Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marc Schuler, Founder of d3 Consulting UG, located in Munich, Germany.

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

My business is called d3 Consulting, a digital consulting boutique that focuses on helping growth and startup companies as well as private equity and venture capital investors. I help my clients to set up, optimize and run their digital marketing and growth activities. When it comes to consulting investors, I often engage in digital due diligence and help investors to get a better understanding of the digital marketing capabilities of investment targets. Currently, I also focus on offering a part-time CMO (as a service) solution. I focus on setting up and optimizing their digital marketing capabilities and working with them on a long-term basis. I also help to hire, build and develop digital marketing teams.

Tell us about yourself

I started about 13 years ago in the digital industry after having worked as a consultant and having had multiple positions at Google. Afterwards, I was head of performance marketing for Check24, Europe's biggest comparison platform, and founded compera.at which is an Austrian comparison platform. During my time at Compera, I've already started to work on my first consulting projects. In this context, I have seen that many investors actually are not covering the digital due diligence professionally when investing in digital companies. This is why I have decided to found my own consulting boutique, d3. Another reason was that my self-employment gives me a lot of flexibility, and I can decide on what topics I want to work on and, most importantly, from where. This also gives me a lot of time to spend with my family and pursue my hobby of ski touring.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I've made a lot of small accomplishments, which all have led to a successful start of d3 Consulting.

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

When you start as a consultant, it is hard to convince and win the first clients. So you have to invest a lot into networking, convince potential clients and thus build your profile.

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

From the perspective of a digital consultant:

  1. Never stop learning. I invest about 1/3 of my daily routine in learning in exploring new things. You can only stay up to date if you never stop learning, especially in the digital industry.
  2. Help other people and do favors without charging for everything. This will help you to build a strong network and prove your quality as a consultant. Projects will come.
  3. Just do it. Some people might be afraid to find solutions for certain challenges, but all people face those challenges. Just try it, lean in, and you'll find a solution.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.d3-consulting.de/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-schuler-9875484b/

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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