The digital marketing landscape is a dynamic and ever-evolving frontier, demanding innovation and vision from those who dare to lead. Growth Skills CEO Lavall Chichester is one such name. A passionate self-taught marketer, his story feels like it’s straight out of a movie—born in Guyana, raised in Brooklyn, and the kind of guy who turned his dreams into reality. Picture him: a young Lavall, navigating the busy streets of New York, already brimming with ideas that would one day revolutionize digital marketing.
His path to the top began with a solid educational foundation. After receiving an English degree from Brooklyn College, Lavall burst onto the digital marketing scene, co-founding Growth Skills with his brother Lamont. And they didn’t just dip their toes in the water—they made waves. Chichester has worked with brands like Apple, Western Union, Simply Business, Kaiser Permanente, and others. Chichester earned a place on Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 List in 2015 and created Growth Skills to continue to drive innovation in digital marketing.
“There are only two relationships in Nature: Symbiotic and parasitic,” Lavall muses. “Humans and corporations can choose to be either. I’ve chosen to grow and nurture symbiotic relationships with friends, family, coworkers and clients. I also help connect people who I know would thrive together.” This philosophy has catapulted him to the top of his industry, earning his brand a solid reputation among industry heavyweights.
However, Lavall’s story isn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder. It’s deeply personal. Despite his professional progress, Lavall maintains close ties with his community, which he strives to uplift. Looking at his nonprofit efforts, it’s clear his heart is as big as his ambition.
With UrbanIncome.com, he turned his focus toward lifting up minorities and underserved communities, teaching them the ropes of financial literacy. And then there’s SpreadLove.org, a project that’s all about sending out anonymous messages of support in a world where online negativity can be overwhelming. In a digital world filled with toxicity, this is Lavall’s way of throwing a lifeline of positivity.
And accolades? They’ve come in droves, including nods from the U.S. Search Awards. Lavall is also an AdAge 40 Under 40 awardee and Search Engine Land SEO Innovation Landy Award Winner. But for Lavall, it’s not about the trophies on the shelf. It’s about the impact, the lives touched, and the communities uplifted. As digital marketing evolves with AI and beyond, he’s always thinking ten steps ahead, ensuring Growth Skills is not just part of the conversation but leading it.
“I’m a bare-knuckle Kyokushin Karate champion,” he explains. “I equate bare knuckle Karate to growing a startup. You have to embrace the suck, be fearless and stare the problem in front of you right in the eyes and solve it. I’ve learned that martial arts has very little to do with kicking and punching but everything to do with life.”
From taking startups to the digital stratosphere to touching lives through philanthropy, Lavall’s landing punch after punch. His focus is now on expanding his international horizons, and he has already established teams in Sofia, Bulgaria, Mexico City, and Miami, where he aims to bring Growth Skills’ innovative solutions and social initiatives to a broader audience. As Growth Skills expands globally, it’s clear Lavall is not just shaping the future of SEO; he’s crafting a legacy of positive change. And that is the kind of human impact entrepreneurs can aspire to.
Published by: Martin De Juan
