Launch Partner Spotlight: Nick Larsen

WHEN YOU’RE READY WE’LL BE READY

The CityCentral team has been brainstorming ideas on how we can help DFW businesses thrive when the time is right. With the help of our amazing partners, we came up with our latest idea, LAUNCH. The LAUNCH program is not just space, but also a set of tools to help you launch or re-launch your business. Over the next few weeks, we will be talking to our partners in the LAUNCH program, who are ready to tell you why they are excited to give back to DFW businesses.

Nick Larsen manages the Direct Line team over in Austin, who help businesses design websites tailored to their needs. For years, Nick has helped organizations develop a better understanding of how to drive traffic to their businesses and establish a relationship with their clientele.  Having started his own small business, Nick knows all too well the obstacles faced by burgeoning entrepreneurs, particularly early on. This is why Nick wants to help advise new business owners and has joined the LAUNCH team at CityCentral.

“I THINK EVERYBODY IS REALLY GOOD AT CERTAIN THINGS, AND YOU HAVE TO LEVERAGE THOSE THINGS.”

For nearly two years now, Nick Larsen has served as the sales manager at Direct Line Development. Direct Line has always prided itself on its ability to adapt to the needs of its clients. For years, they have been designing and implementing distinct, creative, and engaging websites tailored to the specific needs of their diverse client base. Over in Austin, Nick has taken his commitment to providing the best service even further. He has begun serving in an advisory role, helping businesses identify their SEO needs, how best to improve their online presence. Ultimately, driving more traffic to their business.

“IT CHANGED [EVERYTHING] AND ITS ALLOWED US TO THINK DIFFERENTLY”

Nick’s role as an advisor has grown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has had to adapt to the changing needs of his clients and the inability to meet with them in person. In addition to hosting the bulk of his meetings virtually, Nick has also noted that a rare benefit of his time out of the office is his surplus of downtime. The hours a day he used to spend in the car between client meetings and his daily commute has left him with an excess of downtime. With all the extra time, he has been able to focus on more of the intricacies of the field and continue refining the metrics by which he measures his clients' websites' performance.

“I THINK [LAUNCH] IS PHENOMENAL, I THINK ITS GREAT … I ALWAYS HAD A HEART FOR SMALL BUSINESS.”

After receiving his Master's Degree from Liberty University, Nick founded his own business. He jokingly cites this as his reason for being so excited to be part of the LAUNCH program as he remembers the difficultly he faced early on. Some of it is obstacles you didn't foresee or aren't personally equipped for. Nick is a big proponent of their being a variety of unique skill sets in entrepreneurs; however, that also means some of the obstacles business owners face are ones that don't play to their strengths. That is where he feels LAUNCH provides the most value, not only a collection of experiences and services but also of skillsets and viewpoints capable of addressing even the most nuanced issues. 

“[WHEN YOU] CONSTANTLY HAVE TO REDO YOUR WEBSITE, YOU’RE CONSTANTLY REDOING YOUR BRAND, WHICH ISN’T GOOD FOR SUSTAINABILITY.”

Nick does not shy away from addressing the plethora of cheap website development programs on the market. However, Nick and Direct Line have a history and reputation of excellence. That is what he brings with him to the LAUNCH program. Launch members will have access to a free, in-depth consultation with Nick and the Direct Line team. Consultations can range from plans to optimize existing websites, or identifying and planning the needs and amenities for an upcoming website. The goal is to maximize SEO through consistent focus on branding, keywords, and interface design. Direct Line has proven to be experts in designing and creating websites that stand out and function as an engagement generation resource for companies. They designed the CityCentral site. 

“I’M EXCITED TO CONNECT WITH NEW BUSINESS OWNERS.”

If Nick has proven one thing in his partnership with CityCentral, he's a pretty affable guy. As someone who has started a new company, Nick has emphasized his desire to share his experience and expertise with young entrepreneurs. Frankly, he said, it is a resource he wishes had been available to him when he was starting. We at CityCentral are glad to have Nick on the team, not only for his valuable services as an expert in website development and online engagement but also for his invaluable excitement about giving back to the small business community. We hope you're as excited to speak with Nick as he is to talk with you.