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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Santaniello starts business to market others
Santaniello starts business to market others |  | |
By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
AGAWAM -- "Think. Plan. Grow." Those three words are Alfonso Santaniello's key to a successful marketing strategy for small businesses.
Santaniello, an Agawam native, knows small business having worked in his father's pizzeria in Holyoke. After receiving a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Hartford, this 25-year-old wasn't interested in becoming a restaurateur; rather, he started his own business, Creative Strategy Agency.
"I understand the ups and downs of the small business world and through everything I have learned in education, jobs and life, I want to help these companies make their mark in their industry," Santaniello said.
He told Reminder Publications some might view his youth as a disadvantage; however, Santaniello feels his generation offers a unique understanding of today's latest technologies, especially social networking.
"Free advertising is right at your fingertips," he said. "Turn the computer on and sign up for free social networking Web sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to get your name flowing in cyberspace. It works for you even when you're sleeping."
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|  | | | Alfonso Santaniello Reminder Publications submitted photo |
Santaniello explained many small businesses don't believe they need a marketing strategy of any kind; however, he disagrees.
Santaniello said his creative strategy is "one in which people spend more hours and less dollars to get ahead of the pack."
"With big corporations, you're just money to them [but] small businesses are very personable," he said, adding he wants small businesses to be able to rival all competitors.
Santaniello explained he offers free consultations for prospective clients, where they utilize his three-step marketing model: think, plan and grow. He added clients include those in the bed and breakfast industry, fashion designers and restaurants.
"I believe I have something to offer any kind of small business," Santaniello said.
When asked if the sagging economy and limited job opportunities were the reasons why he decided to start his own business, Santaniello replied, "I've had numerous part-time jobs because I needed money. I just got tired with not being happy with what I was doing [in my professional life].
"I go by the wording of 'finding what you love to do and making a living out of it,'" he continued. "I'm young enough to take a chance [on starting my own business]."
Santaniello explained business has been steady since officially opening his home office in November. He added he'd like to expand his client base into Connecticut and establish a storefront office.
Santaniello can be reached for consultations at 885-2165 or at alfonso@creativestrategyagency.com.
Additional information about this young entrepreneur may be obtained by logging onto www.creativestrategyagency.com.
Are you a young entrepreneur who would like to spread the word about your business?
Contact Assistant Editors Courtney Llewellyn (courtney@thereminder.com) or Katelyn Gendron (katelyn@thereminder.com) to learn how to share your story. |
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