What happens when you build an agency around purpose, energy, and genuine relationships? In this episode of An Agency Story, Suzanne Coriell of Growth Marketing Werks shares how defining your “why” and leading with intentionality can transform how you grow, hire, and connect with clients.
What if the secret to building a thriving agency wasn’t just about better strategy or smarter tactics—but a deeper connection to why you do what you do? In this episode of An Agency Story, we talk with Suzanne Coriell, the founder of Growth Marketing Werks, about how aligning your business with purpose, energy, and authentic relationships can fuel both fulfillment and growth.
If you’re feeling stuck in the daily grind or wondering how to differentiate your agency in a noisy market, this conversation will shift your perspective in all the right ways.
You can listen to this episode of An Agency Story on your favorite podcast app:
Episode Summary
Suzanne Coriell is the CEO and founder of Growth Marketing Werks, a media strategy and buying agency built on the belief that marketing should amplify messages that make the world better. With a background in traditional advertising and early involvement in programmatic, Suzanne combined her deep industry knowledge with a personal mission to “do good work with good people.”
In this episode, Suzanne shares:
How defining your why can guide hiring, client selection, and strategic decision-making
Her take on building client relationships that actually mean something
How energy and team alignment play a bigger role in agency culture than most owners realize
Key Takeaways & Lessons
Start With Why – And Let It Guide Everything
Suzanne embraced Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” as more than a marketing tactic—it became her operating system.
“The why really is the foundation of strategy. Without it, you’re just chasing shiny objects.” – Suzanne Coriell
At Growth Marketing Werks, every engagement starts by aligning on purpose. It’s a filter for clients, hiring, and daily decisions. If you want your agency to stand out, stop leading with what you do and start leading with why you do it.
Financial Freedom = Entrepreneurial Courage
Before launching her agency, Suzanne paid off all her debt and built a savings cushion. That decision gave her freedom to explore opportunities without panic or desperation.
“Scarcity makes bad decisions. Abundance gives you space to build something meaningful.” – Suzanne Coriell
If you’re considering starting or restructuring your agency, personal financial health can be your greatest asset.
Handwritten Notes & Ski Days: The Lost Art of Real Relationships
In an increasingly digital world, Suzanne leans into analog relationship-building—like mailing handwritten thank-you notes and sending carefully chosen gifts that don’t have her logo on them.
Clients aren’t just revenue lines—they’re partners in a mission. From ski lift chats to escape room outings, Suzanne proves that relationships are built one thoughtful moment at a time.
Culture Isn’t Perks—It’s Energy
At Growth Marketing Werks, culture isn’t built around ping pong tables. It’s built around energy and flow.
Every Monday, her team reflects on their most energized moment. Every Friday, they rate their energy level.
These micro-practices help Suzanne keep her finger on the pulse of team well-being, proactively addressing burnout before it becomes an exit interview.
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