Agency Icons

Agency Icons brings you inside conversations with successful agency founders who've built profitable businesses without sacrificing the lifestyle freedom that drew them to entrepreneurship in the first place. You'll discover actionable insights on balancing profit, stability, and growth, plus the hard-won wisdom that only comes from years building agencies in the trenches. From profitability unlocks and client acquisition strategies to personal motivations and lifestyle design, these candid conversations deliver the proven frameworks you need to build both a successful business and the life you actually want. Host and agency veteran Eli Rubel interviews founders of marketing, creative, recruiting, and PR agencies who've scaled their agencies while maintaining intentional work-life integration. Each episode dives deep into the strategies, mindsets, and frameworks that separate thriving agencies from those just getting by. Whether you're launching your first agency, scaling to new heights, or optimizing what you've built, Agency Icons provides the real talk and tactical advice that moves the needle. New episodes weekly.

Former VP of Growth at Drift and Advisor to many, Guillaume “G” Cabane, on the mashup between Economic Market Dynamics and low-cost CAC strategies

In this conversation with Guillaume “G” Cabane, Co-Founder of HyperGrowth Partners, he talks about the mashup between economic market dynamo is and low-cost CAC strategies, his favorite examples of growth hacking, how he keeps his mind sharp, and the questions that listeners should be asking themselves.

09-15
22:17

Matt Young, CEO of UserVoice on the aha moments of the customer journey to solve pain points

In this conversation with Matt Young, CEO at UserVoice, he talks about retention and product. Today, you’ll hear about finding the a-ha moment, the customer journey, Matt’s top of mind thoughts around retention and product, the greater noise-to-signal in the industry today, the main problems Matt sees in companies doing user research, when and how to re-evaluate and recalibrate your value proposition, and the future of UserVoice. As a leader in SaaS, product management, and product management, Matt has been challenging what it means to deliver great SaaS products for over 20 years. Prior to his current role as CEO of UserVoice, he served as VP of Engineering and President of UserVoice, as VP and CTO at Vodori, and as a Senior Analyst at Duke University. Since 2020, Matt has been a Product School Featured Speaker. Matt holds a BSc in Computer Science from Syracuse University and an MSc in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Episode Outline [01:20] What’s most top of mind for Matt around retention and product? [02:21] The a-ha moment and the customer journey [05:35] Today’s greater noise-to-signal [07:37] Re-evaluating and recalibrating on your value proposition [09:27] Primary problems in companies’ user research [12:13] UserVoice today and in the future [14:48] Matt’s influential people

04-27
17:36

The emergence of Chief Growth Officers with Will Hicklen of EasyWorkforce

In this conversation with Will Hicklen, Chief Growth Officer of EasyWorkForce, he talks about growth. Today, you’ll hear about the evolving Chief Growth Officer role, Will’s key principles, things that get Will excited about EasyWorkForce, emerging people marketplaces, and the ways that Will keeps himself sane and energized. Will is a strategic growth specialist, a performance-driven innovator, HR tech expert, leader, and coach. Will holds a BA in Economics from Miami University. Episode Outline [01:00] The Chief Growth Officer role [04:01] Will’s key principles [09:05] Digital people marketplaces [12:06] What has Will excited? [14:16] How does Will keep himself sane? [17:32] Matt’s inspirational people

04-13
20:11

Andrew Hahn breaks down some of the most common misconceptions in scaling high-performing sales orgs

In this conversation with Andrew Hahn, Advisor at Savor Lining, he talks about growth, marketing, and sales. Hear about Andrew’s thoughts on the marriage of sales and marketing, his sales methodology, the most common cracks in sales, and failures that lead to growth. Episode Outline [01:03] Introducing Andrew [03:50] MQL’s are bullsh*t [05:40] Andrew’s sales methodology [08:10] Cracks in sales [11:19] “People don’t buy from people they like” [14:54] A failure that led to a moment of great growth [17:53] How does Andrew keep his energy levels high? [19:43] Andrew’s mentors

03-16
21:44

Kevin Marasco, CMO of Zenefits on the applications and automation of PLG

In this conversation with Kevin Marasco, CMO at Zenefits, he talks about growth and marketing. Hear about Zenefits’ pivot into a PLG motion, demand gen and organic channels, how Kevin shows up as his best self, and building a culture of experimentation. Episode Outline [01:39] The Zenefits journey [05:19] The opportunity for a PLG motion [09:29] Demand gen practices [11:57] The shift to organic [15:21] Experimentation [16:46] What Kevin does to stay fresh [20:12] Kevin’s motivational people

03-02
22:32

Rashmi Gopinath, General Partner at B Capital Group on the current market and the rapid acceleration of digital marketing

In this conversation with Rashmi Gopinath, General Partner at B Capital Group, she talks about enterprise software trends and industry benchmarks. Hear about some of the metrics that are dipping, the companies that are transitioning from traditional sales to a sales-assist motion, and how Rashmi keeps herself engaged in the industry. Episode Outline [00:36] B Capital Group [03:01] Surprises in the last 12 months [06:09] New low metrics [11:12] Traditional enterprises trying to be a PLG [13:02] Transitioning from traditional sales to sales-assist [16:48] What keeps Rashmi energized, interested, and engaged?

02-16
19:28

Box CMO, Chris Koehler, on generalists vs specialists, and the transition to hybrid marketing

In this conversation with Chris Koehler, CMO at Box, he talks about his fascinating career that has made him the person he is today. Hear about how Chris’s background has helped him think through customer journey, the future of events, the idea of shifting to sales-assist and PLG motions, Chris’s tactical tool chest, and how he keeps his head clear outside of work.

12-02
21:14

Chris Byers on using M&A as a strategic lever for growth

In this conversation with Chris Byers, CEO of Formstack, he talks about funding, acquisitions, and growth. Hear about Formstack’s five M&A’s, building a business without venture funding, and the importance of having mentors.

11-17
14:09

Naman Khan, CMO of Zeplin, on his approach to building and scaling marketing orgs from the ground up

In this conversation with Naman Khan, CMO at Zeplin, he talks about his journey to Zeplin, how people have been using Zeplin, and how he communicates Zeplin’s value as a first time CMO. Hear about the challenges Naman has faced, how he set out to build Zeplin’s early teams, and the things he does for fun.

10-19
25:58

Rich Taylor, VP of Operations and COS at Qualio, on approaching conversations, measuring success, and the fundamentals

In this conversation with Rich Taylor, VP of Marketing and Head of Business Operations at Qualio, he talks about his roles throughout his career, the new and interesting things in the industry that he wants to tinker with, and the influential people who have helped him get to where he is today. Hear about Rich’s lessons and strategies, his approach to conversations, how to measure investment success, and the importance of knowing the fundamentals.

10-04
23:19

Shane Murphy-Reuter, CMO of ZoomInfo, on the importance of setting your brand vision and the ‘Miley Moment’

In this conversation with Shane Murphy-Reuter, CMO of ZoomInfo, he talks about the importance of setting your brand vision well in advance, what a business’s “Miley moment” is, and the things that keep him awake at night. Hear about his experience with companies shifting from single-market to multi-market, the many inspiring people throughout his career, and how he manages to maintain some work-life balance.

08-16
20:44

Amy Guarino, VP of Ironclad, on shifting perspectives and advice to her younger self

In this conversation with Amy Guarino, VP of Global Alliances at Ironclad, Inc., she talks about her career, her thoughts on getting back to the new normal, and how the pandemic has allowed her perspective to shift. Hear about how she stays fresh outside of work, the influential people in her career, and get her advice to her younger self.

08-05
27:24

Paramita Bhattacharya, CMO of Blurb, shares on leadership and lessons learned along the way

In this conversation with Paramita Bhattacharya, CMO of Blurb, she talks about her career roles at various organizations, being named one of the Top 40 Women Leaders in SaaS, and how she keeps herself sane outside of her work. Hear about how she prioritizes team building, how her background affects her work, and get her advice to her younger self.

06-22
17:17

Randy Frisch, CMO at Uberflip on how and when to think about category creation

In this conversation with Randy Frisch, Co-Founder of Uberflip, he talks about category creation, the Uberflip timeline, and his journey into category creation. Hear about how content marketing in 2012 influenced Uberflip, the early ‘next steps list’, Uberflip events, and the future of Uberflip and the industry.

05-04
26:15

Sam Boonin, former VP Product Strategy at Zendesk on all things PLG and Product Marketing

In this conversation with Sam Boonin, Advisor at Front and Productboard, he talks about product marketing, product managers, the commoditization of marketing, and the quality of product marketing at trial-led sales assist companies. Hear how Sam maintains a work-life balance, and get his advice for young companies.

04-27
22:43

New Relic CMO Seema Kumar unpacks the myths of developer marketing and other strategies for hyper scale

In this conversation with Seema Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer at New Relic, Inc., she talks about her swift rise to top roles, and she addresses the myth that developers don’t like being marketed to. Hear about her DE&I process and plan, her advice for younger companies, and her thoughts on a work-life balance.

04-20
26:44

From $0-$80M ARR in 13 Months with Hopin CMO Anthony Kennada

In this conversation with Anthony Kennada, Chief Marketing Officer at Hopin, he talks about his impressive career so far, Hopin’s 15-month growth spurt, and how he views capturing the opportunity. Hear about how Anthony aims to solve the challenges of fast growth, the lessons learned from the pandemic, the future of the industry, and resetting his heart and health.

04-13
29:00

Greg Strickland on how to be a good human, while hyper scaling in SaaS

In this conversation with Greg Strickland, Start-up Advisor and Consultant, he talks about his journey leading up to his role as a CEO whisperer, the vital moments throughout his career, and the most common frustrations he has faced as advisor. Hear why companies fail with implementation, the recurring themes among startups, how Greg unwinds, and get some valuable advice.

04-09
25:34

Johanna Fagerstedt, CMO of Quinyx, shares thoughts on organizing a globally-distributed team for success amidst an uncertain climate

In this conversation with Johanna Fagerstedt, CMO at Quinyx, she talks about her career, how the Covid-19 Pandemic has affected her business, building conviction quickly, and the importance of stepping back to look at the bigger picture. Hear about how she organises and empowers a successful team situated all around the world, her budgeting and planning strategy for an uncertain 2021, and how she maintains a healthy work-life balance.

04-06
19:51

Jennifer Dimas, CMO at Qumu Corporation and Co-founder of Women in Revenue on blending analytical and creative aspects of marketing

In this conversation with Jennifer Dimas, CMO at Qumu Corporation, she talks about Women in Revenue, some challenges she’s faced, changing cadences, and the blending of analytical and creative aspects of marketing. Hear the changes that 2020 has brought in her business, how she keeps a work-life balance, and the inspirational people throughout her life.

03-31
24:36

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