Expert to Know: Brandon Robinson

August 22, 2025

What’s your backstory — how did you end up starting (or joining) an agency?

I didn’t set out to start an agency because I thought it would be trendy. I started because I saw a massive gap between what businesses were promised and what they actually got from marketing. Early in my career, I was working hands-on with websites, design, and strategy. I kept running into the same problem — agencies selling big ideas but failing on execution, especially when it came to real business impact.I wanted to build something different. An agency that didn’t just “do marketing” but actually understood how to move the needle for clients. I’ve always had a mix of creative and analytical thinking, so I leaned into both. Over time, that mix, plus my obsession with measurable results, turned into building an agency that treats client success as the only scoreboard that matters.It wasn’t about following a formula. It was about creating one that actually works.

What was your first entrepreneurial moment as a kid or teen?

My first real entrepreneurial moment was in college. I was doing graphic design work for local nightclubs in Scottsdale. At the time, I wasn’t chasing money as much as I was chasing experience. I wanted to get my hands on real projects, build my portfolio, and learn how to work with clients who had very different needs and personalities.It taught me how to deliver fast, deal with feedback, and understand that design wasn’t just about making something look good. It was about creating something that would actually get people to show up, buy a ticket, or walk through the door. That was my first taste of running my own thing and getting paid for creative work.

What’s a belief you’ve changed your mind about in the last 3 years?

Over the last three years, I’ve realized that holding on to what worked a decade ago can hold you back. I was reluctant to adapt to industry changes, especially with the rise of AI. It forced me to learn how to move faster and adapt my thinking so we stay ahead rather than play catch-up.As a leader, I’ve also shifted from my old mentality of just outworking everyone to realizing I need to bring people along with me. Leadership isn’t about being the hardest worker in the room, it’s about helping others level up so we move forward together.

When do you feel most energized at work?

I feel most energized when I’m in the trenches, working directly with clients. Solving problems, creating strategies, and seeing the immediate impact of the work fires me up. Leading the business is important, but nothing replaces the energy I get from rolling up my sleeves and being part of the actual work.

What’s a day in your life really look like (no filters)?

A day in my life is controlled chaos. I’m constantly jumping from one thing to another, wearing more hats than I can count. One moment I’m deep in a client project, the next I’m in a strategy meeting, then I’m putting out a fire. My job is to keep the agency moving forward, no matter what comes across my desk that day.

What’s a personal ritual or habit you credit for your success?

One habit I credit for my success is learning to always listen before I react. Whether it’s a client, a team member, or a situation that’s not going as planned, I take in the information first. I’ve found that reacting too quickly usually leads to missing something important. Listening gives me clarity, and clarity leads to better decisions.

What’s something people get wrong about you?

People often mistake my quiet, focused nature for being unapproachable. I like to work with my head down and keep things moving. I hold myself to high standards, which means I expect the same from my team. That can come across as intimidating or hard to work with. The truth is, inside the four walls of the agency, I’m there to work. Outside of work, I’m a lot more relaxed.

What do you do to recharge outside of work?

I recharge by spending time with my wife and kids. Whether we’re traveling, exploring new places, or just doing something simple together, that time pulls me out of work mode and resets my energy.

What’s your definition of “success” right now?

Success right now means running a profitable agency that my team actually enjoys coming to every day. It’s building a place where the work is rewarding, the culture is strong, and we’re continuing to grow the business in a sustainable way.

What makes your agency different from others in your space?

We’re different because we’ve built the agency around delivering measurable results, not just checking boxes. We specialize in franchise marketing, so we understand the complexity of managing a national brand while making sure every local location wins in their own market. We don’t just build websites or run ads, we create systems that help franchises grow faster and more consistently. And because we’ve been doing this for years, our clients get both the big-picture strategy and the hands-on execution that actually moves the needle.

What type of clients or projects are a 'no' for you?

We don’t have a long list of hard no’s. We like to think we can take on any project if it’s the right fit. We’re open to learning and exploring new challenges, and we approach each opportunity with an open mind. That said, we take the time to make sure it’s a good match on both sides before we commit. We won’t say yes just for the sake of saying yes.

What’s a principle or value your agency lives by?

One of our core values is that we are partners. When we work with a client, we treat their business like it’s our own. We’re not just a vendor delivering a service, we’re invested in their success. That means being transparent, accountable, and working side by side to hit their goals.

How do you hire? What do you look for in people?

I look for people who are hardworking, honest, and self-driven. I don’t want to handhold, I want people who can take ownership and push things forward. We succeed as a team, so I want people who are always looking for ways to improve how we operate, not just do their job and clock out. The world is moving fast, and every employee should be finding ways to help us adapt and grow so we all win together.

What trend in marketing/advertising do you think is overhyped?

AI as a magic bullet. AI is a powerful tool and it’s changing the industry, but too many people treat it like it can replace strategy, creativity, and execution. The agencies that win aren’t the ones blindly chasing every new AI tool, they’re the ones figuring out how to integrate it in a way that actually improves results.

What’s a trend you’re betting on long-term?

Personalization at scale. The more data we have, the better we can tailor marketing to the individual without losing the human touch. Brands that figure out how to combine smart automation with authentic, personalized experiences are going to win for years to come.

What advice would you give to someone starting an agency today?

Start by getting really good at one thing and prove you can deliver results. Too many agencies try to be everything to everyone right out of the gate, and it stretches them too thin. Build a foundation of trust, process, and measurable wins, then grow from there. And never lose sight of the fact that this is a relationship business — clients stay with agencies they trust, not just the ones with the best pitch.

What’s something you’d do differently if you were starting from scratch?

If I were starting from scratch, I’d focus on bringing in more experienced team members right away. When you hire people who already know their craft, you can move faster and avoid getting bogged down in constant training. Early on, I tried to run the business while doing a lot of hands-on training, and it slowed everything down. Experience on the team from day one would have made a huge difference.

How do you approach pricing — any rules you live by?

I believe in charging what the work is worth. If you undervalue your services, you attract the wrong clients and set yourself up for burnout. Pricing should reflect the value you deliver and the results you can create. When clients see the return, they don’t question the price.

How do you prioritize growth vs. sustainability?

I balance growth and sustainability by making sure we’re building a strong foundation before we scale. Growth is exciting, but if it comes at the cost of quality, culture, or profitability, it’s not worth it. We take on opportunities that move us forward without overextending the team or sacrificing the standards we’ve built the agency on. Sustainable growth beats quick wins every time.

What software or tool do you swear by?

Screaming Frog. It’s one of the most powerful tools for understanding what’s really happening on a website. It gives us deep insight into technical SEO issues, site structure, and optimization opportunities. We use it constantly to spot problems before they impact performance and to guide smart improvements.

Remote, hybrid, or in-office — what’s your ideal setup and why?

Hybrid. What we do is highly collaborative, and sometimes the best ideas happen when we’re sitting in a room together working through a problem. At the same time, flexibility matters, so having a mix of in-office and remote lets us get the best of both worlds.

What’s your favorite thing about being in this industry?

My favorite thing about this industry is being creative. I get to take ideas and turn them into something real that helps businesses grow. Every project is a chance to think differently, solve problems in new ways, and create work that actually makes an impact.

What is one (1) fact or statistic about your industry that most people don't know?

Most people don’t realize that 90 percent of franchise websites underperform because they’re built for the brand, not the local market. In franchise marketing, local SEO and location-specific optimization often make the difference between a site that drives leads and one that just sits there.

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