“Contrary to popular belief, creativity isn’t about visual design or artistic ability. We’re taught creativity is an innate gift, but it can be learned like any skill. Creativity in business is about problem-solving, inspiring others, and pivoting on dimes. And with a global pandemic whirling around us, all CEOs can benefit from developing their ingenuity.” — Russ Perry

Born and raised in Arizona, Russ Perry is the founder and CEO of the leading flat-rate graphic design and creative services company, Design Pickle. Perry graduated from Arizona State University with an Industrial Design degree in 2006, and shortly after, launched his own creative agency. After 9 trying years, he realized he was overextended and needed a change. Pulling inspiration from the idea that everyone should have access to seamless graphic design — a problem he often faced at his agency — and his love of pickles, Perry set out to build Design Pickle with zero outside funding in 2015. Through his leadership and commitment to the organization’s core values, Design Pickle has grown its network of creatives from 2 to 500 since its inception. In 2019, the company was ranked #345 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, and as of 2020, was again ranked (#748) on the list. Outside of his duties as a CEO, Perry is the author of The Sober Entrepreneur. He and his wife, Mika, reside in Scottsdale, Arizona with their 3 daughters.