Lark Begin is a highly experienced SEO Marketing, PPC, Content & Social Media Specialist based in Ottawa. With a university degree under her belt, she has spent over 11 years honing her digital marketing skills and has become well-established in the realms of content marketing and SEO mastery.
As a consultant, Lark brings a tailored approach to each project, catering specifically to the unique needs of her clients. She has a deep understanding of what it takes to create, market, and sell products and services online through SEO, and her dedication, thoroughness, and hard work ensure timely and exceptional results.
Please tell us a little bit about your business – what is Profit Parrot all about?
Profit Parrot is a dynamic digital marketing agency dedicated to helping businesses soar to new heights online. With a team of skilled professionals, we specialize in providing comprehensive marketing solutions tailored to maximize your profitability. From web design and development to search engine optimization, social media management, and content marketing, we strive to boost your brand visibility, drive targeted traffic, and convert leads into loyal customers. Our data-driven approach, innovative strategies, and unwavering commitment to excellence ensure that you stay ahead in today’s competitive digital landscape. Partner with Profit Parrot and unlock the true potential of your business with results-driven marketing strategies that deliver measurable success.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company.
At Profit Parrot, our company’s founders, Lark and JM, have a rich background in digital marketing and a passion for helping businesses thrive online. JM started his journey by working on his own concrete flooring business and then with various small businesses, witnessing firsthand their struggles to establish a strong online presence and generate substantial revenue. Recognizing the immense potential of digital marketing, they decided to launch Profit Parrot, a company that would provide comprehensive marketing solutions to bridge the gap between businesses and their online success. With a small but dedicated team, They combined expertise, creativity, and business acumen to develop effective strategies that deliver tangible results. Today, Profit Parrot stands as a trusted partner for businesses, empowering them to achieve their goals in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
- Resilience: Entrepreneurship is filled with challenges, setbacks, and uncertainty. Resilience allows entrepreneurs to bounce back from failures, adapt to changing circumstances, and stay focused on their goals. It helps them navigate through tough times and maintain a positive mindset, which is crucial for long-term success.
- Visionary Thinking: Successful entrepreneurs possess the ability to see the big picture and envision opportunities where others may not. They have a clear vision of their business goals and strategies for growth. This skill enables them to identify market gaps, innovate, and make strategic decisions that give their ventures a competitive edge.
- Adaptability: Adaptability is a critical skill for entrepreneurs navigating the ever-changing business landscape. It refers to the ability to adjust, evolve, and thrive in the face of unforeseen circumstances, market shifts, and emerging trends. Successful entrepreneurs understand that change is inevitable and rather than resisting it, they embrace it as an opportunity for growth.
What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
At Profit Parrot, our plans for the future revolve around strategic growth and expanding our reach to help more businesses succeed. We have outlined several key initiatives to achieve these goals.
Firstly, we plan to expand our talented team by hiring more staff members who are passionate about digital marketing and dedicated to delivering exceptional results for our clients. By adding skilled professionals, we can broaden our expertise and provide even more specialized services to meet the diverse needs of businesses.
To generate more leads, we will focus on implementing innovative marketing strategies, such as targeted advertising campaigns, search engine optimization, and content marketing. By leveraging data-driven insights and staying updated on industry trends, we aim to attract a wider audience and increase our client base.
In our mission to help more local businesses, we plan to establish strong partnerships within our communities. We will actively engage with local organizations, participate in events, and provide educational resources to empower entrepreneurs and business owners with the knowledge they need to thrive online.
Furthermore, we will continually invest in research and development to stay at the forefront of digital marketing advancements. By leveraging emerging technologies, we can provide cutting-edge solutions that help businesses stand out in the competitive online landscape.
Ultimately, our growth plans revolve around delivering exceptional value to our clients. We will focus on building long-term relationships, fostering client success, and achieving measurable results. By consistently exceeding expectations, we aim to earn a reputation as a trusted and reliable partner for businesses seeking to maximize their online potential.
Through these strategies, we envision Profit Parrot expanding its footprint, becoming a go-to digital marketing agency known for its expertise, results-driven approach, and commitment to helping businesses thrive.
How have the pandemic and Lockdown affected you or your new business?
As the world shifted towards remote work and online interactions, many businesses recognized the need to enhance their online presence and adapt their operations to the new digital landscape.
During this time, we witnessed an increased demand for our digital marketing services. Businesses were looking to switch their storefronts to more online client-facing services, and they sought our expertise to help them navigate this transition successfully. We worked closely with our clients to develop and implement effective strategies to boost their online visibility, optimize their websites, and engage with their target audience through various digital channels.
Furthermore, as businesses faced the challenges of the pandemic, they also recognized the importance of digital marketing in reaching their customers and driving revenue. This led to a surge in inquiries and requests for our services, as businesses sought to leverage the power of online marketing to sustain and grow their operations during the lockdowns.
While the pandemic presented overall economic challenges, it also highlighted the importance of a strong online presence and digital marketing strategies. As a result, we were able to support businesses in their digital transformation journey, helping them thrive despite the difficult circumstances.
Moving forward, we anticipate that the lessons learned during the pandemic will continue to shape businesses’ strategies and prioritize their digital efforts. We remain committed to assisting businesses in adapting to the evolving digital landscape, enabling them to leverage the power of online marketing to achieve their goals.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
At Profit Parrot, we differentiate ourselves from our competitors through several key aspects:
Responsiveness: We prioritize clear and timely communication with our clients. We understand the value of promptly addressing their questions, concerns, and requests. Our team is committed to providing exceptional customer service and being readily available to support our clients throughout their digital marketing journey.
Genuine Care and Passion: We genuinely care about the success of our clients’ businesses. We take the time to understand their unique needs, goals, and challenges. Our passion for what we do shines through in our dedication to delivering personalized strategies and innovative solutions tailored to their specific requirements.
Exceptional Professionals: We only hire top-notch professionals who excel in their respective fields. Our team consists of experienced and skilled experts in areas such as web design, SEO, social media, content creation, and more. By employing the best talent, we ensure that our clients receive outstanding service and results-driven solutions.
Commitment to Helping: Our primary focus is on helping businesses succeed. We go beyond providing services; we strive to be strategic partners in our clients’ growth journeys. Our collaborative approach, combined with our industry expertise, allows us to offer valuable insights, guidance, and support to our clients throughout their digital marketing endeavors.
Adaptability: We understand that the digital landscape is constantly evolving. To stay ahead, we embrace adaptability as a core principle. We proactively monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and shifts in consumer behavior. This allows us to develop agile strategies and quickly adapt our approaches to ensure our clients’ continued success.
By embodying these qualities, we set ourselves apart from our competitors, fostering long-term relationships with our clients based on trust, exceptional service, and tangible results.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
One of the top mistakes I made when starting my business was not hiring staff sooner. In the early stages, I tried to handle all tasks and responsibilities myself, thinking it would save costs and maintain control. However, as the business grew, I quickly realized that I couldn’t effectively manage everything on my own, and it was affecting the quality of my work and the overall growth potential.
The lesson I learned from this mistake is the importance of delegating and building a strong team. Hiring capable professionals earlier would have alleviated the workload, allowed me to focus on strategic initiatives, and brought diverse skills and perspectives to the business. It would have accelerated growth, improved efficiency, and enhanced the overall performance of the company.
Moving forward, I now understand the value of assembling a talented team that can contribute their expertise, share the workload, and bring fresh ideas to the table. By hiring staff sooner, I can ensure that the business operates smoothly, tasks are handled efficiently, and we can serve our clients better.
This experience has taught me that recognizing the need for additional support and expanding the team is not a sign of weakness but rather a strategic decision that can propel the business forward. It’s essential to evaluate the workload, identify areas where expertise is lacking, and proactively bring in talented individuals to foster growth and success.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
Initially, we leveraged freelancing platforms to showcase our services and connect with potential clients. These platforms provided visibility and allowed us to establish our presence in the digital marketing space. By delivering quality work and maintaining positive client relationships, we were able to build a strong foundation for our business.
Growing Reputation: As we worked with clients, we prioritized delivering exceptional results and providing excellent customer service. By consistently exceeding expectations and building a reputation for reliability and professionalism, we gained credibility in the industry. Positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied clients further bolstered our reputation, contributing to our marketing efforts.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): We recognized the significance of search engine visibility in attracting potential clients. By implementing effective SEO strategies, such as keyword optimization, content creation, and on-page optimization, we aimed to improve our website’s organic search rankings. This approach helped us generate organic traffic, attract qualified leads, and establish our brand as an authority in the digital marketing field.
Referrals: Referrals have been a valuable source of new business for us. Satisfied clients who appreciated our services and results have referred us to their network, colleagues, and friends. We actively fostered strong relationships with our clients, encouraged referrals, and expressed gratitude for their support. The power of positive word-of-mouth marketing has been instrumental in expanding our client base.
While all these marketing strategies have contributed to our success, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of marketing efforts can vary depending on the business and industry. Continual monitoring, analyzing data, and adapting our strategies have allowed us to optimize our marketing process and identify the most successful channels for our specific business goals.
Overall, our marketing approach combines a mix of online platforms, reputation building, search engine optimization, and leveraging the power of referrals, all aimed at reaching and connecting with our target audience effectively.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
One of our biggest challenges at Profit Parrot has been trying to adapt to everyone’s unique needs. As a digital marketing agency, we work with a diverse range of clients, each with their own specific goals, preferences, and challenges. Initially, we struggled to find a balance between customization and scalability.
To overcome this challenge, we implemented the following strategies:
Client Discovery Process: We developed a comprehensive client discovery process to gain a deep understanding of each client’s business, industry, target audience, and objectives. This process involves conducting thorough consultations, asking the right questions, and actively listening to their needs. By investing time in this discovery phase, we can align our strategies and services more effectively with each client’s unique requirements.
Tailored Solutions: We recognized that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn’t suffice for our diverse client base. Instead, we focused on delivering tailored solutions. This involved customizing our strategies, services, and recommendations to suit the specific goals, budget, and industry of each client. We leveraged our expertise and experience to provide personalized solutions that address their individual challenges and opportunities.
Effective Communication: Clear and transparent communication played a crucial role in overcoming this challenge. We maintain open lines of communication with our clients, ensuring we fully understand their expectations and provide regular updates on progress. By fostering strong communication channels, we establish a collaborative relationship with our clients, allowing us to adapt and refine our strategies based on their evolving needs.
Continuous Learning and Improvement: The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving, and we understand the importance of staying updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving best practices. We invest in continuous learning and improvement to ensure that we can adapt our strategies and deliver effective solutions that align with the ever-changing needs of our clients.
By implementing these strategies, we have been able to successfully overcome the challenge of adapting to everyone’s unique needs. We prioritize individualized approaches, effective communication, and continuous improvement to ensure that we meet and exceed our client’s expectations while maintaining scalability and efficiency.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
At Profit Parrot, we are currently focused on learning more about pay-per-click (PPC) ads, Google My Business, and continuously expanding our knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO). We believe that staying updated and acquiring new skills in these areas is crucial for several reasons:
Evolving Advertising Landscape: The world of online advertising is constantly evolving, and PPC ads are an essential component of many businesses’ marketing strategies. By learning more about PPC, we can help our clients effectively utilize platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and other paid advertising channels. This knowledge allows us to create targeted and optimized ad campaigns that maximize ROI and drive quality traffic to our clients’ websites.
Local Business Presence: Google My Business is a powerful tool for local businesses to enhance their online presence and connect with customers in their area. By gaining a deep understanding of Google My Business, we can guide our clients in optimizing their profiles, managing customer reviews, and leveraging the platform’s features to increase visibility in local search results. This helps businesses attract more local customers and improve their overall online reputation.
SEO Best Practices: SEO is a fundamental aspect of digital marketing, and it plays a significant role in driving organic traffic and improving search engine rankings. As search engine algorithms evolve, it is essential to continually expand our knowledge of SEO best practices. By staying up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques, we can ensure that our clients’ websites are optimized effectively, allowing them to rank higher in search results and attract more organic traffic.
Continual learning in these areas is important because it allows us to provide comprehensive and effective digital marketing strategies to our clients. By staying informed about the latest advertising platforms, optimizing local business profiles, and implementing SEO best practices, we can deliver tangible results and help our clients achieve their business goals in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
If you started your business again, what things would you do differently?
If I were to start my business again, one of the key things I would do differently is hiring a team earlier on. Recognizing the value of a strong and dedicated team, I would prioritize assembling a talented group of professionals to support and complement my skills from the outset.
By hiring a team earlier, I would be able to delegate tasks and responsibilities, freeing up my time to focus on strategic planning, business development, and other high-level activities. The collective expertise and diverse perspectives of the team members would also contribute to more innovative and well-rounded decision-making.
Having a team in place would enable us to handle a higher volume of work, scale operations more efficiently, and cater to a wider range of client needs. It would also enhance our ability to deliver exceptional service, as each team member would bring their specialized skills and knowledge to the table.
Furthermore, an early team setup would foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, promoting employee growth and satisfaction. By creating a positive company culture from the start, we would be better positioned to attract and retain top talent, ensuring long-term success and stability for the business.
Overall, hiring a team earlier on would allow me to leverage the collective strengths of skilled professionals, enhance operational efficiency, and foster a positive work environment. This strategic decision would undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of the business from its inception.
What are the top 3 online tools and resources you’re currently using to grow your company?
- SERanking: SERanking is an all-in-one SEO platform that provides comprehensive tools for keyword research, website analysis, competitor analysis, and rank tracking. We leverage SERanking to optimize our clients’ websites, monitor their search engine rankings, and track the effectiveness of our SEO strategies. This tool allows us to make data-driven decisions, identify areas for improvement, and enhance our clients’ online visibility.
- Ahrefs: Ahrefs is a powerful SEO toolset that offers a wide range of features, including backlink analysis, keyword research, content analysis, and competitor research. We utilize Ahrefs to conduct in-depth research and analysis, identify relevant keywords, analyze competitors’ strategies, and track the backlink profiles of our clients’ websites. This tool helps us uncover valuable insights and develop effective SEO and content marketing strategies.
- Google Search Console: Google Search Console is a free web service provided by Google that allows webmasters to monitor and maintain their website’s presence in Google search results. We utilize Google Search Console to track website performance, monitor organic search traffic, analyze search queries, and identify technical issues that may impact search visibility. This tool provides valuable data and insights that help us optimize our clients’ websites for better search engine performance.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
One productivity tip that I swear by is using a to-do list. Creating a structured and organized list of tasks can greatly enhance productivity and help me stay focused and on track.
Can you recommend one book, one podcast, and one online course for entrepreneurs?
The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy – This book explores the power of small, consistent actions and their long-term impact on success. It emphasizes the importance of making small improvements and taking consistent actions over time to achieve significant results. “The Compound Effect” provides practical strategies for personal and professional growth, helping entrepreneurs harness the power of daily habits and incremental progress.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
If I only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything I know now, I would prioritize investing in educating myself to become an expert in the niche related to the business idea. Here’s how I would allocate the funds:
Online Courses or Training: I would dedicate a portion of the budget to enroll in reputable online courses or training programs specific to the niche. These courses would provide in-depth knowledge and skills necessary for success in the industry. Investing in education would equip me with the expertise and insights needed to make informed decisions and navigate the business landscape effectively.
Industry Books and Resources: I would allocate some funds to purchase books, ebooks, and industry-specific resources that offer valuable insights, best practices, and case studies related to the niche. These resources would further deepen my understanding of the market, customer behavior, and industry trends. They would also provide inspiration and guidance for developing innovative strategies.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
Understanding the purpose behind my business and the impact it can make keeps me motivated. Knowing that my work has the potential to make a difference in the lives of my clients, customers, or the community gives me a sense of purpose and fuels my drive to keep pushing forward.
What is your favorite quote?
“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t so you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.”
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
Entrepreneurship is a journey, and success often takes time. Stay committed, stay focused, and never stop learning and evolving. Trust in your ability to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
What is your definition of success?
My definition of success encompasses several elements:
Enjoying What I Do: Success, to me, means finding joy and fulfillment in the work I do. It involves pursuing a career or undertaking ventures that align with my passions, values, and interests. When I wake up excited about the day ahead and derive satisfaction from my work, I consider it a measure of success.
Being Helpful: Success is also about making a positive impact on others and contributing to the betterment of society. Whether it’s through my professional endeavors, volunteering, or acts of kindness, success involves using my skills and resources to help others and make a difference in their lives.
Feeling Fulfilled: Feeling a sense of fulfillment and purpose is another aspect of success. It’s about setting meaningful goals, challenging myself, and continuously learning and growing. Achieving personal milestones, reaching new heights, and pushing beyond my limits contribute to a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.
Having a Good Quality Life: Success includes having a good quality of life, which goes beyond financial prosperity. It encompasses having strong relationships, maintaining physical and mental well-being, and finding a balance between work and personal life. It means nurturing meaningful connections, pursuing hobbies and interests, and taking care of my overall well-being.
Providing for Family and Creating Jobs: Success involves being able to provide for my family’s needs and creating opportunities for others. It means ensuring financial stability, security, and creating a positive work environment where employees can thrive and grow. Contributing to job creation and fostering economic growth is an important aspect of success in my view.
How do you personally overcome fear?
Personally, I overcome fear by recognizing that it is often a stepping stone to growth and the benefits that lie on the other side. Here’s how I approach it:
Embrace the Discomfort: Instead of avoiding or suppressing fear, I acknowledge it and embrace the discomfort it brings. I understand that fear is a natural response to stepping outside of my comfort zone and taking on new challenges. By accepting the fear and seeing it as a normal part of the process, I can move forward despite it.
Reframe the Perspective: I try to reframe my perspective on fear by focusing on the potential positive outcomes that can arise from overcoming it. I remind myself that growth, personal development, and achievement often require facing and conquering fears. By shifting my mindset and viewing fear as an opportunity for growth and learning, I can motivate myself to push through it.
Take Action and Seek Support: I believe in taking action despite the fear. Taking small steps and gradually exposing myself to the source of fear helps to build resilience and confidence. Additionally, seeking support from trusted friends, mentors, or professionals can provide guidance, encouragement, and reassurance during challenging times. Having a support system can provide the motivation and accountability needed to move forward.
Focus on the Benefits: I keep my focus on the potential benefits and rewards that await on the other side of fear. Whether it’s personal growth, new opportunities, or achieving meaningful goals, reminding myself of the positive outcomes can help to alleviate fear and inspire courage.
Learn from Experiences: Reflecting on past experiences where I have overcome fear and achieved success serves as a reminder of my ability to overcome challenges. I draw upon these experiences as a source of strength and motivation, knowing that I have faced and conquered fear in the past, and I can do it again.
By embracing discomfort, reframing my perspective, taking action, seeking support, and focusing on the benefits, I am able to overcome fear and move forward with confidence. I understand that fear is a natural part of the growth process and that the rewards and personal growth that lie beyond fear are worth the initial discomfort.
How can readers get in touch with you?
If you would like to get in touch with me, you can visit our website at ProfitParrot.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/larkbegin/. Our website provides detailed information about our services, portfolio, and contact information. You will find a contact form or an email address where you can reach out to us with any inquiries, questions, or collaboration opportunities. We value the feedback and inquiries we receive, and we strive to respond promptly to all messages. Feel free to visit our website and reach out to us. We look forward to connecting with you!
