This week has been amazing as I had the opportunity to be a guest on Our Community Podcast, hosted by Alfredo Diamond. Alfredo is not only a realtor but also the host of Our Community Podcast in Richmond, Indiana, where he interviews local business owners. Take a look at our conversation.
Alfredo Diamond: Welcome back to another episode of Our Community Podcast. I’m your host, local real estate agent and entrepreneur, Alfredo Diamond. Today, I’m thrilled to have a wonderful guest with us. We met a few weeks ago at one of our chamber meetings, and I’m so glad he spoke up and introduced himself. Please welcome Dennis Alejo from Instant Web Tools. Thank you for being here, Dennis.
Dennis Alejo: Thank you so much, Alfredo, for inviting me here. It’s an honor.
Alfredo Diamond: Absolutely. Dennis, tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do, and how you became part of our community.
Dennis Alejo: Yes, I’m originally from the Philippines. I grew up in a city with a population of five million. My mom died when I was eight years old, and my dad left, so I became self-sufficient. I worked to pay for school and food. I remember going four days without eating real food. From a young age, I knew I needed to survive.
Alfredo Diamond: That’s a lot to go through at such a young age. How did you manage to get through those tough times?
Dennis Alejo: When I was in high school, I met a man from the USA who sponsored my education. He bought my school supplies and paid my fees, which allowed me to succeed. After high school, he continued to support me through Bible college. I then joined Youth with a Mission, a global mission organization, where I met my wife. We moved to Cincinnati in 2014 and then to Richmond in 2018 because her family is nearby.
Alfredo Diamond: Your story is incredible, Dennis. Losing your mother at eight, with no father around, yet here you are today, a successful business owner. How did your experiences shape you into the positive person you are today?
Dennis Alejo: My experiences taught me to be thankful and to help others. The community helped me survive, and now I want to give back. Instant Web Tools aims to provide job opportunities for people in the Philippines.
Alfredo Diamond: That’s wonderful. Tell us more about Instant Web Tools and how it started.
Dennis Alejo: Instant Web Tools began while I was doing mission work in the Philippines. I learned digital marketing because many stores lacked an online presence. Even though the pay was low, I used my skills to create websites and do SEO. We moved to the USA, and I started offering these services here.
Alfredo Diamond: You’ve mentioned you face challenges with clients sometimes. Can you elaborate on that?
Dennis Alejo: Yes, many of our clients are across the United States, and sometimes contracts are terminated early due to their financial issues. It taught us not to rely on a few sources and to diversify our services.
Alfredo Diamond: Diversification is key in any business. How did you diversify your offerings?
Dennis Alejo: We asked clients what they needed. Besides web design and SEO, we now offer email marketing, social media posts, and other digital marketing services. Automation has also helped us streamline many tasks.
Alfredo Diamond: That’s impressive. It sounds like you’ve built a robust business model. How do you use Instant Web Tools to give back to the community in the Philippines?
Dennis Alejo: Part of our profits goes to our nonprofit, Kingdom Legacy. We feed 2,500 kids monthly and send 100 kids to school each year. It costs $30 to send one child to school, covering fees, uniforms, and supplies.
Alfredo Diamond: That’s amazing, Dennis. Your business is not just about making money; it’s about making a difference. What advice would you give to someone starting a business?
Dennis Alejo: Do what you say you’re going to do and do it on time. Consistency builds trust. Also, establish a strong online presence because that’s often your first impression.
Alfredo Diamond: Great advice. How can people find out more about Instant Web Tools and connect with you?
Dennis Alejo: You can visit our website, instantwebtools.com, or find us on social media. We’re always happy to help businesses grow their online presence and make an impact.
Alfredo Diamond: Thank you so much for joining us today, Dennis. Your story is truly inspiring, and I’m sure our listeners have gained a lot from your insights.
Dennis Alejo: Thank you, Alfredo. It’s been a pleasure.
If you’re a local business owner here in Richmond, you should connect with Alfredo Diamond or follow Our Community Podcast. For more interviews and digital marketing tips, subscribe to dennis.tips.
