VezaTalks: 019 Stefan/Mario

Host:

Stefan/Mario

Guest:

Stefan/Mario

1:10:00 Min
Listen on:

1. Let's Meet Mario & Stefan

Mario is an accomplished strategy, branding, and marketing advisor with a proven track record of success in the world of Amazon. Mario built a highly successful advertising platform for e-commerce that was making $10 million dollars a month in sales. As a trusted advisor to Veza Digital, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise in helping businesses thrive on the Amazon platform. 

His comprehensive knowledge of Amazon's algorithms, marketing tools, and customer behavior enables him to develop data-driven strategies that maximize product visibility, conversion rates, and profitability.

As the Founder and CEO of Veza Digital, a leading B2B SaaS marketing agency, Stefan's strategic vision and deep expertise in digital marketing have helped numerous businesses achieve exponential growth and establish a strong online presence. 

Stefan is known for his hands-on approach and passion for innovation, making him a sought-after expert in the B2B SaaS space.

2. Friends, Colleagues, Co-Hosts

Mario and Stefan kicked off their latest podcast recording with their usual banter, filled with humor, insight, and genuineness. 

They were excited to discuss various topics, including Veza Digital, their agency, and their podcast plans. Mario expressed his eagerness to talk about Stefan, the agency, and they were both ready to have a fun conversation about Veza Digital and the world.

They marveled at how quickly they had set up their podcast studio, complete with microphones, tables, furniture, insulation, and all the necessary tech and gear in less than a month. 

They were grateful for their team's ability to execute their ideas swiftly, highlighting the importance of having a reliable team behind them.

Reflecting on the past few months, they recalled how they had started the podcast two or three months ago, with Mario recording from Thailand, which had its challenges, but they managed to pull it off. 

They praised their podcast manager, Aziz, who brought valuable experience to the team with his extensive background in podcasting. They also spoke about the incredible guests they had on their podcast, whose experiences and wisdom had been enriching for both their guests and themselves.

Mario and Stefan were eager to delve into Stefan's journey of starting Veza Digital, discussing how he built the company from scratch and the challenges and successes he encountered along the way. 

They were excited to share stories and insights with their audience and learn from their guests' experiences. Before diving into the details of Stefan's journey and Veza Digital's origins, they took a moment to reflect on their past year and Stefan's upcoming birthday, which he considered his new year. 

Stefan shared his early days working at Audi and being inspired by luxury cars like Porsches, which fueled his passion for cars and entrepreneurship. To have success as the opening act DJ for some of the biggest names in EDM and house music.

When reality hit and Stefan realized he wanted more and wanted to be his own boss, that's when the journey to where he is today took off.

2. From Toronto to Belgrade to Dubai

When Stefan first moved to Belgrade from Toronto, he never intended to stay for long. It was supposed to be a temporary six-month adventure, a chance to reconnect with family and friends and experience a new lifestyle.

Before coming to Serbia, he had plans to eventually head to Dubai and see what opportunities awaited him there. Little did he know that his time in Belgrade would completely change his plans.

He arrived in Belgrade and set up his online marketing consulting business, continuing my work remotely. As he got settled, he started hearing about the booming talent pool in Serbia. 

Particularly among young, educated individuals who were eager to work for international clients and improve their English language skills. Intrigued, he decided to explore the possibility of hiring local talent for small tasks such as web design, content campaigns, and advertising.

Stefan was amazed by the response he received. Stefan interviewed over 300 people and found some incredibly talented individuals who impressed him with their skills, attitude, and professionalism. 

It was clear that Serbia had a wealth of talent that could rival any other country in the world.

In November and December of 2020, Stefan returned to Toronto to catch up with a friend, Jamal who is now a Growth Partner at Veza. They had plans to return to Belgrade and continue their adventures. Little did they know that COVID-19 would soon sweep the world and disrupt their plans. 

As lockdowns and travel restrictions were implemented, they found themselves "stuck" in Belgrade. However, instead of feeling trapped, they decided to make the most of their time in Serbia.

During the pandemic, Stefan and Jamal ended up traveling more than they ever had before. With empty planes and affordable prices, they took advantage of the opportunity to explore different places. 

He remembers visiting Minsk in Belarus, expecting a strict lockdown, but to their surprise, everything was open, and life seemed almost normal. They also traveled to Rome, which was eerily empty, but allowed them to experience the city uniquely.

They spent more time in Belgrade during the pandemic, and they formed a close-knit group of friends and made lasting memories. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, they found silver linings in unexpected places, and their time in Serbia became a memorable and enriching experience.

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that come unplanned, and Stefan is grateful for the unexpected journey that Belgrade has taken him on. 

As for Stefan’s original plan to move to Dubai, well, that's still on hold for now as he continues to embrace the opportunities and experiences that Serbia has to offer. Stefan does see himself spending a great deal of time in Dubai for business in the future.

4. Let’s Get Down To Business

Stefan and Mario got down to business and spoke on agency dynamics. 

They passionately spoke about when it comes to choosing a digital agency, it's important to understand the purpose behind it. Going on to say that many clients think they know what they want, but they often lack a true understanding of their brand and its potential.

Stefan explained that what sets Veza Digital apart is its deep knowledge of B2B SaaS and how to effectively market and position these products. Their growth partners are experienced in dealing with different personas and have insights from working with successful companies that they can apply to new clients. 

Veza Digital focuses on providing value rather than just looking at the price of a project. They emphasize the importance of having a team of knowledgeable professionals who know how to build trust with clients and deliver results.

Moreover, Veza Digital is selective about its clients, disqualifying more companies than they qualify. 

They prefer to work with CMOs who understand the value of speed, creativity, and economies of scale in today's competitive market. 

These clients recognize that Veza Digital can handle everything in-house, from website development to marketing, and that a comprehensive approach is more effective than piecemeal solutions.

Final Thoughts

The conversation between Mario and Stefan captured in this blog is just a glimpse of what their podcast has to offer. Their one on one Veza Talks podcast was filled with valuable insights and expertise, and it's worth watching and listening to. So if you're looking for inspiration and practical advice on how to achieve success click the link below.

VezaTalks aims to offer valuable insights and inspiration to help you navigate both the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship. Watch the Podcast.

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