We Help Companies Grow Online - Webstuffguy.com

Team Subkit -

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in digital marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ish Laos, Founder of Webstuffguy.com, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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

Our business is called "webstuffguy.com." We are a full-service online digital marketing agency. Our usual list of customers are everyday business owners who either need a website or already have one and are looking to increase their online traffic.

Tell us about yourself

I was given the opportunity to create a website for a carpet cleaning company I once worked for back in 2007. The owner of the company was generous enough to trust me. It was then that I realized how much I enjoyed the process. Soon thereafter, referrals started coming in and a few years later, I took the big leap of faith and decided to try it out full-time. I started my company back in 2009 and haven't looked back since. What galvanizes me the most is knowing that I can provide for my family and that being able to understand website design/online marketing opens the doors to many other opportunities. So I am always thinking about ways to keep growing.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say one of the biggest accomplishments is that we have experienced positive growth almost every single year. Another accomplishment, I would say, is that my wife was able to leave her job over ten years ago and become a full-time mom.

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

I suppose you could say that you never really have a day off. Surely there are days when you can stay off of your computer and phone, but in your mind, you are still always thinking about your clients and making sure you are keeping them happy.

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

I guess it sort of depends on the type of industry you're in. My advice would apply to people similar to me, who offer a skill or service, and not so much to people who are in retail, or who sell a physical product, or own a brick-and-mortar, etc.

  1. If you are just starting out, my best advice would be to offer your service for either 'free,' or "next to nothing.' Choose carefully to who you decide to give away your talents. Are they influential? Could it lead to more work? Aside from the referrals it may bring, you are also building your portfolio of accomplishments.
  2. Have the mindset that you may one day sell your business. Keeping this frame of mind changes your outlook on everything. You are soon to realize the importance of bookkeeping, understanding how much your business is worth, etc.
  3. Never settle. Be always on the lookout for ways of increasing your self-worth (financially speaking). Or you could look at it this way: Be always on the lookout for ways to offer your customers more value. Never be stagnant or content with where you are. If you do, you may become blind to new opportunities that lead to growth.

I will add one more:

4.   Never take a setback personally. You may lose a big client to a competitor. You may have made a major mistake and come out losing money instead of gaining it. You may have come across a very negative client who you can never seem to make happy. I no longer call these situations 'setbacks.' I now refer to them as "challenges," which completely change their connotation. Challenge yourself to discover the positive in the situation and ask yourself what you have learned from this. How can you apply this new knowledge to improve your business going forward? After all, who doesn't enjoy a good challenge?

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.webstuffguy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebStuffGuy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webstuffguy1/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/webstuffguy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/webstuffguy.com/

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.