Business & Tech

10 Questions: SmartFinds Internet Marketing's Melih Oztalay

Patch sits down with Melih Oztalay, the CEO of the Birmingham-based web marketing agency.

Around since the early 2000's, the Birmingham-based is a web marketing agency that helps local and national businesses grow their brand online. The firm, located at 330 E. Maple Rd., helps businesses with everything from research, social media and analytics.

Birmingham resident Melih Oztalay, 49, is the the CEO of Smartfinds Internet Marketing and a co-owner of Armstrong Communications, which owns the marketing company.

Birmingham Patch: At what moment did you decide to start SmartFinds Marketing?

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Melih Oztalay: As a corporation, Armstrong Communications, has been in advertising and marketing since 1987. In 1994, the Internet group was started as Speedlink Internet Solutions ... In 2004, the print portion was incorporated into SmartFinds Internet Marketing as a web marketing agency.

Smartfinds was an outgrowth of changing marketing conditions and the evolution of web marketing technologies for which the corporation has to adapt and grow in the industry of marketing and advertising.

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Patch: What inspires you everyday when in come in for work?

Oztalay: Strategy and problem solving. In order to execute web marketing and advertising projects, it is necessary to include a strategy based on research; and, a strategy cannot be completed without measuring the results. ...

Executing strategies is very exciting in an ever-changing environment, which requires adaptibility. But equally what we do includes problem solving. Identifying why something works or doesn't work is equally a fun learning experience that enhances our expertise with our clients.

 

Patch: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Oztalay: I started following in the footsteps of my parents who are physicians; however, as I became more involved in business I found a better avenue for the many ideas that cross my mind daily. Becoming an entrepreneur was a direction better suited for me.

 

Patch: What are some of the biggest challenges facing you as a small business owner in Birmingham?

Oztalay: As a web marketing agency, many of the buildings in Birmingham are not necessarily well-suited for our industry in a contemporary environment. Companies like McCann Erickson have had to make significant investment and changes to the building for their offices in Birmingham. For smaller businesses, it is not as possible. Also, parking west of Woodward is difficult for employees. Birmingham is not necessarily well-suited for diversified business industries.

 

Patch: Why did you choose Birmingham for SmartFinds Marketing?

Oztalay: Both owners of Armstrong Communications live in Birmingham, making it ideal to have our business in Birmingham as well.

 

Patch: What have been some of your most rewarding, fun experiences at the firm so far?

Oztalay: Succeeding through tough times certainly is at the top of the list of rewarding experiences. This would include a major shift in the company in 2004. That was followed by reaching success with large national companies between 2006-08. As we enter into 2012, we have survived through a tough economic period for the region and our national clients have been re-establishing their relations with us based on previous successes. This speaks volumes to the relationships we have developed as well as the results of our past work.

 

Patch: How does your personality play into your business?

Oztalay: This Internet industry is an environment that changes continually. Adapting to this environment is one requirement in which you find you have to adopt new ideas and be able to apply these concepts to the business needs of the clients.

I have found myself to be an entrepreneur that is an innovator and (I) have an ability to be an early adopter of technologies. After succeeding in the Internet industry for 18 years, one also learns to understand where the industry is going instead of following the crowd.

 

Patch: What's one thing about your business that you would never change?

Oztalay: The creative business spirit of accepting new ideas and finding solutions to problems.

 

Patch: What's your favorite spot in Birmingham?

Oztalay: We have chosen to live in Birmingham and have our business in Birmingham. It is hard to say there is a single favorite spot as much as there are different favorite spots. can be serene and quiet. The downtown area is diverse for places to eat, meet and entertain. The events in the downtown area in the spring and summer are enjoyable for walking around.

 

Patch: What would you like the Birmingham community to know about yourself?

Oztalay: There is an opportunity and a solution for every problem. When working with the Internet industry, always expect change and accept change. There is nothing a computer cannot do, that money and time cannot buy.

Have a business you would like to nominate for 10 Questions? Email your recommendations to Laura.Houser@patch.com.


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