Martin Purmensky was born and raised in former Czechoslovakia, where he initially pursued a career in the print industry, focusing on press operation. He furthered his education in Information Technology in the Czech Republic and later earned a BA in Information Systems in the United States.
Upon relocating to the U.S. in the late 1990s, Martin took on the role of head of the creative department at a resort timeshare company. He subsequently launched a business specializing in photography and video services for the hospitality industry, serving clients in Florida and nationwide.
In 2017, Martin founded theVideoCards, a company that swiftly gained a stellar reputation for its exceptional product line and customer service. The VideoCards has since become a leading provider of video brochures, video mailers, and other display-based products to clients both domestically and internationally.
Martin resides in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, a university professor, and their daughter.
Company: theVideoCards
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Martin Purmensky: I grew up in communist Czechoslovakia, where I witnessed the fall of communism in the late 1980s. Initially, I pursued a degree to work in the printing industry. After the Czech/Slovak split, I continued my studies in the Czech Republic, focusing on Information Systems. Later on I gained an Information Systems degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.
In 2014, I encountered my first video brochure and immediately recognized its potential. Shortly after that I started theVideoCards that slowly began building its customer base and saw significant growth during the pandemic years.
Our products cater to businesses of all sizes, from large multinational corporations to small enterprises, helping them harness the power of video to enhance their marketing and sales efforts. By integrating video directly into physical formats like printed brochures, we enable business leaders to communicate with potential clients effectively without the need for travel or scheduled meetings.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Martin Purmensky: We specialize in creating innovative video brochures and other video-enabled marketing tools. Our products combine the tactile engagement of traditional brochures with the dynamic impact of video, offering businesses a powerful way to communicate their message without the need for travel or scheduled meetings and without distractions of advertisements. What sets us apart is our commitment to customization and quality, ensuring each video brochure is tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Our biggest strength lies in our ability to find solutions to merge digital content with physical marketing, providing a memorable and impactful experience that stands out in today’s crowded marketplace.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Martin Purmensky: Growing up and working in Europe, I experienced a work culture that emphasized employee well-being through benefits like mandatory vacation days and unlimited sick days. This European influence has significantly shaped my approach to employee benefits at theVideoCards. I believe that offering a flexible work environment is crucial to keeping employees happy and motivated. Today’s workforce values the ability to balance their professional and personal lives, and I see no reason to deny such a perk when it is feasible.
In many companies, the concept of work-life balance is often just an empty phrase. However, we strive to make it a reality. We offer flexible work hours, remote work, and encourage employees to take the time they need for their mental and physical health.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Martin Purmensky: Our video brochures provide a new way for businesses to connect with clients and stakeholders, making a new way to communicate without the need for in-person meetings. We are also exploring new features and innovations, such as interactive elements and QR code integrations, to further enhance the user experience.
We are committed to maintaining flexibility and adaptability in our operations. This includes offering customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of different industries and clients, as well as providing exceptional customer support to ensure satisfaction and repeat business.
By staying ahead of trends and continuously evolving our offerings, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing surge in online business and drive growth in the year to come.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Martin Purmensky: The real challenge right now in business is navigating the rapid pace of technological advancement, particularly with the emergence of AI, while maintaining a human touch. The fast-changing landscape of AI technology offers tremendous opportunities for growth, but staying on top of these developments is crucial and not easy, as new tools and innovations appear almost weekly.
At theVideoCards, we see this challenge as an opportunity to differentiate ourselves. While we embrace technology to enhance our products and streamline our operations, we remain committed to providing exceptional customer service and personalized experiences. Our video brochures bridge the gap between digital and physical marketing, offering an enduring, physical touchpoint for client communication.
Staying agile and adaptable is crucial. The business landscape is constantly evolving, and being able to quickly respond to changes, whether they be market trends, customer preferences, or technological advancements, is key to sustaining growth.
Ultimately, the challenge lies in balancing innovation with a personal touch, ensuring that as we advance technologically, we don’t lose the essence of what makes our connections meaningful and our business successful.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Martin Purmensky: In the context of small to midsize companies like theVideoCards, effective resource allocation emerges as a critical yet often underestimated aspect of running the business. For smaller enterprises, where resources such as time, money, and manpower are inherently limited, the ability to prioritize and distribute these resources wisely can significantly impact overall success. Often, small teams may find themselves spread thin, juggling multiple roles from marketing to customer service to product development. Without a strategic approach to resource allocation, this can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and even missed opportunities for growth and improvement.
At theVideoCards, the careful planning of our limited resources has proven crucial for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. A few years ago, during the pandemic, a sudden market shift and a dramatic increase in orders stretched our resources across multiple projects, causing delays. In response, we adopted more rigorous planning processes and began regularly reviewing our resource allocation. This strategic approach allowed us to realign our efforts more effectively with our most critical business objectives, helping to prevent similar issues in the future.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Martin Purmensky: If I had to choose any business superpower, it would undoubtedly be the ability to instantly understand and adapt to any customer’s needs and expectations.
I would put this superpower into practice by using it to refine the design and functionality of our products. With the ability to instantly know what each client values most—whether it’s innovative design, ease of use, content clarity, or delivery speed—we could ensure that our products not only meet but exceed their expectations.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision
Martin Purmensky: Success in 2024, both personally and for theVideoCards, revolves fundamentally around customer satisfaction. While it may sound cliché, the truth is that our customers’ contentment is the ultimate reward we aim for. We understand that repeat business hinges directly on providing excellent experiences, and so we have made this a cornerstone of our operational goals.
Admittedly, we operate in a world filled with variables, some of which, like shipping speeds, are outside our direct control. However, our approach is to always set realistic expectations and then strive to exceed them—essentially, to underpromise and overdeliver. Success for us in 2024 means seeing this philosophy translate into consistently positive customer feedback and a strong reputation for reliability and exceptional service. This focus not only drives our business forward but also aligns perfectly with my personal vision of making a meaningful impact through the work we do.