Award Winning Digital Marketing Agency - SmartSites

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alex Melen, co-founder of SmartSites, located in Paramus, NJ, USA.

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

We are an award-winning digital marketing agency focused on helping our clients succeed online. Our customers range from roofers and plumbers to Fortune 500 companies.

Tell us about yourself

I have been working in the digital space since the very beginning. Starting one of the first web-hosting companies back in the mid-1990s. I am very passionate about digital and am lucky enough to spend my days helping others succeed online.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been seeing our company and, more importantly, our client's company grow over the years. We're fortunate enough to have some of the best employees and customers, and I'm super excited to see everyone grow and succeed.

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

The biggest struggles have always been around our growth. As a company, we've doubled in size every 18mo for almost 12 years now. Now with almost 400 full-time employees, each growth phase has presented its own unique challenges. However, with our talented team, we have been able to overcome all of our challenges to continue our amazing growth trajectory.

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

1. Just do it! Starting a business is always risky, but you're more likely to regret not doing it than actually doing it. Those that have started and failed have always had amazing learnings along the way that they have applied to their next venture or other areas of their life.
2. Focus on working ON your business, not in your business. What I mean is hire people to do the actual operations (when you're able to) and focus your energy on the high-level strategy.
3. Don't forget that your reputation will always be the most important thing in any business that will make or break your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.smartsites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexmelen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.melen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amelen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmelen/

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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