Entrepreneurship is tough and punishes those who dare
Call it whatever you want, but you must be insane to go out on your own. “OK Derek, why are you being so negative?” I’m not. I am being blunt. And if this is not your cup of tea, this would be a good time to bounce — this article doesn’t get prettier from here […]
E-Commerce Growth: How Harbor Freight Tools Can Drive More Online Sales
I love Harbor Freight. I find myself wandering the isle even when I don’t have anything in mind to purchase…has window-shopping is a real thing! Not just because it’s where I can buy quality tools at very affordable prices! That’s always a plus. But there’s more… As a company, from their leadership to store team members, […]
The Art of Contentment — Your Secret to Happiness
An individual’s quest for happiness has to be the most basic yet complicated thing to figure out. Look around and you’ll notice patterns. People surround themselves with people and things in pursuit of happiness. You would expect happiness comes naturally when you have amassed everything you want. Right? Yet the number of people experiencing depression […]
The Education System Didn’t Fail You. Your Inability To be Accountable Did.
Stop drinking the kool aid. It’s an attractive notion to blame our education system for not raising entrepreneurs. Because our human nature loves to rebel. We thrive on going against “the man.” If you profess accountability then start blaming yourself for not being able to find out what works for you or your lack of […]
The Smoke-and-Mirror of Success
I would be lying to you if I told you that I don’t like being successful. I do. And I dream about it every day! Contrary to what you may have heard, I don’t think the desire to achieve success is necessarily unhealthy. But the obsession to become successful can be damaging. We’re bombarded by […]
Why I Started My Own Boutique Ad Agency Business
Starting a business comes with it’s set of challenges. A boutique ad agency startup is no different. By the time I realized how much it takes to run a startup, there was no looking back. I was in too deep. My boutique ad agency has to work! Some people give me grief for using the […]
Why Celebs Are Joining the Brand Agency Game
Anyone who’s followed the media and advertising world will notice a disturbance in the force. I’m not referring to Jedi powers or meta-human strengths, but this one is strong enough to shake the ground beneath the feet of many traditional media agencies. For decades the ad agency business is dominated by a handful of major […]
From Necessary to Impossible
There’s just too much information out there about how to grow your new business. If this is your first start up, and if you’re like most entrepreneurs, then chances are you will be overwhelmed. From accounting and marketing to technology and process. It’s an endless list of “TO-DOs” that will keep you up every night. […]
Scale Your Marketing Budget By Doing This
Because I talk to many small to medium size businesses, I get asked this question a lot. How much should I invest in my marketing? For most business owners, this question is on the top of their list. Understandably so. Business owners must be mindful about how much money they need to set aside for […]
5 Secrets To Grow a Digital Agency
Something given, nothing asked. How to grow a digital agency the right way. Starting a digital agency is easy. Sustaining and how to grow a digital agency is a different story. Many of us like to think we’re charitable and always ready to help someone in need. But it’s based on one very simple and […]
It Doesn’t Have To Be Lonely At The Top
Don’t afraid to succeed, you won’t be lonely at the top In everything I do, I focus on these things. How I can help someone. What value did I add to their life. And if I fail to deliver, what did I learn. This is the foundation of my every day life. But everyone does […]
Why Brands Outsource Digital Marketing to Amplify In-House Teams
I run an ad agency. But I’ll be the first one to tell you that outsourcing your entire marketing responsibility is the wrong move. Am I shooting myself in the foot? After talking to so many brands, I realize that outsourced and in-house marketing can co-exist in a synergy. And deliver amazing results to boot. […]
How To Plan for Your Internet Marketing for Growth
What is an internet marketing plan? It’s hard to know where you should first focus your efforts to achieve your marketing goals. After all, there’s so much content on topics of social media marketing, content marketing strategy, search engine strategies, acquiring and building loyal customers — so much information leaving you overwhelmed and ready to […]
Social Media Customer Excellence Is The Real Long-Term Strategy
How to show your customers you really care? That’s a great question. I believe it’s the foundation of a thriving business. Why? Because without customers, who will you sell your products and services to? While it’s a hot topic for brands of all sizes, not many brands have succeeded in capturing the essence of customer […]
Local Simi Valley Internet Marketing Agency Featured on VoyageLA.com
Our founder, Derek Chew, was featured in VoyageLA.com for his work at Fullmoon Digital. He got my first job after he graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in 2000 where he received my degree in computer science and mathematics. Derek started my career as a web developer for a small company in Ann Arbor, […]
