Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Paul Michel, CEO and Founder of Secret Link Marketing, located in Papillion, NE, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We help Painters take their businesses to the next level by getting their Internet Market right!
Tell us about yourself
Growing up in a working-class family, I spent much of my childhood living and working on a dairy farm before attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the American University of Rome, Italy, where I earned a degree in Communications and Marketing.
My entrepreneurial exploits began when I managed an exterior painting business and acted as an independent door-to-door bookseller. These endeavors gave me invaluable experience as a business owner, learning the basics before expanding my understanding of the complex functions of business management.
Following my marriage to my wife, Senay, in Turkey, we began the process of immigration to bring her to the USA, which took two years. Throughout this time, I traveled back and forth to Turkey while working in the construction industry back home. During this time, I began searching for a career that would earn good money and maintain the freedom to travel. Social Media Marketing offered great potential for this. After completing various courses and extensive studies to develop my knowledge, I opened Secret Link Marketing.
Having partnered with some of the most successful individuals in the industry, Secret Link Marketing can deliver the best-in-class digital marketing services available to painters.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Recognizing and adjusting to change. Digital or online marketing has evolved greatly in the last 10 years. If you don't evolve also, you'll get pushed out. The vision I had for Secret Link Marketing is not the same one I have today. Today's is infinitely better! Delivering a great service at a reasonable price is still the final result we aim for, but how we accomplish this will continue to change every day.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Time management through delegating responsibility. My entrepreneur self is always working overtime to create new ideas, goals, procedures, and so much more. My technician self wants to do everything myself. If I don't delegate tasks to my teams, I'd never accomplish the things I want to be done.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Go for it! You'll fail 100 times and succeed once, and it'll be worth it.
- Hire assistants. VAs can take hours of work off your hands weekly.
- Keep an open mind. Things change rapidly, then slowly, then at lightning speed.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://secretlinkmarketing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecretLinkMarketing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secret_link_marketing/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/secret-link-marketing/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.