Jon Ferrara, CEO and Founder, Nimble
Jon is a serial entrepreneur and noted speaker about social, sales and marketing. He has re-imagined CRM by building Nimble - The Simple CRM for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Ferrara is best known as the co-founder of GoldMine Software Corp, one of the early pioneers in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs). He has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 10 Social CEO’s, Top 10 Social Salespeople In The World and Top 100 Marketing Influencers.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I mainly use LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. LinkedIn is kind of like my business lobby, a great place to do business but not very personal. Instagram is one of my favourite social media platforms since a picture is worth a thousand words.
People can easily get to know me and what I am passionate about by looking at my photos, making it easier to connect with others in areas of commonality. However, Instagram isn't as effective as Twitter is for conversations around personal and business topics I want to discuss or the links I might want to share.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I love identifying the problems I personally struggle with and building solutions for them, which is why I became a software entrepreneur. In my current role as CEO of Nimble, we build and sell a CRM/Contact Management platform for individuals and teams.
I founded Nimble after struggling to apply my use of social media to business engagement. I was looking for a solution that would enable me to build, manage, and nurture my social contacts. I couldn't find it, so I created Nimble - The Simple CRM for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I believe we are here to grow, and the best way to grow is to help others grow. As a software entrepreneur, I have the privilege of working with amazing people and collaborating with them on their growth by helping them and the company grow. In addition, I enjoy developing solutions that benefit others and help them grow. I have the privilege of helping millions of people worldwide develop and expand their network, brand, and relationships.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The more people you help grow, the more you will grow.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
It all comes down to serving others and growing. I get excited every morning about connecting with others, learning about them, finding ways to put wind in their sails, and creating solutions for them.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
My family. They're incredible human beings. I consider myself lucky to have met my intelligent, beautiful, and strong wife. We raised three beautiful children together, and I can't wait to watch their lives unfold and blossom.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
The best relationships I've found are in my areas of personal/business passions and interests. If you want to meet new people, identify people who share your interests in the process of doing what you love.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
The ability to listen to, recognize, and serve the needs of others. You gain a better understanding of people when you take the time to understand who they are, what they are passionate about and who they want to become.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I can't control everything, and I need to learn to let go more. When I was a teenager, I used to ride motorcycles in a place called Indian Dunes. If you ride a motorcycle through the desert while gripping the handlebars, you will fall. However, if you loosen your grip on the handlebars ever so slightly, the motorcycle will follow the natural path you are on without falling.
I think it's a metaphor for how you can't control everything in life. Sometimes you have to trust the universe to help you achieve your dreams. Send your prayers to your higher power, be present enough to hear when the universe knocks, and be brave enough to open the door and walk through it.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Satya Nadella. He wrote a book titled "Empathy" about how he transformed Microsoft from a has-been to a market leader. He not only listens to his customers and team members intelligently, but he also empowers them to act on their instincts. The best kind of leader hires bright people, gives them clear direction, and empowers them to make decisions that will help them grow.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Connecting with the universe brings me the most joy. When you commune with nature, you reconnect with your soul and draw closer to God. Anything to do with nature, including hiking, backpacking, astronomy, and photography.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managed it?
It's a little bit of everything. We consider ourselves blessed that Nimble has thrived during the pandemic because people need a simple CRM to build relationships now more than ever. We were able to digitally divide in February 2020 without missing a beat.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
My Uncle John J. Guarrera invented the radar microwave at MIT in the 1940s, worked for NASA in the 1960s, was president of the (IEEE) Institute of Electrical and Electrical Engineering, and served as dean of my university's engineering department. Most importantly, he was my counsellor. Despite his hectic schedule, he always made time for me and genuinely cared about me.
He taught me what it meant to be a successful entrepreneur who is also grounded, present, and mentors others. Because of him, I've mentored many people in my life. It's one of my greatest joys when someone says that I've changed their life for the better.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
My advice to any entrepreneur is to figure out what your passion plan and purpose is. What is your passion? Then build a plan to achieve it and put the plan on a mirror, and make it your purpose on a daily basis. I highly recommend reading "Think and Grow Rich" and following its formula. The majority of people I know who retired in their 40s swear by it.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
The most common reason people fail and give up is that they overwhelm themselves with goals that are too broad in scope. Instead, divide your goals into daily objectives that will keep you moving toward your ultimate goal.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
The one that keeps resonating with me is, "I'm on this planet to grow my soul, and I can grow my soul best by helping other people grow theirs." It's a phrase I derived from my heart when I was going through a tumour a year after I sold my first business.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
There's a company called Houston's, which is a restaurant chain. What I love about them is the consistency of the quality of food and service they deliver. Brands that can consistently deliver not only quality but also experience will win. Apple is a great example of this. They aren't perfect, but they produce products that people enjoy using and provide a pleasant shopping experience when you visit an Apple Store.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
I define success as being a part of a team that can create and deliver a solution that meets people's needs and changes their lives. When I say it changes their lives, I mean everyone involved in the journey, including company employees and customers.