Key Takeaways Raad wanted to develop an influencer marketing agency focused on alignment and transparency.
He’s grown the business to nearly 100 employees and tens of millions in annual brand deals.
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Ted Raad, 37, the Nashville, Tennessee-based founder of influencer marketing and management company Trend. The agency represents more than 130 creator clients and secures approximately $80 million in brand deals annually. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Image Credit: Trend. Ted Raad.
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What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
I was working at Hewlett-Packard in IT Mergers and Acquisitions. I was reviewing contracts and negotiating deals, so that part of the business was familiar to me when I started Trend.
When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
I started Trend on January 7, 2019. The inspiration came from my wife, Dede, who was growing as a creator at the time. She signed with an agency that pushed campaigns that didn’t align with her brand. When she declined those deals, the relationship became uncomfortable. I saw a gap in the industry, and I wanted to build something that prioritized alignment, transparency and doing what was right for the creator.
Understanding creator rates and deal structures
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