Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in digital marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andi Fagen, Founder & Creative Director of Creative DSM | Digital & Social Marketing, located in Des Moines, IA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Creative DSM is a full-service marketing agency with a deep emphasis on digital marketing. We work with mid-size businesses that are looking to get the support of a full marketing team at a fraction of the cost.
Tell us about yourself
After over ten years of working with startups in the fashion and consumer products space, I decided it was time to create an agency that caters to businesses in the growth space. That means we cater to the client's budgets and goals and provide a full menu of support options for staff augmentation in the marketing sector. We work with businesses that we see potential in and have the same high growth goals.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a scaleable business that has systems for project efficiency and flow. In the beginning, everything was in my head. I became too much of the business and created a bottleneck. Now we have systems in place that are completely trainable and easily scaled as new clients join our partnerships.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Understanding that growth is not linear. There are many rollercoasters to success, but it is important to measure the overall trajectory and not get too caught up in the day-to-day.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Build the systems as you go. Don't wait to get too big before you start implementing repeatable tasks.
- Know your elevator pitch, and align your team to be ready to talk about it at any time. It is important that everyone on staff knows the overall mission.
- Your time is money and the only non-renewable resource in your business. Don't be afraid to outsource tasks that will cost you less in the long run!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.creativedsm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativedsm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative_dsm/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativedsm/
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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