Nick Cuttonaro – Founder & President, The Link Builders

Nick Cuttonaro has been involved in the Internet marketing industry and monetizing since 1999 when he was 15 years old. Cuttonaro had a PayPal account before he even had a bank account. Mr. Cuttonaro owns a brand and reputation management agency and has been involved in a handful of startups over the years which he is still currently running or has successfully exited.

What are your favorite books?

I’ve been a big audio book guy lately as I can listen while working out. I still read books, but mostly on flights these days. Top recent books I’ve enjoyed include anything by Grant Cardone, Scrum by Jeff Sutherland, The Sell by Fredrik Eklund, and The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy.

What’s your favorite film?

Easy question to answer, Boiler Room. I watched that movie my senior year in high school during an economics class. God bless that teacher who brought some outside influence into the classroom. That movie (at that time) changed the trajectory of my life for the better and opened my eyes to sales strategies. I still watch Boiler Room once per year on May 17th, my birthday.

Describe your typical day.

I wake up at 4:58 AM. I’m in the gym by 5:20 AM and listening to an audio book. I’m mentally and physically preparing to attack the day with power. I’m in the office at 7:00 AM and I have the road map of my day planned by 8:00 AM. I always bring a healthy lunch to work so I don’t have to leave and take a “lunch break”. The extra calories, time, and spending aren’t good for you! My goal is to leave the office by 7:00 PM and transition back home where I spend the evenings with my wife. Business wise, I’m still available until my eyes start closing around 10:45 PM.

I’m aware my schedule isn’t for the faint of heart, but I’m happy and producing at levels far beyond what’s reasonable and acceptable compared to the average person. Fortune favors the bold, as they say.

What’s your favorite thing about working in your industry?

The Internet never sleeps. I can work more deals in more time zones than people in other industries. I can communicate with people efficiently on Skype or email and not have to take in-person meetings, if it’s not convenient. Most important, I can operate my business from anywhere in the world. That freedom is empowering.

What was your first job?

I worked at Stuff-A-Bagel in West Islip, NY. I was 15 and in the 10th grade. I worked 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday and Sunday mornings making minimum wage, off books of course! I learned what it was like to work hard and do something beyond the Internet and work in the community. At the time, it was difficult being a three sport athlete, maintaining my grades, and holding down a weekend job on little sleep. Learning responsibility at a young age shaped the pathway of success I’m experiencing today.