My journey from Google to building businesses and investing in real estate.
Hey, I'm Ryan.
However you got here, thanks for being here.
I was born and raised in Boston but live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
I run Pivotal Consulting Group, a growth marketing agency I co-founded with James Murray. Just the two of us, plus an offshore VA—doing $1.5M in revenue at 95% margins. Before PCG, I spent 6 years at Google and 2 at Shopify leading sales teams. I learned how to sell, how to manage, and how the ads machine actually works. Leaving was the scariest and best decision I've made.
I also own 12 rental properties in Ann Arbor—38 units, 91 bedrooms, ~$20M in value. Been doing this since 2017. It's been a journey: I've been in court, I've been sued, I've had contractors ghost me mid-renovation. But I'm grateful for all of it. I focus on student rentals in historic neighborhoods (Kerrytown, Old West Side) and plan to hold forever. That's where the compounding magic happens.
I also run The Michigander, a local Ann Arbor newsletter we acquired in 2026. And I write a personal newsletter about building businesses and buying buildings—basically everything I'm learning along the way.
I live in Ann Arbor with my wife Jess and our dog Louie.
Started leading sales teams at Google, managing relationships with major advertisers and learning how the ads machine actually works from the inside.
Bought my first rental property in Ann Arbor while still at Google. The beginning of a real estate obsession.
After 6 years at Google, moved to Shopify to lead sales teams and get deeper into e-commerce.
Started Pivotal Consulting Group with James Murray on the side. Two ex-Googlers who got tired of watching agencies waste their clients' money.
Left Shopify to go all-in on PCG. Best decision I've made.
Got married in September. Living in Old West Side, Ann Arbor.
12 properties, 91 bedrooms, $20M portfolio value. Acquired The Michigander newsletter.
Expecting our first baby in June. The real reason I'm trying to systematize everything.