Building Communities that Matter: Juan Mendoza’s Journey with The Martech Weekly
Jomar Reyes interviews Juan Mendoza
When I first connected with Juan Mendoza, the founder of The Martech Weekly, it didn’t take long for me to see the parallels between his story and my own journey with the Brand Leadership Community (BLC).
Introduced by Rasmus Houlind, a valued speaker, ambassador for BLC, and partner at Agillic, Juan and I quickly realized we shared a unique connection: we are both Australians passionate about building communities, even though I’ve been living in Denmark for years while he’s based back home in Australia. Rasmus spoke highly of Juan, describing him as someone who’s not only driven but also deeply committed to making a difference in Martech.
The Beginning: From Theology to Technology
Juan didn’t start out in Martech. He began his professional life as a chef, later transitioning into theology, earning a degree in ancient greco-roman history, and theology. That alone tells you something about Juan’s ability to dive deeply into things he’s passionate about. During this period, he worked with youth, focusing on mental health and building communities—a theme that would follow him into his later ventures.
“It’s amazing to think about how technology changes the way people connect,” Juan told me during our conversation. “When I studied how communication evolved over time, I realized we were living through a moment of radical transformation, and I wanted to understand it.”
It was this curiosity that sparked his shift toward the Martech world. Much like my journey— in technology, publishing in the creative industries like music, film before moving into branding and analytics—Juan’s path has been anything but linear. And that’s what makes his story so relatable.
Building TMW: Nights, Weekends, and Pure Dedication
What struck me most about Juan’s story is how much of himself he poured into TMW in those early days. He worked nights and weekends, often writing 3,000-word essays and digging deep into the trends shaping Martech. During the pandemic, while most of us were figuring out how to adapt, Juan leaned into the moment, using the extra time to build something extraordinary.
“For three years, I used my nights and weekends to write,” Juan shared. “It started as 300 words, then evolved into full-length essays. Writing became a tool for thinking, and it helped me refine my ideas about where Martech was headed.”
For me, this dedication hits close to home. When I launched the Brand Leadership Community, it wasn’t just about running events or writing content. It was about building something that could break down silos and connect people across industries. As I told Juan, “The vision has always been about getting people to connect—not just through data, but as humans with shared goals and challenges.”
The Lightbulb Moment: Filling a Gap
After stepping into the Martech space through consulting roles with startups and enterprise brands like Jetstar and World Vision, Juan noticed something. Many senior marketing leaders didn’t fully grasp the fast-changing Martech landscape. They were tunnel-visioned, missing out on the potential of emerging tools and trends. Sound familiar? It’s the same challenge I’ve seen in branding and marketing—how do you connect the dots for people in a way that’s accessible, meaningful, and actionable?
“I realized these people are underserved,” Juan said. “They don’t have time to keep up with what’s happening in Martech, and that gap impacts their decisions. That’s when I thought, why not start writing about it?”
In 2020, Juan decided to do something about it. He started The Martech Weekly as a simple LinkedIn newsletter. Every Friday, he’d write about what was happening in Martech. No fluff, just the kind of insights that professionals needed to stay ahead. It was a small start—just him, his ideas, and his commitment. But it grew quickly. People started subscribing, sharing, and engaging. Over time, TMW evolved into much more than a newsletter. It became a community.
Turning Passion into a Business
By late 2022, Juan had built enough momentum to turn TMW into a full-time endeavor. He launched a paid subscription model, and within three months, he had enough customers to make the leap. Today, TMW is more than just a newsletter. It’s a global martech community that reaches over a million marketers across 65 countries. It includes:
- TMW PRO, a premium newsletter for in-depth insights.
- The TMW 100 Awards, recognizing innovation in Martech.
- Martech World Forum – a global conference series.
- The podcast Making Sense of Martech.
“It’s been incredible to see how this has grown,” Juan said. “We started from nothing, and now we’re building a global network of marketers who are passionate about pushing the industry forward.”
Juan’s story of scaling TMW reminds me of the hurdles I’ve faced with BLC—growing from a small idea into something that can have a global impact. He’s proof that when you combine a clear vision with relentless effort, amazing things can happen.
Staying True to the Mission
What I admire most about Juan is his commitment to staying authentic. For him, it’s not just about creating another Martech platform. It’s about building a community that prioritizes meaningful connections and original thinking. He’s not afraid to challenge the status quo, whether that means curating events that focus on fresh, underrepresented voices or refusing to sacrifice quality for profit.
“The goal isn’t just to pull crowds,” Juan explained. “It’s to create spaces where people walk away with ideas they’ve never thought of before. That’s what makes it worthwhile.”
This philosophy resonates deeply with me. When I started BLC, it was with a similar intention—to create a space where professionals could connect, share, and grow without the transactional, soulless vibe that plagues so many industry events. Like Juan, I believe in the power of community to inspire innovation and drive change.
The Future: Collaboration and Connection
Juan and I talked about the challenges of running solo operations, the resource constraints, and the endless to-do lists. But we also shared ideas for how we could collaborate—combining our networks, sharing resources, and finding ways to support each other. It’s a conversation that left me inspired and hopeful.
As I told him, “We need more community builders who care about the industry, not just the bottom line. If we work together, we can create something that truly benefits everyone.” Juan’s response was just as encouraging: “I couldn’t agree more. It’s about creating value that lasts and brings people together.”
A Shared Vision
Juan’s journey with The Martech Weekly is a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and purpose. It’s a story that inspires me to keep pushing forward with the Brand Leadership Community, knowing that we’re part of a global movement of builders and dreamers.
If there’s one takeaway from Juan’s story, it’s this: No matter where you start, what matters most is having the courage to take the first step and the resilience to keep going. And if you can build something that truly serves people along the way, then you’re already a success.
