What made you want to do the work you do? Please share the full story.
I didn’t originally plan on working in marketing. I studied psychology and anthropology in college, and after graduating I realized there wasn’t a clear job path for either degree. That led me into sales, where I started working with marketing agencies and learned the industry from the ground up. Over time, I moved into more senior sales roles, but around 2008-2009, I became frustrated with how the agency I worked for was being run. I was making promises to clients that I didn’t feel confident the agency was consistently delivering on, and that created a real disconnect for me. Eventually, I left and realized I understood how to sell marketing services, so I decided to start my own agency. My goal was to build a company that actually does what it says it will do and focuses on real outcomes. That became the foundation for everything.
At the end of the day, what inspires me to keep doing this is responsibility. Clients and my team are depending on the business to deliver and stay stable, so I feel a strong obligation to make sure we follow through and keep improving.
Tell us 3 surprisingly easy and 3 surprisingly difficult things about your business.
Truthfully, nothing comes “easy”, but I think what really helped me was my experience in sales. Especially when starting out, my experience helped me sell somewhat easily, since I already understood the industry and how to position marketing services. Another is adapting to change in marketing over time; shifts like the move from traditional media to digital, and now AI, feel a little more natural once you’re used to the industry constantly evolving. The third is building trust with clients long-term. When you focus on doing what you say you’re going to do, that part tends to take care of itself over time.
Three surprisingly difficult things are much more operational. The hardest early challenge was being fully bootstrapped, meaning every dollar had to come from the next sale, which made growth decisions like hiring or investing in tools really tough. Another difficult part has been building the right team. Getting the right people in the right seats is critical, and when it’s off, it creates a lot of extra strain across everything else. The third is managing growth in a constantly changing industry, where strategies, platforms, and best practices are always shifting, which forces you to keep relearning and adjusting while still running the business day to day.
What are the 3 things you like best about your work and why?
What I like most about my work is seeing real results for clients, because it’s very clear when our efforts directly help another business grow. I also really enjoy building and working with a strong team, since having the right people in the right roles makes everything run smoother and more effectively. It’s especially rewarding to watch team members grow in their skills and take ownership of their work over time. Another thing I value is that marketing is always changing, which keeps the work interesting and forces us to constantly learn and adapt. Overall, I like that the work combines measurable impact, teamwork, and continuous learning all in one place.
What are your greatest 3 skills and how have they helped you succeed?
One of my greatest skills is understanding what clients need to know, need to hear, and how to get in front of the right audience. That has helped me throughout my career in both sales and marketing because it allows me to quickly identify the most effective path to reaching customers and driving action. It also has helped me bring in the right clients and create strategies that are focused on results.
Another strength is being a good listener and taking a consultative approach. I spend a lot of time understanding what a client is trying to accomplish instead of jumping straight to solutions. That has helped build trust and create long-term relationships because clients know we’re focused on what’s best for them, not just selling a service.
The third skill is adaptability. As a business owner, I’ve had to do a little bit of everything over the years and step into whatever role was needed at the time. That flexibility has helped the agency grow, navigate changes in the marketing industry, and continue delivering for clients even when challenges come up.
Tell us about a time where you saw a surprising outcome that you did not expect.
One surprising outcome has been the level of trust some of our clients have placed in us over the years. When I started the agency, I hoped we would build long-term relationships, but I never expected to have clients stay with us for well over a decade. Our longest retainer relationship is more than 16 years, which is something I’m incredibly proud of. In an industry where companies often switch agencies frequently, that kind of longevity is unusual. It reinforced my belief that if you focus on delivering results and doing what you say you’re going to do, clients will recognize the value and stick with you for the long haul.
Have you considered buying a business? Tell us about that experience.
Yes, we’ve acquired a few businesses over the years, including Adrenalin Sports Marketing, 11outof11, and Media 43. For us, acquisitions have never been about getting bigger for the sake of growth. They have been about adding expertise and services that help us better serve our clients. Each acquisition brought talented people and specialized knowledge that strengthened what we could offer as an agency. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success depends on finding the right fit, both culturally and strategically, and when those pieces align, and acquisition can create a lot of value for everyone involved.
What do you value most and why?
What I value most is trust. Our clients trust us with their business, their goals, and their marketing budgets, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I also have a team that trusts me to lead the company in a way that provides stability and opportunity for them. Trust is something that takes years to earn and can be lost quickly, so it’s something I work hard to protect every day. At the end of the day, strong relationships with clients, employees, and partners are built on trust, and that’s what makes long-term success possible.
What are 3 of your goals (could be mix of personal and professional)?
One of my goals is to continue identifying and integrating new marketing strategies and technologies in ways that create real value for clients, rather than just chasing trends. Another goal is to pursue additional strategic acquisitions when the right opportunities come along, allowing us to expand our expertise and service offerings. I also want to continue developing the next generation of leaders within the agency, so the business becomes stronger and less dependent on any one individual. Marketing changes constantly, and I believe long-term success comes from building an organization that can adapt, innovate, and thrive well into the future. The ultimate goal is to leave behind a business that continues to create value long after I’m no longer involved in the day-to-day operations.
What is your favorite movie and why?
My favorite movie is probably Brazil (the director’s cut!).
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
I would tell my younger self to be very careful about separating trends from what actually matters. In marketing, there is always a lot of noise, and a lot of people trying to sell easy answers. In reality, there are almost no easy answers. I would remind myself to be skeptical of anything that promises to replace the fundamentals, whether that is a new piece of software of something like AI that is supposed to solve everything automatically. Lasting success still comes from doing the fundamentals well and consistently delivering real value.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If yes, what is the best way to reach you?
Yes, I think it’s important to invest in helping the next generation of marketers and business owners learn the fundamentals. A lot of what I’ve learned came from real experience in the field, and I’m always open to sharing that with people who are serious about the work. Frankie Manes, our Social Media & Influencer Marketing Director, is often running internship programs that gives people hands on experience working in a real agency environment. It’s been a great way to help people grow while also bringing fresh energy and ideas into the agency. If you are interested, our contact form on our website is the best way to get in touch.
Just for fun, what is your favorite food?
Baked mostaccioli is probably my favorite. It’s a simple baked pasta dish I asked my mom to make for my birthdays when I was a kid. I learned to make it and I do during the holidays every year.