In the field of digital marketing, Laval Chichester drops the beat like a seasoned MC and stands tall in the game. He's more than just a marketer. Think of him as a master DJ spinning his SEO and content marketing decks to skyrocket search rankings and get content flowing. With a proven track record of implementing his strategies at leading companies such as Apple and his MoneyLion, he is the go-to guru for brands aiming to reach the top of the charts. And when it comes to expanding the scene for icons like The Museum of Hip Hop (THHM), Lavall is the architect behind the website, making sure their legacy shows up on the digital streets.
Lavall had a 20-year career in advertising and technology before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey and was named to AdAge's 40 Under 40 list. In January 2023, he decided to quit his job and fully devote himself to his own company, Growth Skills. This leap of faith paid off, with his company generating more than his $1.2 million in revenue. In addition to providing assistance to clients, Growth Skills has also earned multiple accolades along the way, including winning Search Engine Land's Best SEO Innovative and US Search Awards' Most Innovative His SEO Campaign. I did. That can be attributed, at least in part, to his martial arts background, which instilled discipline and perseverance. These qualities helped him overcome any obstacles he encountered.
Learning about SEO had a huge impact on Lavall's life. In addition to supporting clients, Growth Skills also focuses on educating individuals about SEO and digital marketing. He strongly believes that the education system needs to improve the way it teaches these subjects. It's something he witnessed firsthand during his time as a visiting lecturer at New York University (NYU) and as a Continuing and Professional Studies (CAPS) professor at Baruch College. As a result, he developed Learning IQ, a video-based platform dedicated to providing his SEO and digital marketing knowledge. His primary objective is to ensure that this valuable information reaches those in minority communities who may not be aware of these opportunities.
Laval's journey was extremely difficult. While working in the advertising industry, he sometimes felt like an outsider as he was the only black person in many meetings. He worked hard even though some thought he didn't deserve it. These experiences propelled him to excel and achieve more. As a business owner, he faces challenges such as dealing with market fluctuations, finding the right people for his team, and managing stress. But for him, it's all worth it.
Laval believes being self-taught is a huge advantage. As CEO of Growth Skills, Lavall is very hands-on in his work. He helps build websites, works on SEO, and leads marketing strategies for clients. He has a unique approach that combines SEO and SEM (Search Engine Marketing). He helps his clients appear at the top of search results with free listings and paid advertising.
Laval also believes that learning how to learn is a superpower. He learned to study at a dojo (karate school) and has a 2nd degree black belt to prove it. This learning ability helps us quickly adopt new technologies like ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI), which we use to help our business and clients. His ability to adapt and learn is very important in his career and business. He has written a book to share his insights on learning. Laval wants to show people that learning new things can change your life because no one can take away your skills or your ability to learn and grow.
In addition to SEO and marketing, Lavall is involved in other exciting projects. He is working on Flavor Fix, his first media platform built to help people learn about cannabis, CBD, and alcohol. It's like a cross between Yelp and Etsy. His company, Growth Skills, is his first online school to teach breakdancing, and he is an investor in Bboydojo.com. Growth Skills also operates Urban Income and SpreadLove.org. These projects aim to help people make more money and fight hate on the internet, respectively.
Lavall's journey into digital marketing begins with an exciting beat. He is a self-made maestro, mastering the business and imparting game-changing knowledge. With a fresh perspective on SEO and marketing, and an air of sharing his wisdom, he is laying a trajectory that will shape his digital marketing scene.
