Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Mahalis.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My professional journey has always revolved around business, entrepreneurship, and finding opportunities to build something of my own.
I started my career in business management, working my way into leadership roles with Wawa. Those experiences taught me a tremendous amount about operations, customer service, leadership, and what it really takes to run a successful business.
Over the years, I also had the opportunity to teach as an adjunct faculty member. I’ve always enjoyed learning about different industries, understanding how businesses operate, and sharing that knowledge with others.
In 2015, I started my own company, Colossal LLC, which eventually grew into ventures involving car sharing. Running those businesses gave me firsthand experience with the challenges entrepreneurs face, from managing day-to-day operations to attracting customers and finding ways to grow.
After nearly a decade, I decided it was time for a new chapter. In 2025, I transitioned out of those ventures and began looking for an opportunity that would allow me to combine my business experience with something I’ve always enjoyed: connecting with people and helping other businesses succeed.
That’s what led me to launch Vivid Digital Media.
Today, through Vivid Digital Media, I help businesses throughout Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia, and surrounding communities increase their visibility through indoor digital advertising and other digital marketing services, including social media management, Google Business Profile optimization, and website development.
One of the things I enjoy most about this business is the relationships. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many incredible local business owners through networking organizations, community events, and one-on-one conversations. Every business has its own story, challenges, and goals, and I genuinely enjoy learning about them.
Building Vivid Digital Media has been an exciting experience, but like any entrepreneurial venture, it comes with challenges. Growing a business takes persistence, patience, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. I’ve learned that firsthand throughout my career, and those lessons continue to shape how I approach things today.
My goal is to continue growing Vivid Digital Media while becoming a trusted resource for businesses in the communities we serve. I want to build a company that’s known not just for the services we provide, but for the relationships we develop and the value we bring to other local businesses.
Looking back, I don’t think I could have predicted the exact path my career would take, but each experience has helped prepare me for where I am today. And I’m excited to see where this next chapter leads.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think entrepreneurship is ever a completely smooth road, and my journey has certainly had its share of challenges.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is that being a business owner requires you to wear a lot of different hats. You’re responsible for everything from operations and finances to customer relationships, marketing, and business development. There are times when things are going incredibly well, and other times when you’re questioning whether you’re making the right decisions.
When I started my first business in 2015, there was a tremendous learning curve. Building and managing ventures in car sharing taught me a lot about problem-solving, adapting to unexpected challenges, and staying focused on the bigger picture. Not everything goes according to plan, and sometimes the most valuable lessons come from the things that don’t work out.
One of my more recent challenges has been transitioning into a completely different industry with Vivid Digital Media. Even with years of business and management experience, starting something new means rebuilding relationships, establishing credibility, and learning the nuances of a new market.
I’ve also had to push myself outside my comfort zone. I’ve always enjoyed meeting people and building genuine relationships, but actively promoting my own business, prospecting for new clients, and putting myself out there consistently has been a learning experience. It’s one thing to understand business development in theory, and another to be the person responsible for making it happen every day.
Another challenge is patience. As an entrepreneur, you naturally want to see results quickly, but building a sustainable business takes time. Not every conversation turns into an opportunity, not every proposal becomes a client, and sometimes you invest considerable time into something that doesn’t work out. Learning not to take those setbacks personally and continuing to move forward is incredibly important.
What has helped me most is remembering that every experience, whether positive or negative, is an opportunity to learn. I’ve become much more comfortable adapting, asking questions, and surrounding myself with people who have different experiences and perspectives.
I certainly don’t have everything figured out, and I don’t think any business owner ever truly does. But I’ve learned that consistency, resilience, and a willingness to keep improving can make a tremendous difference.
At the end of the day, the challenges are part of what makes entrepreneurship rewarding. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about building something of your own, seeing it grow, and knowing that the effort you put in directly influences the outcome.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Vivid Digital Media is a locally owned advertising and digital marketing company focused on helping businesses increase their visibility, strengthen their presence in the community, and connect with more potential customers.
One of the things I quickly realized when entering this industry is that there are so many incredible businesses offering great products and services, but sometimes their biggest challenge is simply getting noticed. I believe that if people don’t know your business exists, they can’t choose to do business with you. That’s really the foundation of what we’re trying to accomplish at Vivid Digital Media.
One of our primary specialties is indoor digital advertising. We have a growing network of digital advertising screens placed inside local businesses, including restaurants, fitness centers, retail establishments, and other high-traffic community locations. Through our network and partnerships, we currently have access to more than 60 advertising screens throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Philadelphia, with opportunities to reach additional surrounding markets.
These screens allow businesses to advertise in places where people are already spending time in their communities. Whether someone is grabbing dinner, visiting a local business, or working out at the gym, our goal is to help advertisers build recognition and stay top of mind with potential customers.
Beyond indoor advertising, we also offer a variety of digital marketing services, including social media management, Google Business Profile optimization, website development, and other digital advertising solutions.
What I particularly like about our business model is that we’re not limited to one form of marketing. Every business has different needs, goals, and budgets. Some businesses need greater local awareness, while others need help improving their online presence or maintaining consistent social media activity. We can work with businesses to identify services that make sense for their situation rather than trying to fit everyone into the same solution.
I also think our local relationships are an important part of what sets us apart. I’m actively involved in networking organizations and business communities throughout the region, and I genuinely enjoy getting to know the people behind the businesses. I want to understand what they do, what challenges they’re facing, and what they’re hoping to accomplish.
Another part of our business that I’m particularly proud of is our relationship with the establishments that host our advertising screens. These partnerships allow us to create opportunities for businesses to support and promote one another while helping advertisers reach people throughout the community.
As a business owner myself, I understand that marketing is an investment. Business owners work hard for their money, and they want to know that the services they’re paying for are providing value. I believe in being transparent about what we offer, setting realistic expectations, and building relationships that extend beyond simply signing an agreement.
What I’m most proud of is the foundation we’re building. Vivid Digital Media is still growing, but we’ve already had the opportunity to work with a variety of local businesses, develop meaningful relationships, and expand our advertising presence throughout the region.
Ultimately, I want Vivid Digital Media to become a trusted name in local advertising and digital marketing. I want business owners to know that when they work with us, they’re working with someone who genuinely cares about their success and understands the challenges of running a business.
For me, it’s not just about selling advertising space or providing marketing services. It’s about helping businesses become more visible, creating opportunities for growth, and contributing to the local business communities we’re fortunate to be part of.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey is that success in business is built on relationships, consistency, and a willingness to keep learning.
Early in my career, I focused heavily on operations, efficiency, and results. Those things are still incredibly important, but over time I’ve come to realize that the relationships you build along the way can be just as valuable as the business itself.
People want to work with people they know, like, and trust. Whether you’re managing a team, working with customers, or building partnerships with other business owners, taking the time to develop genuine relationships can open doors you never expected.
Another important lesson has been learning to embrace the uncomfortable parts of entrepreneurship. Starting and growing a business requires you to put yourself out there, take risks, hear the word “no,” and sometimes make decisions without knowing exactly how things will turn out.
I’ve also learned that success rarely happens overnight. It’s usually the result of small, consistent efforts that build on one another over time. Not every opportunity works out, and not every decision is going to be the right one, but there’s always something to learn from the experience.
Perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that you can never become too comfortable or assume you have everything figured out. Every stage of my career, from business management to entrepreneurship and now digital marketing, has challenged me to grow in different ways.
If there’s one piece of advice I’d share with someone starting their own business, it would be to invest in relationships, stay consistent, and never stop learning. Opportunities often come from places you least expect, and sometimes the connections you make along the way turn out to be more valuable than the opportunities you originally pursued.
Pricing:
- Indoor Digital Advertising: Packages starting at $200 per month for advertising across five locations.
- Google Business Profile Management: Starting at $350 per month, plus a one-time setup fee.
- Social Media Management: Starting at $600 per month, plus a one-time setup fee.
- Website Development: Basic one-page websites starting at $800.
- We also offer customized advertising packages and bundled marketing services depending on a business’s goals, target audience, and geographic reach.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vividmediateam.com
- Instagram: @vividteamgroup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vividmediateam
- Other: https://share.google/0au4cyURerCTjcgtG
