Today we’d like to introduce you to Rizwan Peera.
Hi Rizwan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey from England to Atlanta in the early 90s coincided with a transformative era for the city which was experiencing the golden era for the Atlanta Braves, hosting the Olympics, and navigating the dot-com boom and impending “Y2K” concerns—which all helped to shape my views of the world as I myself navigated being a foreign person of color in a new land. My early education at a local Montessori school, combined with my parents’ unwavering commitment to academic excellence, instilled in me at an early age a relentless drive to continuously elevate myself and uplift those around me.
Choosing to attend Georgia State University (GSU) in the early 2000s kept me rooted in the vibrant Metro Atlanta community. GSU’s student body diversity enriched my perspective, exposing me to varied cultures and viewpoints from all around the world. I also had the opportunity to found several organizations at GSU, including the Beta Epsilon Chapter of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc., which continues to positively impact men of color at GSU through scholarship and leadership development. This experience of working to start multiple organizations at the university fueled my passion for leadership and community engagement.
These organizations honed my leadership skills and sparked my interest in marketing as I had to learn to effectively promote them to grow on campus. Pivoting from my undergraduate degree in Finance and leaning into my newfound interest from marketing these organizations, I launched my career at a local marketing agency after graduation. This experience equipped me with essential skills in the ever-popular Search Engine Optimization (SEO) area of marketing before I moved on to managing comprehensive marketing strategies for multiple businesses—from social media marketing and website management to paid search and social ads to field/experiential event marketing.
I kept my involvement with La Unidad Latina post-graduation as well, as I moved up on a national level to further shape my marketing prowess and give back to a community, I had become ingrained in, overseeing initiatives that expanded our online presence nationally while organizing impactful events nationwide to assist in the development of our membership, both young and seasoned. Later in my career, as I went back to GSU for my MBA, I got introduced to the Buckhead Business Association (BBA) and helped to improve the brand awareness of the organization throughout the Metro Atlanta area as a VP of Marketing before taking the helm of the organization as President post-pandemic during one of its most tumultuous times in history. I was successfully able to revitalize the organization by doubling membership, securing increased sponsorships, and enhancing diversity to reflect the changing community BBA represents more accurately. Additionally, leading BBA’s coveted Taste of Buckhead event that draws thousands of attendees from across Georgia and the Southeast for the past 4 years has allowed me to truly get in touch with my creative marketing side as I’ve navigated the nuances of event marketing and management by growing one of the largest community-led culinary tasting events this city has ever seen. I’m only excited for how much further we can go in 2024 with Taste of Buckhead happening on October 17th at The Stave Room.
Simultaneously, in my professional career as a Marketing Manager for a global consulting company, I’ve worked to implement strategies and initiatives to streamline efficiency while enhancing collaboration and company culture with both in-person and virtual team events. As a Marketing Consultant on the side during this time, I work tirelessly to empower small businesses by transforming their branding and helping them to connect with their target audiences. Throughout my journey, from student leadership to professional endeavors, I’ve embraced challenges with a commitment to excellence and a passion for fostering growth and inclusivity.
Stepping into my latest personal journey as a husband has given me the privilege of building a life with a woman, I adore who constantly is pushing me to be the best version of myself I can be. I know that as I progress in my career and determine my next step for furthering my passion for community development, my wife will always be by my side as we both support one another in our future personal and professional endeavors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life’s journey is rarely a smooth ride. For me, it’s been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, unexpected detours, and moments of deep uncertainty. One significant challenge came after I ventured into entrepreneurship shortly after my first stint at the local marketing agency with a friend I met during an earlier marketing internship while still in my undergraduate program. We launched a social media and website management company full of enthusiasm and drive to help small businesses while building a company we could be proud of and benefit from. Despite our initial excitement and the potential in the booming digital marketing scene, our venture was short-lived when my partner left for a compelling full-time offer elsewhere. This experience taught me crucial lessons about branding and collaboration, fundamental not just in marketing but in all aspects of business.
After completing my MBA in 2018, I faced another hurdle. Despite positive reviews and prior experience at a company I interned with during my MBA program, I unexpectedly found myself unemployed for the first time in years. The job market was tough, and despite relentless effort—applying to over 400 positions, networking, and refining my personal brand—I remained jobless for six months. I depleted my savings and took up driving for Lyft just to make ends meet. This period taught me about resilience and the importance of self-belief. The constant rejections were disheartening, but I persisted, continuously refining my approach.
Eventually, my perseverance paid off. Around the six-month mark, I received multiple job offers almost simultaneously. It was a challenging period that ultimately led me to where I am today. Despite the setbacks and numerous rejections, I learned the value of consistent effort and positioning oneself for success. It’s not something I would look fondly on or want to experience again, but I can confidently say that the experience of job hunting for 6 months while taking a side gig to maintain my lifestyle certainly taught me valuable lessons about not taking anything for granted and about working hard for what you believe you deserve.
Currently, I face a new obstacle—a mid-30s diagnosis of ADHD. Coming to terms with this as an adult has been a significant struggle, confronting years of self-doubt and confusion. Reflecting on past actions, I realized many were influenced by my undiagnosed ADHD throughout my childhood and well into my 20’s. This diagnosis isn’t an excuse for how I’ve acted or decisions I’ve made, but a revelation, helping me understand and address challenges head-on with a positive mindset and determination, while allowing me to forgive myself and rework my own self-speak.
Each obstacle has taught me invaluable lessons—never taking opportunities for granted, embracing hard work, and facing challenges with resilience and unwavering optimism. While my journey has been far from easy, it has shaped who I am today and continues to inspire me to overcome any obstacle that comes my way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my career as a marketing professional, I specialize in a range of areas, from event marketing and strategy to marketing operations, marketing automation, and brand strategy. What sets me apart is my strategic mindset, which enables me to bridge tactical execution with overarching business objectives.
I have successfully executed event marketing strategies for both global corporations and local small businesses, ensuring each event aligns seamlessly with broader marketing goals. My approach combines creativity and collaboration with meticulous planning, resulting in impactful and memorable experiences that drive brand engagement and growth.
In marketing operations and automation, I excel in optimizing processes and workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Leveraging technology, I implement scalable solutions that streamline marketing activities, from lead generation to customer engagement, ensuring a cohesive and data-driven approach.
Brand strategy is another cornerstone of my expertise. I have developed and revitalized brands, aligning them with market trends and consumer preferences. My focus on brand purpose and differentiation helps organizations stand out in competitive landscapes, fostering long-term loyalty and recognition.
What uniquely sets me apart is my perspective shaped by my recently diagnosed ADHD. This condition fuels my creativity and problem-solving abilities as I’m able to approach challenges from multiple angles simultaneously, enabling me to uncover innovative solutions and strategies that resonate with diverse audiences.
What I am most proud of professionally is the indelible mark I leave at every job and with every client. I invest time to deeply understand each organization’s opportunities and purpose, informing my strategic approaches. I prioritize transparency and collaboration, fostering buy-in and trust across all stakeholders. This approach ensures that my work drives tangible results and lasting impact, positioning businesses for sustained success.
My journey is defined by a commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of innovation. I thrive on leveraging my expertise and unique perspective to navigate complexities and drive meaningful outcomes in the dynamic landscape of marketing.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I often felt like the odd one out—the weird kid who never quite fit in. Looking back, I realize I was displaying ADHD tendencies from an early age, but at the time, this went unrecognized as the understanding of the spectrum of this condition was not fully understood. Who would suspect the straight-A loner with minor behavioral quirks? School performance was what mattered most, so my other struggles went unseen.
I was raised by strict parents who gradually softened as I grew older, but my introverted nature is what has always brought me comfort. I found solace in books, devouring them with lightning speed—I single-handedly won my class those coveted pizza parties through the sheer volume of reading. Music became a passion, too, starting with my dad’s classic rock favorites and evolving into the alternative rock and bubble gum pop of the ’90s, eventually merging into a deep love for the golden era of R&B and hip-hop. This deep love for reading and my varied musical tastes have always served me well as I’ve grown up, allowing me to connect with people from all backgrounds with ease.
Despite my shyness and introverted nature, I consistently exceeded expectations when challenged. Sports became another outlet where I excelled effortlessly, from baseball to basketball, soccer, and eventually badminton, where I rose to the top of the teen rankings in Georgia. I was drawn to countless interests, always fascinated by the world around me, my mind pulling me in a million different directions.
I was always smiling, even through the toughest of times. Outdoors, I thrived, relishing the sun on my skin. But as the internet expanded, my curiosity shifted to the digital world, which offered boundless information and connectivity. Looking back, it’s clear that my undiagnosed ADHD was a constant companion, causing me to lose focus or speak my mind at inappropriate times. It led me to quickly cycle through hobbies and interests, unable to settle.
Now, I understand that the misbehaviors and negative remarks directed at me weren’t truly about me. I’m finally embracing and accepting the unique parts of myself that I proudly exhibited as a child—the quirks, the passions, and the relentless curiosity that continue to shape my journey today.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rizwanpeera
Image Credits
M Suarez Photography
Nicole Falco Photography
Cromewell Parkes Photography
