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Episode 44 – Services, Agencies, & Exits with Karim Marucchi

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Karim Marucchi (of Crowd Favorite) joins Jean to guest host, as they touch on a myriad of topics, from exits, to mergers, acquisitions, and much more.

Karim exudes charisma; being a service focused individual, he provides a unique perspective away from the usual product focused interviews Mastermind.FM has had in the past.

Topics Include:
  • How Karim’s upbringing, heritage, and travels played a role in shaping his business philosophies.
  • His history with architecture and studies in Rome.
  • How a curious phone call, while working for an ISP,  lead Karim into helping build a website for Nissan.
  • Selling METNET to USWeb.
    • How USWeb turned Karim’s life upside-down.
    • Website Production vs Strategy
    • Bridging the gap between American, European, and Asian culture.
    • How Karim’s architecture roots fortified his need to build things that last.
    • His small business experience.
      • “If you are going to fail, fail fast.” – Karim
      • Testing the waters of agency work.
        • Services: Cultural vs Institutional
        • Cultivating a small agency.
        • How running a lifestyle business allowed Karim to step away from his company for the year leading up to his father’s death.
          • Mourning and moving on.
          • The dynamics of exiting & acquisition.
            • Adapting/transitioning client culture.
            • On closing Veloware.
              • Which lead to Karim finding his business partner.
              • “Finding the right companies that aren’t exiting for the wrong reasons.”
              • The value of partnering with a company you have no intention of acquiring.
              • Structure & having the right team.
              • Be an icebreaker; striking up a conversation with those you don’t know, be it in your business or personal life.
                • A philosophy that lead to Karim having a pleasant random conversation with the lead guitarist of Los Lobos.
                • Attending conferences outside of the WordPress community.
                • “Have fun!” & “Partner and hire for your weaknesses.” – Karim
                • Looking forward, and the intent to return for a round 2 interview with Mastermind.FM!

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                  Featured on the Show:
                  • Karim’s website
                  • Crowd Favorite
                  • The Bureau of Digital
                    • ...more
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                    Mastermind.fmBy Jean Galea & Joe Galea
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