Interview with Pylyp Matiukhin from Yes Man Enterprises

I had the pleasure of interviewing Pylyp Matiukhin, CEO of  Yes Man Enterprises – American multinational technology company with headquarters in Miami, Florida. Pylyp’s company develops and manages a massive portfolio of digital assets including mobile apps, cryptocurrencies, adult content & social networks. Founded at 2016, Yes Man Enterprises launched over 800 startups in the blockchain, real estate, entertainment & adult industries many of which were acquired by large corporations and individual investors.

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Thank you for having me. My career path began in 2006 when I launched the biggest fashion-oriented social networking website in Eastern Europe while still studying at the university. It was a pre-Facebook era in the region and network had a viral success allowing fashionistas to connect online. At its peak network had over 200,000 active users. We also had curated original content and landed massive advertisement deals unseen for the local digital space in those years. Later I briefly moved into political consulting and promotions while starting to build and sell digital companies in the entertainment niche. In 2013 I started my research into the blockchain technologies and the possibility to integrate them into mobile apps and websites. Throughout the years I have worked closely as a co-founder and advisor with businesses of various sizes and in diverse industries, including crypto, banking, social media, adult & entertainment.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your company?

I’ve been starting various companies since the age 18, and the only particular feeling that never gets old – not having a boss and being in charge of everything. Interesting stories created every day when you have full control in your hands.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I don’t really regret anything, but I can say that my biggest mistake is the fear to say “no” to the clients you never wanted to work with and to the partnerships that were doomed to fail. Learn to say definite “Yes’ and “No” and you will save a lot of time and avoid unnecessary stress.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

We own multiple proprietary technological solutions that allow us to develop & launch ready-to-use digital products within days. This helps our portfolio of assets integrate technology trends much faster than competitors and extract revenue out of fast-changing digital landscape more efficiently for us and our investors.

Usually, when you look for the company to do the business with, you choose between the TOP 3 – “most innovative”, “strongest brand” and “cheapest solution”. We combine all 3.

Even after building over 800 digital companies we are always trying to improve and learn new overlooked technologies and niches.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Acknowledge your weak sides and avoid doing them. Delegate these tasks to your employees or contractors. Maximize the use of your strongest skills. Take a break if needed. Only do what you love and never chase that hot industry you have zero knowledge about.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

I am the type of person that can be fueled by criticism.  Without naming any names the best teachers in my career were haters and people that say you can’t do stuff. People might tell you that your business will never succeed or that you will never accomplish your goals. You should use negative noise as a motivation to succeed. You do not need to prove anything to anybody. You might receive deeply personal insults that attack your beliefs, goals or character. That said, you do not have to conform to anybody else’s tastes. Instead, you should be proud of what makes you special. I prefer to use criticism as a validation that I have been doing the right types of things.

Beyond that, I would like to thank my friends and family for continuous support in my journey.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?  

Besides my numerous contributions to environmental charity organizations, I think the best goodness to the world that Internet entrepreneur can do nowadays is to educate people for free using the power of numerous digital platforms. At the beginning of my path, I learned many technologies simply by accessing public educational videos and articles. Now I feel it’s my turn to give back.

Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Confucius.

Very powerful for the people stuck at the career crossroads. This is pretty much how I live every day. If you do what you love it’s easy to get up in the morning and feel pumped. It’s hard to go to the bed because you still have so many ideas to accomplish.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started my company” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

1) Pick your business partners very carefully

When you start a new company, make sure the people on your team are of high integrity and you know their strengths and weaknesses. A great business is built on great people. Perfect scenario, you do completely different tasks and have 100% trust.

2) Overdeliver on your promises

Don’t focus on only selling and making money. Focus on providing value. Customers love exclusive perks and feel special when you exceed their expectations.

3) Work hard & don’t forget to have fun

Being 100% serious works, being 90% serious + 10% fun works better. For most founders, your business is your life. So why not enjoy the process as much as you can? At my company Yes Man Enterprises, we believe that having some fun can make everything better. Proven to work. Period.

4) Keep an eye on your competitors

Understanding what is going on outside of your company is an important part of success. As with many other areas of business, knowledge is power.

5) Fail fast

Prove the concept to work before going all in. Do not invest too much and money into the business before you see the first results. If you’re bleeding cash, move on. It is very similar to the stock market, better take a fast loss than become a bagholder.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

Throughout the years of working in digital space, I have unique insight into the complexity and power of government and corporation influence on technology, civil liberties, and privacy. This urgent matter in our modern society needs a closer attention and involvement from technology influencers. In my books and public speeches, I push my audience to educate themselves and defend our rights on digital platforms and to take responsibility for the future of the Internet.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Absolutely, I will be happy to connect with new people. I always try to respond ASAP.

I am active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/yesmanpylyp/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/yesmanpylyp/  )

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!