Have faith in your ideas and don’t be afraid to go into business for yourself.
Mark Dukas is a financial consultant at BitcoinSmartMoney.com and a full-time cryptocurrency trader. He is an expert in teaching people and businesses to take advantage of Bitcoin and other crypto assets. His interest in cryptocurrency led him to invest early in Bitcoin, and he has been a successful trader since 2014.
Mark Dukas graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2004 and received his MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management. As an early adopter of Bitcoin, Mark Dukas has a unique perspective on the market and how it can help businesses and individuals achieve financial success. Mark Dukas is also skilled at assisting companies to overcome the damage caused by cyber ransomware attacks.
Where did the idea for trading and investing in Bitcoin come from?
When I first started trading Bitcoin, I was surprised at how many people ignore this market because they don’t understand it. The widespread perception is that cryptocurrencies are only for the technology elite. I taught a few new clients that were into finance, and they later told me how much they valued my instruction. They have become hugely successful investors.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I always get up early. In the morning, I try to tackle the hardest projects while my mind is fresh. In the afternoon, I answer emails, but I give myself a strict time limit for doing so.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Being able to translate inspiration into the real world is essential. This process requires a lot of trial and error. When I am creating a new idea, I try to be completely open-minded and not to put too much pressure on myself to make it perfect. Second-guessing yourself only closes off your options, and that failure was an essential part of success.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Since I have a great interest in digital privacy, I’m very interested in the work of Mimblewimble. It is a protocol in which has the potential to transform Bitcoin privacy. There are some challenges to overcome, but the pros far outweigh the cons of this revolutionary protocol.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I’m not shy about reaching out to others to build my business. As I think back to one of my first jobs in sales, it was hard for me to break that barrier at first and make a cold call. I am a lifelong learner and always looking to further my skill sets. Reading has also changed my life in so many ways and is a big part of my successes.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Have faith in your ideas and don’t be afraid to go into business for yourself. I used to waste time worrying about whether I would be successful. Don’t over think things sometimes you got just to do things and experiment.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
Most that are not in the industry do not believe you could live on crypto or have it be the most significant part of your portfolio of assets. Three years into this journey more and more people are starting to see things my way in which crypto assets should have a place in everyone’s portfolio.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Always follow up and check in with your customers. Make them feel important and take their advice on how to improve. Some of my best ideas for new parts of my teachings have come from prior students.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Being unafraid to try new things is a big help. When I hear about innovation in the market or a new coin listing I always do as much research as I can before jumping in. A balance of fresh ideas and solid research has helped my business grow.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I cared what others thought about me or how fast my business grew when I started in the space. I thought you needed instant success. I soon realized that having a plan and working your plan with the right ideas, mantras and continually grinding was the path to be a successful entrepreneur.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I have a background in personal training. I think that virtual reality fitness classes would be a great addition to the market. These would build community better than watching workout videos online.
What is the best $25 you recently spent? What and why?
My wife and I recently had a baby, and I bought an automatic bottle feeder on Amazon which has saved me hours of just holding a bottle. It allows the baby to feed at their own pace and push away the feeder when they’re done. Now we have a choice, and I like options.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Evernote is a great purchase. Whenever I’m on the go and need to jot down a new idea, it’s there for me. It helps me stay organized, and it makes things a lot easier.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I recommend Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. This book details how people achieve success by going through some of their most essential characteristics. It influenced me to play up my strengths.
What is your favorite quote?
“If people like you, they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.” – Zig Ziglar
Key Learnings:
• Don’t assume that your new business will succeed just because you have a great idea. You need to have reliable business fundamentals.
• Be open to new ideas. At the same time, make sure to thoroughly research before putting them into action.
• Cryptocurrency is for everyone, not just the technology elite.
Connect:
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.