998, I launched InteloQuence in Chicago as an integrated business-to-business marketing and software development agency. The agency was recognized by HOW magazine, the AIGA, Ernst & Young, Packaging Digest, and Robinson and McGladrey for a myriad of accomplishments. During those years, I led a team to develop CRM solutions for clients, a fully functioning website CMS with Enterprise integrated e-commerce, and my first foray into Law Enforcement, a web portal called Crime Reports Live for the Dallas Police Department.

Tell us about yourself

Growing up, I was always surrounded by the world of advertising and branding. My father was a Creative Director, and I spent my youth working in his agency. It's no surprise that I followed in his footsteps and became a branding and marketing professional myself.

Throughout my career, I've honed my skills as a thinker, dreamer, and doer. I specialize in providing integrated branding, marketing, digital, and public relations services to my clients. My unique value lies in my ability to turn creative concepts into analytically driven marketing plans and tools that have greater stopping power and relevance, ultimately leading to better results. The creative process is my passion, and I start by identifying the genetic structure of a concept - what I call the "InteloGenesis" or the beginning of the big idea. From there, I use my experience and intellect to weaponize my ideas against my clients' competitors.

Over the last decade, I've built a reputation as the "go-to-guy" for driving leads and sales for Government, Education, Municipalities, and Fortune 1000 companies. I've created and delivered multi-million-dollar marketing campaigns for some of the most recognizable brands in the world. The stress and joy of victory have been a constant throughout my career, but the rewards are well worth it.

Moving forward, I promise to focus on building end-to-end systems centered around technology and consumer engagement. My goal is to turn concepts into cash registers, impressions into engagement, and campaigns into concrete results. Using my own technology to my client's advantage, I'll build intelligent brand experiences that deliver on promises and on budget.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Crime and crime reporting sparked my next invention, a mobile app called iWatch that I brought to market in 2009. The power of innovation was recognized across the country, with me and the iWatch Application Platform being featured in National media almost on a weekly basis. Press coverage in CNN, Wired, Forbes, CBS, NBC, and FOX drove sales and adoption at a dizzying pace.

The company grew from startup to maturity, with customers in the DHS, the DOD, K-12 programs for the State of North Carolina, and almost 69 police and sheriff's departments across the US. Eventually, I sold my shares in that company to pursue my current quest, that of democratizing mobile applications and content management into the modular framework called Appture.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Being a business owner can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is managing cash flow. Cash flow refers to the movement of money into and out of business. It is the lifeblood of any business and is essential for keeping it running. However, managing cash flow can be a difficult task, especially for new business owners. One of the main reasons cash flow can be difficult to manage is that expenses often come in before revenue. For example, a business may have to pay for inventory or rent before they receive payment from customers. This can create a cash crunch and make it difficult to pay bills and meet other financial obligations.

Another challenge is that many businesses rely on credit to keep operations running. While this can be a useful tool, it also increases the risk of financial problems if the business is not able to pay back the debt in a timely manner.

There are a few things that business owners can do to help manage cash flow. One is to create a budget and stick to it. This can help to ensure that expenses are kept under control and that there is enough money to cover bills and other financial obligations.

Another is to have a good system in place for tracking income and expenses. This can help to identify areas where money is being spent unnecessarily and make adjustments accordingly.

Finally, it is important to keep a close eye on outstanding invoices and follow up with customers who are slow to pay. This can help to ensure that cash is coming in as expected and that there are no surprises. In conclusion, cash flow management is one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner. It requires constant attention and can be a source of stress and anxiety. However, by taking steps to manage cash flow effectively, business owners can help to ensure the long-term success of their business.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Starting, running, and growing a business can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Here are the top three tips for anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business today.

  1. Understand your target market: The first step in starting and growing a business is to understand your target market. It's essential to know who your customers are, what their needs and wants are, and what sets your business apart from the competition. By understanding your target market, you can create effective marketing strategies and develop products and services that meet their needs.
  2. Build a strong online presence: The internet has become an essential tool for business growth, and having a strong online presence is vital. Building a website, creating social media accounts, and utilizing search engine optimization can help potential customers find your business. An online presence also allows you to connect with customers and build a community, making it easier to promote your business and increase sales.
  3. Be adaptable and flexible: The business world is constantly changing, and it's essential to be adaptable and flexible to survive. Being open to change and innovation can help you stay ahead of the competition and anticipate new trends in your industry. It's also important to be willing to pivot your business model or try new strategies if your current approach isn't working.
  4. In addition, it's important to have a well-defined business plan and to have a clear vision and mission for your company. Setting goals and objectives and regularly reviewing and updating them will help you stay focused and on track. Also, having a good financial plan and being aware of the financials of your business will help you make better decisions and be more sustainable in the long run.
  5. Starting, running, and growing a business requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks. By understanding your target market, building a strong online presence, and being adaptable and flexible, you can set your business up for success. With a clear vision and mission, a well-defined business plan, and a good financial plan, you will be ready to tackle any challenges that come your way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://leadbuildermarketing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appturedigitalmedia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apptify/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appturesoftware
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielelliottdallas/

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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