Some entrepreneurs follow trends. Marty Brickey built a career by going the other way.
“I’ve always been drawn to things that don’t look obvious at first,” he says. “That’s usually where the real opportunity is.”
Brickey’s path started with a foundation in business. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Missouri State University. But his real education came from experience. Early on, he learned how to spot value in overlooked ideas and turn them into real businesses.
That mindset would define everything that followed.
Brickey grew up moving across the country due to his father’s job. That constant change shaped how he sees the world.
“You learn to adapt fast when you’re always the new kid,” he says. “You also learn to pay attention.”
As a teenager, he spent time in Colorado. He developed a love for the mountains and skiing. That sense of exploration stayed with him into adulthood.
It shows up not just in his hobbies, but in how he approaches business.
In 2002, Brickey founded Layne Morgan Media. At the time, educational content looked very different than it does today.
He saw an opening.
“We realized that people learn better when they’re engaged,” he says. “So we asked, why not use storytelling and visuals?”
The company focused on educational graphic novels. It was a niche idea at the time. But it worked.
Layne Morgan Media went on to produce educational graphic novel material for The McGraw-Hill Companies. That partnership helped validate the model and scale the business.
“It wasn’t just about making content,” Brickey explains. “It was about making learning stick.”
After success in publishing, Brickey shifted into a new space: video games.
He founded Flyover Entertainment, which included Secret Lair Studios, Grumpy Ninja Studios, and Studio Chi’n in China. The move was another example of his willingness to step into unfamiliar territory.
“Games are just another form of storytelling,” he says. “But they’re interactive. That changes everything.”
The studios grew quickly. Their work gained attention. Soon, they were acquired by Vivendi Universal.
That acquisition helped form the backbone of what became Sierra Online. It also contributed to the early structure of Activision Blizzard’s Chinese division.
“We were building something global before that was common,” Brickey says. “It forced us to think bigger.”
Across his ventures, Brickey has often taken on CEO and senior management roles. His leadership style focuses on clarity and adaptability.
“You can’t control everything,” he says. “But you can control how you respond.”
He believes strong teams are built on trust and clear direction. He also values speed.
“Decisions don’t get easier with time,” he adds. “You just get more information. At some point, you have to move.”
That approach helped him scale companies across different industries. It also made him a valuable advisor and board member.
After building and exiting companies, Brickey expanded into investing and advising.
One example is Gasworks Games, which was later acquired by Zynga. His role often involves helping teams refine their strategy and avoid common mistakes.
“I try to give founders perspective,” he says. “Sometimes you’re too close to your own idea.”
He focuses on businesses that combine technology with real-world impact. That includes software and platforms that solve clear problems.
“Technology is just a tool,” Brickey explains. “What matters is what you do with it.”
Today, Brickey continues to work in technology and software. But his focus has expanded beyond business growth.
He is deeply committed to helping veterans deal with PTSD, anxiety, and trauma. He supports efforts that use technology to reduce suicide rates.
“That’s work that matters,” he says. “If you can build something that helps people at that level, it changes how you measure success.”
His approach blends innovation with purpose. It reflects a broader shift in how he defines impact.
Brickey’s interests reflect the same drive for challenge and exploration.
He is a pilot with over 4,000 flight hours. He also enjoys technical wreck diving, one of the most demanding forms of scuba diving.
“There’s a level of focus required,” he says. “You can’t be distracted.”
He cycles several days a week and values time with his family. These activities provide balance to a career that has spanned multiple industries.
Looking back, a few themes stand out.
He builds in spaces that others overlook.
He adapts quickly to change.
And he connects technology with real-world outcomes.
“I don’t think about industries as much as I think about problems,” he says. “If something needs to be solved, that’s where I want to be.”
That mindset has carried him from publishing to gaming to technology and beyond.
And it continues to guide what he does next.
Read more:
Marty Brickey: Building Opportunity Where Others Don’t Look
