After over a year of writing this column and interviewing amazing Silicon Beach entrepreneurs, I thought it was about time to introduce myself in the same fashion. In the past 6 years, I have founded two e-commerce businesses and been on the founding team of a third. At this point I run Hawke Media, an outsourced CMO and digital marketing team here in Santa Monica.
What made me want to become an entrepreneur
I have always been an "entrepreneur." From when I was 6 years old and I gathered up a bunch of my parents' things in a trash bag and went out and sold them door-to-door, to jumping into the Beanie Babiescraze at 10 with the sole goal of making money (bought a new guitar, a bicycle and later a car with that money), to the lemonade stand, I always wanted to build and grow things. I have been a serial entrepreneur. Having started a storm drain maintenance company in college with a partner and starting four more businesses since, I love creating and taking risks.
What is Hawke Media?
Hawke Media is an outsourced CMO and Digital Marketing Team. We work with companies of all sizes to grow their revenue online. We can manage one service (like Facebook ads, email marketing, web design, etc.) or their entire digital business, or anything in between. It is all month-to-month, with no long-term commitments, and a la carte. We just build a marketing plan to fit a budget and goal.
Why Santa Monica?
The original reason was I have traveled all over the world and there is not a city in the world that has the same balance of beauty, lifestyle, industry, culture, things to do and just great people. I truly believe there is not a better city on earth. It does not hurt that, especially in the last 4 years, the start-up and tech scene that I hold dear has completely exploded.
One key piece of advice for a new entrepreneur
I have interviewed dozens of CEOs and founders at this point and there is one thing that seems to hold true with successful CEOs: They get things done and move forward. Less talk and more action. Come up with an idea — why isn't it done? They don't have excuses, they don't take no for an answer, they do it themselves and make it happen. That is truly the key to success.
Something I would like to share with Santa Monica
Hopefully this column has helped you get a glimpse of this amazing start-upcommunity in Santa Monica. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you want to get involved in any capacity. It is an amazing thing we have growing in this city, and there seems to be a gap between a lot of the residents and this tech scene, so help bridge the gap, check out the events, talk to those in it as it is really improving where we live. If you want to find out more, you can always email me at erik@hawkemedia.com.
