In this episode of “The Engaging Marketeer,” Darren is joined by Dan Mather, founder of JKE Security.
Dan shares his tumultuous journey from investing in a business that led him into significant debt to building his own successful six-figure enterprise. His story is one of resilience, learning from failures, and leveraging mentorship to achieve business success. This episode delves into Dan’s challenges, his involvement in charitable work, and the strategies he employed to turn his fortunes around.
The Elephant in the Room
Dan Mather begins by discussing his role as a trustee for a charity, highlighting a touching initiative involving an elephant toy called “Hope.” This toy helps families create lasting memories with terminally ill children and adults. The charity’s evolution and impact are profound, offering comfort through recorded messages and heartbeat recordings for families who have lost loved ones.
“One of the biggest worries of a parent who’s going to lose a child is the fear of not remembering the sound of the voice.”
The Rocky Road to Business Ownership – Initial Failures and Learning Experiences
Dan recounts his early days in business, where he invested in a company only to discover his business partner was embezzling funds. This led to severe financial difficulties, including high court enforcement actions and personal debt. Despite the turmoil, Dan decided to start his own business, JKE Security, while still working for the failing company to sustain his income.
“I remember Christmas Day 2016, stood in my kitchen, and I was in tears… I didn’t know if it was my last one.”
Turning Point: Founding JKE Security
In February 2017, Dan officially founded JKE Security. By leveraging relationships built over years and focusing on excellent service, he managed to attract clients from his previous business. His determination and strategic moves quickly turned JKE Security into a multiple six-figure business.
“Within the first couple of years, we turned it into a multiple six-figure business.”
The Role of Mentorship
Dan attributes much of his success to engaging with a business coach from Action Coach, whom he met through a BNI (Business Network International) meeting. The guidance and accountability provided by his coach were crucial in navigating the business challenges he faced.
“Momentum begins with movement… you need to start to keep going.”
Embracing Digital Marketing and Social Media
To expand JKE Security, Dan utilised various digital marketing strategies, including social media, Google presence, and strategic partnerships. He acknowledges the importance of being visible online and building a robust network to drive business growth.
“We need to start ramping up the marketing… LinkedIn is very much about getting in touch with the right people at the right businesses.”
Giving Back and Future Plans – Involvement in Charity
Dan’s dedication to charitable work is evident through his ongoing support for the “Hope” initiative. His involvement not only provides personal fulfillment but also aligns with his belief in businesses’ responsibility to give back to the community.
“It’s our obligation to give back in whatever way we can.”
New Ventures and Expansion
Dan is currently working on launching a new business aimed at the residential market. His goal is to grow this new venture from zero to a six-figure business within 12 months and create a course documenting this journey to help other entrepreneurs.
“I want to scale it from a zero to six-figure business in 12 months… and turn that into a course.”
Conclusion
Dan Mather’s journey from significant debt to a successful business owner is a testament to resilience, strategic planning, and the power of mentorship. His story underscores the importance of learning from failures, giving back to the community, and continually seeking growth. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Dan’s experiences offer valuable insights into overcoming adversity and achieving business success.
“Without him [the former business partner], I wouldn’t be where I am today… I’d still be living in his shadow.”
Connect with Dan:
Website: https://www.jkesecurity.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JKEsecUK/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkesecurity/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mather-jke-security/
About your host:
Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/
Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com
Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.uk
