Director of Innovation Highlight with Thomas Brown

95% of small businesses fail within their first 5 years. Thomas Brown, RED Development Group’s new Director of Innovation, strives to change that.

As the Director of Innovation Tom helps RED and its clients optimize their systems.

“I serve as the question master,” Tom said. “I ask people what they are doing and figure out how to do it better.  I ask “why” for everything.”

To get the best results and help your business thrive, you need to know your why, Tom said. By questioning the status-quo entrepreneurs can enhance their businesses.

“Everything that RED has ever done and will ever do, I question it,” Tom added. “I hone in on finance and find new revenue streams and how we can save. I research new services and programs to make sure we are using the best ones.”

Tom had previously served RED as the Director of Brand Development. He has been with RED since shortly after it started and has seen many changes in that time.

"I have seen RED grow for so long," Tom continued. "I am excited to see how it changes the business development landscape on a global scale."
As RED has grown, Tom has also been learning and developing himself.

"RED has given me the opportunity to explore the areas I am interested in and passionate about," Tom said. "It has taught me that there is so much out there I didn't know about beforehand. Some good and some bad, but all of it being something I have learned from and grown from."
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From his studies to his business experiences, Tom is a perfect fit as RED's Director of Innovation.

Tom explained, “I studied science, policy, and innovation at Yale to Business Law. I also studied strategy, entrepreneurship, and business law at Northwestern. I've been in challenging and engaging spaces my entire life. With that, I was able to start my own business at 17, and then exit the company at age 20. I have had all roles from the bottom to the top and my experiences have taught me a lot."

His experiences have also developed Tom's passion for helping young entrepreneurs.

"When you are starting out, be a sponge," Tom said. "Learn as much as you possibly can. Take any job you can get because you have the opportunity to learn so much in every situation."

In 2021 RED Development Group is set to launch a new branch, RED Ventures. Tom is head of this thrilling new endeavor. It will be a seed startup accelerator focused on diversifying the entrepreneurial landscape. One way Ventures will do this is by connecting young startups with mentors.

"I am excited to see how RED Ventures impacts the incredible start-ups that will be in our portfolio," Tom said. "I can't wait to see how those partnerships will change the world."

How are you changing the world? To learn more about Tom’s story and how he is disrupting the status quo, check out his #REDLite.