Company: 108 Degrees Digital Marketing
Guests: MaryAnn Pfeiffer
Year Started: 2001
Employees: 1-10
Why Going All In Matters
Most agency owners dream of becoming known experts but few are willing to put in the deep work to earn that reputation. In this episode of An Agency Story, Maryann Pfeiffer, founder of 108 Degrees Digital Marketing, shares how a long-term commitment to specialization, paired with values-driven leadership, helped her build an agency that gets results and stands apart in a saturated market.
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Episode Summary
On this episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree welcomes Maryann Pfeiffer, a seasoned digital marketer and Mailchimp Pro Partner, to talk about the intentional choices that shaped her agency’s identity. Maryann shares how being laid off during pregnancy led her down an unexpected entrepreneurial path and how saying no to growth for growth’s sake helped her refine a meaningful, high-impact business model.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why positioning only works when it’s backed by genuine expertise
- How to leverage certifications and partnerships for credibility
- The mindset shift needed to build an agency that truly fits you
Key Takeaways and Lessons
Niche Positioning Requires Investment
Maryann didn’t just claim to be an email marketing expert—she became one. Through years of client work, active community involvement, and rigorous Mailchimp certification, she established a reputation that led to better-fit clients and consistent referrals.
“You can’t just sign up and hope people notice. You have to show up and do the work.”
Letting Go of ‘Doing It All’ Was Essential
Like many agency owners, Maryann began as a generalist. But over time, managing two distinct service tracks, creative and web development, became inefficient and unsustainable. Her breakthrough? Focusing on the work her team did best and forming strategic partnerships to handle the rest.
“It felt like I was running two businesses. I had to choose one, and that changed everything.”
Certifications Are Only the Beginning
Becoming a Mailchimp Pro Partner wasn’t just a resume line, it was a door to deeper learning, better client outcomes, and access to a like-minded peer community. Maryann emphasizes that certifications alone don’t build trust, but commitment to mastery does.
Culture Drives Longevity
A consistent theme in this episode is Maryann’s dedication to building a mission-driven, values-aligned culture within her agency. Her approach: empower a small, entrepreneurial team, prioritize mutual respect, and stay selective about clients.
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