Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Aubain.
Hi Alex, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey to get to where I am now has challenged me. There were plenty of ups and downs and a lot of moments where I couldn’t really find what my passion was or where I should look to get it. I knew I wanted to do something in sales and marketing, but I didn’t know how to really shape that into a career. I got into marketing when I moved to Atlanta. I worked at a telecommunications company where I was essentially tasked with managing and generating new leads. I had ZERO marketing experience prior and really started to question myself as to why I kept failing with that task. It didn’t matter what I did, posting on social media, cold reach outs, paid advertising, all the avenues did not generate the expected outcome of what we needed to sustain the day-to-day business.
Naturally, I am a competitive person and so this sparked the 4-year journey to answer the question “Why” and “What did I learn from this experience?”. I wanted to know what I was doing wrong, and so I immersed myself in digital marketing. I finished my degree at Georgia State University and shortly afterward enrolled in the Digital Marketing Institute where I received a professional certification. I practiced on various projects that I would create just to test out theories, marketing plans, and I observed my results. This almost seemed like a daily practice until it hit me that I truly do love the science, the work, and the essence of digital marketing.
I decided to use the talents I have crafted from my experience in the field to help other businesses in underserved local areas. This was the start of Aubain Digital Marketing. There are many business owners, minority businesses, students, and entrepreneurs, who are not taught or even guided with the foundations setting up an online presence. It’s more than just posting on social media, it takes a tailored and guided effort. This is what I wanted to change.
I started with just friends and family, helping them out with simple advice, coaching sessions, and just honestly providing “free work”. I was absorbed by the fact that I can provide something meaningful as well as provide something that I love. It evolved into a business when my friends and family started recommending others. People took notice of my detail, my craft, and what I’ve built the past five years and I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was definitely not a smooth road. There were a lot of bumps if not road stoppages. I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn’t know how to properly execute or deliver my message to others. My services were either too complicated or just seemed too confusing. It didn’t provide any value or establish trust beyond doing work for free. I was not getting a consistent amount of work from my business so I had to work full time. During this time, I was bouncing from job to job trying to keep food on the table. I was fired twice, once for downsizing, and another because “I was overqualified” per my HR manager at the time. This was also around the time I lost my mother to cancer as well. For about a year I did not work on my business, instead I worked as an Uber driver during the pandemic in Atlanta 60 hours a week to barely make rent monthly.
I think when I look back at the lows I do see missed opportunities, but I also see where I was discouraged and mentally not in a safe place. The obstacles I experienced at the time shut me down and I’m completely okay with admitting that. I was an imposter to myself and didn’t really know how to climb through. What I failed to realize is that I already have everything I needed to succeed at a high level regardless of what people perceive me to be.
I do have my support system to thank and the people around me that have stayed with me. I really started focusing on what is important to me in life rather than the business, career goals, etc. I just simplified what meant the most to me from a personal level and slowly started piecing myself together. The question that I frequently asked myself was “What can I do to win today?”. A very simple thought that kept me where my two feet were at all times.
I have a purpose and a mission in this one life, and I intend to achieve it to the fullest without regret.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Aubain Digital Marketing is a SEO management agency in Atlanta, GA. We specialize growing organic website traffic as well as improving organic conversions. We want to help business owners establish an online presence with a great Google Business profile, building quality reviews, creating local citations, and adding great content to your website.
What sets my brand apart from the competition is that we establish a personable connection with our prospects. We are not the agency you have heard of because we randomly spammed in your inbox, dm’s, or otherwise. Most customers I’ve worked with I’ve personally met and shook their hands, which is a lot to say in this new era of face masks and virtual meetings. It helps us understand what you truly want to achieve and how we can create a bridge to get you there.
We truly want to the be simplest option to add “SEO” to your business by offering one all-inclusive service. All you have to do is choose a budget that works for you and let my team and I handle your entire SEO campaign. This includes writing articles, building credible links to your website, creating your Google profile, guest posting, optimizing your website, and much more.
What I am most proud of from my brand is the education we can deliver. I have been able to join as a guest on podcasts and truly help people by providing my knowledge at no cost. I’ve been active in local community events, meetups, and even online forums just sharing advice and answering questions. My team and I have discussed bringing on students as interns to learn digital marketing skills so that they can be prepared after they graduate college and not have to settle for an entry-level position. These initiatives push me further to continue to educate and make a difference in society. That is the true goal, to be a beacon of education to push businesses further.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I am not going to lie; it took a while to warm up to Atlanta. I am originally from Skokie, IL, a suburb in Chicago, so there are plenty of differences that I needed to adjust to.
I do like that there are a lot more outdoor activities that you can do. I’ve never walked up a mountain until I moved to Atlanta. I frequently visit Stone Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain and I enjoy the hike! It’s also awesome that you can go kayaking in Georgia, and just be adventurous.
I dislike the heat and the lack of seasonality in Atlanta. It makes me appreciate having 4 complete and different seasons. You also NEED a car in Atlanta as public transportation is not as available as I am used to. Everything is far, even your local grocery store.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aubaindigitalmarketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubaindigitalmarketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubaindigitalmarketing
Image Credits:
Wooten Photography
