Worcester Business Journal

34 Worcester Business Journal | August 19, 2024 | wbjournal.com Erjon Metohu grew his digital design firm from a one-person operation in his father's auto body shop office to a team of 18 professionals, serving businesses in Greater Worcester and be- coming a leader in higher education digital strategy. He creat- ed his design firm ERI Design in 2005, and since then has led initiatives for higher education institutions including Worcester State University, Clark University, Tufts University in Medford, and Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. Metohu merged his firm with DerSimonian LLC, a Maine-based marketing and communi- cations consultancy, which he considers the best decision of his career. He shared his expertise with aspiring website designers by serving as an adjunct professor at Becker College for two years. In the ever-evolving digital industry, he brings a fearless approach of tackling the unknown and a desire to learn and adapt. He used this skill when he and his family moved to the U.S. from Albania when he was 14. Adjusting to a new culture and language was challenging, but he credits the Worcester community for being an integral part of his growth. Metohu collaborates with organizations, such as the Flor- ida-based Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which empowers underserved girls, and co-organized a holiday fundraiser raising $18,000 for the Yellow Tulip Project in Maine, aiming to smash the stigma surround- ing mental illness. - S.B. Would you rather travel back in time to meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants? Travel back in time to meet my ancestors. I am curious to learn more about my ances- tors, my family's history, and our Albanian roots. Go-to restaurant for a business lunch? Via Italian Table Class of 2024 Erjon Metohu, 39 President ERI Design, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Tirana, Albania College: Becker College When Rios was offered the opportunity to work in sales and marketing at the young age of 18, he never looked back, and in 2013, he achieved his dream of establishing his own corpora- tion. As president of Phoenix Marketing and Advertising in the Cherry Valley neighborhood of Leicester, he transformed his $3-million company in 2021 to a $15-million company in 2023. Rios is striving to change people's lives through mentorship and experience and has become a familiar face in Worcester. He finds himself helping schools, sponsoring and supporting the North High School varsity basketball team in Worcester by providing funds for supplies and transportation, as well as funding events such as teacher appreciation week at the Columbus Park Preparatory Academy in Worcester. This year, Rios and his company provided each child in the academy with a wrapped Christmas present, eventually gifting more than 300 toys. His work in providing for the community is far from over, as he is in the beginning stages of starting a nonprofit to help youth and families access housing and resources. - S.B. If you had your own late night talk show, who would you invite as your first guest? Denzel Washington Go-to restaurant for a business lunch? Via Italian Table What would the title of your book of business advice be? "It was all a dream" Who's career would you most like to emulate? Tony Robbins Class of 2024 Robert Rios, 38 President Phoenix Marketing and Advertising, in Leicester Residence: Holden Birthplace: Stony Brook, New York PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT Odd by Worcester Brewing

• Cover