April 15th was a milestone in my life and the life of my company MASSolutions.
This had nothing to do with the tax filing deadline. Instead, we celebrated our 20th anniversary as a full-time endeavor.
As I reflect on this journey, I am filled with gratitude for the countless stories we have had the privilege of telling, including our amazing clients and strategic partners, our dedicated MASS team members, and many in this publication. Masu.
This is more than just a company anniversary celebration. It's a tribute to a dream that turned into reality far beyond my expectations.
It all started in a surprisingly organic way. The simple act of helping out with a friend's new assisted living company sparked the first flame.
These friends introduced me to two other people who needed help with marketing strategy and storytelling. They then introduced me to more people within their network.
Before I knew it, a chain reaction of referrals started happening without any formal marketing or sales efforts on my part.
I didn't even have a name for the venture yet, but the consistent requests for my support made it clear that this could really work.
That's when we realized that we needed to go beyond just giving it a name and formalize business aspects like timely billing and customer management.
This referral network laid the foundation for what MASSolutions would become.
Leaving a safe, high-profile senior marketing role to take on the uncertainty of entrepreneurship was a decision that was both exciting and nerve-wracking. I chose Tax Day as my official start date in honor of the new beginning and the significant change it represented in my life.
This was a leap he was able to make without much fear thanks to the support and encouragement of his brother, Tribune Democratic sportswriter Mike Mastovich, who had been in the business in many ways long before MASSolutions officially existed. .
Mike Mino, a childhood friend of ours from the Franklin area, joined us on this journey early on, bringing unparalleled visual design and creative direction skills. He created our logo and some of our most influential client work, injecting MASSolutions with a visual identity that resonates with our ethos.
Next up was Mike Gatti, an Indiana native and early team member. He is business-focused and continually drives client projects and internal processes forward with a unique style that combines endearing gruffness and wit.
Looking back over the past 20 years, the evolution of MASSolutions in both Pittsburgh and Johnstown is about more than just the projects we've worked on and the growth we've experienced.
It's in the culture we've built, characterized by bold solutions and a solid approach to marketing strategy and growth.
It's a culture that dozens of team members have contributed to, each leaving their mark on what MASSolutions is today.
Our customer base has grown to hundreds of companies, and we're honored to help them tell their stories, reach their audiences, and achieve their goals. This journey of collaboration and mutual growth is one of the most rewarding aspects for leading MASSolutions.
With only about a third of companies making it to 10 years and less than 15% making it to 20 years, MASSolutions' journey has demonstrated the power of perseverance, innovation and true connection. I'm proving it.
This statistic not only highlights the long-term challenges businesses face, but also highlights the importance of what we have achieved together.
Our story has been featured in a blog since 2005, my first book in 2013, a podcast that started in 2014, countless videos that captured the essence of our work from the beginning, and media publications. It has been developed through a variety of channels, including hundreds of columns. National newspapers such as the Tribune Democrat.
With our second book on the way to our publisher, our story continues to evolve, always staying true to the principles of science and mathematics that drive our art.
MASSolutions' approach is systematic yet creative, combining the insights we collect with the vast experience, expertise and intuition of our team. We develop solutions and create stories that reach and connect with audiences, changing behavior and thinking.
The first 20 years at MASSolutions were filled with learning, growth, and many meaningful connections.
The future is bright as we look ahead. The marketing landscape continues to evolve, and MASSolutions continues to innovate, adapt, and lead with it.
Celebrate the past, embrace the present, and eagerly look forward to the future.
Author and marketing pioneer Dave Mastovich has been helping companies transform their messaging and increase marketing ROI for decades. He is the founder and CEO of his MASSolutions, host of the podcast No BS Marketing, and author of the book Get Where You Want to Go Through Marketing, Selling and Story Telling. His blog “Light Reading” has been featured in over 100 media outlets and has over 1 million readers.
