Small Business Week ft. myMarketing.io

Mathew Paquet, Founder and CEO of myMarketing, started freelancing graphic design work at just 15 years old. From a young age, he gained experience in digital marketing, became a self-starter, and over time, began building a name for himself. When he was presented with a challenge, nothing could stop him. His perseverance and dedication made him impermeable to what many find as a daunting learning curve.

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Mathew quickly understood the importance of branding.

When he began selling graphic designs for a dollar to gain more experience, he made no sales. That’s when he realized that the pricing of services was an indicator of quality. Charging one dollar made it seem as though you could expect a quick and cheap design. With time, he adjusted his strategy and also noticed something else: startups and small businesses often don’t have a team or the resources for digital marketing. Knowing the importance of marketing in a world shifting to digital platforms is what sparked the idea for myMarketing.io, an Ottawa-based agency providing digital marketing strategy, expertise & support to SMEs.

GG: How do you maintain a work-life balance?

MP: Although being an entrepreneur is demanding, I make sure to always schedule some time for an activity, such as biking, as I enjoy riding to clear my head. I also find it helpful if I plan my day and keep track of everything in my calendar, including my life activities. One of my main hobbies is researching business-related materials, even in my down time. I enjoy learning new things and teaching myself different skills that help me in my career. Gary Vaynerchuk is an inspiration for me, I appreciate his online content and thoughts about the way you should do business.

GG: How did you come up with the name myMarketing?

MP: myMarketing was named with the consumer in mind. We like to see ourselves as a partner rather than simply a service provider. The culture at myMarketing makes it clear that the customer comes first, thus having a vital say in their business’ marketing plans is crucial.

GG: What kind of culture exists in your organization and how did you establish it?

MP: As a leader, the mindset of “drive to succeed” is an important element of the organization’s culture. Our customers are always right and we do whatever we can to make our clients happy. We enjoy providing excellent customer service, so I hire people with the same values in order to uphold this culture. It is also important to me to try to be understanding to my employees, their mental well-being has the utmost importance. Employees at myMarketing are free to be open about their needs and we aim to ensure we fulfill them, for our staff and clients coequally.

GG: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be an entrepreneur?

· Adaptability — The only thing constant is change.

· Persistence — The drive to succeed during difficult times.

· Passion — Motivation is obtained by believing in what you do.

GG: What’s your favourite part of being an entrepreneur?

MP: The sky’s the limit, there are no problems, just obstacles. I enjoy constantly learning from my experience and trying new things.

GG: What’s your advice to future entrepreneurs?

MP: Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try — this is your moment, you have nothing to lose. At the end of the day, you can overcome anything with dedication. The only thing constant is change. MISTAKES HAPPEN and you learn new ways to overcome challenges, it’s all part of the journey. Don’t forget, you need to value yourself in order to be valued.

*This feature was published as a part of the Small Business Week campaign, 2020.