Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Grego.
Hi Michael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
About 15 years ago, while I was working as a Marketing Director for a child card facility, I had been running into many other businesses that needed help with their marketing. Logo design, website help, general media buying, whatever, and it began to peak my interest in starting to do marketing for myself. Who doesn’t want to make their own hours, right? But I couldn’t afford to try something like that at the time. I didn’t have the finances or the guts to make that change.
About six and a half years later, after bouncing around industry to industry and helping the corporations I was working for make lots of profit, my position as Online Coordinator for a national advertising company was eliminated after that company was purchased. Since the new ownership company did not offer online services, I was told at the time that if I wanted to pursue helping those clients after I left that they would not stop me.
With just $254 in my personal checking account and no job offers. I decided to take the leap and take my side hustle full time. I got almost every single one of those clients I was helping and it allowed me to build what is now some six and a half years later, a successful online marketing agency helping small businesses all across the country. We’ve done over $1.5million in sales over the years and we’ve established a great reputation in our area.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been easy, but the struggles were really focused to the Covid-19 time. My business was barely a year old when Covid shutdown hit and I had lots of clients in hotels, restaurants, bars, dental offices, etc. that were closed. I will say the government PPP loan kept us afloat. We also stayed in close contact with those businesses so they were ready to go with new post-Covid ideals to get people back in their doors.
Over the years, there have been small bumps. There was a very large national vendor we used that basically bullied us into paying over $20,000 for services we did not want or use but they were powerful and we couldn’t afford an attorney at the time so that was disappointing to see that happen. And we’ll have cash flow issues from time to time just like all businesses, but at the end of every year, all the bills are paid and we’re on to the next year. So far, so good.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in online marketing campaigns but offer full ad agency services. When it comes to online marketing, I was fortunate enough to get to know some important people in my previous job so my agency has access to the top of the line software and partners in the online world.
We also offer logo design, website design, marketing strategy, media buying, etc. I have over 24 years in the marketing world and my Director of Client Development has over 20 years herself.
What sets us a part is our attention to what the client needs. We really hold our feet to the fire when it comes to results for our clients and we put our numbers aside and focus on the client’s numbers and what they see as success. We build that into our everyday thought process…”this has to be something that drives results.”
I’m most proud brand-wise that people and business in our local area of La Crosse, WI and Winona, MN know about us and after years of always having to call out to get business that now businesses are starting to call us.
Your readers should know that not all ad agencies are out to increase only their bottom lines and charge outrageous rates for their services. If you want an agency that will go the extra mile, find one that was built like mine, where the owner, whose financial well-being depends on your account’s success, is your point of contact!
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is that my clients know that I’m loyal, trust-worthy, and hard-working. Obviously, their results matter, but I want a solid foundation and relationship with all my clients. I don’t want to be their agency, I want them to think of me and my staff has part of their organization.
Why? Because I’ve been on the other side of the table. It’s hard to trust an outside business with your marketing money. Will they really do what they say? Do they know what they are selling? Do they believe in it? Does it work? So all of the above matters because I strive to be the person that they don’t have to ask those questions about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.provaremarketing.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/provaremarketing/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgrego/
