In this episode of We Built This Business, we talk with Ryan Williams, co-founder of It’s Gone Viral and the KOMI Group.
Ryan shares his journey from creating viral Twitter parody accounts to building one of the UK’s leading social media brands, competing with the likes of LadBible and Steven Bartlett’s Social Chain. He opens up about scaling the business, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, and ultimately exiting the company.
HIGHLIGHTS
· How Ryan’s viral sports parody accounts led to a multi-million-pound business.
· The pivotal moment when It’s Gone Viral was monetized on Facebook.
· Navigating the pandemic and losing 70% of revenue overnight.
· The process of rebranding to KOMI Group and preparing for an exit.
· The emotional and personal impact of selling the business.
· Ryan’s new mission: educating parents on online safety and social media risks for kids.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel O’Sullivan invites business owners and industryexperts onto the We Built This Business podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We explore their entrepreneurial journeys, challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. Running a business is tough, so why not learn from those who have already done it?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences is a nationwide team building company specializing in Keeping Things Fun for corporate teams. They offer mobile events like Game Shows, Sports Days, and the Crystal Challenge.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive15% off your next event!
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Ryan Williams Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantwilliamsofficial/
Ryan’s Book: Blood, Sweat & Tweets – Available now! - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Sweat-Tweets-inspiring-Entrepreneurs/dp/1916237789
Host Website – https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel O’Sullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group, which includes brands in the events, entertainment, and media industries like Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Football Zorbing UK, Shizzoo Media and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
Podcast Website - https://beacons.ai/wbtb
CHARITY DONATION
Every week we release an episode, we donate £10 to the British Heart Foundation – our goal is to contribute £520 per year! Donate Here