Jeffrey Han founded Virtuo360 Global in 2012 in Ontario as a Google Trusted photographer to add to his roster of marketing services; along with his partner, Tommy Fafard, Virtuo360 was formed nationwide a year later as a Google Trusted Agency to service local and national brands across the country. Where does Jeffrey see his company in five years? Find out in today’s profile…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
Virtuo360 is a Google Trusted Agency comprised of Google Trusted photographers. We create panoramic virtual tours of the interiors of businesses locally and across Canada with street view technology, which are then published to Google maps. We then attach the business to street view, which allows any user worldwide searching for the business to access the interior by selecting “see inside,” which is part of the businesses Local + page and Google maps. We also assist businesses in embedding the Google tour on their websites and, if the business has multiple locations, this can also be added to their location search.
This provides huge online exposure for any business trying to showcase their brand. We also provide cutting-edge Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and video marketing services for businesses and brands across Canada
Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
I have always had a passion for sales and marketing and have been consulting clients since 2005 on enhancing their exposure in a digital space. When both my partner, Tommy Fafard, and I were recruited by Google to expand street view to the interiors of local businesses, we couldn’t really say no to such an incredible marketing tool! We have been very thankful to have this product as it has given us huge success.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of what we do is meeting business owners in Toronto, Montreal and all over Canada; we are able to show local businesses like spas, restaurants and hotels how to expand their presence on the world’s largest search engine. The most challenging part is keeping up with the technology as we are also a full-service marketing firm and need to constantly innovate with products like Virtuo Video Marketing (VVM), which combines video and SEO for a new age in video marketing.
Where do you see your business going in five years?
Virtuo360 has recently been converted to “A Google Trusted Agency” due to the huge volume of businesses we have showcased for Google business photos. We now have what we see as an impressive roster of clients including Rogers Communications, Kitchen Stuff Plus, McDonalds, Second Cup, The Four Seasons, The Shangri-La Hotel, The Trump Hotel Toronto, Soho Met, Buonanotte and many more. Five years from now, Virtuo360 reps and photographers will be in every city across Canada, and maybe worldwide some day, helping businesses find exposure online through Google business photos, and access to the breadth of our other marketing services.
What does success look like to you?
Success is to continuously innovate, especially when working in a marketing digital space. Things are constantly evolving and we want to remain a step ahead by providing our clients with only the best. When our existing clients hear from us they know they are going to be accessing a new trend, a new innovation to help them in the digital world. To me, success is a smile on a client’s face. There is no better feeling. Always service the client, always answer calls, and most of all, tell it like it is.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Receiving two awards from Google for Virtuo360 in 2012 for Google Trusted Photographer of the year and Marketing and Public Relations. Receiving this level of recognition from Google was absolutely humbling.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Just find something about your personality that brings out the best in you and utilize this to grow your business, exceed in your workplace, and most of all, to innovate.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Big fan of Kevin Rose and Charity: Water, which has found such an innovative way to help communities in developing countries access what we see as an everyday abundance – water.
What is Notable to you?
My father, who to me is the mentor of my life, the most cultured person I know, and my Mother. who equally mentored me to simply not give up. And my other passion, movies, of course.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone at first, and now Android, S4. But I can live with both.
How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
It’s hard to say no to a poutine, but I make it a choice to have a salad at least once a day. I do the gym at least twice a week, but as many who know me will say, I have so much energy that I can burn 1000 calories just talking for 10 minutes.
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