Blake Nubar’s journey to entrepreneurship is a testament to resilience and the power of learning from failure. With a background in business management and a degree focused on entrepreneurship, he graduated in 2011 with dreams of starting his own business. However, like many aspiring entrepreneurs, he faced the harsh reality of financial constraints, which led him to pursue a traditional career path. Nearly 15 years later, Nubar has transformed his initial struggles into a thriving business, generating six figures a month, but it was not without its share of setbacks.
Nubar’s first foray into entrepreneurship began while he was employed at an engineering firm. He used his paychecks to fund Footpriint, a mobile app designed to connect college students with campus events. Despite his enthusiasm, he quickly encountered the steep learning curve of app development. Lacking experience, he underestimated the resources required to bring his vision to life, leading to financial strain and ultimately, the project’s failure.
After the disappointment of Footpriint, Nubar found himself disillusioned with the constraints of a 9-to-5 job. He yearned for the freedom and potential of entrepreneurship. In 2012, he launched Learn Everywhere, a digital product business, but it too faltered shortly after its inception. Seeking stability, he took a position at a private equity firm that funded startups, which provided him with the financial backing to explore his next venture.
In 2015, Nubar was invited to join a fitness startup focused on selling supplements and educational materials. With a friend, Ace, he aimed to create a personal training certification program. However, after nine months of hard work, they were unable to generate sales. Frustrated, Nubar recognized a critical gap in his skill set: digital marketing. This realization marked a pivotal moment in his career.
Determined to succeed, Nubar left the fitness partnership in 2016 and dedicated himself to mastering online marketing. He immersed himself in learning how to effectively sell products and services online, driven by the desire to share the lessons he had learned through his previous failures. In 2017, he co-founded Laptop Freedom, a digital marketing company, with Ace. By leveraging platforms like Upwork, Nubar began to attract clients by offering competitive rates.
One of his first significant clients was Brian Page, an emerging online entrepreneur. Together, they devised a marketing strategy that led to remarkable success, generating $1 million in course revenue within just 43 days. This achievement garnered attention, and soon, other entrepreneurs sought Nubar’s expertise, including notable figures like Kevin Harrington from “Shark Tank.”
In 2019, Nubar and his team decided to pivot their focus from agency-style work to creating their own educational products. They built a robust online presence across social media platforms, amassing a following of around 250,000. Their first digital product launch in 2020 was a resounding success, generating $450,000 in revenue over a single weekend.
As Nubar’s business matured, he implemented systems and processes that allowed him to streamline operations. With the help of an operations manager, he reduced his work hours to around 10 per week, freeing up time for strategic planning and personal pursuits. The company now utilizes various software solutions for marketing, client management, and financial oversight, ensuring a well-organized and efficient workflow.
Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Nubar has also turned his attention to real estate investment. After experimenting with stocks and cryptocurrencies, he found that real estate aligned better with his understanding and risk tolerance. Partnering with an operator, he invests in distressed residential properties and apartment complexes, focusing on rehabilitation and resale.
Travel has become another passion for Nubar and his wife, who spend six months a year exploring the world. Their adventures reflect the freedom and flexibility that Nubar’s successful business has afforded them. Through perseverance and a willingness to learn from his failures, he has crafted a life that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit he once dreamed of, proving that setbacks can lead to greater opportunities.
