Today we’d like to introduce you to Armando Abascal.
Hi Armando, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated with a double degree in Business and Marketing from Glion (GIHE) in Switzerland in 2012. Since then, I’ve worked in marketing or sales around the world (including Dubai, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Spain, Miami and now Houston).
In 2016, I received a green card through the diversity visa lottery system and moved to Miami, where I started working for a start-up marketing agency as their Director of Sales. Within 12 months we had 5x their client portfolio, but their operations department couldn’t keep up, at which point I also absorbed the Director of Operations role and department.
Eventually, the owners started cutting down on costs, hiring and other necessities to keep growing the business in order to maximize profits for a future sale. I decided that I didn’t want to be a part of an operation that was purposefully not delivering the best quality content and services to our clients, so I left with the intention of starting my own agency where I could deliver on my promises and results.
That’s when Create A Wave Digital Marketing was created! In a little 1 bedroom apartment in South Beach, with no funding, no other employees and very little money for anything more than business cards. Throughout the first year (2019), the agency slowly started gaining traction as a go-to marketing company for restaurants in South Beach, but all momentum was lost once the pandemic hit. With most of my portfolio closing for good due to the pandemic, I had to start from scratch and reinvent the company. That’s when I decided to move to Houston with my fiancee and expand our services to the trades and professional businesses (attorneys, dentists, etc). Since then, the agency has really taken off again and we’re busier than ever with clients in 2 states and plans for expanding services to professional videography for commercials and ads in the near future!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle was starting the agency. 2 weeks after I left my previous employer, I was involved in a motorcycle accident that left me with some serious back injuries and an even worse financial situation. For the first 13 months, I had to work as an uber driver 70+ hours a week just to pay my bills and finance the equipment and tools for the agency to operate. It was one of the hardest years of my life, without a doubt, but with every 10-11 hour shift behind the wheel, I would renew my commitment to creating and growing my own business to change my situation. It was probably the best and worst thing that I’ve ever been through, it really made me who I am today and built the hunger for success that wakes me up every morning.
We’ve been impressed with Create A Wave Digital Marketing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Create A Wave is a one stop shop for digital marketing. We cater specifically to small and family owned businesses, start ups and solopreneurs that need help but can’t afford a 4 or 5 digit bill every month for their marketing.
We specialize in social media and content creation, always designing and creating all the content that we post of our clients. We use an educational approach with our content to try and educate our target audience about the product, industry or services so that when they do need it, they remember us as the people that gave them good, solid advice for free!
When we start working with a brand, because they are small businesses, we integrate ourselves as part of their operation. We’re the marketing department they can’t afford but desperately need to help them grow and scale their business! We work very closely with them and even go beyond our scope of work to try and connect them with other entrepreneurs that can help their venture.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Throughout my life, I’ve had one mentor who’s always been in my corner, regardless of the fight at hand: my father. He owns his own business (law firm) and has always been a very strong advocate for entrepreneurship and the freedom that comes with it. His influence has led me to turn down six-figure salaries to create this business, even when things were tough. Without his support, advice and mentorship, I would have a job title on Linkedin working to build someone else’s dream!
Pricing:
- Regular Lead Generation Package $699
- Premium Lead Generation Package $949
- Ultimate Package $1299
- Websites $1799
- Ads Creation – $250
Contact Info:
- Email: armando@createawaveco.com
- Website: www.createawaveco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arrithemarketingguy/
