We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Brockenbush and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Andrew, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve been an entrepreneur and business owner for most of my adult life. I always felt the need to go against the grain and try things that put me out of my comfort zone. Starting Beefy Marketing was no different, I left a lucrative career at Apple which was a risky move, but stepping out and starting my own company was the next logical step. I knew that Apple or any other company would always be there but I didn’t want to spend my life questioning the “what-if’s” if I didn’t pursue my dreams.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When I first started the business we approached web design the same way every other agency does, we charged a large one-time flat rate fee, knocked out a site design, and then said our goodbyes. This system is fundamentally broken, it doesn’t allow for a long-term relationship with the client, and it limits the number of people you can help due to the heavy upfront expenses involved. Several years ago we decided to make the transition to offering custom-managed websites with the added bonus of hosting and unlimited support. We don’t require contracts and do it all for one low monthly fee. which means we take the up-front risks allowing small businesses to stay cash-flow positive.
Beefy Marketing has had quite the journey, successful ventures, and the not-so-good ones too! We’ve been in business for 8 years and it’s not been an easy ride, but it’s been 100% worth it. I wish I could write that we’ve always had our stuff together but the truth is we haven’t. I shared with a few folks recently that when we first started we kinda sucked…we didn’t have systems, we didn’t understand the importance of processes, and the customer experience reflected that. I’d say that just within the last few years we’ve finally dedicated the time to focus on these things and it has truly transformed our business. We take ownership in everything we do and are committed to always improving.
The one thing I want people to know about our brand is that we truly care about local small businesses. We do this by offering products and services that are affordable for any stage of your business, our small business online community, and our educational podcasts.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My first stop would likely be Corkscrew or Tejas BBQ, two of my favorite restaurants in the Houston area. The beauty of Houston is that the boundaries are blurred…you can enjoy the seafood in Galveston, the nightlife of Houston, the small-town charm of Tomball, and everything in between.
Here are some of my go-to spots around town!
Grab a cocktail at The Refuge Bar & Grill in The Woodlands, have a burger out in Brenham, Texas at the Dairy Bar, visit Tomball for the German Heritage Festival, try the fig and prosciutto pizza at Sixty Vines in Rice Village, have the croque madame for brunch at Avanti Italian Kitchen, get some croissant donuts at Karma Kolache, or a brisket hot dog at That’s My Dog in Katy. Wait, I think I only have food options…..if you need something to do after you’ve gotten your fill of food and drinks I’d suggest heading over to the Houston Museum of Natural Science or go see a concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion or if you’re looking for a small-town venue, then check out an intimate performance at Main Street Crossing in Tomball.
If you need more stuff to do, just call me up, I’m sure we could keep you busy! 😉
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It’s hard to pinpoint a specific book, person, event, etc., not because there aren’t any, more so since there were so many. I’ll name drop a few; Keith, who supported me in my first real business endeavor (a recording studio), Joey, a friend and mentor who always provides words of encouragement, and Carol who is one of the most brilliant copywriters I know who always puts life into perspective and provides business wisdom to me when I need it most.
I also attribute much of my success to my time at Apple and Chick-fil-A, two of the most beloved brands of all time. These companies taught me the importance of creating a culture, questioning the status quo, and what a real leader looks like – thanks Luke for never being afraid to give me a little fearless feedback!
There are definitely other contributors, my mom, and dad, letting me have silly business ideas as a kid, like going door-to-door trying to sell a rock or selling candy out of our swingset at the house….all in all, I’ve been surrounded by an amazing support system of friends and family who always seem to give me that extra push I need to keep pushing when times get tough.
Website: https://beefymarketing.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbrockenbush/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beefymarketing/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeefyMarketing
Other: Join Our Small Business Community (Small Business Nation) https://smallbusinessnation.beefymarketing.com/join?invitation_token=e6c7c9f74aa813c453fc7b24f4ddbc5ee607b9da-9438472c-03e2-4081-afe2-32001e5a3031