Nadav Wilf is CEO of Matrix Media Technologies, which manages online advertising efforts.
VITALS
Name: Nadav Wilf.
Titles: Co-founder and CEO.
Company: Matrix Media Technologies.
Company address: 5771 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla.
Company phone: 858-346-1430.
Year founded: 2004.
Prior business experience: One year.
Average hours worked weekly: 60.
Source of startup capital: Funded by my partner, Jeff Smith.
Revenue 2007: $798,000.
Revenue 2006: $468,000.
Number of employees: 13.
Web sites: matrixmt.com, discoversd.com.
BACKGROUND/PERSONAL
Birthplace: Israel.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, UCLA.
Age: 26.
Current residence: La Jolla.
Family: Mother, father and two brothers.
Hobbies: Learning about history, yoga, songwriting and guitar, cooking, and traveling as much as possible.
How do you relieve stress? The two most effective ways I relieve stress is by writing and singing about what is stressing me out.
What books are you reading? “The Four Agreements,” by Don Miguel Ruiz; “The Last Lecture,” by Randy Pausch.
What are the biggest achievements in life aside from your business? I think maintaining great relationships with my family and large network of friends.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned? When I was younger, my father used to call me Mr. Manana, because I would always procrastinate. Once I stopped procrastinating, I became successful.
Do you have any rituals you go through before big meetings or making hard decisions (lucky socks, etc.)? I’m not big on rituals, but I am big on visualization. Before meetings, I run myself through the pitch and envision the handshake at the deal close.
Best part about working in San Diego? I work across the street from the beach, which makes me feel better about being in the office all day.
JUDGMENT CALLS
Reason for getting into business? I love the feeling of setting goals and achieving them. The money is a byproduct of the success.
What made you think you could do better than others already in your field? I have my secret weapon: my genius business partner, Jeff Smith.
How do you plan to grow the business? Excellent customer service, continued sales, strategic partnerships and, possibly, future investment.
Greatest advantage of owning your own business? The ability to have a flexible schedule has to be No. 1.
Biggest disadvantage of owning your own business? Long hours. Although my schedule is flexible, it’s more than made up with the amount of hours I work in the evenings.
Business’s major strengths? The exceptional minds of our employees.
Business’s major weakness? Sometimes we are spread thin across projects and it’s tough to get it all done.
What is the greatest need you have in your business? It’s always more capital.
Smartest business decision? To diversify the types of clients we serve. This has helped us maintain revenue growth during this economic downturn.
Largest risk? Putting all of our capital into investing in the success of this company.
Significant business mistake(s)? Initially, diversifying our service offerings too widely.
Toughest career decision? To go out on my own at age 22.
Biggest ongoing challenge? Staying on top of changes in Internet marketing, which moves at light speed.
The most important part of your business? Again, this would have to be the people.
Your business works best when? When the team is working together and being innovative.
Best way to stay competitive? Keep costs low and make improvements based on research.
How do you measure success? Success is obviously measured by profit, but the way I personally feel when I am successful is priceless.
GOALS
Goals yet to be achieved? Cashing out on the sale of a million-dollar, or more, Web site.
Your five-year business plan? Sell this business for $20 million or more, take a short vacation, and start a new one.
Guiding principles you will continue to follow? Honesty and accountability. Every industry is normally very tight-knit and your reputation, good or bad, is normally widely known.
, Andrew Schweizer
