We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lukas Oest. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lukas below.

Hi Lukas, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for Nexus Strategic Marketing emerged from witnessing a persistent problem in the marketing industry. I noticed that many businesses were struggling with marketing strategies that didn’t align with their unique business objectives.

Time and time again, I observed companies receiving generic, “copy & paste” marketing approaches from agencies that provided a catalog of services rather than tailored strategies. This disconnect was causing frustration, wasted resources, and missed growth opportunities for these businesses.

What excited me most was the opportunity to bridge this gap by creating a company that would prioritize intentional understanding of each client’s business. I believed that effective marketing had to start with deep knowledge of a client’s specific needs, challenges, and goals – not with pre-packaged solutions.

The Nexus90 process developed naturally from this realization. I envisioned a systematic yet personalized approach that would give clients clarity and confidence in their marketing strategy within a reasonable timeframe. During the 90-minute meeting, the question framework struck the perfect balance between thorough analysis and efficient implementation.

What convinced me this was worthwhile was seeing the relief on business owners’ faces when presented with marketing strategies that reflected their unique situations. The logic was simple: provide what competitors weren’t – genuine understanding, tailored strategies, and measurable outcomes.

The name “Nexus” itself represents this core philosophy – creating meaningful connections between businesses and their ideal customers through strategic marketing. As we’ve grown, this founding principle continues to guide everything we do.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My story begins with a leap of faith at 16, when I left Germany to pursue education in the United States—a decision that taught me my first major lesson about the power of embracing uncertainty.

That experience shaped everything that followed, from earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in marketing at the University of South Florida, where being named Outstanding Graduate and recognized among the top 25 business students under 25 taught me that excellence comes from curiosity and persistence, not just talent.

Each role I’ve taken on—whether I was navigating the complexities of global logistics in the citrus industry or collaborating in research with companies like IBM, FedEx, SAP, and Canva—has reinforced the same fundamental truth: behind every spreadsheet, every process, and every strategic decision are real people trying to solve real problems. What I’ve learned is that the most effective solutions don’t come from having all the answers, but from asking the right questions and truly listening to the people who live with these challenges every day.

Even the difficult periods, like career breaks due to immigration status, taught me resilience and the importance of viewing setbacks as setup for comebacks. Delivering my TEDx talk on “The Power of Your Story” reinforced what I’d learned throughout my journey: that our experiences, both triumphs and struggles, become our greatest assets when we learn to share them authentically.

These lessons now fuel my work at Nexus Strategic Marketing where I’ve discovered that the most rewarding part of business isn’t just achieving measurable results, but helping others discover their own capacity for growth and resilience.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I needed to unlearn was the notion that business ownership was beyond my reach. For a long time, the idea of running my own business seemed fraught with risk and financial exposure, and I doubted whether it would ever be rewarding. My perception was colored by encounters with business owners who appeared overwhelmed, burdened by long hours, and facing strains on their personal lives and relationships—experiences that I had no desire to replicate.

It wasn’t until circumstances nudged me towards becoming a business owner that I realized I had the power to define what owning a business could look like for me. It dawned on me that in order to achieve both personal and professional goals, embarking on this path was a logical step. This shift in perspective has proven beneficial, shaping my journey in meaningful ways.

Yet, I frequently remind myself of my initial motivations and what holds the most significance for me. Central to my journey is my faith in God and Jesus as my Savior, along with the commitment to care for and cherish those who are closest to me. These priorities form the foundation of why I started my business and continue to guide its direction.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In reflecting on life’s pivotal moments, launching my company stands out as a defining transition. My educational foundation is deeply rooted in marketing, having earned both undergraduate and master’s degrees in the field.

Marketing has been the canvas of my professional journey, allowing me to creatively apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios. Early roles in my career involved developing marketing strategies across global markets, including Germany, and building marketing infrastructures poised for longevity.

As I climbed the career ladder, I saw the potential to diversify my business skill set. However, after about a year, I recognized a need to realign with my marketing passion. In my most recent full-time role before embarking on entrepreneurship, I ventured into various business sectors like finance, operations, sales, and business development. Yet, with each step away from marketing, I felt a growing void. It was clear that my current position could no longer nurture my love for marketing, prompting the need for change.

Taking a leap of faith, I departed from my full-time role without a meticulously laid-out plan. This marked a critical pivot point. Despite previously dismissing the notion of business ownership due to its perceived risks, I found myself on the precipice of entrepreneurship. It was a decision driven by a desire to reconnect with my marketing roots, even though I had yet to define the path forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nexusstrategic.co || https://lukasoest.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukastoest/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukasoest/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_SekZIvQR0