It’s an understatement to say that creating a digital marketing company from scratch can be difficult. The businesses of digital marketing is subject to constant changes in both the market and the fundamental makeup of the technological ecosystem that powers it, whether at the whims of large tech companies or the governments that (occasionally) regulate them. That’s part of what makes the practically overnight success of Impress!ve Digital so, well, impressive.
When he first started, founder Robert Tadros was working all by himself, putting in extended hours for days on end. In fact, it’s his work ethic, not his talent and experience, to which he attributes the success of his business. During his tenure as an upper-level employee at Sensis, he saw the need for a more sophisticated, more specialized SEO consulting company that could truly cater to his clients’ real-world needs. It was a strategy that paid off handsomely, as he landed his first big-name client before he had even had the chance to built a dedicated team for his business.
When it comes to digital marketing, there are a lot of different ways to make mistakes and hinder the growth of both one’s own business and the clients that business serves. One of the biggest issues is both customers and clients feeling like they’ve been generalized, especially when a marketing agency doesn’t take the time to truly connect with them. That’s one of the ways in which Tadros intends to make his business stand out - “We pride ourselves on the fact that we’re boutique,” he says. In fact, Impress!ve puts significant caps on the number of clients they’re willing to serve per year, in order to ensure that each client gets the treatment and attention that they truly need in order to grow their brand. It’s also a sly image-crafting strategy, giving a subtle impression of exclusivity that helps clients feel like they’ve landed a valuable spot on the company’s roster.
Making a career in digital advertising is not glamorous, if it ever appears to be, and this is a fact that Tadros understands all too well. His dedication to his venture resulted in challenges ranging from overwork to even marriage issues, although he was able to work through them and turn his business into a success. He acknowledges his perseverance, more than anything else, as the key to the success of his business. In light of the explosive growth in the valuation and clientele of his company, success seems almost like an understatement. In only its second year, Impress!ve jumped over 500% in annual revenue, hitting $6 million before the year was up, serving dozens of clients and boasting a team of over 40 people.
While some might begin to feel like superstars in his position, Tadros has remained humble and focused on his goals. He praises the quality of his team and never forgets to mention that his success was not preordained, but rather a result of the long hours he put in towards building his company from the bottom up.
