EP 007 - InSauga Founder Khaled Iwamura

Khaled Iwamura is the founder of QuickBite News, a media company comprised of insauga.com, inbrampton.com and inhalton.com. Insauga.com is now one of the biggest city websites in Canada and is the largest media company in Mississauga. It covers news, food and other interesting items.

He is also a TEDx Speaker, Tokyo Tourism Spokesperson, TV host/producer, MC and part-time pro wrestler. Khaled also hosts a self-produced TV show which airs on Facebook Live–at Celebration Square every Thursday night over the summer. He was also was the moderator of the first Live Mayoral Debate at the Living Arts Centre in 2014. He has emceed major city events such as the Sound Bites Music Festival, Sauga Block Party and Japan Festival Canada.

I think you will enjoy this lively and resource-packed discussion. We start the conversation off by Khaled telling us about his background, insauga.com, inbrampton.com and inhalton.com which combined have 1,100,000 unique visitors per month, 3.1 million page views per month, 750,000 video views per month and his social media following in the western GTA with well over 100,000 followers.

You’ll Learn:• [02:50] – Khaled begins our conversation by telling us about his media company, his marketing company and his journey in the media. He first started out in collaboration with John, his Programmer friend. His initial ideas were drafted on a napkin in 2011!• [04:28] – In 2012, Insauga.com was officially launched. He goes further to tell us about his TEDx story that is famously referred to as ‘the fishing rod’ story.• [20:45] – He shares with us about his entrepreneurship journey. He takes us through his schooling where he graduated in marketing. He then started a graphics design company and later teamed up with other partners. He also talks to us about the events/debates he has hosted/attended.• [33:15] – He informs us that it took about four years for his business to be profitable. He says, “If you don`t have page views, you can`t sell”. The strong brand presence immensely helped his businesses later on. He advises that having a core support system from family and friends is crucial.• [53:43] – He shares with us some of the lessons he has learnt from pro-wrestling. He says that it was the most fun sport he has ever participated in. The pro-wresting allowed him to participate together with his family.• [1:03:34] – Khaled summarizes our discussion by taking us through some of the places where he volunteers as a Board member. He says that he sits on the Board of Directors of The Living Arts Centre, the Legends Row and the Japan Festival Canada. “I am a volunteer” he says “these are not paid positions. I do it to help!”

Quotes by the Guest:• [14:43] – When we first started QuickBite News… it was more of a social fun platform; the thing is people loved it, I didn`t realize that people would love it so much!• [15:16] – It`s almost like we are giving Mississauga an identity; and we need to show them the history of Mississauga; to be proud of Mississauga!• [33:15] – It took about four years for the business to be profitable. As an entrepreneur it is vital to be patient!

Resources: Get a Grip Studios

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