In this episode, we talk to Aaron Lee founder and CEO of Iluma Agency. Co-Founder of Pythos and Regional Chair for US East South Florida Chapter.
We talk about his entrepreneurial journey. How he found and doubled down on a niche. What it was like running a retail-focused business during the pandemic. He shares what it is like starting a business with your son and he shares how he is thinking about the next step in his life and entrepreneurial journey.
More about Aaron:
Aaron Lee has 30+ years of entrepreneurship, marketing, creative and internet experience producing a wide range of successful brand and marketing programs and projects for some of the world’s top brands, including Orangetheory Fitness, Massage Envy, Disney and many more.
In 2001, Aaron founded iluma Agency, now a leader in the franchise marketing industry. Through its proprietary program, iluma Agency provides corporate, local digital and franchise recruitment marketing for franchise and multi-unit businesses. iluma Agency was recognized 4 times on the Inc5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America and has also been named on the Florida Trend and South Florida Business Journal’s Best Places to Work lists.
Aaron is also currently serving his 11th consecutive year in volunteer member leadership in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). As the Regional Chair for the U.S. East Region, Aaron leads a professional and volunteer advisory board to support 22 local chapters. This follows terms as Member Experience Director, Area Director and also as President of the South Florida Chapter. He was invited to join EO in 2010, served the Board of Directors as the Communications Chair for 3 years, was awarded the EO Global Communications Chair of the Year Award in 2013, and oversaw communications and marketing for the 2013 EO Global University in Miami and most recently as the Marketing chair for EO Nerve 2019 in Charleston, SC. Aaron is also a graduate of the EO Global Leadership Academy and was recently awarded the EO “Living Beyond Yourself” award for his ongoing contributions to the organization. In these various roles and as a membership committee member of the International Franchise Association, Aaron has been frequently interviewed and has delivered talks on the topics of entrepreneurship, marketing and scaling businesses.
Most recently, Aaron co-founded and launched PYTHOS.gg, an online startup focused on establishing a scalable platform designed to offer young people a legitimate professional path to an esports gaming career. This turnkey platform combines professional esports coaching and educational courses with hands-on local esports clubs to combine the skills, experience and education required to become a professional in the industry. Aaron’s prior experience also includes serving as Chief Marketing Officer for an international application service provider and more than 10 years in the role of Creative Director for advertising and design agencies, multimedia and post-production studios. Aaron obtained his degree in communication design and is an active member of the GLG Council of Advisors for Media.
