Ben Guez left France 8 years ago to start his entrepreneur journey and founded his business venture as LAXIR a digital marketing agency in 2015, co-founded of Zentap a SaaS company for realtors in 2018, and just launched kloe a marketing software for CBD and Cannabis business owners.
Where did the idea for kloe come from?
I’ve been doing digital marketing for the last 10 years and I after talking to a lot of people on the CBD and Cannabis space I realized how challenging it was for them to advertise online. Due to regulation on Facebook and Adwords they do not have access to typical ad platform.
This is why I created, kloe, a specific marketing software for them.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Waking up around 6am, start my day doing some exercise and working out for 30min then I pray for 20 min.
Then before checking emails or slack channels I start my day writing to do list and the goal of the day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
First check if someone is not already doing it and why yours would be different.
Then you bring them to life by testing them. If you got ideas first you need to ask people that would the product or service, get their feedback and if they would use it and how much they would be willing to pay for it.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Like everyone tech entrepreneur and their moms: AI and AR. The new launch of apple glass and new generation of Google glass will bring a lot of exciting app to consumers.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Daily todo list and weekly goals.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient, take your time doing your homework and spend much time looking for better fit as partners.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Food is just a fuel for the body and we spend too much time cooking for such a short time consuming it. Waste of time.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Ask for feedback. From your network, friends and influencers in the industry.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Generate leads before your product was ready, first it helps building your lead database and get you first beta user for your MVP.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
My first company was a failure, but I realized I just was not passionate enough about this industry and did not like what I was doing on a daily basis.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I just went home for the holiday and I realized that my parent home has a ton of old things that could have value ( like sport card or old coins) – you could offer this service of cleaning and take over old junks to people house and find some treasure, sell it and so 50-50 with the owner.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Less than $100 but my pen for ipad is a game changer.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
Trello and Asana are great tools to keep track of projects and adds deadlines for you and your team.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Just finished Sapiens, loved it. I would also recommend Black Swan to understand that sometimes you can have the best business plan some stuff are unpredictable and it is always better to start sooner than later.
What is your favorite quote?
Do not have Dreams, Have Goals.
Key Learnings:
• Ben Guez started a marketing software for CBD/Cannabis niche because of regulation in this space
• Start your day making to do list and have clear weekly goals will help you being productive
• Always take the opportunity to ask for feedback
• Do something your passionate about, choose your partners wisely and better being in the action than in the planning
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.