Right from my childhood, I nurtured a dream. I wanted to have my own business – not a product or an industrial process-related one – but a white collar, service-oriented, consultant firm. It was sometime around the year 2002 that I felt ready to take my first steps towards achieving this long-time goal. I had studied Business Administration, acquired a Master Degree in Marketing and Business Minor, and worked in different marketing projects by myself in Saltillo Coahuila, México. Now I was ready to become a business owner and have my own company.
So I set up my office, in a corporate building, ready to start my business. Now, I always knew that this journey towards starting a business was not going to be easy. But it turned out to be far more difficult than I had even imagined! I had a rent to pay, along with other bills, and no client! It was rough!
When I Was Introduced to WSI
One fine day though, things took a turn towards the better. I can still recall that night when I was surfing the Internet and came across an excellent promotion by WSI. I went through it very carefully to assess what they offered. At that time, I was aware of the potential of digital marketing (or e-business as it was known at that time) in the business world. I was convinced that if I joined hands with WSI, it would be easier for me to achieve my professional goals than if I started a business on my own from scratch! And, this is how I began my journey as a WSI Digital Marketing Consultant!
My Early Days as a WSI Digital Marketing Consultant
I am a positive, energetic, and optimistic person. I know that these traits are what helped me tremendously when I took the first few steps towards becoming a business owner. Once I got certified as a WSI Digital Marketing Consultant in the summer of 2003, I started knocking on doors to sell my digital marketing services. I made phone calls, wrote proposals, and reached out to many decision-makers and businesses. At that point, most of them didn’t even have an email account. Facebook, WordPress, marketing automation, and other social media or digital marketing services that we know of today didn’t even exist those days! It was a challenging, but very fulfilling stage in my professional journey.
The Sweet Taste of Success
Within the first two years of starting my business, I had a staff of 3 people working with me. By year 5, we had grown to a team of 6 people. While with every year, the business was growing, selling digital marketing services was still not an easy task. Businesses were, however, growing aware of the results that a good digital marketing strategy could bring their business. And, therefore, more prospects were opening up to give us an ear. Public speaking events were a great source of qualifying leads. Time flew and before I realized I had completed five years in WSI and it was time to renew my franchise license. I did so with no hesitation whatsoever!
I became WSI Mentor in 2008 and an Area Representative in the north of Mexico in 2010. I started training and coaching WSI Digital Marketing Consultants on a regular basis to help them with their projects. The period from 2010-2011 were some of my most memorable years. My sales went up; I got some huge annual projects. I became a WSI Top Performer during those months. I was number 20, number 15, number 10, and number 2 worldwide, and #1 in Latin America. What an amazing feeling it was to have become a top-performer and be considered one of the best Digital Marketing Consultants from across the world.
What I Have Learnt While Making this Journey
One of the key things I learned during my first five years as a businessman is that selling is not easy. I have also learned that keeping a customer satisfied is also challenging. To meet this challenge, we have to make sure we are continually updated about the advancements in the digital marketing industry.
But during my first few years as a Digital Marketing Consultant, I was too busy, and I didn't want to spend time attending WSI’s networking and educational events. But after I attended the WSI Global Convention for the first time, I was hooked. Now, I don’t want to miss any! I have attended 8 Global Conventions in so far, and it’s my favorite part of the year. Great networking, world-class speakers, fabulous venues, fantastic cities and I always obtain some “golden nuggets” that I’m able to apply to my business. I have learned that attending industry events is as important a part of being a successful businessman as making a sale! Right now I am looking forward to our upcoming Global Convention in Montreal in June 2018.
My Special Achievements as a WSI Digital Marketing Consultant
Talking about Global Convention, two of them will always remain extra-special to me. In 2011, in Las Vegas, I was recognized as the “WSI Community Builder Award” for my role in helping new Consultants in the WSI network. In Toronto, I received the “WSI Performance Award Most Deals” award. This kind of recognition helps motivate us to keep doing better.
A Ph.D. Degree in Knowledge & Experience
During this amazing journey that started in 2002, I have learned much about business, marketing, sales, and project management. I have honed my leadership skills and experienced the high of developing a team, become wise in matters of leadership, time management, and negotiation. I feel that I have achieved a Ph.D. degree in knowledge and experience!
The combination of my local knowledge, time and effort, and the power of a great brand helped me make a long-time dream come. Thanks to being a part of the WSI network, I have easy access to an excellent support system. Not only am I able to leverage tried and tested processes and tactics that I have access, but I also find great value in being able to tap into the expertise of WSI’s global network. When I look back today, I think I made a great decision when I chose to buy a WSI franchise. It was the right move towards achieving my professional goals. Today I consider it my most significant professional achievement.
Now I feel WSI is my home, my brand, my community, my people, and my professional soul. I have met wonderful professionals and made great friends from different parts of the globe. As members of the same WSI network, we understand each other. We have shared interests and challenges. After almost 15 years, it is hard to see my business without the WSI brand.
Could a digital marketing franchise be the answer to your dreams? If Jorge's story inspires you, we welcome you to learn more about the value WSI can bring to your life.
