A man of many hats, Dennis Pang divides his time over both of his Vancouver marketing agencies servicing a wide range of clients, one targeted for general, medium sized businesses, and the other for restaurants. With a background in Business Administration, read about where he sees himself, his business and his team in the future in today’s YED…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I am the founder, CEO, and Marketing strategist of two Vancouver marketing agencies, Motive8 Media and Popcorn. With Motive8 Media, we provide web development and a full range of Internet marketing solutions to small to medium-sized businesses (SMB’s). With Popcorn, we provide social media and online PR for restaurants.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I started my company in the midst of the downturned economy in 2008. With my background, education, and experience in web development and Internet marketing, I felt that I possessed all the necessary skills to start my own agency. I had always wanted to be my own boss so it was a logical step.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
I love working with the team that I’ve built on a day-to-day basis. The most challenging part has been scaling up. This involves finding and attracting the right people, with the right skills, who are the right fit for the organization. That said, I love networking so I’m always on the lookout for talented people. It’s a challenge that is faced by most growing small businesses though. However, these are good growing pains, because it means that there is a demand for the service that we are providing.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I still see myself running my 2 businesses. I would like to see us expand and service other cities in North America. However, as the nature of my business is ever evolving, nobody can really predict where the market will be 5 years from now. The best thing I can do for myself, my companies, and my clients is to keep up with this constant evolution and continue to offer services that make us all more competitive.
What does success look like to you?
Success is the result of hard work and dedication, often times combined with a good idea, a solid plan, and a great execution.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Being featured on TV as a young entrepreneur. Recently, my company has also been profiled and nominated for several local and national awards, alongside some of the most prominent marketing agencies in the country.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Never stop learning. Never stop networking.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Prostate Cancer Canada. It affects so many men. During his lifetime, 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with the disease, and this is expected to rise to 1 in 4 within a decade. Prostate Cancer Canada is the only national foundation dedicated to the elimination of this disease through research, education, support and awareness.
What to you is notable?
Changing the world through innovation.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Blackberry and iPad.