Why
“Panda”?
Our
Story
GeekPanda didn't start as a business
—it started as a survival strategy...
and a quiet spirit guide. ✨
​Mario has always identified with panda. Not just because they're adorable (which they are), but because they’re thoughtful, observant, and unexpectedly strong. Pandas don’t rush. They conserve their energy, focus deeply, and when they act—it’s intentional. That’s Mario, too.
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In the fast-paced world of tech consulting, where urgency is often mistaken for efficiency, Mario found that slowing down and seeing the whole forest—not just the next task—helped him build systems that actually worked for people.
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Like a panda picking the right bamboo stalk, he learned to choose his tools wisely, stay calm under pressure, and create solutions that feel grounded, not overwhelming.
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Friends and clients began joking that Mario was their “logic panda”—quietly solving big problems with a kind face and a brain wired for patterns. The nickname stuck.
So in 2013, when it came time to name his business, there was no question. GeekPanda was born.
​
It's more than a brand. It's a philosophy:
👉 Thoughtful > reactive
👉 Clear > flashy
👉 Steady > chaotic
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GeekPanda represents the idea that being gentle and being powerful aren't opposites. That systems can be both efficient and kind. That your business deserves solutions with brains—and heart. 💙
Great businesses aren’t built on chaos—they thrive on clarity.
That’s where Mario Essig comes in.
A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) strategist, Mario helps businesses and organizations of all sizes organize their data, automate their processes, and build stronger, smarter relationships—bridging the gaps between leaders and their teams.
The Guy
behind the Panda
With over 15 years of experience in systems consulting, CRM and data architecture, and business operations, Mario has supported a wide range of clients—from scrappy startups to high-level enterprise teams—by translating messy workflows into efficient, elegant systems.
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A multi-certified Salesforce Administrator with deep expertise in HubSpot, Zoho, and custom tech stacks, Mario is known for bringing order to chaos, and complexity to calm. His work spans across sectors—from services and retail to nonprofits—where he consistently delivers solutions with logic, care, and a deep respect for the people behind the process.
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Mario isn’t just the founder of GeekPanda—he’s been a behind-the-scenes architect of multiple businesses, including KrakenGeek (web business), PepperBox (coffee retail), and WildCypress (nature therapy business). As a trusted consultant, he’s also guided companies like Kenela & Co and Sezen through key phases of growth, offering structure, clarity, and strategic insight when it mattered most.
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What began as a passion to make the systems work for people, not the other way around, helping teams run smarter became a mission: to create a consultancy rooted in integrity, clear communication, and tech that actually works. GeekPanda was born from this mission—offering not just technical solutions, but thoughtful systems that help people feel less overwhelmed and more aligned.
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Feel the call? Contact us!
Certifications
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Certified Salesforce Administrator (ADM 201)
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Certified Salesforce Advanced Administrator (ADM 211)
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Certified Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant (SP20)
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ClickUp Administrator
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ClickUp Expert
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Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Qualifications
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Salesforce Trailblazer
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Visual Studio Code, Dataloader.io, Workbench
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Jira and Confluence
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Structured Query Language (SQL)/ Salesforce SQL (SOQL)
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Adobe Creative Cloud / Final Cut Pro X
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Microsoft Products (Word, Excel, Access, Visio, and Visual Basic Applications)
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Google WorkSpace, Google Sheets, Google Docs, and other Google apps
Certifications & Programming
Testimonials
“I dreaded shopping around for a compatible CRM but with Mario’s “I’ve got you!” energy, my confidence went in the direction of Zoho. Mario would always come back with answers if he didn’t have it right away so I am never, ever left hanging.”
Russ Stein, Yantern LLC
