The Genesis: A Love Affair with Technology
5 years old: One of my earliest and most transformative memories is when my father, Allah Yrahmo, brought home a Pentium 2 computer. This was a pivotal moment in my life. I was mesmerized by the screen, feeling like I had been transported to another world. The interactivity of games and software like Encarta and various encyclopedias fascinated me, igniting a lifelong passion for discovering how things work. It felt like there was an entire metaverse inside that screen, waiting to be explored.
The Awakening: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
12 years old: I vividly remember crying after watching “Star Wars.” The advancement of CGI in the film was mind-blowing and sparked an obsession with understanding how such magic was created. This led me deep into the world of 3D and animation, learning various software from After effect, 3Dsmax, maya and realflow. Despite the language barrier, I relied on resources like Startimes, which forced me to learn English—a necessary skill to keep up with the digital age. The drive to understand the world of CGI pushed me to overcome linguistic hurdles, opening up a vast realm of knowledge.
The Learning Phase: Mastering Motion Graphics 3D and art
15 to 17 years old: During these years, I immersed myself in online communities, learning from masters in motion graphics and 3D simulations. My curiosity knew no bounds, and I dedicated myself to learning everything I could about these fields. I was particularly fascinated by the technical aspects of motion graphics, spending countless hours on tutorials and forums. This period was the peak of my curiosity, as I explored and absorbed knowledge like a sponge, always eager to learn more.
The Pivot: Discovering Digital Marketing
18 years old: The digital marketing bubble marked a significant turning point in my life. I discovered a new universe where branding, design, and animation could be monetized through freelancing and product sales. I still remember the thrill of earning my first dollar by selling t-shirts, thanks to the Product Launch Formula training. In less than two hours, I sold 13 t-shirts with a net profit of $150. This experience was an eye-opener—it showed me the intersection between art and business, which is marketing. At a time when making money online seemed like a myth to many, I realized that value transactions could happen anywhere, anytime, by giving people what they needed.
The Reality Check: Balancing Work and Survival
19 years old: No longer a kid, I realized the need to pay my bills. I have always been independent and responsible, preferring not to ask for money without earning it. This led me to work with agencies in Morocco. Why switch from freelancing to agency work? The answer is simple: learning. Business is not just about working online; it’s about negotiating, optimizing workflows, and expanding knowledge in various areas. My first project with an agency in Agadir paid 500dh for a month and a half of work on a one-minute motion graphic animation. Although exhausting, this experience taught me the value of my work and time. Despite being shy and afraid of rejection, I continued to work with agencies, balancing my studies and work, driven by an inner flame.
The Existential Crisis: Finding My Path
22 years old: I faced an existential crisis, unsure of where to position myself. I excelled as a digital marketer and an art director, but this multi-talent felt like a curse. Attending hackathons, entrepreneurial events, and artistic gatherings, I struggled to choose my path. My father’s wisdom guided me: “The wolf who knows the forest never gets lost when there’s fog.” These words helped me dig deeper to find my true calling. I had to reconcile my multiple talents and find a way to integrate them into a cohesive career path.
“The wolf who knows the forest never gets lost when there’s fog.” – Mbark lakhr
The Breakthrough: The Rise of Motiongrow
24 years old: I finally found my path, building my agency, MotionGrow, while still studying. Specializing in developing the customer journey, I combined my artistic, technical, and analytical skills to help various companies develop their processes. Each client was a new learning opportunity, as I sought to align my services with their true needs, not just what they said they wanted. The challenge was to dig deep into each client’s business, understand their market, and create tailored strategies that delivered results.
The COVID-19 Challenge: Adapting to a New Reality
2020: COVID-19 brought unprecedented challenges. As I was finishing my master’s at ENCG Marrakech, I had a growing agency and a promising startup, Mbrok. Just as we were about to launch, the pandemic hit, causing the real estate industry to collapse. Investors pulled out, and I had to put my projects on hold. MotionGrow struggled as companies cut marketing expenses. I decided to move to Casablanca, starting small again. This experience taught me resilience and the importance of learning from setbacks. It was a time of reflection and recalibration, and I emerged stronger and more determined.
The Present: Embracing a Multi-Disciplinary Approach
2021 to now: Starting from the bottom again, I worked with multiple companies and multiple challenges from brand transitions to developing user journeys from acquisition to reactivation, gaining invaluable insights into the entire customer journey not just acquisition and branding, but also retention and loyalty. This multi-disciplinary approach gave me a comprehensive view of the various processes and possibilities in user behavior. Each discipline requires expertise, tools, and methodologies, making practical knowledge essential. Working with multinational companies broadened my perspective, showing me how vast the market is and how crucial well-defined processes are for scaling and expanding operations.
The Future: Continual Growth and Learning
Today, I understand that my journey defines who I am and what I know. The more I learn, the deeper I realize the rabbit hole goes. I am a marketer specializing in acquisition and retention, with a broad perspective that integrates marketing efforts with a company’s strategic vision. Success requires aligning the four Ps of marketing: product, price, place, and promotion.
Having a clear vision is not something that happens overnight. It’s a daily process of learning and self-discovery, much like the alchemist who turns the world to discover himself. My progressive success, particularly through working with multinational companies, has given me a deeper understanding of the global market. I’ve learned how to implement processes that drive growth and efficiency, ensuring that each marketing strategy is not only effective but also scalable.
In conclusion, my journey from a curious child fascinated by technology to a seasoned marketer has been one of constant learning and adaptation. The challenges I’ve faced and the experiences I’ve gained have shaped me into a professional who values knowledge, resilience, and the power of well-crafted marketing strategies. As I continue to grow and evolve, I remain committed to exploring new horizons and making a meaningful impact in the world of marketing.