The more I travel, the more I understand different areas of the world, cultures of the world, and people of the world. It opens up your capacity to learn and understand and is a vital part of being an entrepreneur in my humble opinion.
John Crestani is owner and CEO of the private nutraceutical affiliate marketing network known as Nutryst. John Crestani has been described as many things, but mostly he is known for his entrepreneurial nature in the Internet marketing world. He is also an avid traveler, and has seen many different corners of the world.
John Crestani is currently based out of Los Angeles, California. Before starting his journey in the world of Internet marketing, Crestani studied Business at Southern Methodist University and Marketing as California State University-Northridge. After his collegiate education was completed in 2010, he worked for several different companies as an Internet marketing consultant, as well as a search engine marketing analyst, director of online advertising, in addition to starting his own companies.
John Crestani’s main skill sets are in Internet marketing and business development. He is knowledgeable and proficient in pay-per-click advertising, search engine optimization, social media marketing, Google AdWords, conversion optimization, and many more skills in this space.
Outside of the Internet, Crestani is known for being self-motivated as well as wanting to motivate others. On several of his websites and social media accounts, he references Tony Robbins quite often as an inspirational figure. His travels and self-motivation have helped him turn into the successful CEO that we see in front of us now.
Where did the idea for Nutryst come from?
I felt like I had been building my knowledge and experience with Internet marketing for a while, and always wanted to start a company like Nutryst. Additionally, I had put together a pretty solid team of marketers. Nutryst is out there to serve the best of the best, and I feel like it is the culmination of years I’ve spent learning and connecting with others in this industry.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
In my line of work, there is no such thing as a typical day. The ability to succeed in this business really comes down to all the knowledge you already have, and your ability to be extremely flexible. I spend the majority of my time making sure my team has the appropriate tools to do well, whether that is teaching techniques or providing them with new services to look into. Every day is different which keeps me going.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Through the power and magic of the Internet to make it all happen. But seriously, I think I mentioned it before, I’ve spent a lot of time in this industry. I’ve been on all different sides of the affiliate network game as well. It is a matter of taking what I, or what a team member knows well, and implementing it. A lot of hard work does go into bringing certain ideas to formation, so just trusting my gut and working hard at it usually brings me the results I am looking for.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
How much time do you have? There are so many trends that excite me. Everyday I discover a new trend on the Internet, whether applicable to my business or not. They say that one month in this industry is really like three months in any other industry, because things are constantly evolving. I will say, though, I am interested to see how this “Dislike” button on Facebook is going to work. I haven’t done much research on it yet, but if it turns Facebook into an up vote / down vote type network people are going to freak out and it is going to be awesome.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship, if done right, pretty much means you are doing what you love to do, and the same is true for me. What I do never feels like work. I went to college and had jobs, but I always knew that there was a much higher ceiling out there for me, and my intention has always been to break through it. I think there has been this relentless sort of work ethic I drilled into myself at an earlier age, so not only am I doing what I love, but I never let off the gas pedal.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
Any job where I wasn’t working for my best interests. I’m not going to sit here and call anybody out. Also, it should be stated that every job I’ve ever had has led me to where I am today. But whenever I was working for someone else’s goals and dreams I didn’t feel fulfilled myself and knew that I wanted to work towards my own success.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I probably would have started earlier, like in Middle School and just taught myself everything there was to know about the industry. Especially since when I was in middle school the industry was really in its earliest stages. I know that sounds a little ridiculous, but it took me over 20 years to find this industry, and if I would have known about it sooner things might be even better than they are now!
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Travel, travel, and travel! I cannot underestimate the power of traveling, as an entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, your primary focus is to work for yourself while additionally providing a solution for a common problem in the world. How can you understand the world and the people who inhabit it without actually seeing it first hand? The more I travel, the more I understand different areas of the world, cultures of the world, and people of the world. It opens up your capacity to learn and understand and is a vital part of being an entrepreneur in my humble opinion.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
One strategy is definitely the ability to network. And I don’t mean giving your card to everyone you see on the sidewalk type of networking either. It’s about knowing your industry, the people in it, and how each individual plays a part in the industry. Being able to connect with them, learn from them, and ultimately work with them is something I have benefited a lot from. Plus, some of them turn out to be great friends in the long run.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I wouldn’t say I have really encountered any major failures as an entrepreneur. There are risks you take as an entrepreneur that don’t work out sometimes, but I can’t say I’ve ever had a failure worth noting. However, I will say that failure, big or small, is extremely important to experience in order to keep moving forwards towards success. Any small failure I’ve had is immediately turned into a learning experience for my own benefit.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Wow, that is a pretty good question. I’d like to say if I had a good business idea I would have used it already, but there are plenty of good business ideas that haven’t been done yet I’m sure. Maybe an app that can predict the future? If there isn’t one already. But seriously, I suggest starting a business that you are passionate about because nothing else matters.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I recently purchased an incredible hiking backpack that was probably somewhere around the $100 mark. I like to travel, and when I travel I like to explore, so being properly equipped is a big deal to me.
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
Not necessarily for business, but I use Instagram a lot now. I like it a lot because I like to motivate, in general, and the Instagram community is really big on sharing and commenting on motivational posts. Seeing other people’s stuff can inspire me as well. Also, I have gotten in touch with people in the industry over Instagram as well, so it serves as a good communication platform believe it or not.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Anything Tony Robbins wrote. Seriously, he is one of my favorite people and biggest influences in my life. Even though he may not know it, I consider him a close friend. My favorite book of his is probably “Awaken the Giant Within”. If you are looking for some seriously eye opening stuff, that is the book for you!
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
I think I answered this question in the last question, but Tony Robbins. I attend every conference of his that I can read as many books by him as I can, and really get a lot out of his messages. You can probably just search from him on YouTube or find his books on Amazon. Truly inspiring stuff.
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Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.