Anthony Pezzotti is a co-founder at Elevated Media Inc., an advertising technology and digital marketing company based in Akron, OH that specializes in pay per click (PPC). Elevated Media Inc. owns and operates a portfolio of diverse brands on the Internet such as Knowzo.com, SymptomCare.com and InvestingRelief.com. Follow him @AnthonyPezzotti.
Who’s your hero? (In business, life, or both.)
The founders of LRMR Management (Maverick Carter and Rich Paul) are my heroes. LRMR has signed and manages several high-profile stars including LeBron James. In addition, Paul’s agency, Klutch Sports, has signed and manages several NBA players. I admire them because they have built amazing brands coming from nothing and are both taking calculated risks while redefining culture and marketing strategy in the business world.
What’s the single best piece of business advice that helped shape who you are as an entrepreneur today, and why?
Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” At Elevated Media Inc., we have made this the cornerstone of our business. We always aim to provide value within our owned and operated brands and client’s websites.
In this digital age, clients have more options now than they ever have had. If you can’t consistently demonstrate your commitment to the highest level of value in your work, someone else will. If you can constantly validate such a relationship with your clients, they will reward you with their business and their endorsement.
Focusing on providing value, rather than making money, is vital. The perfect way to build a thriving company is to ensure that your clients and users are raving fans. This formula has had the biggest impact on how we think about our current business and plan for our future endeavors.
What’s the biggest mistake you ever made in your business, and what did you learn from it that others can learn from too?
Early on, we focused too much of our time on trying to scale a short-term business model. A couple of years down the road we slowly watched it suffocate. This forced us to take a year off and build a more durable brand with stability at the forefront. Rule of thumb: focus on providing value, not making money.
What do you do during the first hour of your business day and why?
I always start my day with music, a personal French press, and I read the news for about an hour before I dive into any emails or work. I find this more therapeutic than anything else. I like to refer to this time as the calm before the storm.
What’s your best financial/cash-flow related tip for entrepreneurs just getting started?
If you are afraid of taking a pay cut, then you don’t want to be an entrepreneur. I was prepared not to take a salary for as long as it took to get my company to profitability. For me, this was and is step one for cultivating the mindset of a successful entrepreneur.
Quick: What’s ONE thing you recommend ALL aspiring or current entrepreneurs do right now to take their biz to the next level?
Live a frugal life. Being frugal doesn’t mean that you have to be cheap. It means not being careless with your money. Make sacrifices and save so that you can expand your business.
What’s your definition of success? How will you know when you’ve finally “succeeded” in your business?
Perseverance. Success can only come from being willing to fail. Recognizing the need for your willingness to fail is part of the journey. Embrace it.
