Business

Garrett Atkins: From a Poor Young American to a Serial Entrepreneur

Published

5 years ago

May 12, 2020

Most young Americans are broke. Recent data shows that young people between the age of 18 to 29 years old have $1 trillion in debt. The financial struggles of the modern-day young person are what leads so many to try out entrepreneurship. Millennials are venturing into business at younger ages than previous generations.

Currently, 55.8% of billionaires are self-made. One of the reasons these self-made entrepreneurs succeed is that they identified a market need. We had a conversation with Garrett Atkins, owner, and Founder of VIE media. He shared with us his journey from being 23 and broke to CEO at age 27 years.

Garret Atkins Journey

Garrett Atkins focused on online entrepreneurship and invested in it early enough. He owns VIE media, which is a company in the online/digital marketing space. Headquartered in St.Louis, Missouri, VIE Media specializes in social media marketing, web design, and development, video production, and branding. Garrett is also the founder and one of the Stakeholders of StLouisPodcast.com. StLouisPodcast.com is the only exclusive podcast recording studio in St. Louis, Missouri.

Garrett’s journey began when he was 23 years old. He changed his mindset by realizing that he doesn’t have to be part of the statistics. He doesn’t have to be another young, broke American. “I realized that I could do anything I set my mind to so long as it does not have to do with breaking the rules of science/physics (for obvious reasons, because that is impossible),” says Garrett. Back in 2010, Garrett was working in the mortgage industry. It was around that time that he realized that building a personal brand online is going to be a big deal. That realization is what set him on the path to online entrepreneurship.

The ambitious youth started VIE Media at age 23 years. The company began with three clients in 2016 to over 100 clients within the same year. Also, VIE media expanded its revenue from $1,850 in 2016 to over $1.25MM in revenue in 2019. Garrett’s impressive leadership skills are also evident in Podcast.com. He started the second company in July 2019. At the time, StLouisPodcast.com had 0 clients. But in less than six months, the company had over 35 clients.

Lessons on Entrepreneurship

Garret is a man with a wealth of knowledge. When we talked to him, he said that you are likely to succeed when you stop giving a sh*t about what other people are saying, so long as you know what your end goal is and you know that you want that more than anything else. Garrett took on all the responsibilities of managing his businesses. Of course, like most start-ups, he had to invest vast sums of money and time in his company. Garrett admits that one of the biggest challenges he faced was finding a team that he could work within his ventures. Luckily, he was able to find partners who would work with him towards building a successful business.

Garrett’s success in online entrepreneurship has a lot to do with his character. This young entrepreneur is innovative, hardworking, passionately driven and wise. He discovered a need in the digital marketing space that his competitors were not utilizing. “My brand sticks out because I’m so deeply involved in the technology/digital space compared to my competitors. For example, out of all the CEO’s of digital marketing agencies in St. Louis, I have the largest audience on EVERY major social platform besides TikTok and YouTube. I don’t just own a social media marketing agency. I live and practice it, if you will.” he says.

Through VIE media, Garrett has managed to close deals with popular brand names such as multiple household names such as The UPS Store, Better Homes & Gardens, Metro Powered by Metro powered by T-Mobile, , and Arsenal Credit Union. Currently, this American Entrepreneur recently acquired Crowd Drivers. Crowd Drivers is a marketing agency that has been performing well in the market. On 6th May 2020, Garrett not only acquired Crowd Drivers, but also expanded his team with 10 more talented employees.

It is impressive that in just four short years, Garret has scaled the heights and become a famous public speaker, content creator, and serial entrepreneur. He was a keynote speaker at the Live2Lead event in St. Louis, Missouri, in October of 2019. Moreover, he continues to inspire and share knowledge through his social media platforms. Garrett’s goal is not to be rich and powerful. Instead, his goal is to give back to the community by assisting other businesses to achieve success through digital marketing.

You can expect to see more of Garrett in the coming months as he continues to disrupt the digital marketing space with fresh ideas.

Business

Spynn’s PR Playbook for Startups Turning Funding into Market Leadership

Published

3 weeks ago

March 27, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Byline: Jennyfer Ann Valencia

The recent funding boom in India, where startups raised over $428 million between March 10 and March 15, 2025, reinforces the critical role of public relations (PR) in securing investor confidence and enhancing visibility. As competition intensifies, effective PR strategies help startups differentiate themselves and build a strong market presence.

Spynn, a PR agency for startups specializing in securing top-tier media coverage, enables startups to craft compelling narratives that attract investors and maintain a positive brand image.

The Role of PR in Startup Funding

A recent survey conducted by Spynn found that startups with a strong PR strategy are significantly more likely to secure funding rounds than those without. According to the research, nearly 70% of investors say media visibility and brand credibility helped their decision-making process. This highlights PR’s direct impact on a startup’s ability to attract investment.

PR helps startups articulate their value to investors by securing media coverage and highlighting their growth potential. High-profile placements lend credibility and set up startups’ potential, making them more attractive to investors. For instance, a well-publicized success story from a startup like Zolve, one of the top funding recipients, can drive further investor interest and strengthen its brand.

India’s funding surge spans sectors including Batterytech, Edtech, Gaming, Apparel, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Fintech, Energy, and Travel. While this presents opportunities, it also brings scrutiny. Startups must manage their reputations effectively, ensuring consistency in their messaging across media platforms. As a PR agency for startups, Spynn’s expertise in reputation management helps businesses navigate these challenges by maintaining a cohesive brand identity and reinforcing investor trust.

Establishing Credibility Through Media Placements

Research from Spynn also revealed that startups that get featured on Forbes, Business Insider, and other top-tier publications experience a 50% increase in inbound investor inquiries within six months. This shows the value of securing strategic media placements to reinforce credibility and market positioning.

Strong media coverage bolsters a startup’s credibility, reinforcing its market positioning and investor confidence. Spynn ensures startups secure coverage in authoritative outlets, helping them establish themselves as thought leaders. Beyond initial publicity, Spynn focuses on building long-term relationships with media, ensuring sustained visibility and brand consistency.

Spynn’s CEO, Matteo Ferretti, emphasizes the role of storytelling, “Effective PR is about coverage and creating narratives that resonate with audiences. Startups must highlight their unique value and demonstrate how they solve real-world problems.”

PR for Growth and Global Expansion

Spynn’s data indicates that startups leveraging international PR strategies are twice as likely to successfully attract foreign investors and expand into new markets. Media coverage tailored for global audiences enhances cross-border recognition and facilitates partnerships, making PR an essential tool for growth beyond domestic markets.

As Indian startups scale, a strong PR strategy facilitates global recognition. Spynn’s international media reach helps startups gain traction in new markets and attract foreign investors. This is especially crucial for sectors like Fintech and Edtech, where global expansion is key to success.

A well-executed PR strategy strengthens a startup’s digital footprint, ensuring a consistent and engaging presence across platforms. Matteo Ferretti highlights the importance of balance, “A successful PR approach integrates both digital and traditional media to maximize impact and audience engagement.“

Ethical Considerations and Future Trends

Transparency and ethical storytelling are vital in PR. Startups must ensure authenticity in their messaging to build lasting trust. Spynn upholds ethical PR practices that align with principles of sustainability and integrity.

Indian startups must adapt to evolving PR trends, including AI-driven outreach, digital media dominance, and deeper media relationships. As competition grows, startups that take advantage of PR will have a better standing for long-term success.

Spynn’s PR strategies equip Indian startups with the tools to navigate funding surges, enhance credibility, and drive growth. By securing impactful media coverage and managing reputation effectively, startups can strengthen investor confidence and expand their market presence. As India’s startup ecosystem evolves, PR remains an indispensable asset for sustained success.