it's time to get off the starting block with your business.

that idea that's been brewing inside your head, but you feel stuck trying to figure out the first step?

you're in the right place.

first, let me introduce myself... my name is Zlatko. but i go by "Z"

after 13+ years of freelancing, building agencies, launching products, and helping businesses find their sweet spot in the market, i've learned that the traditional approach to business is outdated.

if you're up for it...

join me inside my newsletter and learn everything you need to get started without feeling overwhelmed and stuck.

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a bit more about me

yes i have a beard and i love animals, especially our little girl penny who is 70lbs pure puppy love.

i've also spent time building a few different things on the internet: agencies, saas products, and i've helped countless businesses build brand awareness through organic content.

but what really matters? i've made a lot mistakes and learned things the hard way. i love building things from the ground up and i love seeing others win. every strategy or lesson i share comes from real experience - not theory.

over the past 4 years, i've found my passion for writing. it's become my most impactful skill over the course of my internet career. it's also my favorite form of expression for my ideas, thoughts, and experiences with the world.

writing is clarity for me.

what i never thought i'd achieve.

being able to take an agency from 0 to 7-figures in a matter of 3 years and build a team of 26 people. we managed stores that did north of $5M-$15m in revenue. learning the ropes of running a bigger business and being at the helm of it all. it comes with its challenges and its victories to say the least.

i've dabbled in a lot of cool things that i'm proud of.

i've worked on a variety of projects, everything from building ecommerce stores and apps, to building unique proprietary products and services for clients. i've been fortunate enough to spend time in different areas of the internet. made a lot of mistakes. tried a lot of things. found success in a few.

my list of things i've done over the years

i've focused on building apps and services that solve problems. i've always grown my businesses organically through content across blogs, social media, and word of mouth.

for the past 7+ years...

growth strategy and consulting

after years of working with a variety of businesses and learning a ton about ecommerce, saas, etc... i decided to took a step back from building a large team and focusing on consulting with clients individually. primarily focused on finding growth opportunities through content (and other channels).

2022-present

920four

my product agency that builds a variety of apps, products, and services to solve issues on the internet. no problem is too small or too big.

2024-present

90and10

where ai and human touch creates tailored, brand-specific, content.

2024-present

growth cycle community

a place for freelancers, agency folks, and product builders to come together to share, learn, and work together.

2018-2023

tako agency

this was my first agency which focused solely on helping ecommerce brands move to shopify and grow their business. we handled everything from design, development, content marketing, email marketing, and strategy.

eventually the business got too big for my liking.  

2017-2018

sparetoolz

built the first peer-to-peer tool rental app on ios.

2014-2016

sox in a box club

i started a sock subscription service delivering quality socks to customers doorstep on a monthly basis. from idea to launch, built the entire ecommerce experience from scratch. logistics infrastructure. content marketing.

2016-2018

freelance project manager (upwork)

i had zero intention of getting a 9-5 job after my consulting gig ended in late 2015 so i joined upwork in 2016 as a freelancer. 2 years in i transformed my project management work into an agency.

2011-2016

project management (consulting)

i started as a technical project manager helping ecommerce brands and saas products take their project from start to finish. managing developers and designers across 6 different countries.

some people have said nice things

it's always nice to get these messages.

Working with Z was an excellent experience. His professionalism, expertise in marketing, and dedication to the project were outstanding. He consistently delivered high-quality work and maintained clear communication throughout our engagement. Although we had to conclude our project earlier than anticipated due to business circumstances on my end, Z's contributions were valuable and much appreciated. He demonstrated flexibility and understanding when wrapping up the project. I would highly recommend Z to anyone seeking a skilled and reliable marketing professional. His work ethic and positive attitude make him a great asset to any team.

mike k.
founder

Zlatko was exactly the mentor I needed today. The conversation began open-ended and collaborative, and somehow led to the "aha" moment that I needed to get past my current creative block. Zatko's thoughtful questions and insights were incredibly valuable, and it was a joy to get together.

sunny s.
founder of an online community
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When I first saw Zlatko's title "Growth Strategy," I didn't know what to think. As a startup, it's worth taking risks and investing in opportunities, so I booked him for an hour consultation. We had such a great time talking, we ended up collaborating for over three hours! It didn't take long to recognize we clearly needed Z on our team. We hired Z to bring our ideas to reality, and he delivered! If you are nervous about the process of getting started with your business and need somebody to keep you accountable, Z is exactly who you're looking for. I have full confidence that he can take your business from 0 to 100 if you allow him. He had some ideas at first that I was apprehensive about, but after deciding to go my own way, two weeks later I recognized that his approach was the best. He didn't roll his eyes at my learning curve, but instead encouraged me and was so excited when we were back on the same page to push forward. He wants nothing more than to help your business succeed. If you take the chance to talk with him for just a few minutes, you'll know what I mean. He is honest, reliable, passionate, and will understand your vision quickly—he did for me. Sending Z a quick message to say hi and schedule a chat became the best decision I've made for my company to date. I can't recommend him highly enough. Thank you, Z

jack m.
founder
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