Charles Moscoe is a dedicated and successful executive entrepreneur who has pursued a diverse set of interests and goals throughout his career. He’s also an established angel investor always looking for promising venture capital investments.
He earned his education through the Schulich School of Business at York University, where he studied on a full scholarship.
Charles spends a lot of his time researching market trends and helping businesses improve through modern marketing techniques. He has broad experience in online marketing campaigns, focusing on media buys and improving SEO management.
Charles also works as a marketing consultant to a Miami Beach, Florida-based beauty company that has earned over $10 million in sales. With years of experience, Charles has a wide range of business insight for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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How would you recommend prospective entrepreneurs get their start?
Charles Moscoe: I would start by discovering the current trends in your industry and learning from established business professionals or brands. You don’t want to make the mistake of just diving right in without a plan, so some self-study is definitely a must. Knowing what has seen success in the past can help you develop a marketing strategy and begin building an audience that will be interested in supporting your business or product. After all, the customer base is the key to success, so focusing on obtaining the right people and keeping them happy is key.
Where do you feel entrepreneurs make their biggest mistakes?
Charles Moscoe: Not actually using or testing their own products. You have to make sure that whatever you’re willing to sell is something that you not only use — but actually believe in. It’s a big mistake to simply hop on a trendy product or service without considering whether it’s something you think is worth buying.
You aren’t going to be convincing in your marketing efforts if you aren’t sure if the product works. Trust me, the competition that matters in your industry will have an advantage in this department. Don’t forget that everyone has competitors, even if you think your market is extremely niche. Other brands will be there to challenge you, so you have to make sure that what you’re selling is something you can stand by.
What is one trend in technology you feel entrepreneurs should keep an eye on?
Charles Moscoe: Simply put, mobile technology and the ability to work remotely. Not only is this extremely efficient as it allows you to work from virtually anywhere, but there are a lot of opportunities to cater to the business-from-home experience.
Having said that, it’s not only beneficial for business owners. As people have had to spend more time at home, people are turning to online shops for a lot of their purchases. There’s a website or app for anything now, and social media is a great platform to advertise products. People can get acquainted with your brand through multiple social channels and purchase products within a few clicks. Sometimes it’s the simple trends you should keep an eye out for.
Where do you feel entrepreneurs should invest their money early on?
Charles Moscoe: There are two things that come to mind. First would be publicity and advertising – you can’t sell products without developing a customer base first. If no one knows who you are, you aren’t going to generate the organic traffic that you need to be successful. Having strong marketing knowledge or access to someone with a strong grasp of marketing knowledge is vital in the early days.
Having said that, something else to consider is finding the right people for the job. As entrepreneurs, it can feel tempting to want to do everything yourself to cut costs, but investing in the people who can help will save you a lot of time and energy.
What are the most important habits to have as an entrepreneur?
Charles Moscoe: Perfectionism. If it isn’t perfect, it isn’t up to standard. Keeping that mentality will save you a lot of grief in the long run. You also need to stay up to date with current trends. Things are always changing, so if you find yourself out of the loop, you could be losing out. Make sure you’re staying connected to the market and keeping an eye on your competition.