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Pioneering new solutions is nothing new for many entrepreneurs and that includes Ryan Alford, the founder and CEO of Radical, a fast-growing South Carolina digital ad agency. After working at some of the most well known and respected agencies in the US, he founded and runs one of the fastest-growing advertising agencies in the Southeast.
Ryan has over two decades in the ad agency business and is one of the most experienced voices in digital marketing and social media. Ryan saw that client needs and technology were rapidly changing so he set out to fill the gap with Radical.
“There are countless small agencies that have no experience in the real world of branding and sell themselves as digital experts to small and medium-sized businesses only to churn clients quickly because they do not service the account properly and cannot provide consistent results or solutions to marketing challenges. At the other end of the spectrum, you have large agencies that cost too much and are stuck in internal bureaucracy, put too much emphasis on process and procedure, while focusing primarily on selling retention models that are as old-fashioned as the titles everyone still clings to.” Ryan shares.
These reasons motivated him to start his digital agency Radical. He knew that the industry needed a fresh perspective that tackled the core gaps that businesses have, namely content creation at scale and innovative strategy that didn’t break the bank. Ryan had just the right ideas and experience to build an agency around this.
“I started Radical because I knew there was a new agency model needed. An agency model with speed and efficiency at its core combined with real brand experience and innovative thinking. This is the model that businesses both large and small need today. Radical is built to meet the challenges that companies face in an omnichannel environment. Leveraging in-house content production with best in class web development resources and a no-rules creative think tank we are the agency for the new normal.” Ryan explains.
Ryan is also the co-founder of GVL Hustle, which was founded in 2017 by him and Tyler Harris as a way for two of Greenville South Carolina’s most influential entrepreneurs to offer their contribution to their locality through frequent networking events and other initiatives.
Now a successful entrepreneur, Ryan recommends for anyone to start their own business that they have patience no matter what and to know that creating a business takes time.
“My biggest piece of advice for anyone starting a business is to understand that it takes time to build a sustainable business. Most start-ups fail because of a lack of patience. Even when the business concept is right and you have early success it takes patience to scale properly. There can be a rush to expand too quickly and with that comes more issues. You can start hiring the wrong talent. You can get overextended on cash flow. You don’t service your clients properly and take care of the customers that got you started.” Ryan advises.
Aside from continuing to grow his Radical Agency, Ryan is also focused on expanding his podcast, which is his way of sharing his insight with others as much as he can. Ryan believes that his techniques and skills could drastically help others who are interested in similar industries.
“I am focused on expanding our company’s podcast, RADCast, as a means to share our marketing knowledge and provide value through guests who share their unique perspectives and strategies. I am also continuing to build my personal brand to facilitate more business opportunities for Radical and to create more speaking opportunities.” Ryan says.
To find out more about Ryan and his various businesses, you can follow him on Instagram or check out his website.
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