Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring CEOs And Co-Founders
Ray suggests looking into print shops, despite the perception that "print is dead," as they offer a comprehensive learning experience in production, marketing, and design, and also recommends gaining sales experience to understand sales personas, pitching, and communication, emphasizing that marketing and sales must "play nice with each other". Additionally, Ray advises seeking out opportunities with local mom and pop shops that may not be actively advertising for marketing support, where one can gain experience as a "little CMO".
Entry-Level Positions, Marketing, Sales, Small Business, Print Industry
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ray Nuñez
CEO, Co-Founder
Nuñez, The People's Agency
Johnson & Wales University
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Business Strategy
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Print shops offer opportunities to learn various aspects of the industry, connecting with diverse clients and understanding production, marketing, and design.
2. Entry-level sales positions are valuable for marketing professionals to learn sales techniques, communication, and understanding different sales personas.
3. Freelancing for local businesses that may not actively advertise their marketing needs allows for hands-on experience and the chance to act as a 'CMO' for a small business.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might undergraduates and graduate students consider?
I'll share how I got into this general space. Many people believe print is dead, and while data shows a decline in newspapers, printing in general isn't entirely gone.
There's still a need for signage and other printed materials. Many print shops are struggling to find production teams, or people who understand marketing, design, and can be valuable in that area.
A lot of design and marketing students overlook the printing industry. However, it's a great way to learn everything about an entire space and connect with many different clients.
I often tell marketing teams that they need to learn sales. Marketing and sales have to work together. Consider taking an entry-level sales job to learn about sales personas, pitching, presenting, and refining your communication style.
Go to local mom-and-pop shops. They might not advertise a need for marketing support, but they all require it. Try freelancing and get your hands dirty.
Look for businesses that aren't actively advertising their needs. For these businesses, you can act as a de facto CMO for a small business that truly needs the support.