Convertus

Digital Marketing for Automotive Dealerships

2013 - 2017

As the Design Team Lead at Convertus, a leading digital marketing firm for automotive dealerships, I managed a team of 4, designing SEO-friendly websites for 40-50+ dealership clients. By fostering a positive culture and implementing efficient processes, we achieved remarkable results, providing a competitive edge across Canada and the United States.

Jack of All Trade

As the first employee at Convertus, a leading digital marketing firm specializing in SEO and PPC solutions for automotive dealerships, I played a crucial role in shaping the company's trajectory, ultimately leading to its acquisition by AutoTrader, Canada's largest online automotive marketplace.

Startups are amazing because they allow you to wear many hats and become a Jack of all trades. In my marketing role, I focused on UI/UX design for websites while also handling artwork creation for social media, PPC campaigns, newsletters, and more. This diverse experience honed my skills and made me adaptable in the dynamic startup environment.

Wordpress

Mailchimp

Adobe Suite

Kindly note that I am bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), which prohibits me from sharing any of my design work at this time. I apologize for any inconvenience caused.

It is not often an individual embodies a combination of enthusiasm, passion, and determination that Joseph does. The fact that these are just some of his stand out qualities sets him above those few other that do.

In my time working with Joseph I was continually impressed with the level of enthusiasm he brought to the team on a daily basis. Both professionally and personally, his ardent nature was a key part of his success.

A pleasure to work with personally and professionally, I can both comprehensively recommend Joseph and look forward to any future opportunities to work together.

Nick Williams, Managing Partner @ Convertus

Learnings Along the Way

During my exhilarating 4-year journey, I've gained invaluable learnings while navigating through numerous ups and downs. This adventure within the startup realm has been nothing short of fun and fulfilling. I've discovered that wearing many hats and embracing versatility is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. The challenges I encountered taught me resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of adaptability.

Developing My Leadership

One of my biggest challenges was stepping into a leadership role for the first time. Learning on the job, I made mistakes, often overstepping my boundaries and leading to disagreements. People management proved tough, but through perseverance and learning, I developed skills in delegation, feedback, and fostering a positive work culture.

It became a rewarding part of my journey, teaching me humility, reflection, and continuous growth. I've also learned the importance of admitting when I don't have all the answers, and surprisingly, people respect that.

Navigating Growth

As the company expanded from 1 to 50 employees, I observed the growing need for specialized skillsets alongside the initial emphasis on being a Jack of all trades. While it took time to adjust, this shift was essential for my personal growth.

However, I eventually reached the realization that my contribution to the team was no longer surpassing the collective value. With this understanding, I made the decision to exit the company.

Working with Limited Resources

Working in a startup taught me the value of resourcefulness and problem-solving. With limited resources, we had to be nimble and move quickly, even if it meant taking risks and making mistakes.

Embracing this mindset allowed us to tackle challenges on the fly. We utilized tools like Basecamp, Slack, Google Analytics, Hotjar, Adobe Suite, and Google Ads to effectively manage our daily tasks. Being able to adapt, break things, and find solutions in a fast-paced environment was a valuable skill I developed during my time at Convertus.