The First Customer

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Marco Torres, the Co-founder of Marketing Boost.com.

Marco explains how Marketing Boost started as a solution to obtain video testimonials for their travel business. To incentivize customers, they offered bonus vacations, leading to the creation of a system that eventually evolved into Marketing Boost.com. The company collaborates with hotels worldwide to offer complimentary stays and other incentives, helping businesses grow by leveraging these incentives in their marketing strategies.

Marco also shares how the company uses incentive-based marketing and how it can be applied in various business scenarios. Marco provides examples of how B2B companies can use incentives, such as offering hotel savings cards for booking Zoom calls, reducing no-show rates, and adding value to their offerings. He emphasizes the importance of creating a win-win scenario for both businesses and customers.

Enjoy listening to The First Customer's insightful episode with Marco Torres!

Guest Info:
Marketing Boost
https://www.marketingboostsolutions.com/

Marco Torres' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/6101960marcotorres/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Lance Cayko, co-founder of F9 Productions Inc.

Lance started his remarkable journey from growing up between a sugar beet farm and a cattle ranch in North Dakota to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the world of architecture and construction. Lance shared valuable lessons learned from early experiences, emphasizing the significance of perseverance, humility, and constantly reevaluating one's approach in the face of challenges. Lance highlighted the pivotal moment when he discovered the entrepreneurial mindset through a conversation with his first contractor, Bruce, who exposed him to the concept of profit and the freedom it could provide.

As the co-founder of F9 Productions, Lance discussed the firm's growth trajectory, navigating challenges during the 2008 recession, and their strategic approach to diversifying their services. Aside from being a serial entrepreneur, Lance also has a passion for fishing which later paved the way for his journey into content creation as a professional fisherman.

Join us and be inspired once more in this enriching episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
F9 Productions Inc.
https://f9productions.com/

Lance Cayko's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-cayko-1227031a/

Fishing With Lance YT Channel
http://www.youtube.com/@fishingwithlance

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this podcast episode, I was lucky enough to interview Christian Hyldahl, President and Founder of Varium Investment Partners.

Christian shared his background and journey before founding Varium. After realizing the limitations and politics of larger firms, he started his own traditional RIA in 2005, focusing on building portfolios stock by stock. However, he eventually recognized the need for a different approach, leading to the creation of Varium, which prioritizes specialization and efficiency in investment management.

Reflecting on the challenges of starting Varium, Christian highlighted the importance of humility, perseverance, and constant reevaluation. He emphasizes the value of time optimization for advisors and stresses the need to focus on what they are truly good at while outsourcing other tasks.

Don't miss out on the wisdom and experiences shared by Christian . Tune in to the full podcast episode now!


Guest Info:
Varium Investment Partners
http://www.variumip.com


Christian Hyldahl's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-hyldahl-cfa-b55514/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Melissa Allen, Co-Founder of Active Life Company.

Melissa grew up in Davenport, Iowa, and shared that she spent 24 years in the health and fitness industry. She transitioned from owning a corrective exercise center to venturing into the world of sunscreen with Active Life Company.

Melissa discussed the inspiration behind starting a sunscreen business, recounting a personal experience where her dog detected skin cancer on her husband's head. She tackled the challenges of breaking into the sunscreen market, the importance of natural ingredients, and the impact of FDA regulations on product development.

Join us in another inspiring episode with Melissa Allen in The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Active Life Company
https://theactivelifecompany.com/

Melissa Allen's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-melissa/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jacob Kleinman Phillips, CEO of Touchpoint Design.

Jacob grew up in Delaware County. He reflected on his upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs, where his parents ran businesses ranging from general contracting to a sweet chocolate factory named Sweet Dreams. Growing up in this environment, Jacob absorbed the essence of entrepreneurship, blending passion with business acumen.

As Jacob unfolded his professional trajectory, he transitioned from a background in industrial design to the founding of Touchpoint Design. Jacob further discussed his pivotal moments in the evolution of industrial design, the challenges he faced in aligning his expertise with client needs, and the mindset shift that propelled him to redefine his role as an entrepreneur. 

End the week with a bang by listening to Jacob's brimming story in this new episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Touchpoint Design
http://www.touchpoint-design.com

Jacob Kleinman Phillips' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobkp/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Kirsten Bronkovic, co-founder of EmpathED.

Kirsten grew up in Newtown, Pennsylvania, and shared how she was kind of enterprising even as a young kid where she even held an art sale. Her entrepreneurial spirit was evident even at a young age. Later, she enrolled in a program at the University of Pittsburgh that took her around the world via ship, landing in different countries. This life-changing experience led her to co-establish EmpathED.

Fast forward to today, EmpathED is a web-based platform that offers interactive and accessible online courses on various topics related to learning disabilities, neurodiversity, disability, and mental health. It uses different media formats, virtual reality, and empathy to help learners understand the challenges and opportunities of inclusive and accessible education and work environments.

Let's discover more of Kirsten's full-packed story in this episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:
EmpathED
http://www.empatheducate.com/


Kirsten Bronkovic's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-bronkovic-5407578b/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview a good friend, Ben Albert, the CEO and founder of Balbert Marketing.

Ben was born and raised in Rochester, New York, and emphasized that he never saw himself as an entrepreneur, initially pursuing a more conventional career path. However, his passion for music and involvement in the local music scene paved the way for his transition into entrepreneurship. Ben explained that he leveraged his marketing skills, particularly in guerrilla marketing, to start a business podcast during the pandemic. His podcast, initially focused on Rochester Business Connections, later expanded to include a more international audience now called  Real Business Connections.

Ben's story highlighted the idea that building a strong, enduring brand and focusing on nurturing relationships can ultimately lead to success, even if the results aren't immediately apparent.

Come and book a flight to the "Flower City" on this fun episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Balbert Marketing
http://www.balbertmarketing.com


Ben Albert's Linked In
https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbenalbert/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Pete Mauro, owner of DT Cubed.

Born in the Philadelphia area but raised in South Jersey, Pete found himself at a crossroads between government work and pursuing personal happiness. He embarked on his career as a civil servant for the Navy, eventually becoming a GS 14 at a young age. However, the demands of his role in Washington, D.C., led him to prioritize his personal happiness, ultimately influencing his decision to start his own engineering firm.

Pete emphasized the importance of balance and well-being, both personally and professionally, even as he achieved financial success. His story includes successful exits from previous ventures and the creation of DT Cubed, his new engineering company.
Pete also shares his passion for charity work through his non-profit organization called An Opportunity's Knockin', which focuses on empowering and helping children through his charity initiatives.

In this fresh episode of The First Customer, let's further explore Pete's insightful path as an entrepreneur!

Guest Info:
DT Cubed
https://d-t3.com/

Pete Mauro's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergmauro/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I  was lucky enough to interview Jennifer Crompton, President and founder of Something Creative, LLC.

Growing up in South Jersey, Jen shares her upbringing and how her family's entrepreneurial background influenced her path.  This path became evident during her time as a grad assistant at Rowan University when her mentor pushed her to take on a challenging marketing project. Jen's journey led her through several setbacks, which ultimately pushed her to pursue her passion for marketing and social media consulting. 

She emphasized that her commitment to delivering great client experiences and providing efficient, trustworthy services has been her key differentiator in the crowded digital strategy space. Her approach is grounded in building strong client relationships and always doing what she promises, making her a reliable and valuable partner.

Let's discover more of Jen's ingenious story in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Something Creative, LLC
http://www.somethingcreativeconsulting.com

Jen Cohen Crompton's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlcohen/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this special episode, I was lucky enough to interview two of the best co-founders,  Ivan Barajas Vargas and Renan Ugalde of MuukTest. MuukTest is a front-end testing automation platform that offers innovative solutions for software testing.

Ivan shares his roots growing up in Mexico, emphasizing how his family's entrepreneurial endeavors, particularly their grocery stores, instilled an early entrepreneurial mindset. Renan, also from Mexico, talks about the influence of his family's entrepreneurial background and his decision to pursue entrepreneurship later in life.

Ivan and Renan also mention that MuukTest was born out of a series of ideas and experiments, with a primary focus on solving real problems and adapting to customer needs. They emphasize the importance of staying passionate and committed to the business, understanding the problem you're solving, and being open to unexpected solutions.

Start your week right by listening to this insightful episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
MuukTest
http://www.muuktest.com

Ivan Barajas Vargas' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanbarajasvargas/

Renan Ugalde's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/renan-ugalde/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/