Ryan Freeman: Shaping Local Impact Through Digital Strategy and Athletic Development

Ryan Kenneth Freeman is a Canadian marketing expert and youth baseball coach whose work has left a strong mark on both business and community sports. Born in Toronto, Ontario, on January 16, 1977, Freeman grew up surrounded by the values of family business and service. His early exposure to customer-focused work at his family's flower shop would eventually lead him into the world of digital marketing. At the same time, his dedication to developing young athletes would grow into a long and respected career in baseball coaching.

Freeman's education began at Martingrove Collegiate Institute and later continued at Silverthorn Collegiate Institute. He then attended Sheridan College in Brampton in 1996, where he studied Business Administration with a focus on accounting. Although he left college early, it was not due to a lack of drive. Instead, it was the start of a practical journey into marketing and technology that allowed him to apply what he had learned in real time. At a time when digital solutions were still new for many small businesses, Freeman was already helping them understand the power of an online presence.

While still in high school, Freeman began working as a sales representative and quickly developed skills in client service and problem solving. From 1994 to 2008, he worked independently in areas such as custom PC building, web design, and early digital marketing. He helped countless small businesses build websites, attract customers through search engines, and adapt to the growing digital marketplace. His practical and results-driven style earned him the trust of business owners who were just beginning to explore online tools. Freeman did not overpromise. Instead, he educated his clients, guided them step by step, and offered strategies they could understand and manage on their own.

That same thoughtful approach led Freeman to create his own marketing agency called Strider. Based in Toronto, Strider was established during the early stages of the internet boom in the 1990s. The agency was built to serve clients in a wide range of industries, with a strong focus on retail florists and nonprofit organizations. Freeman's background in his family’s floral business gave him unique insight into the challenges florists faced when trying to stay competitive in a changing market. Though not a floral designer himself, Freeman had grown up working at Martin's, the Flower People, which was once the oldest family-owned florist in Toronto. He handled marketing, operations, and technology for the shop and was closely involved in helping it modernize. These experiences gave him the tools to help other florists succeed in a digital world.

Freeman’s influence in the floral industry extended well beyond his own shop. He became a trusted consultant for several major floral technology companies. He worked with Teleflora on point of sale systems, offered digital advice to FTD, supported McShan Abner Systems, and contributed marketing guidance for Meditech in the field of laser therapy. He also became a respected educator within the industry, offering training sessions and strategy plans that helped florists learn how to reach more customers online. Many business owners credit him for helping them stay open during tough times by showing them practical digital tools that matched their budgets and needs.

His work did not go unnoticed. In 2008, Freeman received the Bruce Clay International SEO Award for his outstanding work in search engine optimization. A decade later, in 2018, the Great Lakes Floral Association gave him special recognition for his continued service to the floral community. These awards reflect his strong reputation in a specialized field and his lasting commitment to small businesses.

Outside of the business world, Freeman has spent over twenty years as a dedicated youth baseball coach. His coaching journey began with a simple love for the game but quickly became a serious and long-term part of his life. Over the years, he has coached a wide range of age groups, from young children in T-ball to teenagers up to 18U. He is currently coaching 15U teams at Bloordale Baseball and remains very active in local leagues. Freeman was the first coach in Toronto to receive Driveline Hitting certification, followed by certification in Driveline Youth Baseball Development. These programs are known for using data and modern training techniques to improve player performance. Freeman combined these tools with his personal coaching values that focus on long-term development, growth through effort, and learning from failure. For him, the goal is not just to win games but to help players build confidence, discipline, and a strong foundation that serves them on and off the field.

He is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and is certified through Baseball Ontario’s NCCP program. These credentials reflect his professionalism and his drive to improve as a coach. His training plans are known for balancing skill work with character building. Parents and players respect his approach because it encourages patience, resilience, and a love of learning. His influence has helped many young athletes not only grow in the sport but also gain important life skills.

Freeman's dedication to community service goes beyond coaching. He was one of the founding members of Grace Fellowship Church of West Toronto and served as a deacon for more than ten years. In that role, he helped with community outreach and offered steady support to church members. His marketing agency, Strider, has continued that legacy by offering free or discounted marketing services to nonprofit and faith- based organizations. Freeman believes that good strategy should not be limited to those with large budgets, and his work reflects that principle. Whether it is a small church trying to raise awareness or a charity working to grow support, Freeman has provided his skills to help them succeed.

Throughout his career, Ryan Freeman has shown that success is not just about growing a business or winning a game. It is about lifting up others with the tools and experience you have, whether in a boardroom, a shop, a dugout, or a church. He leads with a quiet confidence, never chasing headlines but always showing up prepared, consistent, and focused. His impact in digital marketing and baseball coaching continues to shape local communities in Toronto and beyond. The story of Ryan Freeman proves that with purpose, patience, and a clear vision, one person can make a meaningful difference in more than one field at a time.