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

From Corporate Strategy to Chasing What’s Next

Hi, I’m Riley. For over a decade, I worked across marketing, strategy, and innovation—leading projects for brands like Disney Parks and Macy’s. I helped organizations navigate major shifts: from traditional media to digital, from static campaigns to personalization, and eventually, from marketing-as-usual into emerging tech.

I started in media strategy—mapping audiences, scaling campaigns, and optimizing budgets. That work naturally evolved into cross-functional strategy and innovation. I worked across teams to connect dots between marketing, tech, and customer experience.

At Macy’s, I led early projects exploring blockchain, NFTs, and immersive experiences—including bringing the first NFT brand into the Macy’s Parade. It was creative, fast-moving, and deeply collaborative. I loved it.

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

But I still felt something was missing. I was driving innovation for others, but not building anything of my own.

Leaving to Re-Evaluate

So I stepped away. No master plan, just the instinct that it was time to explore what I could build on my own terms.

I returned to Macy’s as a contractor, this time focused exclusively on innovation. I worked on gaming, metaverse, and personalization pilots—actively testing how emerging tech could reshape engagement.

In parallel, I started diving deep into AI, automation, and the future of work. I saw a clear shift: tools were getting smarter, barriers to creation were dropping, and solopreneurs and businesses alike were scrambling to adapt.

I wasn’t just watching trends. I was at work, running experiments, and connecting the strategic dots.

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. What's real? What's hype? What's worth acting on?

I created Chasing Next to answer those questions.

The focus isn't on chasing every shiny tool, it’s about helping ambitious professionals and small teams get clarity on what actually matters.

  • The way we build businesses is shifting
  • Traditional processes are getting replaced
  • Those who adapt early will lead the next wave

Through Chasing Next, I break down strategic trends, practical frameworks, and real-world insights to help you stay ahead and make smarter moves.

What’s Next? Let’s Build Smarter, Together.

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

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

Or just reach out. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.