64 Marketing Agency Success Stories [2024]
Marketing agencies can be a great option for businesses looking to advertise in different ways. For businesses, hiring a marketing company can help them achieve success as they don't have to spend money on employees or needed equipment. Marketing agencies are not inexpensive and there are many different variables that come into play when deciding which one is the best fit for your business.
You want to start a marketing agency, but don't know where to begin. You're not alone, there are thousands of entrepreneurs across the globe that have the same ambition. Luckily for you, compiled a list of how other agencies were able to grow their agency and scale effectively.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a marketing agency:
1. Madwire ($102M/year)
JB Kellogg, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Madwire, came up with the idea for his business while interning at a travel magazine company. After realizing his talent for website design and seeing the potential for helping businesses grow through digital marketing, JB and his father decided to start Madwire and grew it into a company with over 500 employees and $100 million in annual revenue in less than 10 years. Their mission is to help small businesses grow and make a difference in their local communities.
How much they make: $102M/year
Current team size: 520
Co-founder of Madwire JB Kellogg grew his business from just the two of them in a tiny office to over 500 employees and $100 million in annual revenue in under 10 years, by focusing on exceptional customer service and a multi-channel inbound strategy.
2. Draft.dev ($1.08M/year)
Karl started his business, Draft, after feeling bored in his previous job. Combining his skills as a software engineer and his passion for writing, he decided to offer technical content to software engineering blogs on a subscription basis. With a focus on building trust and leveraging his network, Karl quickly found success with his business, on track to bring in $10,000 in recurring revenue in just his third month.
How much they make: $1.08M/year
How much did it cost to start: $600
Current team size: 6
Draft founder, Karl, built a productized service for technical content, generating $10k in (mostly) recurring revenue in just three months of running the business, showing the success of skill-stacking and the impact of word of mouth and maintaining a strong network in a service business.
So... can you actually make money with a marketing agency?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. DFY Meetings ($720K/year)
Michael Gardiner, a 20-year-old serial entrepreneur, came up with the idea for his digital marketing agency, Nomads with Solutions, after successfully growing a network of Instagram accounts to over 1 million followers. Leveraging his experience in social media marketing and management, he started the agency and has since built a multiyear safety net while traveling to over 20 countries. The agency's main services include Facebook and Google advertising, as well as social media marketing and management, which have consistently brought in the majority of their revenue.
How much they make: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 15
A 20-year-old digital nomad and serial entrepreneur shares his journey of starting a successful digital marketing agency, Nomads with Solutions, which specializes in Facebook lead generation, and offers insights on client acquisition, personal branding, and focusing on self-improvement.
4. Cartology ($516K/year)
Michael Maher, a musician turned business owner, came up with the idea for his Amazon service agency after facing difficulties with his own product-based business on the platform. Realizing the need for Amazon-specific work, he pivoted into freelance and consulting work, eventually growing his agency to a remote team of 12 people serving clients worldwide. Through LinkedIn, Maher was able to attract and retain customers by creating content and videos that showcased his expertise and helped grow his agency's presence.
How much they make: $516K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 7
A service agency that helps brands grow their business on Amazon saw a 300% YoY growth, averaging $25k a month in revenue and profits of approx. 30-40%, after restructuring pricing and realizing that their service was more valuable than they gave it credit.
So... can you actually make money with a marketing agency?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Maverick Media Lab ($120K/year)
Gilberto, the founder of Maverick Media Lab, grew up in an immigrant family in the US with a desire for financial independence. After working for a marketing agency and refining his skills, he ventured out on his own to create a service that would help businesses generate more referrals. By focusing on using LinkedIn and email to expand clients' networks of referral partners, Maverick Media Lab has grown rapidly and is projected to double its current revenue of $10k/month in the next six months.
How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 0
Gilberto, founder of Maverick Media Lab, shares his success story of generating $10k/month through his productized Referral Connector System, which helps businesses enter the online marketing space without large advertising costs.
6. DSM ($6M/year)
Darren Magarro started DSM, a full-service marketing and PR firm, in 2007 with just a laptop and some IKEA furniture on his front porch. Through smart money management and building trust with clients, DSM has grown by 334% since 2014 and currently boasts 18 employees and a new 6,600 sq. ft. office. With a focus on staying efficient and being the best in their home state of New Jersey, DSM is experiencing its best year yet with 128% revenue growth.
How much they make: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 14
This case study follows the journey of Darren Magarro, who started DSM, a full-service marketing and PR firm from his porch with just a laptop and IKEA furniture, and has since grown it to 18 employees with 334% growth since 2014, utilizing organic and paid digital media, traditional media, and a full-service creative team.
So... can you actually make money with a marketing agency?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. TribalVision ($8.4M/year)
Chris Ciunci, the founder of TribalVision, came up with the idea for his business while working as the CMO of a Federal Savings Bank. He was constantly approached by creative agencies, but their recommendations didn't align with the bank's data-driven decisions. This disconnect inspired Chris to start a different type of marketing firm that focuses on lead generation and tailors strategies to clients' needs. Today, TribalVision is a rapidly growing marketing agency with a roster of over 80 clients and 75 full-time marketing specialists.
How much they make: $8.4M/year
Current team size: 70
Marketing agency TribalVision grew from a one-man shop to one of the top marketing agencies in Rhode Island and the Boston market, serving over 80 clients and employing 75 full-time marketing specialists, by aligning with clients' needs and focusing on lead generation with online marketing tactics.
8. Impressions Agency ($1.2M/year)
Travis and his wife started Impressions Agency while on their honeymoon in Costa Rica, with the initial goal of making $800 per month. They began by offering affordable online marketing services, but quickly realized the need to provide a more comprehensive solution. Through hard work and a focus on customer service, Impressions has grown into a successful digital marketing agency.
How much they make: $1.2M/year
Current team size: 20
From a honeymoon in Costa Rica to a successful global digital marketing agency generating $100k a month, Travis Richardson shares his journey of building Impressions Agency without taking any loans or money from friends by keeping costs low, adapting quickly, testing out new strategies that produce results, and focusing on building long-term customer relationships.
9. Visiture ($10.8M/year)
Brian Cohen, the founder of Visiture, came up with the idea for his eCommerce marketing agency after selling his previous businesses and gaining experience in online marketing. Fueled by his passion for eCommerce, Cohen and his partner decided to focus on working with eCommerce brands and began marketing through PPC ads and content marketing, ultimately leading to the growth and success of Visiture.
How much they make: $10.8M/year
Current team size: 100
eCommerce marketing agency Visiture has achieved impressive growth, with revenues up 84% YoY, exceeding $1m monthly recurring revenue, representing more than 140 merchants including Spanx and BarkBox, and landing at #753 on the 2019 Inc. 5000 list; CEO Brian Cohen advises startups to concentrate on one core service line, work with well-known brands and to use content marketing to establish expertise.
10. Entrepreneur Business Blog ($156K/year)
Emenike Emmanuel, the founder of Entrepreneur Business Blog, came up with the idea after seeing the success of other bloggers like Jon Morrow and Pat Flynn. With a desire to build a profitable business and escape unemployment, Emmanuel launched his blog during his one-year service with the National Youth Service Corps. Despite financial constraints and health issues, Emmanuel persevered and built a loyal audience through guest posting and a Twitter growth challenge, ultimately generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+.
How much they make: $156K/year
Current team size: 6
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
11. Jakt ($3.6M/year)
Anthony Tumbiolo, founder of Jakt, started the business after running an events business and teaching himself how to code in college. He realized he loved helping other businesses succeed and saw the potential to impact many people by creating software for them. Jakt started with a six-month contract from their first client, and they have since grown their business through referrals and strategic channel partnerships. In 2018, they achieved $4 million in revenue with a 20% profit margin.
How much they make: $3.6M/year
Current team size: 15
Jakt, a digital product and innovation studio based in NYC, works with both startups and large enterprises, operating on a revenue of $4 million in 2018 with a 20% profit margin, with focus on referrals and channel partnerships to attract and retain clients.
12. Half a Bubble Out ($1.18M/year)
Michael and Kathryn Redman, childhood friends turned spouses, founded Half A Bubble Out 18 years ago as a marketing and advertising agency. They later established HaBO Village, a membership website that helps leaders build successful companies. Through their expertise and experience, they have generated millions of dollars for their clients across various industries, and are now focused on helping businesses find clarity and success through their strategic direction and coaching services.
How much they make: $1.18M/year
Current team size: 8
Half A Bubble Out is a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in Chico, California that has helped business leaders around the world grow their companies through traditional and digital marketing, business coaching, and leadership development, making millions of dollars for their clients across industries such as property management, medical, agriculture, and various nonprofits.
13. Tribecto Automations ($120K/year)
Sam Wilcox, the founder of Tribecto Automations, came up with the idea for his business while working at InvisiblePPC, where he re-designed and rebuilt sales processes using CRM and automation tools. He started doing consulting as a side gig, and after 12 months of hard work, Tribecto was making more than his full-time role. Eventually, he decided to take the chance and run Tribecto Automations full-time, leading to consistent growth and profitability.
How much they make: $120K/year
Current team size: 0
Tribecto Automations re-designed sales and marketing processes for B2B companies, growing from $5k/month to $10k/month, through creating a defined productized service model and using specific software tools for email marketing, CRM, webhooks and Zapier.
14. Tao Digital Marketing ($480K/year)
Matt Tomkin, founder of Tao Digital Marketing, came up with the idea for his business after experiencing frustrations with other agencies' lack of communication and understanding of a business's goals. With his background in owning and running businesses, Matt knew the importance of delivering tangible results and effective communication. He validated the need for his services and gained knowledge by working with a freelance client, leading him to start Tao Digital Marketing and achieve monthly revenues of £12-15k with a team of 4.
How much they make: $480K/year
Current team size: 6
Tao Digital Marketing, a search engine marketing specialist agency based in the UK, grew from a side gig to a £12-15k per month business with a team of four, helping B2B clients with their organic search service or SEO and becoming a Google partner.
15. Bryn Elizabeth Co. ($15.6K/year)
Bryn Bonino, founder of Bryn Elizabeth Co., came up with the idea for her business after working as a marketing coach for creative micro-business owners. She witnessed their struggles to carry out marketing strategies and decided to create a hybrid model where she builds a strategic and tactical digital marketing system for her clients and then trains them on how to use it. With her expertise in digital marketing and her personal experience with challenges in life, Bryn validated her idea and has since been able to charge four times her salaried hourly rate and attract more clients than she can handle.
How much they make: $15.6K/year
Current team size: 1
Bryn Bonino founded a company that helps micro-businesses connect with their ideal clients, averaging $1,300 per month since shifting from an hourly consultant to offering entire packages to help clients meet their business goals.
16. Kreatix ($120K/year)
Oliver Op de Beeck and William Matthynssens started Kreatix, a digital/marketing agency, while in university to supplement their studies. They attracted their first client through a Facebook post and built a successful business through word-of-mouth marketing, showcasing their human side and commitment to understanding their clients. They have now built a solid foundation and attract daily leads through their inbound marketing strategy, with plans to become one of the top agencies in their province.
How much they make: $120K/year
Current team size: 2
Two friends started a digital marketing agency, Kreatix, from their shared love of the internet, and built a thriving business with over 150 clients using inbound leads and storytelling on social media platforms despite having not studied in the field.
17. Smart Yeti Creative Agency ($96K/year)
Jeremy Kanne, founder of Smart Yeti, came up with the idea for his creative agency after realizing that technical companies needed help with messaging and marketing. With his background in civil engineering and a creative streak, Jeremy decided to combine his skills and provide affordable, high-quality services to these companies. The focus on technical clients and the introduction of retainer engagements have helped Smart Yeti attract and retain customers, leading to steady revenue growth of $1-2k per month.
How much they make: $96K/year
Current team size: 1
Smart Yeti is a successful creative agency offering fractional access to marketing services to highly technical companies and has seen YoY growth of 40%, with an average lifetime value of its customer of $50k in revenue.
18. Good Chance ($240K/year)
to my old office to pick out a few things I forgot, and I treated myself to - you guessed it - a venti Starbucks iced coffee. I posted on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn that Good Chance Creative was starting to take on clients. I used some of the photos I had taken previously as examples of my work. I sent text messages to friends whose businesses I thought could benefit from my services. And then I waited. Not for long, though! I received my first client inquiry within a couple of hours. It was a friend of a friend who had a small online boutique. She loved my photos and wanted to hire me for product photography and social media management. From there, it was a domino effect. Word spread, referrals came in, and I started to build my client list. It was a slow and steady process in the beginning, but I was grateful for each and every client who trusted me with their social media presence. As the years went by, I continued to refine and expand my services, and here I am today, running a successful full-service social media creative agency.
How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 1
This case study follows Kelsey Chance and her creative agency, Good Chance Creative, which specializes in social media content creation, and in just 3 years she has grown her one-woman business to make $20,000 in monthly revenue through a niche in small in-house marketing teams and start-ups managing their social content, with key services including lifestyle brand photography, social media account management, copywriting, and eCommerce strategy consulting.
19. Never Settle ($1.8M/year)
Kenn Kelly, co-founder of Never Settle, came up with the idea for the digital agency after experiencing the ups and downs of the tech startup world. He realized the importance of taking care of people and decided to create a company that values and empowers both clients and staff. With a focus on service and building long-lasting relationships, Never Settle has become a globally recognized leader in mobile, website, and marketing solutions, completing over 1,000 projects in seven years.
How much they make: $1.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 15
Never Settle, a digital agency with over 1,000 completed projects and a focus on lean methodology and building relationships with clients, has made a name for itself in the eCommerce space, offering comprehensive solutions to businesses of all sizes while maintaining consistent and moderate growth.
20. Vivid Candi, Inc. ($840K/year)
Chris Wizner, the founder and CEO of Vivid Candi, came up with the idea for his digital tech agency at the age of 16. He started by selling graphic design services to neighbors and locals and gradually grew his client base. Through networking events and his willingness to work hard, he was able to land prestigious clients like Pepperdine University and build his business into a successful venture.
How much they make: $840K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50
Current team size: 11
Founder and CEO Chris Wizner started Vivid Candi, a full-service digital tech agency, at age 16 with only a $300 Taco Bell paycheck as capital, and now the agency has been running for over 22 years with 10+ employees and an impressive clientele, thanks to networking, Google Adwords, SEO, and selective, quality relationships with clients.
21. VastGG ($480K/year)
Trey Christensen and Cody Reese started VastGG after realizing the value of running giveaway campaigns for top influencers and brands in the gaming and esports industries. By leveraging their connections and passion for gaming, they grew Vast into a large-scale giveaway marketing agency, generating over $30k in revenue per month and working with clients like Ninja, Sodapoppin, and NRG. Their success came from offering their services for free initially, proving the results, and then converting clients to paying customers.
How much they make: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 6
VastGG founders Trey Christensen and Cody Reese have built a multiplayer gaming giveaway marketing agency generating over $30k per month with 1.95 million subscribers to their newsletter and over 2 million social followers.
22. The Links Guy ($300K/year)
Amit, the founder of The Links Guy, stumbled upon the world of SEO and link building while working as a pharmacist. Frustrated with the lack of opportunities in the pharmacy industry, he decided to pursue his passion for digital marketing and started offering custom-built link-building campaigns. Through hard work, determination, and a focus on exceptional quality and customer service, The Links Guy has attracted and retained clients, landing links on major media outlets like MIT and Business Insider.
How much they make: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $200
Current team size: 10
How the founder of a digital PR agency honed his link-building skills to build a stable and fruitful business, attracting clients from tech-focused industries, expanding in size, and working with huge publications like Business Insider and The Kitchn.
23. Prime Marketing Experts ($108K/year)
Michael Krieger, the founder of Prime Marketing Experts, was inspired to start his business after developing a passion for marketing and website building through his involvement with a healthcare nonprofit organization. Recognizing the demand for digital marketing and website development services, he rebranded his business and focused on providing high-quality SEO and web development services. Today, the company has experienced significant growth and continues to attract and retain customers through referrals, networking, and a strong social media presence.
How much they make: $108K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 2
Prime Marketing Experts is a successful digital marketing agency that offers a wide variety of digital marketing solutions and has grown their business to $100k per year through referrals, building customer relationships, and expanding their focus with sales consulting services.
24. Juicy Pickles ($240K/year)
Giulia Cian Seren, founder of Juicy Pickles, started her business after moving from Europe to Southeast Asia and seeing the favorable business climate in Singapore. With a passion for technology and a desire to help small businesses succeed, Giulia offers digital marketing consulting and coaching through her flagship coaching membership, The Pickling Club. Her dedication to her clients and focus on long-term relationships has helped her grow her business to an average monthly revenue of $20,000.
How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 1
Giulia Cian Seren, founder of Juicy Pickles, offers digital marketing consulting, training, and coaching to small businesses and has grown her monthly revenue to an average of $20,000 by focusing on long-term relationships over short-term gains and helping small, traditional businesses transition into the digital world.
25. Brandetize ($6M/year)
Eric Berman, the founder of Brandetize, came up with the idea for his digital marketing agency after consulting for famous author Brian Tracy. He realized that he could provide the same services to other successful businesses looking to scale and monetize their brands. With a strong network and a focus on delivering results, Brandetize has become a profitable company with a bright future ahead.
How much they make: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $998
Current team size: 27
Former dotcom entrepreneur Eric Berman built a profitable digital marketing agency by backing into it — helping successful businesses scale and monetize their brands.
26. Flying V Group ($3M/year)
Flying V Group was founded by Robb Fahrion and his brother based on an opportunity they identified in the market. After helping a mentor with his website and seeing the demand for digital help, they decided to start a marketing services firm. They focused on serving professional service industries and used SEO and content marketing to establish their clients as industry experts online. The company has since grown to employ 12 people, worked with over 300 clients, and is on track to double its revenue for the second year in a row.
How much they make: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 16
Flying V Group, a digital marketing agency co-founded by Robb and Tyler Fahrion, has experienced explosive growth and profitability through their focus on SEO and content marketing, generating 540% more traffic in 2020 compared to the previous year, and increasing revenue YoY, all while operating debt-free and cash-positive.
27. SupplyDrop ($96K/year)
Danavir Sarria, an eCommerce marketing consultant, came up with the idea for SupplyDrop after his own luxury sportswear brand failed to be profitable. He realized that his skills in email marketing could be valuable to other eCommerce businesses and pivoted his focus to offering full-service email marketing services. Today, SupplyDrop is his flagship business, making an average of $8,000 per month and attracting clients such as Kettle & Fire and Lensabl.
How much they make: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 0
Danavir Sarria shares how he built SupplyDrop, an eCommerce email marketing agency that helps scale 6, 7, and 8 figure businesses, and currently makes $8,000/month on average, through trial and error and thoughtful pivots, while utilizing content marketing and focusing on building trust with potential clients.
28. 51blocks ($2.52M/year)
Michael Borgelt, the founder of 51Blocks and BionicWP, was inspired by his grandfather's business principles of helping people. He saw a need for quality digital marketing services and SEO expertise in the industry, so he started 51Blocks in 2009. With a strong focus on customer service and referrals, the agency has achieved an impressive customer lifetime value of 2.5+ years and generates $2.6 million in annual revenue. Building on this success, Borgelt launched BionicWP in 2020 to provide hyper-fast WordPress hosting with top-notch customer support.
How much they make: $2.52M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 30
This case study is about Michael Borgelt, founder of 51Blocks and BionicWP, who generates $2.6M revenue annually offering quality digital marketing and hosting solutions, including white label SEO, hyper-fast WordPress hosting, website development, and paid advertising, achieving a customer lifetime value of 2.5+ years and hosting 2,000 sites in about 1.5 years.
29. Madrivo ($44.4M/year)
Ronen Hamatian, CEO of Madrivo, came up with the idea for his performance marketing agency after working in the wholesale lending industry and realizing the need for better lead quality and compliance in online advertising. By pivoting the business model and focusing on sourcing brands directly, Madrivo has become a trusted partner for leading US brands and achieved a three-year revenue growth of 72%.
How much they make: $44.4M/year
Current team size: 47
Performance marketing agency Madrivo has grown into a $44 million-per-year business by offering low-risk, high-reward performance marketing services and focusing on quality, compliant offers from proud brand partners across a range of channels, all while emphasizing the importance of people, culture, and values.
30. Concept Marketing Group ($480K/year)
Barb Ferrigno, the founder of Concept Marketing Group, came up with the idea for her marketing company in 1978 when she was diagnosed with an immune disorder. Wanting to have control over her hours for a healthier lifestyle, she started her own business with just $500 and a computer. Over time, the business grew exponentially, thanks in part to the internet, and now has 8,000 clients globally and internationally, with an average of 25 to 50 new customers per month.
How much they make: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 3
Concept Marketing Group, a full-service marketing company, started by Barb Ferrigno in 1978, has grown to 6 employees and 8 subcontractors, with 8,000 clients globally and $480k in revenue annually, offering services such as Email Marketing Lists, Consulting, Social Media, PR services, and Business Coaching for the Executive Staff.
31. STRYDE ($2.16M/year)
Founder Greg Shuey got his start in affiliate marketing and became interested in search engine optimization (SEO) after seeing affiliates boost their website traffic and revenue. After working at multiple agencies, he decided to start Stryde to offer custom digital marketing strategies, focusing on SEO, paid search, paid social, email marketing, and conversion rate optimization. Stryde has been in business for almost 9 years and has generated over $2 million in revenue.
How much they make: $2.16M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 13
Stryde is a women-owned eCommerce digital marketing agency that has been in business for almost 9 years, focusing on creating custom digital marketing strategies that generated just over $2 million in revenue, with a growth strategy of bringing on the right clients and specializing early.
32. Inquivix ($1.2M/year)
keep coming back for more. Additionally, we provide exceptional customer service and personalized strategies tailored to each client's specific needs, which sets us apart from our competitors. Our 10X-ed annual revenue growth and our strong reputation in the industry also attract new customers to our agency.
How much they make: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
Current team size: 15
Inquivix is a leading digital marketing agency in Asia with regional hubs in multiple countries, generating $1.2M in annual revenue by helping clients enter the Korean market through social media and content creation, backed by extensive research, data analysis, and SEO strategies.
33. Kairos Digital ($780K/year)
Kairos Digital, a marketing agency specializing in clear messaging for businesses, was founded by two brothers who saw a need for their services. With over $230,000 in sales in 2020 and a focus on ongoing retainer marketing work, the agency is poised for continued growth. Through their own sales funnel and digital advertising strategies, they attract and retain customers while prioritizing quality and strong ROI.
How much they make: $780K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 5
Two brothers started Kairos Digital, a marketing agency that focuses on clear messaging, and closed out 2020 with over $230,000 in sales, utilizing retainer marketing work as their most profitable kind of service, and utilizing WordPress, Asana, Quickbooks, and Google Ads for their operations.
34. Hustler Marketing ($2.4M/year)
After trying various jobs and experiencing financial struggles, Bostjan decided to go all-in and start the "Hustle House" in Barcelona with three other entrepreneurs. While working on his craft as a copywriter, Bostjan started offering email marketing services and quickly learned the technical aspects. Through hard work and dedication, his agency, Hustler Marketing, grew rapidly and now manages retention marketing for 70 eCommerce stores worldwide, generating impressive revenue figures.
How much they make: $2.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 68
Hustler Marketing, a remote email and SMS marketing agency, manages retention marketing for about 70 eCommerce stores worldwide, closed its 4th year at about $2.2M, and will aim to do $3-4M in 2022, with a net profit of around 30%.
35. Sniply ($420K/year)
Matt Bentley, the Marketing Lead at Sniply, came up with the idea for the custom URL shortener after experiencing the problem of losing customers gained from curating other people's content. He realized that when sharing third-party content on social media, traffic is diverted away from your own website. This led to the creation of Sniply, which adds a custom call-to-action button on any shared page, directing the traffic back to the user's website. With 550 paying customers and an annual revenue of $420k, Sniply has become a valuable tool for startup founders, brand managers, and social media managers.
How much they make: $420K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1M
Current team size: 3
Sniply is a custom URL shortener that adds a custom CTA button to any page shared on social media, with 550 paying customers, including large marketing companies, and an annual revenue of about $420k, revolutionizing content marketing.
36. Three Girls Media, Inc. ($600K/year)
Erika Taylor Montgomery, founder of Three Girls Media, came up with the idea for her marketing and PR agency after leaving her career in broadcasting and politics. Recognizing the need for work-life balance and wanting more control over her schedule, she decided to launch her own business. With just a $3,000 loan, Erika started Three Girls Media, which has since grown to a team of 10 and grosses about $550,000 annually.
How much they make: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
Current team size: 10
A marketing and public relations agency founded by Erika Taylor Montgomery, Three Girls Media grosses about $550,000 annually and is a team of 11 who offer a range of services including social media management, digital marketing, email marketing, media relations, and website design and build.
37. MOTIF® ($420K/year)
After facing several failures in his eCommerce journey, Ash, an eCommerce branding and marketing consultant, came up with the idea for his business Motif. He realized that by niching down to the Luxury Fashion industry and offering value-driven marketing services, he could attract and retain clients in a profitable and impactful way. Now, his agency maintains a 75% profit margin and has plans to expand operations and become a pioneer agency in the Luxury Lifestyle space.
How much they make: $420K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 15
Learn how a growth-driven digital agency targeting luxury fashion and lifestyle brands grew from making $10k a month to $50k-$100k in recurring revenue, with a niche client focus, specialized content marketing, and a focus on value-based pricing and driving results.
38. Business Builders ($3.6M/year)
A 17-year-old entrepreneur started Design Extensions, now rebranded as Business Builders, with a passion for building websites. Over the past two decades, the business has experienced significant growth, generating over $3,000,000 in sales this year. They offer coaching, marketing, and development services to help other businesses grow, emphasizing progress over perfection.
How much they make: $3.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
Current team size: 16
Business owner grew digital media agency from $5,000 to over $3,000,000 in sales annually by focusing on progress over perfection, implementing clear systems and processes, and building relationships through marketing, speaking engagements, social media, and email campaigns.
39. Ethos Copywriting ($144K/year)
Matt Flowers, the founder of Ethos Copywriting, came up with the idea for his business while working as an educational assistant and freelance writer. Realizing the abundance of content in various industries, Matt saw an opportunity to provide professional copywriting services. He landed his first client serendipitously and started his business from there, eventually growing it to generate $130,000 in annual revenue.
How much they make: $144K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 2
Content marketing agency Ethos Copywriting, founded by Matt Flowers, generates $130,000 annually through meticulous attention to quality and the creation of entertaining, high-value content, all without paying for ads, and advises startups to invest wisely and ensure their businesses enable them to pursue other opportunities.
40. Electric Sauce ($90K/year)
The founders initially started as Shopify developers but quickly realized the need for email marketing strategies in the eCommerce space. They used Upwork as a platform to find clients and focused on providing valuable services at reasonable prices. Their dedication to simplicity and accountability helped them attract and retain customers, with their main client being acquired through Upwork.
How much they make: $90K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
Current team size: 0
Electric Sauce, a data-driven, retention-focused, email marketing micro-agency founded by two Seans, generates $12,500 a month through pricing their services from $3,500 to $5,000 for established brands, and $1,500 to $2,500 for startups through patient learning, frugality, simplicity, extensive outreach on Upwork, and utmost accountability while using tools like ClickUp, and exposure to thought leaders on YouTube and courses like Klaviyo and Smart Marketer.
41. Add Value | Growth Marketing Agency ($600K/year)
24-year-old Joachim Brouckaert founded Add Value, a growth marketing agency, after noticing that many marketing agencies prioritized money over delivering value to their customers. With a background in digital marketing and experience freelancing as a digital marketer, Joachim decided to start his own agency focused on full-funnel marketing services. After a year in business, Add Value generates an average monthly turnover of 30k and works with 18 active clients.
How much they make: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 5
A 24-year-old founder shares how his growth marketing agency generated €360,000 in its first year, with a team of 5 people working for 18 active clients per month, using SEO, Facebook and Google ads, organic content on LinkedIn, and a hybrid agency model with a focus on client retention.
42. Ultra Growth Marketing ($720K/year)
Matthew Larsen, the founder of Ultra Growth Marketing, came up with the idea for his business after realizing the need for a comprehensive eCommerce marketing book specifically tailored to eCommerce store owners. He decided to write a step-by-step guide with over 75,000 words, offering actionable advice to help business owners create multi-million dollar eCommerce stores. Through Facebook lead generation ads, Larsen was able to give away over 17,000 free copies of his book and capture valuable leads, resulting in over $60,000 per month in recurring revenue.
How much they make: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 3
Matthew Larsen's Ultra Growth Marketing earns over $60,000/month in recurring revenue by giving away his eCommerce Marketing Book for free and then capturing leads using Facebook's Lead Generation ads, resulting in over 19,000 downloads in the first month since its launch.
43. Base Coat Marketing ($360K/year)
Austin Houser, the founder of Base Coat Marketing, came up with the idea for his business after acquiring painting businesses as clients at his previous agency and realizing the industry lacked effective marketing solutions. By creating a niche-focused agency dedicated to the professional painting industry, Houser has been able to quickly scale his business and generate impressive results, with $30,000 in monthly recurring revenue and a 50% profit margin within just three months of launching.
How much they make: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
Current team size: 2
Austin Houser, founder of Base Coat Marketing, launched a full-service digital marketing agency catering exclusively to the professional painting industry and within three months exceeded last year's revenue under his previous agency and is generating $30,000 in monthly recurring revenue with roughly a 50% profit margin by offering simple, niche-focused packages and providing personalized, valuable interactions with customers.
44. 930Tech ($72K/year)
Joshua Hurley, founder of 930TECH, came up with the idea for his digital marketing and technology solutions company after noticing a gap in the market. With his background in nonprofit organizations, he saw a need for comprehensive and up-to-date technology services. Despite launching during the height of the pandemic, Hurley's hustle and determination allowed him to attract customers and exceed his financial goals.
How much they make: $72K/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
Current team size: 2
This case study follows Joshua Hurley, an executive turned entrepreneur who started a digital marketing company, 930TECH, during the pandemic and is currently making around $3,000 per month, with plans of becoming one of the top three digital companies in Tennessee.
45. Major Impact Media ($342K/year)
Brice Gump, the founder of Major Impact Media, got his start in digital marketing after helping a friend sell cell phones online. He saw the explosive growth of the business and realized the power of working on the internet. After taking online courses and freelancing in various areas of marketing, Brice launched Major Impact Media in 2015, offering Google Ads for a monthly retainer. He learned through trial and error and eventually found his niche, providing high-quality marketing services to a specific market. Today, the company has generated over $5.8 million in online sales for their clients and is expanding their services to adapt to changes in the advertising landscape.
How much they make: $342K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 3
This case study follows the story of Brice Gump, founder and CEO of Major Impact Media, a hybrid agency/education company that has generated over $5.8M in online sales for their clients through their marketing services.
46. Socialistics ($500K/year)
How much they make: $500K/year
Current team size: 8
Socialistics founder Jason Yormark turned a side project into an advertising agency managing social media campaigns ranging from $2K to $5K for 15 clients, providing content marketing, social media marketing, Facebook advertising and more.
47. 6 Figure Agency ($240K/year)
How much they make: $240K/year
Current team size:
Learn how Billy Wilson, the founder of 6 Figure Agency, achieved a six-figure run rate in his first year of business and successfully coached thousands of business owners to grow their online presence and increase sales through his in-depth course on starting, growing, and automating an SMM agency.
48. Wyzowl ($2.5M/year)
How much they make: $2.5M/year
Current team size: 19
Explore how Wyzowl's animated explainer videos with fixed costs, fixed turn-around times, and unlimited revisions have taken the company to new heights, collaborating with large organizations like Deloitte, LG, and Standard Chartered.
49. Franchise UK ($600K/year)
Joel Bissitt, founder of Franchise UK, had always dreamt of being an entrepreneur. Drawing inspiration from UK business icons like Richard Branson and Alan Sugar, he started the business at the age of 19 with just £1000 of funding. Through his expertise in SEO and a user-friendly website design, Franchise UK has experienced rapid growth, achieving a 50% increase in turnover last year and attracting some of the world's largest brands.
How much they make: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 5
Franchise UK is the UK’s largest franchise directory helping franchise businesses to grow by generating quality franchisee recruitment leads online, with a 50% increase in turnover last year and big plans to further expand in different directions over the coming years.
50. Sievers Creative ($1.2M/year)
Roger Sievers, founder of Sievers Creative, started the business as a side hustle to pay off his student loans. He saw a gap in the market for serving small-sized businesses that were underserved by larger agencies. After years of building skills and developing relationships, Sievers Creative has experienced impressive growth, with a team of 8 and a 40-50% year-over-year revenue increase.
How much they make: $1.2M/year
Current team size: 8
Sievers Creative, a full-service marketing agency in Minnesota, founded as a part-time side project, specializes in multi-channel marketing campaigns, and has experienced year-over-year revenue growth of 50-60% for four years, and currently has a team of eight.
51. Counterweight Creative ($192K/year)
Jeremy Enns, the founder of Counterweight Creative, came up with the idea for his podcast production business after realizing his passion for podcasts and his background in audio engineering made him well-suited to help others produce high-quality shows. With just one client and making $15/hour at the start, Enns grew his business into a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week, with revenue exceeding $10,000 per month.
How much they make: $192K/year
Current team size: 0
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
52. Intellitonic ($1.62M/year)
Intellitonic, a digital marketing agency, was founded by Alex, Courtney, and Jared after realizing they could do digital marketing more effectively and transparently with organizations they care about. With their collective skills and experience in SEO, PPC, and software, they launched Intellitonic and have grown to a team of eleven without compromising their values.
How much they make: $1.62M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 12
Intellitonic is a digital marketing agency that grew from 3 to 11 people in less than 5 years without investment, earning $90k/month in revenue, with over 97 clients through a combination of referrals, relationships, and online ads.
53. Fomo ($1.08M/year)
Ryan Kulp, a marketer and self-taught developer, acquired a social proof tool called Notify in 2016 and rebranded it as Fomo. Through strategic product-led growth, integrations, and a focus on social proof, Fomo scaled its business by 600% and achieved over $1 million in annual revenue.
How much they make: $1.08M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 5
Fomo, a social proof tool for eCommerce stores, scaled its original business by 600% and now generates >$1m in annual revenue through product-led growth via integrations and an extensive case study library.
54. Rise Visible ($96K/year)
Aunia Kahn, CEO of Rise Visible, started her digital marketing agency after receiving an old computer from a friend that had software like Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop. With no previous experience, she learned through trial and error and discovered her passion for digital marketing. Through solid work and referrals, Rise Visible has been able to attract and retain clients, leading to impressive revenue growth and recognition as a top-ranking woman-owned digital agency.
How much they make: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 0
Rise Visible, a full-service digital marketing agency, founded by Aunia Kahn, has achieved Top-Ranking Woman-Owned Digital Agency 2022 by Clutch and is rapidly approaching its first $100K year in revenue, solely through solid work, referrals, digital marketing through Google My Business, reviews, Facebook groups, social media and newsletters.
55. Zero Gravity Marketing ($9.6M/year)
Chris Uzzo, the founder of Zero Gravity Marketing, came up with the idea for his digital marketing agency after building and overseeing the SEO and PPC departments for multiple agencies. With a focus on data-driven strategies and a commitment to transparency, Zero Gravity Marketing has experienced impressive growth, including being recognized by Inc as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned companies and projecting over $10 million in revenue for 2022.
How much they make: $9.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 70
Zero Gravity Marketing is a five-star rated digital marketing agency with Premier Google Partnership and recognized by Inc 5000 for the last three years, on track to gross over $10M in 2022, specializing in SEO, paid media management, social media marketing, email marketing, website design, CRO, content marketing and creative services.
56. Kontra agency ($960K/year)
Ilija and Petar started their journey in 2011 with just two clients and two laptops. They began as a small social media agency but quickly expanded and evolved into a full-service digital agency, offering a wide range of services. With a focus on driving results and a dedication to continuous learning and improvement, Kontra has become a successful agency, attracting clients like Walt Disney and gaining recognition from platforms such as Clutch.co. Despite challenges faced during the pandemic, they have bounced back and are continuing to grow.
How much they make: $960K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 18
Two friends from Split started a small social media agency that has since grown to be a full-service digital agency offering web design, development, and digital marketing services, with a focus on driving results, recording at least 50% growth for four consecutive years, and aiming to continue growing steadily with a goal of employing up to 30 people, while using tools such as Productive, Trello, Bitbucket, git, and Microsoft Teams, and offering a consulting and education service to educate their audience.
57. JVI Mobile Marketing (Now JourneyBuilder.io) ($444K/year)
Jay Vics, the founder of JVI Mobile Marketing, came up with the idea for his business when he attended a business growth workshop and heard someone express the need for someone to teach them how to use their smartphone. Recognizing that small business owners could benefit from learning how to utilize technology to market their businesses, Jay started offering services as a side hustle, eventually expanding into a full-service digital marketing agency. Through networking and word-of-mouth referrals, Jay has been able to attract and retain clients, and he continues to focus on building relationships and providing a good return on investment for his clients. Currently, the business brings in around $7,500 a month in revenue, with the goal of reaching $17,000 a month in the future.
How much they make: $444K/year
Current team size: 2
How a side-hustle turned into a full-service digital marketing fulfillment agency that is currently bringing in around $7,500 a month in revenue, with big goals for the future, by focusing on human-to-human connections and continually evolving to meet their clients' needs.
58. The Pedowitz Group ($18M/year)
Jeff and Cherie started The Pedowitz Group in 2007, leveraging their expertise in sales and marketing. They saw an opportunity to provide consulting services in the digital marketing space and quickly gained momentum through word-of-mouth and industry referrals. Today, they have achieved over $20 million in annual revenue and continue to focus on growth and providing excellent service to their clients.
How much they make: $18M/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 100
Pedowitz Group, a $20M+ consulting agency, shares the story of how they grew their business by prioritizing customer retention/loyalty, being platform-agnostic, and focusing on strong results aligned with clients' key business objectives.
59. Spear Growth ($240K/year)
Ishaan, the founder of Spear Growth, started his entrepreneurial journey while exploring various ventures during his time as a computer science engineering student. After gaining experience in marketing and SEO, he left his job at a unicorn startup and realized the importance of understanding business to become a better marketer. This realization led him to start Spear Growth, a B2B SaaS marketing agency that has grown rapidly, bringing in impressive results for clients and expanding its team from 6 to 9 full-time employees in just 6 months.
How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
Current team size: 9
Spear Growth, a B2B SaaS Marketing agency, has helped high-growth companies like Hasura and Darwinbox achieve results like 13x SQLs from Paid ads in 6 months and has grown from a team of 6 to 9 full-time people in just the last 6 months.
60. Content-Whale Private Limited ($750K/year)
Vaibhav Kishnani, an engineer turned writer, came up with the idea for Content-Whale after noticing the unprofessional conduct in the Indian content market. With just Rs. 2,500 ($35) in capital, he started the content agency which now generates a revenue turnover of Rs. 4 crores ($514,000) and serves clients like Quikr and The Boston Consulting Group.
How much they make: $750K/year
How much did it cost to start: $35
Current team size: 30
Content-Whale, a content curation agency, has achieved a Rs. 4 crore ($514k/year) turnover 4-5 years after being started with just Rs. 2500 ($35), and has a pool of more than 500 writers, aiming to become a market leader in the global content market.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
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- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
