Graham Byers

Graham Michael Byers, referred to as The Prince Digital Nomad of Puerto Rico, is a California-born businessman and entrepreneur who is the founder and owner of DB Media Group, a marketing and advertising company that specializes in performance based visual design. Graham’s claim to fame is that he was one of the first solo entrepreneurs to completely relocate to Puerto Rico to take advantage of the tax incentives, and now he is helping countless independent entrepreneurs follow his example.

Graham began his entrepreneurial ventures right out of college with only $1,000. He used that money to start a supplement brand with a business partner. Once the company was successful enough, Graham and his partner sold the company and used that money to build their current company; DB Media Group.

Before attaining success in the digital media world, Graham worked at a software company in San Francisco. At this time, he started to work on his first online company on the side. In only a year, he was able to grow the business and sell it. Following this, he became a full-fledged entrepreneur and started his second company, which he still runs today.

Unlike most marketing and advertising companies, DB Media Group helps their clients with every aspect of marketing – both creating content and advertising it. They are a one stop shop for all things marketing and advertising. Graham loves encouraging entrepreneurs who have the freedom to do so, to move and run their businesses from Puerto Rico, which he now calls home.

Where did the idea for DB Media Group come from?

It all started when I Googled “How to make money online”.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I wake up around 8 – 9 AM. I then go to the gym or to kickboxing and am done by 12 PM. I then work from 1 – 7 PM.

How do you bring ideas to life?

My creative process isn’t necessarily a specific “process”. I am just constantly researching my industry. I’ve noticed that when I do this, and really engulf myself, ideas will begin to pop up.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The trend that excites me the most is the direct to consumer business model. Additionally, how consumers are preferring “at home” solutions.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One of my best habits is that I am always forcing myself to be consistent when working on something. I’ve taught myself to ignore my feelings some of the time because it is easy to often not “feel” like putting in the work.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I’d tell my younger self to pick one thing and stick with it. Given enough concentrated effort, you can achieve just about anything.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Follow what you’re good at, not your passion. This can be hard for some, especially creatives, but it is better to be great at what you are good at and being able to achieve financial success, and then spend time pursuing your passions.

Otherwise, you may end up with neither success, nor a career you are passionate about. On the other hand, most people who focus and pursue what they are good at, usually have the resources to more properly pursue their passions.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I’ve made fitness a priority and tell people that they shouldn’t sacrifice their fitness for their business. These two things are not mutually exclusive.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Leverage what works and don’t try to reinvent the wheel. When it comes to creating content or digital advertising, it is more important to put your audience’s needs and wants ahead of your own.

Many creators spend too much time doing what they personally think is cool, and then alienating the audiences that they rely on to live.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

For a short while, I had a small real estate wholesaling business. We did well for the first few months. However, when I tried to open up a new market, I noticed that my partner and I had spread ourselves too thin.

Looking back, I should have shut down the business sooner. It was taking away focus from what I mainly do, which is internet marketing. My biggest takeaway from this experience was knowing when to quit.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

There will never be a better time to get into internet marketing. Anything that is successful offline, that has not been properly launched online yet, is a great opportunity to pursue.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

The best $100 I’ve spent has been on educational resources. I’m constantly buying courses and other educational media. It’s important to keep learning.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Google Docs and Google Sheets is all you really need. Take notes and keep track of your expenses.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Breakthrough Advertising. It puts into perspective the art of creating a product around something people already want.

What is your favorite quote?

“Get it how you live” (Birdman).

Key Learnings:

• Follow what you’re good at, not your passion. Eventually what you’re good at will become your passion
• Find someone doing what you want to be doing and emulate them
• Don’t overthink it. Usually deep down you know the answer