With e-business entrepreneurship on an upswing, Monaco Life speaks with Ben Strautmann about creating his digital enterprise BSS Monaco.
Starting an internet-based business is one of the most prolific and rapid-developing offshoots of entrepreneurship nowadays. Digital and information technology are some of the leading tools for business, so digital entrepreneurship is seen as readily accessible to all. For those skilled in digital and information technology, it becomes the perfect podium for them to create and capitalise on present opportunities.
The 25-year-old German native, born in Luxembourg, has been residing in Monaco for the last 17 years. He is a graduate of Business Management at King’s College London and worked abroad for a few years, notably in E-Commerce at L’Oréal.
“During this time, I gained substantial knowledge and developed expertise in promoting products online, leveraging digital marketing tools and strategies to enhance brand visibility and sales,” Strautmann tells Monaco Life.
While living abroad, Strautmann was exposed to vibrant tech scenes.
“I was incredibly inspired by the many innovative solutions emerging in all kinds of industries,” he says. “My time in London and New York particularly motivated me to contribute to the technological evolution of the Principality, so I decided to establish BSS here, leveraging my education, experiences and insights gained overseas.”
It helps that he is multilingual, with an ability to conduct business in French, English and German, skills perfectly adapted to serving the international business community in the Principality and helping companies extend their reach beyond domestic boundaries.
Maximising the positives of lockdown
During the Covid lockdown, people were compelled to interact mostly through screens. The silver lining was that many young people turned to video content creation, freelancing, blogging, online teaching, making and selling music, translating and many other types of digital technology.
Strautmann belongs to Generation Z (1997-2012), the first social generation to have grown up with access to the Internet and portable digital technology from a young age. No doubt thanks to this, he has been able to find an innovative way to use his skills productively.
“After the pandemic, I returned to Monaco, where I founded my own company providing digital solutions, from web development and digital design to digital marketing strategies. I had built my first website for a client at 15,” he reveals. “I suppose I have always been tech-savvy and curious; as a result, the people in my life have tended to come to me for Internet help. So, I guess the idea came very naturally. I aim to help local businesses thrive in the digital age, adapting to the ever-changing landscape and meeting the growing demands of a tech-savvy clientele. It’s a fulfilling journey that blends innovation, problem-solving and a deep connection to my roots.”
So how does a digital-savvy Gen-Z prefer to market his business?
“Most clients contact me based on referrals from previous projects. Because I work so closely with my clients, I think it goes by word of mouth. I also like to advertise online through social media and search engines, which gives me a good online/offline balance,” he tells Monaco Life.
Staying up to date with tech trends
In this line of business, it is important to stay up to date with current technology trends, and Strautmann reveals that he does this by tuning in to his favourite podcasts, like Hard Fork, A16Z, and TechCrunch Daily Crunch.
“They’re invaluable for insights and updates,” says Strautmann. “I also actively engage with various tech communities on social media and devote time to reading blog posts and articles, which helps me stay informed and inspired. As mentioned earlier, travelling to different cities has been a great source of inspiration to me, seeing how daily life and community-building are innovative and facilitated (or not!) by technology.”
The young entrepreneur says he is proud to also be an official partner of Extended Monaco, a role that allows him to contribute to Monaco’s digital development as a whole.
“I am very proud to carry out the shared goal of driving Monaco’s digital evolution, developing digital proficiency within local businesses and promoting a digital-friendly economic environment,” he shares.
So, what does he envision in five years’ time for himself and his company?
“I would refrain from being too set in my vision for the coming years. Still, as the tech landscape evolves, I hope to continue providing services at the current height and utilising the latest available advancement. I expect myself and my business to keep learning and evolving, which I find very exciting.”
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Main photo of Ben Strautmann provided