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Asbury Park Press 12:04 a.m. ET Feb. 13, 2017

Excelsior Medical in Neptune is upgrading its plant as part of a $20 million investment.

John A. Vagueiro is president of Adapting Social, a Red Bank business that helps other businesses with social marketing.(Photo: Tanya Breen)Buy Photo

John A. Vagueiro owns Adapting Social in Red Bank.

When did you decide you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I dont know the exact age, but when I was a child coming from an average blue-collar family and being the oldest of fiveI had to wise up at a young age. I was taught by my parents you dont get anything you dont work for. Learning that concept early in life changed my mindset and made me understand that if I wanted to live a better life for myself, I had to put my destiny in my own hands instead of someone elses.

Why did you start this business?

For the freedom to be completely creative and knowing that my destiny both financialand quality of life was in my hands. What made me choose the digital design and marketing industry was the want to provide entrepreneurs a top quality service acting as their complete and total marketing department. From designing and managing their website to implementing their marketing strategies, we are their one-stop shop.

Were there any challenges that made you think twice about striking out on your own?

Never. I have definitely faced the uphill battles of owning a business. From the start I expected great times, good times and terrible times. The challenges are what motivateme to grow and become better both as a man and an entrepreneur.

If you could do it again, what would you do differently?

I wouldnt change one thing. Everything I have done that resulted in a mistake is something I learned from, which ultimately made me a better business owner. Well maybe there is one thing I would have started earlier!

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John A. Vagueiro, president of Adapting Social, a business that helps other businesses with social marketing, works with some of the members of his team in Red Bank.(Photo: Tanya Breen)

Whats the best business advice you have ever received?

If you provide your customers with a great product or service and give them world-class customer service, they will become your sales team. They will spread the word to their friends and colleagues. My favorite quote is: "As an entrepreneur you have to live a few years of your life like most people won't, so you can live the rest of your life like most people cant."

What personality trait helps you the most?

Being personable and loving people. When I sit down with a client for the first time I want to know everything, how they started, their journey, what theyve learned along the way. They understand that I care, and it's not just about the sale.

Whats the hardest part of the job?

Being in the creative world we are constantly designing websites, graphics, marketing creative etc. The most challenging part about the creative field is most of the time the client doesnt know what they want but they know what they dont want. I wouldnt say its a negative, it's just a challenge that my team and I love facing.

The easiest?

Building a team of people who are passionate and care about their craft. Over the years I have had people work for me who werent passionate and you could tell in their work. This has led me to create an ecosystem of people who are hyper-passionate about their craft. Finding those people and making our team high energy and passionate has now become a normality.

What surprised you the most about running the business?

The fact that when you first start, you are each department of the business. The designer, the salesman, the customer service rep, book keeping and everything that comes with it.As an entrepreneur, you must wear many hats.This is the element I love.

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John A. Vagueiro, president of Adapting Social, works in his office in Red Bank.(Photo: Tanya Breen)

How would you like the business to grow and change?

The game plan for Adapting Social is to be a household name nationally for small businesses with locations in New York City, San Franciscoand London. We provideeach small businessa marketing department at an affordable price! Right now the big corporations have big budgets and marketing departments that drownout the little guys. There are ways to stay competitive and Adapting Social helps our clients with that everyday.

In one sentence, tell us why customers should go there.

We are a passionate group wholoveto help grow our clients businesses and we do so by learning your story so we can share it to your target market creatively and effectively.

What do you love about the community where your business is located?

Red Bank is the epitome of Adapting Socials values. Small business is the heart and culture of Red Bank, which makes it unique. Its a little mini city where you know your neighbors and everything is a walk away. My team and I love it!

When you leave work, do you leave the office behind, or are you always in contact?

I am always in contact because I genuinely love what I do, so on the weekend, answering a phone call or an email isnt bothersome to me. Its a big reason people choose Adapting Social. They know if there is an emergency or if they need to reach me, I am available to them.

What do you do in your off time?

I enjoy spending time with my fiance, family and friends. I also love being active and working out. A healthy body will lead to better quality of life both in and out of the business world. Traveling is something that I have just started to do, since the first fiveyears in business I did not take one vacation. I plan to make traveling and seeing the world a priority!

When you leave the business behind some day, what will you do?

I plan to keep Adapting Social as long as I humanly can and would love to make it a business I can pass to my family. What I see myself doing after is focusing on my two philanthropies, which arehelping people who have generalized anxiety and helping entrepreneurs who think they cannot start their own business because lack of resources, money, etc. to bring their venture to market.

Small Business Spotlight runs Mondays. If youre a small-business owner in Monmouth and Ocean counties interested in taking part in this Q&A, contact business producer Dennis P. Carmody at dcarmody@gannettnj.com.

ADAPTING SOCIAL

Describe your business:Adapting Social is a creative design and marketing firm. We partner with our clients to ensure their digital branding success by giving small businesses their own marketing departmentwithout having to maintain one or pay the cost it would take to have it all in house. Through website design, social media management and strategy, effective digital marketing and eye-catching graphics, we give their business a professional and credible image that sets them apart. We incorporate industry-specific trends that keep them ahead of the competition. Every one of our clients is an entrepreneur with their own unique story and we're very passionate about sharing those stories with their target markets.

Owner: John A. Vagueiro

Location: 54 Broad St., Suite 204, Red Bank

Phone: 848-220-4770

Website: http://www.AdaptingSocial.com

Founded: 2011

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Adapting Social brings marketing to the little guy - Asbury Park Press