Zachary Schwartz

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Age: 39

Title at work/what I do: Creative executive officer at Fusion Cross-Media LLC. I help businesses grow! My passion is solving business challenges using creativity and strategy to integrate print, web, mobile, and social media together to create actionable, cross-media marketing strategies that drive measurable results. That was my elevator pitch. Simply put, I think up and develop innovative, data-driven, sales and marketing programs using emerging technologies to engage with any audience online or offline.

Town where I work: Manchester

Town where I live: Longmeadow, Mass.

College I attended: Marshall University

My passion, hobby or special talent: Guitar

Twitter handle: @FusionCMM

No. of LinkedIn connections: 475

Favorite place to network: HBJ events

Favorite drink at a networking event: Vodka and soda with lime

How do I create connections in my professional life?

The past five years have been exciting, challenging, extraordinary and rewarding. Many small successes have helped me to both expand my professional connections and grow professionally. In 2011, we were awarded first place in a New England industry competition by PINE (PINE.org). In 2012 we were recognized with a national award by Printing Industries of America (printing.org) for the category Customized, Personalized, Variable-Data Digital Printing. In 2013, PINE awarded us again in the category of Marketing and Cross-Media promotion for our 5Star GEM (guest experience management) program for restaurants. In 2013 Fusion Cross-Media took first place honors for our 5Star GEM Restaurant program pitch at the CT Business Expo “Get Started CT” pitch competition by Cox Business and Inc. Magazine. At this event, I met many interesting entrepreneurs in varying business startup stages and connected with a mentor from CT Next. My new connections invited me to join a meet-up for startups and this lead me to XcellR8, a group that meets at NERAC and I love learning from the experiences of other startups. In 2013, I was asked to serve on the board of LEEF (Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation). We help to raise money and provide grants to all educators within the Longmeadow Public School System — this year we awarded over $80,000 in grants. Also in 2013, I was nominated to serve on the board for Printing Industries of New England (PINE). Now in 2014, 40 under 40! Volunteering, events, competitions, referrals and just simple networking are some of the ways I make many professional business connections.

What's been my biggest challenge professionally?

I'm great at helping businesses tell their stories, but I'm very modest and have a difficult time sharing my own story.

What is the best advice I received?

You should talk with as many people as you can because you never know who you are going to meet or the interesting conversations you are going to miss.