Meet Brandon Ward | Founder & CEO of Palladin Technologies

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandon, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
There were 3 main reasons I started my own business.

The first is based on my professional experience:
From early on in my career, I was amazed at the rapid impact of technology on the economy, how we interact and how businesses are run. I witnessed this by first working with, then learning, and eventually diving into, Salesforce.com and CRM systems to help companies grow, reduce cost, and be ready for change.

The second is very personal – how I grew up:
My father was an entrepreneur. He ran several businesses, some successfully, and, unfortunately, others not so successfully. In college, I swore to myself I’d never start my own business, in order to avoid the “downside” of entrepreneurship. My family’s world collapsed after my father’s last unsuccessful venture & subsequent bankruptcy. We went from living in a nearly 10,000 square foot house when I was in high school to being homeless when I was a sophomore in college.

However, necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention…

The third was what every business owner needs – motivation!
In early 2016, I was laid off from a prior employer after switching jobs and had no way to earn a living! What is now a $10 million+ annual revenue company began at my kitchen table with a request for technology training on the Salesforce.com system.

Needless to say, I bought a Square reader, opened a bank account and accepted an American Express card…and had no idea of the journey to come….

Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention!

What should our readers know about your business?
What is a Palladin? A determined advocate or champion of a cause. Our clients’ success is our purpose, or cause.

What Does Palladin Tech Do?
We are a technology systems integrator. We help clients, large and small, get the most out of their investment in Salesforce.com, Snowflake, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and create meaningful, sustainable relationships with their customers.

Who Does Palladin Tech Help, and How?
Our stakeholders include our direct Clients, their customers, and our community.

With a large footprint in helping telecommunications systems innovate their technology, we participate in an industry that is expanding broadband access to all Americans. As 42 million Americans still lack broadband internet access, we, as a society, risk leaving many behind and losing out on potential innovators who could positively change and impact the lives of many others. While our work is very technical, connecting with this sense of mission gives our team purpose and motivation.

Lastly, we are a member of Pledge 1%. Pledge 1%’s mission is to help companies incorporate philanthropy into business by allocating 1% of resources, 1% of time, and/or 1% of profits to meaningful social causes.

We feel strongly that access to opportunity and resources, from broadband internet to education to clean water (all causes we support) helps level the playing field and connect us to one another.

Why Palladin Tech?
We know Salesforce, we know technology, and we know how to help our clients and, most importantly, their people get the most out of all of these!

Buying technology that nobody uses is extremely wasteful. By customizing the software for our clients’ business needs and driving user adoption, and a keen eye toward wonderful customer relationships, we create value and positive impact.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For entertainment, food or drink we’d have to visit Ponce City Market and/or Krog Street Market.

When I’m not working, one of my favorite activities is photography, specifically, analog large format photography with “old-timey” view cameras. As such, I find the following spots compelling on a visual basis:
– Oakland Cemetery for its serenity, gorgeous grounds and one-of-a-kind city views
– BAPS Atlanta Temple in Lilburn for gorgeous architecture
– Atlanta skyline for its iconic structures
– Once every six months (October and April), the view of the Atlanta Skyline, as seen from Stone Mountain, is breathtaking as the sun sets directly behind the Midtown neighborhood. It’s worth the hike up that granite slab!

For tourist attractions, we’d have to visit World of Coke,
World of Coke (must-do)

For a sports fan, taking in a Braves or United game is a fun way to hang out with teams that are competitive and exciting to watch.

For a relaxing time, visiting an arts & crafts festival is fun, as is a walk through L5P for the eclectic shops, bars and people-watching.

If there’s a musical artist in town, the Fox is a gorgeous place to watch from a nice seat, and Terminal West has a one-of-a-kind energy and great acoustics. Of course, the Tabernacle is a fantastic spot, as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank my family, especially my mother, sister, aunt, uncle and cousin, for always believing in me.

I’d also like to thank The College of William & Mary and Emory University for exceptional education, and helping to instill the courage in myself to persevere through all kinds of challenges.

Website: https://palladintech.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/palladin-technologies

Twitter: @PalladinTech

Other: Salesforce AppExchange: https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxConsultingListingDetail?listingId=a0N3A00000EJHUIUA5

Image Credits
Brandon Ward Palladin Technologies