In the spring of 2006, I found myself "liberated" from my job managing tech and development resources at How Stuff Works after the company was acquired. Why was I let go? Maybe I was redundant, or maybe I spoke my mind too much. Either way, I knew early on that this job wasn’t a long-term fit for me, even though I gave it my best shot.
At that time, I was dealing with a lot in my personal life. During a trip to Houston for a week to learn about autism treatment for our son, I talked to my wife about giving my job one last great effort. I figured I’d commit fully for six months, believing it was wiser to try and make something great of my job rather than just look for a new one.
But soon after we got back from Houston, my boss showed up unexpectedly from Atlanta. I instantly knew what was up. When he asked for a moment of my time, I candidly said, “Oh, you’re firing me, right?” He seemed surprised by my remark, but the signs were clear. He brought my former boss into my office too, which only confirmed my suspicion. This experience taught me the importance of setting clear expectations for meetings. Bosses can greatly impact employees without realizing it, so I always strive to provide context.
That day marked a turning point. It was the second time I had been let go, and it got me thinking that maybe working for someone else wasn’t my path. There are probably only a couple of people I’d consider leaving my current pursuits to work for. But back then, I really pondered my next move. I was passionate about search marketing and had the skills to manage and develop tech. I figured it was time to start my own search agency.
The decision to form an agency seemed crazy at first, as I had no agency experience, just a love for search marketing from my previous role. Yet, I was motivated by a desire to change how companies treat people. I wanted to build a business rooted in transparency, where everyone feels valued and informed.
Over the years with Be Found Online (BFO), we’ve faced our challenges, especially with maintaining transparency. But we learn from them. The goal isn’t just to know the right way to run an agency, but to avoid common pitfalls like employees feeling like mere numbers.
My departure from the banking world was driven by that very feeling. Despite managing a hefty budget to transform the bank’s tech landscape, I felt like just another line item. This realization led me to create BFO, a space where we can build the kind of business we truly want. Here, it’s about inspiring and supporting new ideas, not claiming all of them as my own.
I admire those who dive into their passions and try to make positive changes. I talked about taking the leap for a long time, but fear held me back. It took a couple of years, but once I finally took that jump and landed on my feet, I was grateful. Now, there’s not much that scares me like it used to.
To those willing to take that leap, or those who are pushed into it, I raise a toast. There’s room at the table for all of us. My leap means I get to work with people and clients I choose, and little by little, we can make the world a better place. Steve Krull is the CEO and co-founder of Be Found Online, a digital marketing agency that helps businesses boost their online visibility using proven digital marketing tactics. When he’s not working, Steve enjoys reading spy novels, cheering for the Chicago Cubs, or riding his bicycle.
