Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michael Hiskey, Founder of Data Connect Marketing, Inc., located in Oceanside, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I provide strategic marketing consulting services. My clients span cybersecurity, event services, marketing services, and data/analytics software.
Tell us about yourself
From the experience I gained over a decade at IBM, I launched into Chief Marketing Officer roles at several start-ups. In this process, I realized that the (re)positioning, (re)branding, (re)building systems, and other activation energy activities require a very different (and generally more expensive) skillset with a distinct personality than the "run and manage" activities.
So, I set out to provide those activation and reactivation services for organizations that needed to align, realign, or build out their B2B enterprise offerings. This has generally been the case with SaaS offerings to date.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Keeping up with the trends while balancing the "old school" learnings that stay true over time and bridging the "English to English" translation inferred by understanding (generally from technical founders) what their solution is meant to accomplish. Then, taking that and creating bite-sized chunks that the market can consume will achieve their awareness and demand generation goals, preferably in a short timeframe.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Keeping a constant string of clients happy, in a queue, and moving forward. Transitioning from one to the next and continuing the relationship as a trusted advisor over time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be patient - your time is coming.
- Work hard - the reward is waiting.
- Think deeply about what makes you unique that is truly differentiated.
Where can people find you and your business?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mphnyc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mphnyc/
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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