From Microsoft Employee to CEO: My Journey to Success

Hey there! I’m Ben, and today I want to share my journey from working in sales to becoming the CEO of my own company, Mactus Group. It’s been quite a ride, and I hope my story inspires some of you out there who are looking to make a similar leap.

Early Days: Sales and Education

My background started in sales, which laid a solid foundation for my career. I then pursued an MBA at the University of Texas, which was a pivotal moment for me.

After that, I got into tech marketing, working with startups, Dell, and eventually Microsoft.

At Microsoft, I held the position of marketing manager in the Windows group. During my time there, I hired a lot of marketing managers to help with various project and program management tasks. It was an eye-opening experience, as I began to notice a trend among the people I hired.

The Turning Point

After about few years at Microsoft, I realized that many of the folks I had hired eventually started their own agencies, essentially building on the skills and experiences they gained while working for me and sometimes they came to ME for business help. This sparked an idea in my mind: why couldn’t I do the same?

So, in 2007, I took the leap and started Mactus Group. My joke at the time was that I started a company to sell what I used to buy to the people I used to work with. This is a common path in the industry where individuals transition from working at a Fortune 1000 company to becoming a consultant for that company.

Building the Business

Initially, it was just me. But over the next eight years, we grew significantly. From a one-person operation, we expanded to about 100 employees and generated nearly $13 million in revenue. It was a challenging yet rewarding journey, filled with numerous lessons learned along the way.

We even received several Inc 5000 awards, which was an incredible validation of our hard work and dedication. It was amazing to see how far we had come from those early days.

Lessons Learned

Reflecting on my journey, there are a few key lessons I’d like to share:

• Take Calculated Risks: Leaving a stable job at a company like Microsoft was daunting, but it’s essential to take calculated risks to pursue your dreams.

• Learn from Others: Observing the paths of those I hired helped me realize the potential for my own success.

• Stay Committed: Growing a business takes time and effort. Staying committed to your vision is crucial with flexibility to pivot your strategy when necessary.

In conclusion, my journey from a Microsoft employee to a CEO has been filled with twists and turns, but each step has taught me something valuable. I hope that by sharing my story, I can encourage others to take the leap and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Thanks for reading!