We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Felipe & Kate Roldan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Felipe & Kate, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for us at Rolington Media, is deeply rooted in our journey and the challenges we’ve faced along the way. It’s a blend of personal grit, family support, and the desire to create something meaningful. Our resilience stems from a few key sources:
Background and Upbringing:
Coming from a first-generation immigrant-Hispanic family, resilience was a part of our upbringing. The values of hard work, perseverance, and making the most of opportunities were instilled in us from a young age. These values have been the bedrock of our resilience.
Passion for Technology and Creativity:
Our backgrounds in engineering and a love for cutting-edge technology fueled our resilience. Converting a life-long passion into a business that brings value to our clients required not just skill but the resilience to push through challenges and continuously innovate.
Support from Each Other and Family:
Kate’s role in Rolington Media has been pivotal. Our partnership, both in life and in business, has been a source of strength and resilience. Additionally, the support from our families, especially the Roldan and Westington families, provided us with the emotional backbone to persevere.
Mentorship and Guidance:
The mentorship and support from figures like Lisa Borowsky and the Sustainable Georgia team played a significant role in our journey. Their guidance helped us refine our craft and navigate the early stages of our business.
Overcoming Early Challenges:
Starting a business during the pandemic, learning to run it effectively, and overcoming self-doubt were significant hurdles. Our ability to learn from the market, adapt to feedback, and see these challenges as opportunities for growth fueled our resilience.
Commitment to Our Dream:
Our dream of financial freedom and the desire to support our loved ones, particularly our parents in their elderly years, keeps us resilient. This dream drives us to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
At Rolington Media, our professional focus is centered on bringing innovative 3D technology and media solutions to a diverse range of businesses. At the heart of our services is the creation of captivating 3D virtual tours, photography, videography, and 2D floorplans. Our passion lies in helping businesses showcase their spaces in an immersive manner, enhancing their online presence and appeal.
What sets Rolington Media apart is our dedication to harnessing the potential of virtual and augmented reality technologies. We believe these tools are not just the future of digital marketing but are already transforming how businesses interact with their audiences. Our 3D virtual tours are more than just visual tools; they provide our clients with valuable insights through monthly analytics, aiding in informed marketing decisions.
We are most excited about the vast possibilities that lie in the integration of 3D technology into various business strategies. Our services are designed to not only showcase physical spaces in a stunning virtual format but also to increase website traffic, enhance business exposure, and provide a unique user experience.
Rolington Media was born from a blend of necessity, courage, and passion. Starting during the challenging times of the pandemic, we turned our lifelong enthusiasm for technology into a thriving business. It wasn’t an easy journey, but through resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning, we have overcome numerous challenges. We take pride in closely working with our clients, immersing ourselves in their niche to deliver tailored solutions that resonate with their specific needs.
Looking ahead, Rolington Media is continuously evolving. We are committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in digital marketing. Our goal is to keep innovating and expanding our service offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients in this dynamic digital era. We’re not just a business; we’re a partner in our clients’ journey towards growth and success in the digital marketplace.
As for what’s new, we’re constantly exploring new technologies and strategies to enhance our services. We’re excited about the potential expansion of our offerings to include more advanced AR and VR solutions. Stay tuned for upcoming projects and collaborations that will further solidify our position as leaders in the digital marketing space.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In reflecting on our journey with Rolington Media, there are three key qualities that have been pivotal to our success: persistence, continuous learning, and adaptability.
1. Persistence:
Persistence has been the cornerstone of our journey. In the face of challenges, especially during the early stages of establishing Rolington Media, it was persistence that kept us going. The world of digital marketing and 3D virtual tours is highly competitive and ever-evolving. There were times when progress seemed slow and goals seemed distant. However, by persistently pushing through obstacles, consistently refining our skills, and never losing sight of our vision, we’ve been able to grow and thrive.
Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Persistence is key. Expect challenges and setbacks, but view them as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up. Your journey will test your resilience, but staying persistent will ultimately lead to success.
2. Continuous Learning:
The digital world is dynamic, with constant advancements in technology and shifts in market trends. Our commitment to continuous learning has been essential. Whether it’s staying updated with the latest VR and AR technologies, understanding new digital marketing strategies, or learning from client feedback, continuous learning has helped us stay relevant and innovative.
Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Never stop learning. Invest in your professional development, stay curious, and keep up with industry trends. Embrace change and use it as a tool to innovate and improve.
3. Adaptability:
Adaptability has been crucial in navigating the uncertainties and rapid changes in our industry. Our ability to adapt – whether it’s adjusting our business model, exploring new markets, or adopting new technologies – has allowed us to remain competitive and meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Be flexible and open to change. The ability to adapt quickly to market shifts, client needs, and new technologies is invaluable. Cultivate a mindset that welcomes change and sees it as an opportunity for growth.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
As the owner of Rolington Media, one of the current challenges we’re facing is streamlining our sales pipeline and deal lifecycle to reduce the time it takes to make a sale from the moment we qualify a lead. In the fast-paced world of digital marketing and 3D virtual tour services, efficiency in the sales process is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and satisfying the immediate needs of our clients.
We’ve recognized that the longer it takes to convert a lead into a sale, the greater the risk of losing potential business. Our clients, especially in the brick-and-mortar businesses, often require quick turnarounds to capitalize on market trends or specific promotional periods. Therefore, a prolonged sales process can be a significant hindrance.
To address this challenge, we’re exploring several strategies:
Enhancing Lead Qualification: By refining our lead qualification process, we aim to identify and focus on high-potential leads more effectively. This involves a deeper analysis of lead sources and behaviors to better understand which prospects are more likely to convert.
Streamlining Communication: We’re working on optimizing our communication channels and touchpoints. Clear, concise, and targeted communication can help maintain lead engagement and expedite decision-making.
Automating Sales Processes: Implementing or upgrading CRM systems to automate certain stages of the sales process can significantly reduce manual tasks and lead time.
Training and Development: Continuous training for our sales team is crucial. We’re focusing on enhancing their skills in negotiation, persuasive communication, and understanding client needs to close deals more efficiently.
Feedback Loops: Regular feedback from clients post-interaction helps us identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement in our sales process.
Adapting Sales Strategies: Adapting and personalizing sales strategies based on client type and industry is another area we’re focusing on. Different sectors have varying sales cycles and decision-making processes, and our approach needs to be flexible to accommodate these differences.
As we work through these strategies, we’re optimistic about improving our sales efficiency, thereby enhancing our service delivery and client satisfaction. This challenge, while significant, presents an opportunity for us to innovate and refine our processes, ultimately contributing to the growth and success of Rolington Media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rolingtonmedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rolingtonmedia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rolingtonmedia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/84858287
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RolingtonMedia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrktAVTBfU2hFkUBakL57A
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rolington-media-covington
Image Credits
Kate, Rolington Media Felipe, Rolington Media