Today we’d like to introduce you to Arman Mkrtchyan
Hi ARMAN, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into business and marketing has always been fueled by a deep passion for entrepreneurship and technology. Growing up in Los Angeles, I was a huge fan of Shark Tank, watching every week as entrepreneurs pitched their innovative ideas and turned their dreams into reality. The show didn’t just inspire me, it sparked a lifelong love for starting and testing business ideas. Even when I knew some might not succeed, I was always willing to take the risk.
As a kid, I was already experimenting with technology, trying to build iPhone apps even before I fully understood coding. I was fascinated by the idea of creating something valuable that people could use every day, like social media apps. Throughout my life, with the limited funds I had, I tried almost every business idea I came across. Most had a short lifespan, but each experience taught me something valuable. One pivotal moment was realizing that 98% of Meta’s (formerly Facebook) annual revenue comes from advertising. This was my “aha” moment, understanding how crucial marketing and advertising are, especially in the digital space.
This passion naturally led me to pursue a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, where I honed my skills in turning innovative ideas into successful businesses. After finishing my degree, I sought in-house marketing roles with companies around Los Angeles to learn the backend of the market and gain insight into how marketing drives business success in a city like LA.
During this time working in marketing, I continued exploring and testing different side hustles on the side. While attending an event at a venue, I noticed a photo booth setup. Naturally curious, I struck up a conversation with the attendant, who turned out to be the owner of the business. When I learned how much he was making for just a few hours of work, I didn’t hesitate to take my next business risk. I researched the industry, ordered a photo booth and started my own business, Diamond Photo Booth. Five years later, the company has grown to a dozen booths serving all over Southern California with major partnerships with music festivals and award shows.
The story doesn’t end there. My career in marketing played a crucial role in turning my photo booth side hustle into a full-time income. Without knowing how to market my business, it wouldn’t have reached the level of success it has today. Through my various roles, I discovered the power of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). SEO helped me rank my business at the top of Google search results in multiple cities, allowing me to generate leads with little to no advertising costs or social proof.
The entrepreneur and marketer in me kicked in again in late 2021 when I founded YAN Marketing LLC. My goal was to help local businesses, just like mine, get ahead in their marketing efforts at an affordable cost. Having worked in-house for companies and owning a business myself, I knew exactly what other businesses needed to grow. Today, I’m proud to be helping multiple businesses across the nation with their marketing needs, and I’m also guiding others to become an entrepreneur and start their own photo booth business.
Looking ahead, I’m still at my early stages and excited about the future. My vision is to continue expanding both businesses while empowering more entrepreneurs to achieve their own dreams. I believe that the combination of creative thinking, leveraged marketing, and a willingness to take risks is the key to success in any industry. I want to inspire others who are just starting out to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles. The road may be challenging, but the rewards of building something of your own are immeasurable.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In fact, one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced was finding myself in significant debt multiple times. At one point, my credit card bills piled up to nearly $60,000. It was a daunting situation, and there were moments when it felt like I was digging myself into a hole I’d never get out of. I had to be resourceful and strategic with every decision.
On top of the financial struggles, balancing my health and personal responsibilities with the demands of growing a business was challenging. There were days when it felt like I was being pulled in every direction, trying to keep everything together both at home and in my business. While building my photo booth business, I was also working to establish my marketing company, YAN Marketing. Juggling both businesses meant 60+ hour weeks and a steep learning curve as I tried to master different aspects of each industry. There were times when it felt overwhelmed, especially when things didn’t go as planned. But those moments of struggle also fueled my determination to succeed.
Being a business owner meant being the jack of all trades. I had to wear many hats—marketer, designer, manager, customer service rep, and many times, even the coordinator setting up the photo booths at events. Its exhausting, but that’s what it takes to bootstrap and grow a business from the ground up. In addition, navigating the constantly changing landscape of digital marketing was a challenge in itself. Staying on top of the latest trends, algorithms, and tools required continuous learning and adaptation. There are times when strategies that once worked stop being effective, and I have to pivot quickly to keep my businesses moving forward.
All in all, these experiences taught me life lessons. I learned how to manage my time better, how to prioritize what really matters, and how to push through what seems impossible. Through all the hardships, I developed a deeper understanding of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. The road has been anything but smooth, but it’s those rough patches that have made the successes all the more rewarding. They’ve shaped me into a stronger, more resilient business owner, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. As Kobe Bryant once said, “Job’s not finished.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about YAN MARKETING?
At YAN MARKETING, our mission is simple: to help small and medium-sized businesses across the nation thrive online. We offer a full range of services, including Search Engine Optimization (SEO), advertising, social media management, content creation, and website design. What really sets us apart is our deep understanding of the challenges small businesses face. We’re committed to delivering custom solutions that get results without breaking the bank.
SEO is one of our core strengths. We’ve helped many of our clients reach the top of Google search results, which has led to greater visibility, more leads, and higher revenue; all without relying on ads. Our website design services are another key part of what we do. We ensure that our clients not only have a strong, user-friendly online presence but also one that turns visitors into customers. By taking a holistic approach to digital marketing, we create strategies that truly work.
Affordability is at the heart of what we offer. We know that budgets can be tight, especially for small businesses, so we’ve designed our services to be cost-effective without sacrificing quality. Our clients trust us because we deliver real value, and that’s something we take great pride in. If you’re looking for a marketing partner who genuinely understands and cares about your business, YAN MARKETING is here to help you grow and succeed online.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We’re excited to offer something special to your readers. If you mention this article when you reach out to us, we’ll provide a 1-month free trial of our marketing services to help you get a head start on growing your business. We understand how crucial it is to have strong marketing support, especially in the early stages, and we want to give you the boost you need to succeed.
Additionally, if you’ve ever considered starting or growing your own photo booth business, we’d love to help you get started. With years of experience in the industry, we know what it takes to build and grow a successful photo booth business that generates over six figures annually. We offer consulting specifically for this industry, whether you’re looking to enhance your current business or launch a new venture. We will soon launch photoboothfranchise.com and boothbank.com to help future photo booth owners start and grow their businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://losangelesmarketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armanhacks
- Other: https://glendalemarketing.com
Image Credits
Photos by Arman Mkrtchyan
