Views from Carrie Rose, Founder Rise at Seven
Scaling a business, especially a marketing agency, is never a smooth ride. The road is filled with challenges that can make or break an organisation’s success. The story of Rise at Seven, an award-winning SEO and creative agency led by Carrie Rose, offers valuable lessons for B2B marketers seeking to navigate the complexities of rapid growth.
Scaling During a Crisis: Rise at Seven’s Unconventional Journey
The marketing agency landscape was forever changed by the pandemic, and Rise at Seven’s journey is a case study in resilience. In just two years, Carrie and her team transformed the agency into a powerhouse, amassing high-profile clients like PlayStation, PrettyLittleThing, and MyProtein.
“The pandemic definitely changed the way that we imagined how things would work,” Carrie Rose explains. “But it also allowed my expectations to be exceeded. We grew rapidly, and I was constantly asking myself, was it the pandemic that made us succeed, or was this success inevitable, and the pandemic just ramped it up?”
Indeed, rapid growth came with its share of difficulties. Like many other businesses, Rise at Seven had to pivot quickly to remote work. Carrie recalls, “I had this imagination that two weeks of working from home and everything would be fine, but 18 months later, we were still at home.”
Despite the challenges of isolation and adapting to new ways of working, Rise at Seven flourished. Carrie attributes much of the agency’s success to its core focus: combining creativity with technical SEO. Their ability to merge brand and search into a seamless strategy set them apart from competitors. The growth was driven by a combination of innovation, resilience, and a keen understanding of the evolving digital landscape.
The Power of Culture: Keeping the Heart of the Business Alive
As any founder will tell you, scaling isn’t just about increasing revenue or landing high-profile clients. The true challenge lies in scaling a business while maintaining a cohesive company culture—especially when much of your team is working remotely. For Carrie, the heart of Rise at Seven has always been its people.
“When I built the business, it was all about people and culture,” she says. “But the pandemic flipped that on its head. How do you keep that culture alive when we’re all working from our bedrooms?”
Carrie’s solution was to focus on what truly mattered: creating a culture where people could thrive and take ownership of their work. One of the key elements of Rise at Seven’s culture is freedom—the freedom to innovate, fail, and grow. “I don’t want yes people around me. I want people who ask, ‘Why not?’ If it doesn’t work, we try something else,” she explains. This mindset has been crucial to the agency’s success in attracting young, creative talent who are unafraid to take risks and push boundaries.
This focus on culture has paid off in more ways than one. The agency’s culture of transparency and empowerment is not only helping it retain top talent, but it’s also driving exceptional client results. Rise at Seven’s approach to creating a transparent and inclusive work environment is in line with findings from Gallup’s State of the American Workplace report, which emphasizes that engaged employees are more productive and drive higher levels of customer satisfaction.
Building Resilience into Your Growth Strategy
Carrie’s personal story of success as a young female entrepreneur offers another key takeaway: resilience. The early days of Rise at Seven were fraught with uncertainty, and Carrie was often left wondering if she could keep the business afloat. Yet, she managed to turn setbacks into opportunities.
“When we won PlayStation, it didn’t feel like a win,” Carrie admits. “I was sitting in my living room eating yogurt. I imagined this moment would be different, and it was a bit of a letdown. But that’s part of the journey: learning to celebrate wins in a different way.”
This emotional resilience is an essential quality for any entrepreneur looking to scale their business. In fact, research from the Harvard Business Review highlights that entrepreneurs who embrace failure as part of the learning process are more likely to innovate and succeed in the long run. It’s about embracing both the highs and lows, while maintaining a clear vision for the future.
For Rise at Seven, one of the biggest hurdles came with managing their rapid expansion. Carrie notes, “I realized that when we hit 100 staff, there were people I had never met. That’s a bizarre feeling for me because I’m so people-driven. I love to train and be around people.” This challenge is one that many businesses face as they scale, especially in the age of remote work. The key here is to maintain a sense of belonging and to actively nurture relationships within the team.
Key Takeaways for B2B Marketers
- Innovate and Evolve: Don’t be afraid to disrupt the market with new approaches. Rise at Seven’s ability to combine creative marketing with technical SEO made them stand out in a competitive industry.
- Empower Your Team: Creating a culture of freedom and transparency fosters creativity and innovation. Give your employees the confidence to experiment and fail—without fear of repercussion. This approach not only drives better results for clients but also attracts top talent.
- Be Transparent About Struggles: In times of growth, don’t hide your challenges. Open conversations about disappointments and setbacks can help the entire team stay grounded and motivated.
- Scale with People and Culture in Mind: As your business grows, ensure that your company culture remains intact. Adapt to remote work challenges by maintaining clear communication and promoting a sense of community within your organization.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Embrace the smaller successes along the way. Celebrating achievements with your team, even if it’s just a moment of reflection, can help keep morale high and encourage continued momentum.
As businesses continue to navigate the post-pandemic world, the lessons from Carrie Rose and Rise at Seven offer a roadmap for successfully scaling an agency while preserving its culture and resilience. It’s not just about achieving big wins; it’s about staying true to your vision, empowering your people, and adapting when challenges arise. This approach will ensure long-term growth and success in an increasingly dynamic digital marketplace.
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