Ike Anderson has been a “serial entrepreneur” since age nine, when he enlisted the ‘power of duplication’ with several other boys, creating a direct sales candy company that grew into an international business with an evolutionary distribution model, before he was 15.

In the same spirit, Ike is now the CEO and founder of UpStart Internet™, a niche Internet Marketing and Digital Advertising Agency that serves clients in creating their vision with laser-focused accuracy by maximizing online user experience and strategy. He oversees the day-to-day operations and manages the agency's Search Engine Optimization architecture, and a top-notch team of creative, and analytical staff.

Ike’s lifelong commitment to developing transparent and focused professional relationships has allowed business to grow, almost exclusively, by word of mouth and has supported the acquisition of six other companies to ensure the best of all services to his clients. Coupled with knowledge, intuition, and skill, Upstart Internet, under Anderson’s leadership, fulfills the demands of an ever-evolving global marketplace and Internet with an inspired vision for success, further expansion and a meticulous plan for its fulfillment. With a vision of collaboration and huge belief that “we are always better together” infused in everything he does, Ike and his team are making global impact for their clients and the not-for-profit corporations he mentors.

Ike's Episode Outline

•  What was the problem that you discovered that fueled your vision and allowed you to start UpStart?
•  Why focus UpStart on lawyers? Why that niche first?
•  Have you expanded to other professions? And what other professions have worked well for your model?
•  Why Ike at one point got rid of 20% of his clients
•  Where did capital come from to get the agency off the ground?
•  What kind of creative strategies do you recall having done in the early stages of your business that worked for you?
•  What have been some of your failures and how have you learned from them? [**Dont Miss This**]
•  What have been some #EpicLessons?
•  What does your business focus on beyond Pay Per Click & Google based ads?
•  How long have you been running UpStart?
•  What's 3 pieces of advice you'd want to give a college student who aspires to be an entrepreneur?
•  Is there a pattern or formula to being successful as an entrepreneur?
•  How do you define success?
•  How do you go about finding employees that care about your company the way you do?
•  How has being a business owner affected your family life?
•  Ike explains why we must become business owners and not business operators

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I Am Black Success® is a podcast featuring conversations with trailblazing Black leaders, entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers. With 200+ episodes, the show documents Black stories and explores the strategies, lessons, and tools that fuel excellence, leadership, and legacy.

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