Ryan Kenneth Freeman
| Ryan Kenneth Freeman | |
|---|---|
 Ryan_Kenneth_Freeman.jpg Freeman in 2024 | |
| Born | January 16, 1977 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Canadian |
| 🏫 Education | Sheridan College (attended) |
| 💼 Occupation | President of Strider Youth Baseball Coach |
| Known for | Digital marketing for small businesses Youth baseball coaching in Toronto |
| 🌐 Website | ryanfreeman |
Ryan Kenneth Freeman (born January 16, 1977) is a Canadian marketing professional and youth baseball coach, known for his early contributions to online marketing for small businesses and for his pioneering role in youth baseball development in Toronto. He is the president of Strider, a digital marketing agency based in Toronto, and has worked extensively with independent florists and nonprofit organizations.
Early life and education
Freeman was born in Toronto, Ontario. He attended Martingrove Collegiate Institute and Silverthorn Collegiate Institute. He studied Business Administration – Accounting at Sheridan College in Brampton from 1996 to 1997, before leaving to pursue a career in technology and marketing.[1]
He began working at an early age in his family’s floral business, Martin’s, the Flower People, which was once Toronto's oldest family-owned florist. Though not a designer, he played a key role in marketing, technology, and operational modernization.[2]
Career
Marketing and business
Freeman began working professionally in high school, offering services in PC building, web design, and digital marketing from 1994 to 2008. He helped small businesses transition to the digital space and became an early adopter of local SEO strategies.[1]
In the late 1990s, he founded Strider, a Toronto-based marketing agency serving clients across Canada and the U.S., with a focus on independent florists and nonprofit organizations.[3]
He has consulted for floral technology companies including Teleflora (POS systems), FTD, McShan Abner Systems, and Meditech, offering marketing strategies for retail success in the floral and healthcare sectors.[1]
In 2008, he received the Bruce Clay International SEO Award for excellence in search engine optimization.[3]
Baseball coaching
Freeman has coached youth baseball in Toronto for over two decades, working with players from T-ball to 18U. He was the first coach in the city to receive both Driveline Hitting and Youth Baseball Development certifications.[4]
He is currently active with the 15U division at Bloordale Baseball. He holds coaching credentials from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Baseball Ontario’s NCCP program. His coaching emphasizes long-term skill development over short-term wins.[4]
Community involvement
Freeman was a founding member of Grace Fellowship Church of West Toronto, where he served as a deacon for over ten years. His company, Strider, has supported various nonprofit and faith-based initiatives with free or discounted marketing services.[2]
Awards and recognition
- Bruce Clay International SEO Award (2008)[3]
- Special Recognition, Great Lakes Floral Association (2018)[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Ryan Freeman: Shaping Local Impact Through Digital Strategy and Athletic Development". IndiBlogHub. June 26, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ryan Freeman: A Lifelong Commitment to Community Impact". South Africa Today. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Get to Know Ryan Freeman, President of Strider". RankWatch. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Coach Ryan Freeman – Experienced Baseball Coach". RyanFreeman.ca. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
