Most entrepreneurs, when they launch their company, think that their passion and conviction in their idea will be enough to keep them afloat. It’s only in the successive years that they realize that profits are equally, if not more essential for their continued existence. Their unique proposition might get them a VC to invest and start with, but, it’s the returns that their company can generate, that will keep them alive for the coming years.
This is where they realize they need more insight than they thought about running the company. Passionate about helping such entrepreneurs scale their businesses, Alexa Duarte D’Agostino founded Thynktank and Thynkfuel, where she teaches entrepreneurs how to start, grow, and scale their businesses. As a Marketing Consultant, she also runs an agency. As an experienced entrepreneur and expert marketer, she has built over 15 6, 7, 8, and 9-figure of her own companies (largest $400m+), and has had six exits totaling over nine figures by the age of 30. She has also successfully scaled over 400 client businesses above 6, 7, 8, and 9 figures (the largest $350M). Through her multiple businesses, she combines her passion for education, marketing, branding, and sales expertise.
Helping Businesses Flourish
Over the years, Alexa has worked across several industries. One of the main reasons she has seamlessly transitioned from one industry to another is that she has always been passionate about technology and marketing. Technology and marketing are essential elements for success in any industry, and she has been able to leverage her expertise in these areas to help businesses and organizations in various fields.
As a marketing maven, Alexa uses her extensive marketing and business experience to help companies from various industries combine content and technology to deliver outstanding results through a proven framework they developed over the years by working with a unique blend of businesses from around the world. Alexa’s philosophy is all marketing must be driven by data – marketing by modification is the key to the branding success. She helps businesses create a marketing strategy or campaign that starts with data, executes with data, and ends with data. Her agency works as a boutique thinking machine of experts leading with strategy, content, technology and following with data to modify for the best results possible.
A Hands-on Leader
Alexa is a hands-on leader who works closely with her team to ensure they stay on track and achieve their objectives. Her working style is focused, disciplined, and results-driven. She firmly believes in setting clear goals and constantly seeks new ways to innovate and improve their processes and strategies.
A few core ideals have guided Alexa’s professional journey. Firstly, she believes in the power of education and mentorship. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with others to help them achieve their goals. Secondly, she is driven by a desire to create real, measurable results for her clients. She takes pride in helping organizations and entrepreneurs achieve revenue and growth targets. Finally, she believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration. “I have built a team of talented professionals who share my vision and work together to achieve our goals,” she says.
A Unique Approach
Thynkfuel is a full-service marketing and PR agency that helps organizations increase lead generation and revenue. They have a unique approach to marketing that they call Marketing by Modification™, which combines strategy, technology, marketing, communications, sales, and media to create a robust omnichannel approach to scale organizations’ revenue quickly.
Their approach is highly customized to each client’s specific needs and goals, which sets them apart from other agencies that may use a one-size-fits-all approach. They also have a deep understanding of multiple industries, from higher education to fin-tech, healthcare, beauty, and more, which allows them to bring a unique perspective to the client’s marketing efforts.
“In addition, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver results. We have a track record of successfully scaling over 400 businesses as high as $400M, including 15 of my businesses as high as $300M. We have helped prestigious brands such as Skype, American Express, Mercedes, and Hard Rock Hotel and won 8+ Two-Comma Clickfunnel Awards ($1M in a single funnel),” shares Alexa.
Overcoming Challenges
One of Alexa’s biggest challenges is building and scaling businesses in highly competitive industries. She has learned that the key to overcoming this challenge is constantly adapting, innovating, and staying ahead of the competition.
To achieve this, she focuses on creating a culture of continuous improvement within her organization. It involves encouraging her team to take risks, experiment, and learn from their mistakes. She also strongly emphasizes data-driven decision-making, constantly analyzing metrics and performance indicators to identify areas for improvement.
Alexa believes that partnering with diverse businesses and organizations helps them better understand and serve a wider range of clients. “To make sure we can address those clients’ needs, we also have a diverse team of experts coming from different countries and cultures. We have also implemented policies to ensure that our marketing and advertising campaigns are inclusive and representative of all individuals,” she shares.
Leveraging Technology
Alexa leverages technology in many ways to benefit Thynkfuel’s clients and the organization itself. She utilizes the latest software, tools, and analytics to gather data, streamline processes, automate tasks, and create personalized customer experiences.
For example, her team uses data analytics to identify and analyze trends in customer behavior and market demands, and they use this information to develop targeted marketing strategies that generate leads and increase revenue. She also uses customer relationship management systems and marketing automation tools to manage customer interactions, track leads, and automate tasks like email marketing, social media posting, and customer follow-ups.
“Moreover, I strongly believe in the power of digital marketing and social media to build a brand, engage with customers, and create a loyal following. I help my clients develop a strong online presence by creating compelling content, managing social media profiles, optimizing websites, and creating targeted advertising campaigns,” she adds.
Views about Metaverse
Alexa believes that the Metaverse has the potential to revolutionize marketing strategies by providing an entirely new platform for engaging with consumers. With the Metaverse, brands can create immersive experiences that allow consumers to interact with their products in completely new ways.
In the Metaverse, marketing strategies must focus on creating experiences rather than just promoting products. Brands must create virtual environments that provide value to consumers and allow them to engage with the brand meaningfully.
One exciting aspect of the Metaverse is the potential for personalized experiences. Brands can create virtual environments tailored to consumers’ preferences and interests, providing a more personalized and engaging experience.
Being an Investor
Alexa considers several key factors before deciding to fund a start-up. Firstly, she needs to be passionate about the product or service the company offers and strongly believes in its potential for success. It means conducting extensive research on the industry, market trends, and the competitive landscape. She also takes into account the team behind the company. She looks for partners who are not only talented and experienced but also share the same vision and values as her.
“As an active investor, I am committed to being involved in the projects I fund, and I look for start-ups that welcome my involvement. To achieve it, I assess whether the start-up aligns with my investment portfolio and expertise. Investing in areas I am familiar with and passionate about allows me to bring more value to the start-up through my knowledge and connections,” explains Alexa.
As someone who has successfully scaled over 400 businesses, Alexa has seen firsthand the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur. Her advice to budding entrepreneurs is to start with a clear and well-defined goal. She says,
“Understand what success looks like for you and what steps you need to take to achieve it.
While hard work is essential, working smart is equally important. It means surrounding yourself with the right people, whether mentors, coaches, or team members. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek guidance when needed.
Another key factor in success is being adaptable and willing to pivot when necessary. The business landscape is constantly evolving, and entrepreneurs need to be able to adapt to new technologies, changing consumer preferences, and economic shifts. Stay informed and be willing to take calculated risks when the opportunity arises.
Finally, we need to remember that success doesn’t happen overnight. Building a successful business takes time, dedication, and persistence. Anyone can achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with the right mindset, strategy, and support. Stay focused on your goals, and don’t give up on adversity.”
In the Coming Years
Alexa and her team will continue to be at the forefront of the industry, utilizing the latest technological advancements and innovative marketing strategies to help entrepreneurs and organizations achieve their revenue goals. They will continue to expand their reach and grow their portfolio of investments while maintaining their commitment to delivering high-quality services and products to the clients.
“In the next few years, we plan to expand our operations and establish ourselves as a leading marketing and revenue-generating authority. We aim to help even more organizations and individuals succeed by providing tailored solutions that meet their unique needs. We will continue investing in research and development to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that our clients constantly receive the best possible services and products,” concludes Alexa.
Quote: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford
