Ragsdale Madison
CEO Madison's Avenue

Madison's Avenue (originally, a full service advertising agency) was started in 1985 by 4 trust fund kids who needed to keep the money flowing from Mummy and Daddy. Each of us antied in $1,000 dollars and I volunteered to get the business cards printed and the buy the season tickets we all wanted to the Seattle Supersonics. We called the agency Madison's Avenue because that seemed as good a name as any. After the stationary was delivered, the City business clerk called me and asked (since we were a business partnership) if she could speak with 'Mr. Madison'. It was[more]

Madison's Avenue (originally, a full service advertising agency) was started in 1985 by 4 trust fund kids who needed to keep the money flowing from Mummy and Daddy. Each of us antied in $1,000 dollars and I volunteered to get the business cards printed and the buy the season tickets we all wanted to the Seattle Supersonics. We called the agency Madison's Avenue because that seemed as good a name as any. After the stationary was delivered, the City business clerk called me and asked (since we were a business partnership) if she could speak with 'Mr. Madison'. It was quickly discovered that there needed to be a Mr. Madison in the name of a partnership dba "Madison's Avenue". At the next basketball game it was decided I would change my name for $85 and assume the role of CEO. Although I lost access to my trust fund, I gained independance from Mummy and Daddy. Three years later, I'd quit clients: Microsoft, Chateau St. Michelle, Nalleys (pickles division), the Washington State Ferries System, the Mcdonald's franchises of greater Seattle, Barnaby's resturaunts and the Mitchelli resturaunts... cashed out my partners... found even better jobs for 17 employees... loaded my MGB convertable with stuff and drove south along the coast until I landed in San Diego and played polo for two years. The rest, as they say, is legend. [less]