Summary
Welcome to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast!
Thanks for tuning in! In this episode, Jeff Amerine and Caleb Tally talk with Michael W. Marra. Jeff and Caleb speak with Michael about his transition from civil engineer to now serial entrepreneur and investor. Michael is the CEO and founder of Entre: Social Network for the future of work and gives us all the details of that journey. You won’t want to miss what the advice this startup junkie has for you! Thanks for listening!
Shownotes
(1:06) Introducing Michael Marra
(1:27) From Civil Engineer to Serial Entrepreneur
(3:22) History of Entre
(6:12) From Social Media to Real Life Networking
(9:33) Revenue Model of Entre
(15:36) Entre Partnerships
(17:00) Community Scaling and Accessibility
(20:45) Outside Capital
(22:29) Value of Connectivity
(27:10) Building a Team
(31:42) Product PR vs. Personal PR
(34:17) Advice to Past Self
(37:32) Wrap Up
Links
Quotes
“…none of my friends were entrepreneurs, none of my family was, I was always looking for people to connect with. And that’s when I started really building up this community of entrepreneurs, which led me down to building Entre.” (2:29)
“So we’re more transitioning into being the platform and the vehicle that enables more connection and enables actually people to build their own communities in their own businesses.” (9:06)
“Entrepreneurship is such a global thing now. And, I think there’s a lot to be said for enabling connection cross countries as well.” (18:28)
“I encourage every entrepreneur to do events… because without doing events at the beginning we never would have been able to do what we’re doing right now… it led to all of our relationships.” (21:47)
“…one connection can literally lead to an endless, endless possibilities.” (29:55)
“Putting their name and their face on everything… if you do that, then the company’s never going to be bigger than yourself.” (33:33)
Once you can have clarity around who you are and that’s in, who you are, is in line with what you do. That is the ultimate clarity. (36:03)
Future of Connectivity among Entrepreneurs with Michael W. Marra
You finally have that grand idea; you have the passion and the vision, but how can you move from a concept to a product? Where do you find investors, developers, or mentors?
In this week’s episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast, Michael Marra joined Jeff Amerine and Matthew Ward to discuss his journey from a civil engineer to a serial entrepreneur. Michael is an innovator, connector, and CEO/Founder of Entre.
Starting Up… but Alone
Michael grew up imagining that engineering would be his dream job until he became one. Then, realizing his affinity towards technology and innovation, he dove into the entrepreneurial world. But, without any experienced entrepreneurs nearby to ask for advice, work with, or lean on, the need for connectivity became blatantly obvious.
“None of my friends were entrepreneurs, none of my family was, I was always looking for people to connect with…that’s when I started really building up this community of entrepreneurs, which led me to building Entre.” (2:29)
To be Local or to be Global?
Entre’s function is a stepping stone from online connection to in-person relationship building. The aim is to build up managers in each city and encourage them to host locally, bringing the networking to your front door… ideally forming organic and life-long connections.
“So we’re more transitioning into being the platform and the vehicle that enables more connection and enables actually people to build their own communities in their own businesses.” (9:06)
Bringing a social platform and business together is a recipe for globalization. Entre wants to maintain a healthy, creative and innovative network of people from across the world who thrive in their respective communities.
Giving LinkedIn a Facelift
With users from over 150 countries, Entre is determined not to forget its bootstrapping roots to avoid becoming another Silicon Valley company. Instead, the dream is to become the younger and more modern LinkedIn, yet still heavily focused on local communities.
“Entrepreneurship is such a global thing now. And, I think there’s a lot to be said for enabling connection cross countries as well.” (18:28)
Entre Shows us the Money
The monetization of Entre is through events, sponsors, and the premium membership: Entre Pro. Entre takes out the middle man, of Calendly or Paypal, by allowing users to click on the profile and book and pay them right there, allowing the recipient to accept or decline. Entre will put on an event each month while all other events are localized.
Partnerships with universities, Techstars, and incubators are on the horizon for Entre. The first order of business is for the program to be up and working across all platforms: mobile IOS, Android, web, and live rooms and events.
The Heart Behind Entre
While keeping the tech and product functioning at peak performance may keep Michael up at night, his heart is to see an authentic connection between entrepreneurs that flows into a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“I encourage every entrepreneur to do events… because without doing events at the beginning we never would have been able to do what we’re doing right now… it led to all of our relationships.” (21:47)
Creative collisions are the heartbeat of Entre and the foundation for entrepreneurs to lift off. One event can create the connection to get you from concept to start up.
“…one connection can literally lead to an endless, endless possibilities.” (29:55)
Product PR vs. Personal PR
The success of the app will come from not making it about the founders. As a startup, avoiding plastering your face and personality as PR instead of pushing forward the actual product will allow the company to grow, adapt, and excel.
“Putting their name and their face on everything… if you do that, then the company’s never going to be bigger than yourself.” (33:33)
Clarity, Connection, and Community
Michael believes that the success of an entrepreneur’s business is found in their drive to intentionally and genuinely connect with others. Entre is at the forefront of building up a system of startup junkies from the screen to their local community to around the world.
“Once you can have clarity around who you are and that’s in, who you are, is in line with what you do. That is the ultimate clarity.” (36:03)
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