Cutting-edge Communications at Its Best - Grey Matter
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Prem Karunakaran, Chief Marketing Officer of Grey Matter Inc., located in Mississauga, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Grey Matter is Canada's premier full-service agency offering seven key services: advertising, marketing, sales, business development, public relations, market research, and web services. We have worked on 100+ brands and 1000+ fully integrated campaigns. We are the only agency to offer performance-based compensation... which means clients only pay if they are pleased with our services.
Tell us about yourself
Prior to immigrating to Canada in 1990, I was a senior manager for a billion-dollar tire company, where I had immense exposure to multi-million-dollar brand marketing. Fortunately, within weeks of arrival, I landed a consultant job with media conglomerate Hill & Knowlton in Toronto, where I was instantly exposed to FORTUNE BRAND MARCOM. In 1993 I started my own agency and, in the same year, became a million-dollar brand.
What motivates me is my passion for creating brand awareness and market share for my clients, with measurable results they can often see as soon as 30 days. I'm obsessed with creative design and imaginative content with an inbuilt promise to create CNN-level quality. Every day I'm focused on raising the bar to do better for my clients, even if they are happy. With the rapid evolution of technology, keeping pace with innovation is an exciting daily challenge.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Winning competitive pitches against global agencies, some even x100 bigger than us. Our present win rate is over 90%.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing as a business owner is motivating your staff, and very often, it is beyond money.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do your research. Gut feel is good, but the facts are better.
- Hire smarter people than you.
- Listen.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.greymatter.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prem.karunakaran.58
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greymatter.inc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/premkarunakaran/
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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