Owning a small, successful business on Main Street is often cited as “the American dream.”This remains just that— a dream— for many due to the high costs and risks involved with leasing, renovating and managing a storefront. Property taxes, insurance, and payroll, oh my! Adding to the challenges, a global pandemic has stifled foot traffic to many brick and mortar businesses.
For these reasons, existing businesses and new start-ups are eyeing the digital world to supplement or start sales and capitalize on e-commerce’s explosive growth, a 14.9% increase in 2019 alone according to U.S. Department of Commerce data. The benefits are abundant, from low initial costs to a potentially international customer base. Gone too are the days of pricey web developers and clunky, confusing sites. Solutions like Shopify and WooCommerce have fast become the world’s choice for simple, effective DIY webstores.
Although it is easier than ever to start a webstore, what happens once you strike it big and see online success or want to grow? Much as a brick and mortar store might design new signage or install a more efficient kitchen, changes are needed to increase conversion rates and sales numbers. That’s where MBM Hustle steps in.
“We offer marketing and consulting specific to e-commerce,“ explains Matt Hojsik, Co-Founder of MBM Hustle. “Businesses know their product inside and out, but often lack the tools to get it out to the world.”
Hojsik moved back to the area with this start-up idea in mind, and set sights on finding a business office. Fortuitously, he found the Koffman Incubator through research and the Incubator seemed the perfect fit. It solved the office issue and provided the added benefit of core guidance and development support through mentors and programs.
“We’ve worked with mentors and honed in on our key offerings, developing from generalists to specialists,“ says Hojsik. “ Phone accessories, pet suppliers, hair care — we work with all sorts of companies, focusing on site optimization, customized for each client.”
A key pivot they’ve integrated into their business model since joining the Incubator is accepting payment as a percent of increased revenue gained due to their efforts. Confident in their ability, this is a win-win strategy for both MBM and their clients.
For start-ups, pivots such as this are critical. Hojsik offered the analogy that working on a start-up is like building an airplane while learning to fly. So much goes into a new business that it’s easy to overlook key details or miss the big picture. Integrating lessons learned and making changes to enable growth is core to both the service MBM provides to clients, as well as their own path in entrepreneurship.
Looking to the future, Hojsik expects to hone in their business offerings further.
“By scaling and optimizing our offerings, those we work with will see greater value, and we will be able to provide more specialized services,” says Hojsik.
As it becomes increasingly important to offer digital shopping options, MBM Hustle looks to enable businesses in this ever-evolving online environment.
