A digital business, a writer and a speaker, Josh Steimle is not only busy being an entrepreneur, he also enjoys ultra trail running, skating and is a father.
What’s your story?
I’m an entrepreneur, writer and speaker. CEO of MWI, a digital marketing agency with offices in the US and Hong Kong. I started the company in 1999 while I was a university student. Author of Chief Marketing Officers at Work for which I interviewed 30 top marketers from companies like GE, PayPal, Spotify, Nestle and Hilton. Also author of 200+ articles for publications like Forbes, Mashable, TechCrunch, Inc., and Time. TEDx speaker and presenter at marketing conferences and other events. Director of Hong Kong chapter of Startup Grind. Also an ultra trail runner, skater, husband, father and Mormon.
What excites you most about your industry?
Digital marketing allows companies to create one to one connections with individuals. It’s a lot of fun to learn about something and then use that knowledge to help companies grow. For example, we recently started managing Kickstarter campaigns for companies in Asia as a marketing tool to gain exposure and drive sales, then we follow up with Amazon store optimization. It’s something new to me and I love the learning curve.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I moved to Hong Kong in 2013 and my wife and I are in the process of adopting a daughter from China. By the time we leave, my company will have at least one established office in Asia, so there’s that connection as well.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
I think there are great opportunities just about everywhere in Asia…ok, maybe not so much in North Korea. But Hong Kong is my home right now in Asia and I love it here. But I’ve also loved visiting and doing business in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and many cities in China.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Do what’s right and everything else will fall into place or fall away.
Who inspires you?
My parents, my siblings, my wife, my kids and friends. But if we want to talk about within the entrepreneurial realm then I’d say Clayton Christensen, Ben Horowitz, Gary Vaynerchuk, Wil Reynolds and many, many others.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Don’t know if it blew me away, per se, but I’ve been having a lot of fun lately learning how to use Periscope.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I’d be nicer to people, hold myself responsible for more and hold others responsible for more.
How do you unwind?
I read Drudge or watch skate videos at TheBerrics.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Ha! I haven’t had a chance to relax since 1999. Maybe in a few years.
Everyone in business should read this book:
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. I think I’ve read it 6 times now or something. I need to read it again.
Shameless plug for your business:
SEO, content marketing, social media marketing–we do all that stuff. We’re not cheap, but we’re good. Check us out at www.mwi.com.
How can people connect with you?
[email protected], or on LinkedIn, or Snapchat, or check out my blog at joshsteimle.com and sign up for my newsletter, especially if you like getting recommendations for business books to read.
Twitter handle?
@joshsteimle
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>
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