http://www.maniacsolutions.com/marketing-solutions-panama/
Entrepreneur Interview with Matt Landau
The International Entrepreneur Magazine: Matt, to give our readers an idea, can you give a brief his academic training?
Matt Landau: Well, I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and graduated from Princeton High School with a 3.2 average. He then attended the University of Richmond in Virginia, where I studied, among other things, cheap alcohol and the phenomenon of young adults think they know more than they actually do. I graduated with a degree in International Economics and a minor in Spanish. 3.1 GPA.
TIME: So what was the U.S. that has made him fly from the nest so quickly?
ML: The rat race was not something that was very interested in. I do not like rats. O races. Through internships and jobs diverse over the years, I realized I work nine to five and climb the corporate ladder, were things that made me just a little depressed. The amount of quality talent in the U.S. is staggering and when it came to going against the workforce, I realized my chances of success were probably higher elsewhere. America Central step to provide an excellent climate, friendly people, and a good infrastructure for business.
TIME: So in just a few years after graduation, now is the expert in Panama. How did you know everything about travel and investment in such a short time?
ML: Look, I think that's a misconception. To be an expert need not know everything about the subject. You simply must know more than most people.
TIME: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who might seek to break out of its shell and start a business on their own? What is a good first step?
ML: Well, my advice would be to work very hard to identify a problem, identify a niche in a market in something (whether a product or a service) is not found. Ie find a niche that is not yet exploited. Sometimes, this niche industry there is one along. Sometimes it's a northern state. For me, this place was the lack of good information written on travel and investment in Panama. There was simply no quality resources for those looking to vacation or buy real estate. You must use a little intuition here: there are obviously a lack of trampolines good for goldfish, but move forward once you have determined that there could be a lawsuit, he has done.
TIME: After establishing that the first step in identifying a problem, how did you do so seemingly effortlessly take advantage of their way to the top?
ML: It was certainly not easy. After identifying my problem, I had to find a solution to this problem and, therefore, find a car to market my solution for those in need. This part has some creativity, but I decided that my car would be a simple website. I had to create a dedicated website to quality information about Panama without any sales pitches or annoying ads. The last piece of the puzzle was the most laborious. I traveled the country inside and out, made a ton of research, and wrote a few hundred readers thought useful items. It is difficult to gather all this information, but most worthwhile things always are. Of course, I was not reinventing the wheel: this kind of thing is done in all travel destinations, only that there was no occurred in Panama yet.
TIME: When viewing, make your customers will never discredit you because of your age?
ML: You know what, that has never ever happened and I really thought I would. But it turns out that when you put yourself in an authority position, which means they have information that other people want, age is completely out of the equation. My clients range 25-78 years of age and average investment is around half a million dollars. I realized that smart consumers do not care about personal details such as age, if they can acquire a useful product. I think I've proven enough concerns age have permanently out of the equation. Perhaps until 90, drooling, and saying things that make no sense. But that's another story.
TIME: How do distinguish between work and pleasure? When did you know to draw the line and say, you know what, I go on holiday?
ML: I think having abandoned the work-all-your-life-to-leave-it mentality, I managed to spend most of my time doing things that I love, so I really did not seem to work at all. I think this is essential to being a good employer, find ways to make your time and responsibilities sufficiently flexible and mobile, so the "job" is only a supplement to a nice lifestyle. Sometimes I would say that the line between work and pleasure was very blurry. With regard to the Report of Panama, it was all so new that there was a level of excitement that brought the whole project and I'm someone who loves new challenges and exciting. I guess this is the kind of excitement and satisfaction people long for retirement.
TIME: Now that you've built this website www.thepanamareport.com what's next on your plate?
ML: Well, recently took over a small boutique hotel in the historic district of Panama City (www.loscuatrotulipanes.com). It will be a labor of love, something new and interesting and something that I love. Again, it was the same concept of identifying a problem, developing a solution and find a way to deliver this solution to consumers. There were not enough hotel rooms in Panama City and occupancy rates speak for themselves. I'm not a Hilton, but I think we offer a very unique product.
TIME: Thanks for your time Matt. Is there anything I would say that, as a farewell, entrepreneurs out there and wanted to do something similar?
ML: I would have to find something you're passionate about, and learn what you can about that topic. By becoming an "expert", the doors will open and the money will come. Be creative. It is much more powerful than knowledge.
About the Author
Kara Winters is an editor at www.internationalentrepreneurship.com
Panama Real Estate