David Mastovich | Celebrating a 20-year journey of marketing, storytelling | Business
April 15 marked a milestone in my life and the life of my company, MASSolutions.
This had nothing to do with tax-filing deadlines. Instead, we celebrated our 20th anniversary as a full-time endeavor.
Reflecting on this journey brings a sense of gratitude for the amazing clients and strategic partners, the dedicated MASS team members, and the countless stories we’ve been privileged to tell, including many in this publication.
This isn’t just a celebration of a company’s anniversary; it’s a tribute to a dream that transformed into a reality far beyond my expectations.
It all began in a surprisingly organic way. A simple act of helping friends with their then-new assisted living company sparked the initial flame.
These friends, in turn, referred me to two others needing marketing strategy and storytelling assistance. Then they referred me to more people in their networks.
Before I knew it, a cascading series of referrals had unfolded without any formal marketing or sales efforts on my part.
I hadn’t even named the venture yet, but the consistent demand for my help made it clear that this could truly work.
It was then that I realized the necessity of not just naming this, but also formalizing the business aspects, such as timely billing and client management.
This network of referrals laid the foundation for what MASSolutions would become.
Making the leap from a secure, high-profile senior marketing position to venture into the uncertainty of entrepreneurship was a decision marked by both excitement and apprehension. I chose Tax Day as our official start date, a nod to the new beginning and the significant changes it represented in my life.
It was a leap made less daunting by the support and encouragement of my brother, The Tribune-Democrat sports writer Mike Mastovich, who in many ways was part of this venture long before MASSolutions even officially existed.
Mike Mino, our childhood friend from Franklin Borough, joined the journey early on, bringing unparalleled visual design and creative direction skills. He crafted our logo and some of our most impactful client work, infusing MASSolutions with a visual identity that resonates with our ethos.
Then came Mike Gatti, an Indiana County native and early team member, who, with his operational focus and unique blend of endearing grumpiness and wit, has continually pushed our client projects and internal processes forward.
As I reflect on the past two decades, the evolution of MASSolutions in both Pittsburgh and Johnstown is not just in the projects we’ve undertaken or the growth we’ve experienced.
It’s in the culture we’ve built, characterized by bold solutions and a no-nonsense approach to marketing strategy and growth.
It’s a culture that dozens of team members have contributed to, each leaving their mark on what MASSolutions stands for today.
Our client base has grown into the hundreds, allowing us the honor of helping them tell their stories, reach their audiences and achieve their goals. This journey of collaboration and mutual growth has been one of the most rewarding aspects of leading MASSolutions.
Against a backdrop where only about a third of companies make it to 10 years and less than 15% reach the 20-year mark, the journey of MASSolutions stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation and genuine connection.
This statistic not only highlights the challenges businesses face over time, but also underscores the significance of what we have achieved together.
Our narrative has unfolded through various channels – a blog since 2005, my first book in 2013, a podcast that started in 2014, countless videos that have captured the essence of our work from the very beginning and hundreds of columns that have appeared in media publications nationwide such as The Tribune-Democrat.
With a second book on the way to the publisher, our story continues to evolve, always staying true to the principle of science and math driving art.
At MASSolutions, our approach is systematic yet creative, combining insights gathering with the vast experience, expertise and instincts of our team. We develop solutions and create stories that reach and connect with audiences and change behaviors and mindsets.
The first 20 years of MASSolutions have been filled with learning, growth and an abundance of meaningful connections.
As we look ahead, the future is bright. The landscape of marketing continues to evolve, and with it, MASSolutions will continue to innovate, adapt and lead.
Here’s to celebrating the past, embracing the present and eagerly anticipating the future.
Author and marketing trailblazer Dave Mastovich has helped companies transform their messaging and improve their Marketing ROI for decades. He’s founder and CEO of MASSolutions, host of the No BS Marketing podcast and author of the book Get Where You Want to Go Through Marketing, Selling and Story Telling. His blog, Light Reading, has been featured in over 100 media outlets with readership of more than 1 million.
