We recently connected with Mario Romano and have shared our conversation below.

Mario , appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

I can vividly recall the exhilaration of securing my first customer for M|R Walls. This particular client happened to be a real estate developer seeking a distinctive architectural element to make his spec home truly stand out. With a collection of samples stored in my car and an array of captivating marketing images on my phone, I was well-prepared for the opportunity.

I devised a strategy to win him over: offering a discounted rate. Although the order amounted to $4,500, just enough to cover my expenses, my primary objective wasn’t immediate profit. Instead, I aimed to establish a strong marketing presence, cultivate repeat customers, and demonstrate the feasibility of my concept.

When he placed the order, I felt an overwhelming sense of triumph. However, my joy was magnified when my customer expressed his satisfaction after the installation of the remarkable MR walls. It was the “Rainbow” design.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

M|R Walls proudly presents the world’s most exquisite 3D carved surfaces, offering unparalleled customization, superior quality, and effortless installation. Even before embarking on this business venture, I recognized an existing problem that demanded a solution: making high-touch architectural design accessible to a wider audience.

In today’s construction practices, we often rely on centuries-old techniques. With MR Walls, our aim was to introduce a new era of high-touch, high-design surfaces that could be tailored to individual preferences. Through extensive experimentation with Corian material, we developed monolithic carved walls that boasted non-repetitive patterns and interlocking puzzled joints. This fusion resulted in a user-friendly installation process accompanied by a remarkable design experience.

But we didn’t stop there. To elevate the architectural impact to new heights, we incorporated LED lights into our creations. Achieving this breakthrough required countless rounds of experimentation, including the creation of large-scale mock-ups in my own backyard. The journey was not without its challenges, but the outcome surpassed our expectations.

At M|R Walls, we are committed to revolutionizing the world of architectural surfaces, making cutting-edge design and impeccable craftsmanship accessible to all.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have always had a knack for pivoting. When a Zen priest was asked how they became a Zen priest, their response was not about what they did, but rather what they refrained from doing. This philosophy of being unattached to circumstances, whether favorable or unfavorable, has been instrumental in my success. Perhaps it stems from my earlier days of practicing yoga and meditation during my Bohemian period in Venice Beach.

One notable example of my ability to pivot was my decision to veer away from real estate development projects and embark on a new venture I created: MR Walls. Recognizing that as a real estate developer, my reach and impact were limited to individual homes, I realized that MR Walls had the potential to touch the lives of thousands of households. While the concept seemed promising on paper, it required a leap of faith, and I needed to ensure that I had enough financial reserves to effectively scale up my new business and make it profitable. It worked.

“Burning until you yearn” is often considered essential, and I did that, but that can only last so long. For me, it meant having sufficient funds in the bank to sustain the business for six to nine months until the new business became profitable. This transition went beyond a mere pivot; it required a leap—a leap driven by both faith and meticulous calculations.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Telling stories with photography. Growing up as a photographer, I understood the significance of captivating images in capturing attention. If the images fail to make someone pause and take notice, how can you effectively communicate and promote your product? The power of imagery should never be underestimated. Thus, I wholeheartedly committed myself to photographing all of my M|R Walls, constantly investing in new cameras, lenses, and even hiring other photographers.

A single image should be able to convey the essence of what you do. It should possess the ability to captivate someone’s attention for more than a passing moment. This is the essence of marketing. Marketing is synonymous with innovation, and when executed masterfully, it has the potential to drive sales.

Contact Info:

• Website: mrwalls.marioromano.com
• Instagram: @marioromanoca
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarioRomanoca/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariosromano/
• Twitter: @marioromanoca
• Youtube: @mrwalls

Image Credits
Mario Romano Dan Arnold Jason Speth