Meet Raul Varela | Managing Partner of Agency 50 and Sniffle AI, Cofounder of PICKUP

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raul Varela and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raul, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success and the success of Agency 50 has been our ability to continuously evolve and stay ahead of industry trends while maintaining a steadfast commitment to delivering tangible results for our clients.

Throughout my 30-year career, I’ve always believed in the power of innovation and adaptability. This mindset has been crucial in navigating the ever-changing landscape of marketing and technology. From our early days as a traditional design agency to our current position as a leader in AI-powered marketing solutions, we’ve consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible.

However, innovation alone isn’t enough. What’s truly set us apart is our unwavering focus on driving real business outcomes for our clients. Whether it’s through our Go-to-Market Accelerator that can launch a startup in 90 days, or our AI-powered tools that provide sophisticated solutions to complex marketing challenges, everything we do is geared towards delivering measurable results.

Another critical factor has been our entrepreneurial approach. My experience in co-founding and scaling successful startups like PICKUP and Sniffle AI has given us invaluable insights into the challenges our clients face. This firsthand experience allows us to approach each project not just as marketers, but as business partners who understand the pressures of growth and the importance of ROI.

Lastly, I believe our success stems from our commitment to continuous learning and our willingness to embrace change. The recent AI revolution is a perfect example. Instead of resisting this change, we’ve fully embraced it, redefining our agency and productizing our services to leverage the power of AI. This adaptability, combined with our deep industry experience, allows us to provide cutting-edge solutions that are also grounded in proven marketing principles.

In essence, our success comes from a combination of innovation, results-focus, entrepreneurial insight, and adaptability – all underpinned by a genuine passion for helping our clients succeed in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional life has been a dynamic journey that spans several interconnected roles, each informing and enriching the others. At the core, I’m a creative professional and the owner of Agency 50, a role that has been central to my career for the past 30 years. As an agency owner, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, from startups to Fortune 1000 companies, helping them navigate the complex world of marketing and branding. This experience has given me invaluable insights into various industries and business models, which has proven crucial in my other endeavors.

In parallel to running Agency 50, I’ve pursued a path as an entrepreneur and co-founder of several successful startups. Notable among these are PICKUP, a last-mile delivery service for large items that we scaled to operate in 90 cities before its successful exit, and Sniffle AI, an innovative healthcare platform leveraging AI for symptom assessment and telemedicine. These ventures have allowed me to apply my creative and strategic skills in entirely new contexts, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in logistics and healthcare.

My experience as both an agency owner and a startup founder has given me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. This perspective has been invaluable in my role as a university professor, teaching business, social innovation, and entrepreneurship courses at Texas A&M University since 2013. As an educator, I’m able to share real-world insights with the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application.

These diverse roles have created a symbiotic relationship in my career. My agency work keeps me at the forefront of marketing trends and creative strategies. My startup experiences provide firsthand knowledge of the challenges in building and scaling businesses. And my teaching role encourages me to continually refine and articulate my understanding of business principles.

Most recently, this multifaceted background has been instrumental in guiding Agency 50 through a significant transformation. We’ve embraced the AI revolution, redefining our agency and productizing our services to meet the evolving needs of businesses in the digital age. Our flagship product, the Go-to-Market Accelerator, is a perfect example of how we’re leveraging our combined expertise in marketing, entrepreneurship, and technology to provide unique value to our clients.

Throughout my career, the common thread has been a commitment to innovation, a passion for solving complex problems, and a drive to create value in whatever I do. Whether I’m developing a marketing strategy for a client, launching a new startup, or teaching a class, I’m always looking for ways to push boundaries and drive meaningful change.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were showing someone around Dallas, I’d craft an experience that highlights the city’s architectural marvels, culinary delights, vibrant culture, and world-class art scene.

We’d start our day at the iconic Reunion Tower, taking in the panoramic views of Dallas’s impressive skyline from its geodesic dome. This vantage point offers a perfect introduction to the city’s scale and ambition.

From there, we’d dive into Dallas’s renowned Arts District, home to some of the most impressive museums in the country. The crown jewel of our art tour would be the Nasher Sculpture Center.

We’d also visit the Dallas Museum of Art, one of the largest art museums in America, known for its diverse collection spanning 5,000 years of human creativity. If time permits, we’d explore the thought-provoking exhibitions at the Crow Museum of Asian Art.

For dinner, I’d take them to my favorite sushi restaurant, Osaka, in Garland. This gem offers an authentic Japanese dining experience that rivals high-end sushi bars in much larger cities.

After dinner, we’d head to Deep Ellum, Dallas’s eclectic entertainment district. We’d soak in the neighborhood’s vibrant atmosphere, admire the street art, and perhaps catch some live music at one of its many venues.

To balance out the urban experiences, we’d end our day at White Rock Lake. This urban oasis is perfect for outdoor activities like jogging, cycling, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk along the shore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Marc Pickren: I want to extend my deepest appreciation to our operating partner, Marc Pickren. Marc’s strategic vision and operational expertise have been instrumental in transforming Agency 50. His leadership has been a driving force behind our successful pivot towards AI-powered solutions and productized services.

Maan Hamdan: A special thanks goes to Maan Hamdan, the owner of HEXA Global Ventures. As our mentor, innovation enthusiast, and fellow entrepreneur, Maan’s support since acquiring our company has been invaluable. His global perspective and resources have empowered us to expand our reach and accelerate our growth in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

The Agency 50 Team: I must acknowledge the incredible dedication and talent of my team at Agency 50. Their unwavering commitment, creativity, and adaptability have been the backbone of our success. Through the ups and downs of three decades in this industry, they’ve consistently risen to every challenge, embracing change and driving innovation.

Brenda Stoner: I want to recognize my PICKUP partner, Brenda Stoner. Our collaboration has led to numerous achievements and innovations in the logistics space. Brenda’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit have been crucial in our journey to revolutionize last-mile delivery and create a successful, disruptive business model.

These individuals and teams have played pivotal roles in our journey, contributing significantly to the success and growth of Agency 50 and our various ventures. Their support, expertise, and shared commitment to innovation have been crucial in navigating the complex and ever-changing landscape of marketing and technology.

Website: https://agency50.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a50marketing/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agency50/

Twitter: https://x.com/agency_50

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A50marketing

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Agency50

Other: Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/Agency_50/

Image Credits
None.