Meet Carlos Monteblanco of Good Aura

In December 2010, I graduated with a BA in Marketing and International Relations at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, WA. One month later, I moved back to Portland and found a job working for a startup (at the time) called Intuitive Digital. There I learned many of the now prominently used digital marketing strategies – Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), User Experience (UX), and mobile-friendly website design. After 2 years there helping small businesses and local nonprofits, I worked downtown for Sq1 (Square One), where I helped strategize and implement SEO for enterprises like KinderCare, Petco, and Hyundai. I was looking for a way to make extra cash so in 2018, I started freelancing on the side through Fiverr. I only offered 2 gigs and invested 5-10 hours a week to helping entrepreneurs worldwide. After 1 year on Fiverr, I made a few grand, earned 69 5-star reviews, and was promoted to a Level 2 Seller (one below a Pro). It didn’t even cross my mind, but some of my customers were asking for additional digital marketing services. I made a few clients that way and got the confidence and foundation I needed to create my own company. I took the leap of faith in March 2019 but didn’t establish my company, Good Aura, until May. In 1 year’s time, I got my own office in the Big Pink building, hired 2 interns, and had the pleasure of working with local businesses as well as larger companies like Michaels and Provenance Hotels.

You get out what you put in. Equivalent exchange. So if you’re not mentality hyped or prepared to do a lot of leg work – sales, networking, writing contracts, accounting, strategy, implementation, client and vendor communication – then you’re doomed to fail. It’s nice having the flexibility to create your own schedule and work from wherever, but sometimes I needed that extra push, stability or overview that you’d get in a normal work setting. Starting out, one of the biggest struggles was not getting paid at the start of the month. I had already set up these dates when I could make rent, student debt, and credit card payments. So I spent a good chunk of my time constantly reminding clients about outstanding invoices and refreshing my Bank of America app.

I’ve always wanted a brand for a company name, not one of those keyword-stuffed, bland names you hear all the time. When you think of Starbucks, you understand they sell coffee. They positioned themselves to get there, but you never have to say to someone, “do you want to go to Starbucks Coffee?” Same thing with Apple, McDonalds, Best Buy, any designed brand you can think of, etc. So I went with the name, Good Aura. For me, Good Aura stands for wholesomeness, authenticity, and positivity. I might be shooting myself in the foot as I say this, but we’re not focused on getting as many clients as possible or pushing out half-baked cookie-cutter solutions. Instead we believe in the mantra “positive energy, positive results,” where building strong, genuine relationships with people allows us to empower them to innovate, grow, reach new heights, and have fun along the process. Our services include Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM) (i.e., Google Ads), Social Media Management, mobile-friendly website design, copywriting, auditing, and reporting. We’re only a year old and we’re continuing to grow.

Success to me is achievement through hard, honest work. Whether that means finding a way to get your baby to sleep soundly, losing 20 pounds in your home gym, or learning a new language, they are all things to celebrate. In terms of business, my goal is to help companies radiate excellence. They already offer incredible products/services, but maybe they’re struggling with brand awareness, website traffic, keyword rankings, etc. I’m just there to give them the recognition and business they deserve. Of course, I measure performance through certain KPIs but if they come back to me saying how I helped them get more clients, then I lean towards the latter as a success.