Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477247
www.HartfordBusiness.com July 21, 2014 • Hartford Business Journal 39 40 Under Forty 2014 Lindsay Ryan Jensen Age: 32 Title at work/what I do: Managing partner at Ryan Marketing. I run a boutique, full-service marketing agency, started by my father Patrick Ryan in 1996. Of the many hats I wear while managing a small business, I most enjoy working directly with clients. Creating an innovative marketing strategy for a client is both the big- gest challenge and greatest reward of my job. The reward part is directly linked to the fantastic team I have at Ryan Marketing. They continue to blow me away with their creativity and desire to think big. Town where I work: West Hartford Town where I live: Hartford College I attended: Winthrop University My Passion, Hobby or Special Talent: Planning special events for clients and friends top the list, followed by my ability to cure hiccups (it's a family trick). Twitter handle: @Ryan_Marketing No. of LinkedIn connections: 500+ Favorite place to network: Working on projects for community events – sharing a common cause is a great ice-breaker! Also, on social media. Favorite drink at a networking event: Martini – usually on the rocks. Navigating a crowded room with a martini glass isn't always easy. How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? While there are always opportunities to network at social events, I've found more success making connections when sleeves are rolled up. I have a real passion (some may say obsession) for marketing and event planning. Whether it's planning the grand opening of a client's new business, working with nonprofits like Mercy Hous- ing and Shelter to plan their annual gala, or just helping friends plan weddings or par- ties, the connections I've made working side-by-side have been the most significant and long-lasting. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? Getting your start working for your father has its challenges! It was impor- tant to me that I carve out my place in the company and earn the respect of our team through my work ethic and commitment to the business. Then there were some minor challenges like calling my father by his first name rather than "Dad" in the office, and we needed boundaries when it came to talking shop at the Thanksgiving din- ner table (never much appreciated by my mother and sister). What a gift it is to be able to learn from him and there is no one I would rather have on my team than my dad… I mean, Patrick. What is the best advice I received? It's the importance of always letting your team know their value and how much their hard work contributes to the success of the business. Also just about any advice my hus- band gives tends to always be spot on. What do I want my legacy to be? Ryan Marketing is truly a family busi- ness. That extends to our employees, some of whom I've known most of my life. Only about 30 percent of family-owned businesses sur- vive the transition from the first generation to the second. If I can look back in however many years and see that I've helped build and grow a sustainable business where our team can have rewarding work and home lives, I think I will have honored my father's legacy, while creating my own. Robert Ruffolo Age: 30 Title at work/what I do: CEO and founder of IMPACT Branding & Design, an inbound marketing agency. We help clients grow their businesses by developing and implementing complete inbound marketing programs based around their unique business needs. Town where I work: Wallingford Town where I live: Wallingford College I attended: Central Connecticut State University My passion, hobby or special talent: Inbound marketing Twitter handle: @BobRuffolo No. of LinkedIn connections: 3200 Favorite place to network: LinkedIn and Twitter Favorite drink at a networking event: Beer, preferably an IPA How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? In the exact way we help our clients, I've generated a lot of my connections through inbound tactics. Through my content and social media, I've built relationships with thousands of business owners, executives, marketers, salespeople, and students all over the world. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? My biggest challenge stems from the rapid growth of my agency. We have grown very quickly and I have to manage that growth through constant adaptation. Luckily, we haven't made any mistakes yet, and we con- tinue to grow at a rapid pace. What is the best advice I received? An influencer in our industry, Seth Godin, says that playing it safe is risky. I combine this saying with advice my uncle once gave me: Making the wrong decision is better than making no decision at all because at least you're moving the business forward. I've always believed in taking educated risks and am not afraid of making a wrong decision along the way, and these beliefs have helped me grow IMPACT to what it is today. What do I want my legacy to be? I would like to be the Steve Jobs of the inbound marketing world. I wasn't the first one in on this industry, but by the time I hit my 40s, I hope to have established myself as a leader in this industry, leading to opportuni- ties to become an author and keynote speaker. I hope IMPACT continues to grow into some- thing we can all be proud of and cultivates an awesome work environment and provides a comfortable lifestyle for my team. 40 Under Forty 2014 On July 3, Bob tweeted, "Wake up, smell the roses, and crush it today!" FUN FACT "Playing it safe is risky." On LinkedIn, Lindsay is connected to fellow 2014 Forty Under 40 winners Adam McLaughlin and Matthew Ritter. FUN FACT