The Path to Chasing Next: My Story & Why I Built This

From Corporate Strategy to Chasing What’s Next

How I Got Here

Hi, I’m Riley. I’ve spent over a decade in marketing, strategy, and innovation—leading projects for brands like Disney Parks and Macy’s. My work spanned business strategy, emerging tech, and digital marketing, helping companies navigate industry shifts and adapt to new technologies before they hit the mainstream.

I started my career in marketing and media strategy, working with major brands to identify target audiences, optimize campaigns, scale strategies, and navigate the shift towards digital marketing channels. Over time, my work shifted from traditional media into new and emerging formats, from digital personalization to interactive experiences.

With Macy’s, I began working on blockchain and NFT projects, which led me deeper into the world of innovation. I was getting hands-on experience creating brand stories from the ground up, exploring how emerging technologies could enhance customer experiences and reshape engagement.

One of my favorite projects: Getting the first NFT brand into the Macy's Parade.

I loved what I was doing, but I still felt like I wanted something different (a break from the traditional aspects of my job). I was helping companies innovate, but I wasn’t creating anything of my own.

Leaving to Re-Evaluate

So, I left. No grand plan or genius business idea. Just the gut feeling that I needed to create my own path.

That led me to independent consulting, and I returned to Macy’s as a contractor. This time, my focus shifted entirely to innovation projects. I worked on blockchain activations, gaming, and metaverse experiences and explored how new tech could drive personalization and evolve customer engagement.

I wasn’t just observing industry shifts; I was actively testing, applying, and shaping them.

At the same time, I became more immersed in automation, AI, and how solopreneurs and businesses could leverage these tools to create more efficient and scalable models.

Why I Started Chasing Next

AI, automation, and emerging tech are fundamentally changing how businesses operate, lowering barriers to creation, reshaping marketing, and forcing business owners to rethink how they grow and scale.

Most people feel overwhelmed by these changes. I created Chasing Next to help them cut through the noise.

My focus isn’t on chasing every new tool, it’s about helping business professionals and solopreneurs understand what actually matters and how to position themselves for long-term success.

  • AI is not just a tool. AI is changing how businesses grow, market, and scale.
  • The traditional ways of building a business are becoming outdated.
  • People need clarity, strategy, and frameworks to navigate this shift.

That’s what I break down in Chasing Next—helping you stay ahead, adapt, and build smarter.

What’s Next? Let’s Build Together.

This is an ongoing experiment. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m committed to learning, testing, and sharing everything along the way.

If you want to integrate AI effectively and stay ahead of the curve:

Let’s connect. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.