Today we’d like to introduce you to Britton Briley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From an early age, I was always told I could do anything I put my mind to and took it to heart. My family wasn’t rich and my parents did everything they could to let us enjoy life. We went on the typical family vacation once a year but the other 11 months my parents worked to give us a life to enjoy. We always had a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, and clothes on our backs.
For a little while, we would move about every 2-3 years. It was like a cycle: Born in Arkansas, moved to South Carolina, Moved to Romania (Yes Europe), then back to Arkansas for my grandfather’s heath, then back to South Carolina for a job opportunity for my father after our grandfather passed away.
Making friends was the hardest as after 2-3 years you moved so those friendships would dwindle and you never got a full sense of having a lifelong friend. So, when I became of age, I started working as soon as I could… work sort of became my friend (I know that sounds morbid but it’s the truth) but the benefit would be I would get paid every two weeks. I enjoyed not only the feeling of being part of a company but of course at a young age making money to spend on things I would enjoy.
From working in an ice cream shop as my first job to then sales at a gym, management of a supplement store, marketing in the SouthEast for GNC, and then finally becoming the CFO of a major brand in Santa Ana, CA. (UFC GYM) Ultimately climbing to a position that just didn’t suit my ambitions anymore and wanted something that I could have & own.
Thus, starting Ghost Marketing in 2018. It wasn’t a pretty path at the age of 24 to start my own company. The constant stress of having to financially afford not only my mortgage on my home, but supporting my wife, daughter, and growing the company. It took time, money, sleepless night, and work ethic that instilled a determination to get the job done no matter what.
Growing Ghost Marketing into what it is today is one of my proudest accomplishments. Taking something with no financial backing, no employees, and no clients into one of the most successful marketing companies in South Carolina, really shows that with the right mindset… you truly can do anything you set your mind to.
Now a company that represents Swamp Rabbit Hockey (Spire Sports), Tropical Grille, Tipsy Taco, HipBurger, FitLife Brands, Rapid Fired Pizza, Dipple Plumbing, Mix Salon Studios, Group Therapy, and many more. We are a brand that is behind the scenes.
As the owner & founder; it means a ton to see the fruition of the countless days spent behind a computer learning about the newest trends, marketing tactics, code, and ways to help our clients grow. As a husband and father, it means I can set a path for a company that will help me be able to spend more time with my wife and daughter in years to come. I’ve always told my wife, ” I would rather work like a dog for 5-10 years to enjoy the next 60-70 with you”.
At the age of only 28, I want to empower other young entrepreneurs to follow their dreams but also air on the side of caution because the path is not easy, not glamorous, and not for those who are looking for overnight success. It’s taken 3 years (36 Months – 1,095 Days, 26,280 Hours – 1,576,800 Minutes – 94,608,000 Seconds) to finally get to a point of growth and acknowledgment. So don’t expect to turn a profit or a market in anything less than 1.5 years.
I am also finalizing a book that is coming out in late December 2021. (Entrepreneurshit). Talks about the crappy side of entrepreneurship and how it isn’t for just anyone. Just a fun fact to end on that I’ve been writing for over a year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Entrepreneurship is never a smooth road. Just some of the challenges include everything from the typical financial challenges to the relationship challenges. What I mean by that is:
Financial Challenges: You are looking at establishing a brand so you have to think about what are the costs associated with that. From logo design, LLC (Establishment), trademark, business cards, services, programs, equipment & supplies, rent, employee payroll, website & information sites, salaries, overhead, etc.
Let’s not forget your own financial responsibilities: Rent/Mortgage, Food, Gas, Car Payments, Insurance, Electricity, Water, Natural Gas, Trash, Repairs, etc.
So, the financial obstacle & challenge is always the first. Understanding your “base” and what you need to live on every month in order to pay bills on both fronts. Not just your own.
Then come the relationship challenges: Your significant other needs to understand the hours, meetings, long days, sacrifices you have to make in order to be successful. Sometimes that means working on weekends, pulling all-nighters, meeting with a client that they don’t agree with, or hiring staff that they don’t approve of.
Having a relationship/marriage gets put on the back burner when you are an entrepreneur due to having to focus all your energy on the company’s growth. It puts a strain on the relationship unless your spouse understands the commitment and long-term goal you are going after.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ghost Marketing?
Ghost Marketing is exactly how it sounds. We are a digital marketing agency that is behind the scenes, in the dark, helping our clients shine brighter. We are the company that companies hire to help with their overall branding, marketing, consulting, and everything in between.
We are one of the last true “a la carte” marketing companies in the United States. Meaning that we can cater to small, medium, and large businesses that are looking for a solution. We can scale & grow by adding services onto our client’s plates as they need them.
We focus on the digital aspect from social media marketing, brand management, SEO/SEM, Website Design, Brand Identity/Strategy, Concept Development, Marketing Consulting, Photography, Videography, Graphic Design, Lead Generation, Email/SMS Marketing, Media Buying, Public Relations, Brand Awareness, and Community Relations.
We are literally everything a company could want or have under one roof. With having so many key team members on staff at Ghost Marketing, we are able to cater everything to our clients’ needs along with adding or removing services based on their wants.
We are proud of being able to represent so many great brands and unbeknownst to the general public. We are strictly B2B (Business To Business) and thrive off the WOM (Word of Mouth) traffic that we receive. We are growing by leaps & bounds and all without any advertisements. We let our clients do the talking and as we already know… business owners know business owners. So once we get and service a client, we are most likely recommended to 3-4 of that client’s other business friends. Thus, Ghost Marketing grows from behind the scenes just as our clients do.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would probably be moving to Romania. Now back then it was more about the excitement of moving overseas and the experience that would come with it. It truly opened my eyes to a world that wasn’t focused on material things and dealt a great deal into being someone who throws the money back into the company, people, or my spouse.
Being able to live in Europe at the age of 10, 11, & 12 showed me to value time and opened my eyes to how much possibility I truly had as being an American. Once getting back to the states, my family didn’t take anything for granted, and having so little didn’t mean anything when I witnessed firsthand people that had literally nothing.
My father worked for a company that helped orphanages so seeing kids without a mother or a father really showed a side that I never thought of. Kids rocking themselves back & forth to “comfort” their inner kid… kids/teens that were older than me but mentally were 5-6 due to not being in school, understanding body language, etc.
Now I say these things not to cause an emotional response but to show you that moving to Romania was an experience that not many 10-year-olds got to experience. Being homeschooled and around my family, my younger brother, and seeing a different country brought both an exhilarating feeling but also a reality check at such a young age.
Contact Info:
- Email: britton@ghostmarketing.org
- Website: www.ghostmarketing.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostmarketingagency/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostmarketingagency
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theghostagency
