When asked how he came to found and manage HashTag Detroit, an innovative social media and digital PR agency that offers consulting, managing, distributing and creative strategy distributed through social and digital channels, Matt Bartel, B.B.A.’08, admits, “It wasn’t easy.”
After graduating with a degree in finance and economics from the Haworth College of Business, Bartel says the essential business strategies learned at the college prepared him for the fast-paced world of building a startup in #digitalmedia.
Bartel describes his position as “chief cheerleader for Detroit.” As a digital media agency that focuses on the rebuilding and rebranding of Detroit, Bartel says his mission is simple: “To show the world a new Detroit.”
“We create and distribute our own content with a positive focus on the revitalization of the city. Education and community growth are part of our main pillars. Strategically, we focus on specific needs of the micro-economy and the people within Detroit,” he explains.
The startup grew from an idea to a Facebook page to a major success in the digital media realm in a notably short amount of time. “There was an almost accidental forming of HashTag Media,” says Bartel. “The company started out as a Facebook fan page but very quickly grew into a full scale social ecosystem reaching more than two million users in its first three months.”
A new startup as of February 2014, the company has already attracted highly talented and motivated individuals within the digital media industry and is accelerating into a rapid growth stage. “Within five weeks of the actual launch, HashTag Detroit has been recognized by Digital Media Review as a high-quality, innovative start up within the ever-evolving digital space,” he says.
The Haworth College of Business gave Bartel the necessary foundation on which to build his company. From communication to computer applications, Bartel notes that he routinely uses many of the tools learned in the college in his day-to-day business life. “The Haworth College of Business taught me a lot about collaboration, and gave me required skills in system enterprise platforms and most importantly taught me how to communicate in the business world,” says Bartel.
Bartel references one of the most influential courses in his experience, taught by Dr. Robert Balik, professor emeritus of finance and commercial law. “Dr. Balik’s computer applications in finance course taught me the advanced formulas in Microsoft Excel and how to apply those for business analysis. I still have a lot of the workbooks that I pull up when working on a new topic or need a framework for a financial model or data set.”
As an alumnus, Bartel promotes Western Michigan University and the college of business as much as possible. “At my last job, we would start email chains to represent our Bronco and Haworth College of Business pride,” he says. While Bartel stays busy building his growing company, he says, “I’m able to do fun and interesting things while working very hard. So, I’m pleased with my lifestyle.”