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He gives uncensored inspirational insights into navigating
business, while suggesting ways to discover a bit about
yourself along the way.
“We are building one of the most diverse and culturally
relevant marketing agencies in this region. Our business has
grown slowly but steadily for 12 years now,” says Lucas.
His business naturally evolved after a career in radio,
which he credits teaching him many lessons on opportunity
early on.
Lucas is the
founder and CEO at Creadio,
the parent brand to several of his tech and media-related
businesses. A full-service marketing agency, Creadio,
specializes in custom brand radio. "We think of it as an
in-store radio station but custom built for companies like
restaurants and retail environment," he says. "So during
music breaks, you'll hear a DJ come on and provide content
about that particular business’ products, promotions and
services. We have also ventured off into other spaces
- full video production, website development, graphic
design, communication strategy- the gamut.”
Rather than beginning with an abstract "what the customer
needs" and building outward, Lucas begins with a focus on
the business owner. “Yes, your product/service must fit a
customer’s need, but your ideal business grows best from
your own humanity: your strengths and interests – the things
that make you, uniquely you, that big box stores cannot
compete with.”
“You are the cure,” states Lucas, in a self-published
LinkedIn article. Lucas is able to connect with clients and
popular culture audiences alike including the personal
journey of entrepreneurship, which is often overlooked in
business writing.
Lucas thinks back to when he was growing up. “When I was
developing, I always knew success was possible because I saw
it on TV. I didn’t realize it was possible for me, however,
until I moved to Atlanta and I saw successful people who
looked just like me.”
Lucas believes it’s important to see the world for oneself,
especially through travel, as it helps to inspire and open
our eyes without experiencing life through someone else’s
filter. “Get exposure to what is out in the world. When
you see things for yourself you get a greater appreciation
for opportunities and voids in the marketplace.”
Lucas was named to the University of Toledo’s Board of
Trustees by Governor John Kasich in February 2016, the
youngest member in the board’s history. The governor also
appointed him to the Ohio Casino Control Commission in 2013
– to which he was reappointed for a second four-year term in
2017, and he also serves as chairman to the Ohio Martin
Luther King Jr. Commission, having been appointed in 2014.
“As I sit on the University of Toledo Board, there is only
a 10 to 15-year age difference from myself and the
students. What is important to me is to be relatable, so I
still wear my retro Jordans in many environments. Something
like sneakers can be significant because when the student
sees board members that come from the same places they do,
they can see themselves in the same trustee seat one day.”
Will Lucas is the co-founder and CEO of Classana, a software
which helps people share and discover educational resources
for both personal and professional development. He also
hosts the Of10 podcast highlighting prominent internet tech
personalities and exposing some uber-successful black people
in tech to his listeners.
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