Meet John Hyland | CEO of 1DS Collective & Award Winning Marketer

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

Hi John, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve been an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember—always tinkering with ideas, always seeing possibilities. Growing up in a small beach town in Florida, I felt a constant pull toward something bigger. So I packed up what I could and took off for New York City with just a bag, determined to turn my dreams into a reality. It was exhilarating and a bit terrifying at the same time.

A few years later, I found myself in Los Angeles, where I started managing talent. That experience really opened my eyes to the power of media, storytelling, and genuine human connection. From there, I launched a self-help media company, and that spark of creation grew into several ventures—each one tied to media, marketing, or talent in some way.

No matter how many projects I take on, my guiding philosophy stays the same: “Create what you wish existed, and take really good care of people along the way.” For me, it’s never just about the product or service—it’s about who you build it with, who you build it for, and how well you treat them throughout the journey. That’s what truly drives the work we do at 1DS Collective.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I co-founded 1DS Collective with a simple yet ambitious goal: bring together the best of strategy, creativity, and the people with whom I built previous ventures with. We realized early on that many brands felt fragmented—hiring multiple agencies for different tasks, with each team working in its own silo. At 1DS Collective, we’ve made it our mission to eliminate those silos. We integrate data-driven insight with imaginative visual storytelling so that everything from branding and social media to launches and campaigns work in harmony.

But our name also carries a deeper meaning. 1DS stands for “1 Degree Shift.” We believe that it’s often the small, incremental adjustments that, when repeated consistently over time, lead to radically different outcomes. That’s how we approach each client and project: with the understanding that a well-placed pivot here or a thoughtful tweak there can steer an entire brand in a bold, new direction. And the second part of our name, Collective, reflects the group of incredible individuals that my partner Sam and I have collaborated with on countless past ventures. We wanted the best of the best—strategists, creatives, storytellers—together under one roof, creating digital experiences that feel both innovative and culturally relevant.

What sets us apart is this unified approach. We don’t just develop campaigns—we build ecosystems. Each project is fueled by understanding the heart of our clients’ brands, then applying real-world insights to help them forge a more impactful connection with their audience. It’s creative, measurable, and always rooted in authenticity. Along the way, we’ve earned recognition for our work, but what I’m most proud of is seeing our clients thrive and our team feel fulfilled.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Starting out, we were faced with numerous challenges: gaining credibility in a saturated market, building a strong internal culture, and keeping pace with rapidly changing digital tools. There were moments of self-doubt and trial-and-error, but we learned the power of adaptability. We refined our processes, made sure we hired for passion and potential (not just skill), and embraced CANI (Constant And Never-ending Improvement).

Through it all, the biggest lesson has been the importance of taking care of people—the clients we partner with, the audiences we engage, and the team that we’ve built. That’s the heartbeat of 1DS Collective. We want the world to know that beyond the awards or projects, we’re driven by a genuine desire to make an impact through culturally relevant storytelling, unique strategy, and compassion. If our story shows anything, it’s that when you invest in people and purpose, everything else follows naturally.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles, I’d want them to experience the spark that made me call this city home almost 12 years ago. We’d start with dinner at Mastro’s in Beverly Hills—there’s something about that classic steakhouse ambiance and their Manhattan’s that sets the stage for an unforgettable week. A must is the drive through Topanga Canyon toward Malibu, because that winding, coastal route is what sealed the deal for me years ago—it’s proof that LA is more than just neon lights; it’s a stunning blend of mountains, ocean, and blue sky. I’d take them to the Mulholland outlook at sunset and witness the city from above. Being there always puts the city and my life into perspective. If you’re lucky you can also hear some of the music billowing up from the Hollywood Bowl from the outlook… Always a plus!

For a taste of LA’s cool creative vibe, we’d stop at Felix in Venice. The handmade pasta, the energy, and the people capture a whole other side of the city. When it’s time to slow down, Casa Del Mar or Shutters on the Beach offer a waterfront escape that feels a million miles away from the hustle. To really immerse in LA’s history, though, there’s nowhere like The Beverly Hills Hotel. A stay—or even just a Niçoise Salad at the Polo Lounge—transports you back to Old Hollywood glamour. Ultimately, I’d want my friend to feel the city’s contrasts: the high-end luster alongside laid-back beach culture, and the iconic grandeur woven into everyday moments. It’s that balance that makes Los Angeles so one of a kind.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
—Isaac Newton

Behind every success story is an unmeasurable tapestry of influences, mentors, and moments that build us into who we are. At the heart of my journey, I carry the inspiration of my two children. Everything I do ,every venture, every late-night, fueled by my desire to show them that anything is possible if you’re willing to dream big and work hard.

I also have to give the biggest shoutout to my parents, who never once discouraged my bold (and sometimes wild) ideas. Their unwavering belief in me gave me the confidence to move cross-country more than once, guided solely by ambition and faith. Likewise, my brother, my business partner Sam, and my partner Charity have been my constant anchors. Whether celebrating a win or shouldering the immense weight of my ambition, they’ve been there every step of the way.

And finally, I’d be remiss not to mention the teachings that shaped my mindset—Tony Robbins’ insights, as well as classic books like How to Win Friends and Influence People and Think and Grow Rich. They have taught me, and constantly remind me, that with the right perspective, a genuine sense of purpose, and an unshakable resolve, we can move mountains.

None of these influences can be quantified, but collectively, they’ve made all the difference in my journey.

Website: www.1dscollective.com , www.1dsmgmt.com , www.1dsmax.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/J_hy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hyland