For years, people have told me the same thing.
"You should build a marketing agency."
It’s often presented as the obvious next step. Hire employees. Rent an office. Take on more clients. Build a bigger business.
On paper, it sounds like success.
But it was never the business I wanted.
Bigger Isn't Always Better
I’ve worked with agencies. I’ve worked inside marketing departments. I’ve worked alongside talented teams.
There are incredible agencies doing outstanding work.
But I also saw something else.
Layers.
Account managers relaying messages between clients and marketers. Junior staff doing work they weren’t quite ready for. Meetings about meetings. Billable hours. Overhead. Processes that existed more to support the agency than the client.
Some businesses need that.
Many small businesses don’t.
I didn’t build the biggest marketing business I could. I built the one I wanted to wake up to every morning.
I Wanted Something Different
When someone hires me, they’re hiring me.
Not an account executive.
Not a project coordinator.
Not an intern.
The person who develops the strategy is the same person writing the content, reviewing the website, building the automation, analyzing the data, and making recommendations.
Nothing gets lost in translation because there isn’t anyone translating it.
I know every project inside and out because I’m involved in every part of it.
That continuity creates better work—and a better experience for my clients.
My Clients Shouldn't Pay for My Overhead
One of the biggest advantages of staying independent is simple.
Clients pay for expertise—not layers of management.
They aren’t funding office space, multiple salaries, or a complicated organizational chart.
They’re investing in thoughtful strategy, hands-on execution, and someone who genuinely cares about the outcome.
That’s exactly how I want it.
Abby Keeps Me Honest
My miniature schnauzer, Abby, has no idea what a marketing strategy is.
She doesn’t care how many clients I have, how many hours I worked this week, or whether my business is growing.
She just knows when it’s time for our morning walk.
Every day, she reminds me that success isn’t measured only by bigger numbers. It’s also measured by whether you’ve built a life that leaves room for the people—and dogs—you love.
One of the reasons I never wanted to build a large agency is because I didn’t want to spend my life managing people instead of doing work I enjoy. I wanted flexibility. I wanted balance. I wanted to be able to step away for an hour, throw a tennis ball, clear my head, and come back with better ideas.
Oddly enough, that’s made me a better marketer.
My Business Was Built on Purpose
Could I build an agency?
Probably.
Do I want to?
No.
I built this business intentionally.
It’s designed to give small businesses experienced marketing leadership without the cost, complexity, or bureaucracy of a traditional agency.
It’s personal.
It’s collaborative.
It’s practical.
And that’s exactly the kind of business I always hoped to build.
Success, to me, looks like:
- Helping businesses solve meaningful problems
- Building marketing systems that actually make life easier
- Knowing my clients personally
- Answering their emails myself
- Being proud of every project that leaves my desk
Thanks for reading!
I don’t write many personal articles, but every once in a while I like sharing the “why” behind my business. If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts—or perhaps work together.
— Brittany
