Christopher Becchetti is an entrepreneur and the CEO of Becchetti Marketing. He started the company 5 years ago as a social media brand management company. He has since grown it into a multifaceted marketing company offering services such as events management, search engine optimization, influencer-driven marketing services, and media messaging. Today, he serves multiple clients that range from startups looking to build their brands to large corporations looking to launch new products or simply manage their customer image. Christopher’s prowess has a lot to do with his passion for marketing and his deep marketing skills. From a very young age, he had a thing for image and was the kid that always stood out for his fancy dressing and exciting conversations. This grew on him, and when it came to joining the university, Christopher felt inclined to pursue a degree in marketing. It was the right call, as he graduated among the best in his class. He then enhanced his skills by acquiring several marketing certifications that include the Hubspot Inbound Certification, Google Ads Certification, and the Google Analytics Individual Qualification. He then went on to work for several marketing agencies for two years before finally launching his company.
He continues to pursue growth opportunities that can help him serve his clients in the best way possible. Outside of running a successful marketing firm, Christopher is a very charitable guy. His philanthropic side has been most visible since the COVID-19 pandemic started. All through 2020, he gave thousands of dollars to charities that help feed the less fortunate in society. Christopher is also a dad and a loving husband. Though he can’t brag about being a dad or husband of the century, he always does his best to ensure that his family is comfortable and happy. He has a routine of taking them out for kayaking adventures, and over the years, it has significantly strengthened the family bond. Christopher also loves his beer and enjoys a drink with friends on weekends. It is his way of unwinding while also strengthening his social and business bonds.
How did you get started in this business?
I started Becchetti Marketing in 2015, after two years working at top-tier marketing agencies. From the moment I started working, I knew that I wanted to start a marketing company. The right time came in 2015. It’s at that time that I felt I had accumulated the necessary experience and the financial capital needed to get the job started. I had my fair share of challenges as with all other businesses, but 5-years down the line, I am happy.
How do you make money?
I make money by charging a fee for my services. The prices are structured so that different services have a different, but standardized cost structure. However, we also handle customized marketing projects that may be outside of our cost structure. For such projects, we enter into special pricing arrangements with our clients.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
It took me about a year to turn profitable. In the first months of the business, the company struggled a lot as I did not have a strong profile. Marketing is all about networks and companies are usually inclined to work with companies that have already established themselves in the game. It was so difficult that, by the 6th month, I was struggling to make rent. Nonetheless, I soldiered on and landed a big client in the 7th month of operation. This opened up the business, and by the end of the first year, I had recouped all the costs and was making a surplus. Things got easier from then on, as clients had a reference point on my company’s competence in the marketing game.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Three months after I started the business, I started questioning whether I had made the right call. Money was hard to come by, and I struggled even to make rent, or pay my receptionist. I remember talking to a friend about it, and this changed my perception. He told me that all the most significant businesses struggled at one point and that had the owners not persevered, they would not be where they are today. This changed my mind, and I decided to soldier on no matter the hardships. True to their word, I persevered, and after a while, the business picked up. I am really grateful to my friend for that word of advice.
How did you get your first customer?
My first customer was through a referral from the people I worked with in the past. I had given my card to 5 of my formal colleagues and it was a good strategy. At one of my lowest points, one of them called and told me that they were sending a client my way, and he did. I learned a precious lesson on that day. I learned that maintaining a good network is the key to growing a business in the service industry. To date, referrals play a significant role in my business. They are a key pillar to the success I have experienced so far.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Besides referrals, I rely on content marketing a lot. It’s easy for me since content-driven marketing is part of what I use to grow my business. I ensure that at any given time, there is content about my business ranking well on Google. Recently, I have taken up social media marketing too. It’s a strategy that has helped grow my clientele, especially among SMEs. I expect these two approaches to play a major role in my business’s growth in the short to medium-term.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
In the early months of 2020, around Q1 and Q2, there was a drastic drop in clients’ number. Our revenues dropped sharply, and I was forced to lay off some of our most loyal staff. It was such a difficult moment. I remember some of them shedding tears. Luckily business has rebound, and I have rehired them all. I feel blessed knowing that many businesses haven’t managed to get their employees back to work.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
My success has a lot to do with my perseverance. I discovered very early in my business that the difference between success and failure is not skills or the capital involved but the ability to endure the tough times. I have been through many situations where I would have simply chosen to close down, but I persevered. Each of those times, I bounced back better and stronger. Through perseverance, I have built an enterprise that can survive tough times.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
My most satisfying moment was when I landed my first big corporate client. Anyone who has been in marketing or any service business knows that winning a big company as a client is not easy. I had worked really hard to win that client, and when the deal came through, it was a massive validation of my efforts. It motivated me to put in even more effort and win a lot more clients. It’s a moment that always inspires me to date.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
The future is bright. As marketing becomes more complicated due to an ever-evolving consumer, companies will need innovative marketing solutions. I am most excited about the possibility of A.I. unlocking new ways of understanding data for more accurate customer targeting.
What business books have inspired you?
I am reading Good to Great by James C. Collins. It is a book inspiring me to grow my business into one of the best companies in the nation. Going forward, I will use some of the teachings I have learned from this book to set in pace the next phase of growth.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to be fearless in pursuing dreams. You only have one life, and the only way to live the best version of it is to take chances. You will fail along the way, but don’t let that define you, instead use it as a motivation to seek even bigger things.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
Absolutely! I am more than willing to mentor anyone who wants to get into the business.