Summary
This is the Startup Junkies Podcast, welcome back!
Episode 257 consisted of our hosts Jeff Amerine and Caleb Talley joined by special guest John Vuong. John is the founder and president of Local SEO Search. This Toronto-based Search Engine optimization company aims to aid business owners who desire to attain ready to buy customers on Google. Website engagement, call scheduling and heightened business are the goals and we got to sit with John and discuss how he got there and what the plan is for the future!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes:
(1:18) Introducing John Vuong of Local SEO Search
(4:10) Adversity & Work Ethic
(10:48) Passion for Small & Local Businesses
(12:11) Instilling Conviction into a Team
(13:30)How to Utilize SEO
(18:19) Biggest Challenges Along the Way
(21:36) Virtual Work & Cultural Nuances
(30:40)Advice to Younger Self
(32:57)Wrap Up
Links:
Quotes:
“In order to learn, you have to educate yourself and make mistakes.” (10:42) – John Vuong
“Many of the entrepreneurs that are successful, whether they were there were immigrants or whether they’re from here, if they’ve had a bit of a hard scrabbled start… that drive and that hunger is a little bit more there. I think there’s maybe even more appreciation of how hard it really is to do well.” (5:54) – Jeff Amerine
I think more business owners and founders, if they take a step back from that typical mythology, and they think about what they want to get out of it in terms of satisfaction and self-actualization, all those other things that really give you a sense of being and quality, peace of mind.” (23:45) – Jeff Amerine
“I’m never happy because I feel like there’s so much more I can learn and do and impact others.” (28:52) John Vuong
Adversity as a Catalyst to an Entrepreneurial Spirit with John Vuong
Hosts Jeff Amerine and Caleb Talley were joined by John Vuong, founder, and president of Local SEO Search. This search engine optimization company is based out of Toronto, aiming to aid business owners who desire to attain ready-to-buy customers on Google. Website clicks, calls, and scaling up small businesses are the name of the game, and we got to sit with John and discuss his journey from first-generation American to Startup Junkie!
John is a seasoned sales professional and an internet marketer clocking in 15 years of experience. He finds himself working with CEOs, business owners, and marketing leaders. Through the years, John developed a deep understanding of local marketing dynamics and consumer behavior. Between his entrepreneurial spirit and experience working with more than 5,000 local business owners, he was inspired to start his own company, Local SEO Search, in 2013.
First Generation Entrepreneur
John’s story is one of grit and perseverance inherited by his parents who came to America after fleeing Vietnam from the war. His determination, hard work, and endurance come from his parent’s sacrifice for him and his siblings to live better lives.
“As a fourth child of immigrant parents escaping the war came with not a lot of language and money…We were in government housing. We didn’t have much growing up.Shelter food was pretty much what we survived.” (2:14) – John Vuong
Starting at nine years old, John found himself having upwards of 20 jobs before getting into university. From paper routes to anyone that would hire him, he learned to work hard to survive. He often saw classmates enjoying leisure activities, driving nice cars, or even having sleepovers and wanted the same for himself. He saw that he could achieve those dreams with financial stability, causing him to learn everything he could from business owners, conferences, any book he could get his hands on.
“Work, ethics, family values, [lead to] understanding how and what it took to earn a buck and to survive. (3:07) – John Vuong
John saw the writing on the wall when his career at Yellow Pages was all about trying to keep accounts. The world was going digital, and he had to choose how he would respond. To stay at a comfortable salary and job he knew, or take a leap of faith into the digital world. With the support of his wife, he started the long and windy road of a startup junkie. With a clear and determined mind to make it work, he began to bootstrap everything.
Fighting for the Underdog
Through Yellow Pages, he often interacted with small and local business owners. He would see these people as some of the “best humans alive.” They were hard workers dedicated to community and family like he had been growing up. John wanted to come alongside them to provide the aid and support that they needed to thrive.
“That’s why I dove into doing what I do today, to support those business owners… and I didn’t know anything about SEO, no technical background, I just knew that this was what I wanted to do.” (10:12) – John Vuong
Many SEO companies support bigger brands for faster and bigger returns. Small companies are just as much work, if not more, for a smaller margin to work with and less profit often. The reward is in helping these companies excel in the digital world where they could not have before. Since the pandemic, this need has only increased, making Local SEO Search crucial to many companies staying afloat.
Instilling Conviction into a Team
Learning a potential employee’s core values, personality, and beliefs is crucial in the interview process. One conversation with John and you will find he believes in the vision of this company beyond a pay stub. While employees always have room for improvement, you often cannot teach conviction. Often it is down to internal referrals. John wants to grow a brand and a culture of hard-working and determined employees bought into the vision rather than a paycheck.
How can YOU Utilize SEO
Much like how Yellow Pages would have ready-to-buy customers flipping through their pages, Local SEO Search offers the same result within Google. While in the past you would go to the yellow pages for a specific service or product, Google is now the trusted search engine. SEO is the background work of link building, creating company visibility, and tracking those analytics. The active and intent customers who are already seeking out your services will be on Google; therefore Local SEO Search will be creating a way to get those clicks to YOUR homepage.
What’s Next for Local SEO Search
With the bread and butter being full-service SEO, there is room for growth in building out the marketing strategy as John looks to the future. With Canada working out so smoothly, John is excited to begin the process of expansion. John aims to continue to build a team of people deeply convicted to work hard to help those who already are working hard for their own communities and families.
“I built this as a lifestyle business. I know people may think that’s crazy, but I actually enjoy what I do. I actually am very passionate about helping small business owners. And if they see that, and maybe it resonates with people, great.” (21:22) – John Vuong
It’s stories like these that remind us what it’s all about. People who take what they are dealt with and life and work hard to not only achieve but help others gains the utmost here at Startup Junkie. Keep up with us each week as we get to speak to more women and men about their adventures into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Want to learn more about our services here at Startup Junkie? Contact us today!
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