Episode Summary
Robyn Spoto is no stranger to building from scratch. After co-founding and selling the parenting app MamaBear, she pivoted to launch SpotOn Digital Media, a Tampa-based agency serving clients across technology, healthcare, professional services, and e-commerce. Robyn shares how her experience building tech products shaped her approach to running a modern marketing agency, with a unique contractor model, a data-first mindset, and a passion for building cohesive, high-performing teams.
Episode Highlights:
- How Robyn’s tech startup MamaBear reached half a million users before being acquired and what she learned from the exit.
- The origin story of SpotOn Digital Media and how she built a team of 30+ contractors.
- Why Robyn believes problem-solving and analytical thinking are essential traits for any team member.
- How personality assessments and “hearts & stars” help her build intentional, high-functioning teams.
Agency Info
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Company: SpotOn Digital Media
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Guest: Robyn Spoto
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Year Started: 2015
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Employees: 11-25
Happy people doing what they’re great at…that’s the formula for performance, client success, and long-term growth.
Robyn Spoto
Key Takeaways
Build Around Autonomy, Not Hierarchy
Robyn’s agency model proves that when you prioritize autonomy and mutual respect, even contractors can feel fully integrated into a collaborative team culture. She treats contractors like internal team members, providing feedback, coaching, and long-term growth opportunities.
Hire Like a Scientist
Robyn uses a blend of Predictive Index, Myers-Briggs, and her own “hearts and stars” framework to assess both skill level and desire for specific tasks, ensuring that team members not only can do the work but want to. “We build teams like a craft. And every team performs better when you match skill, desire, and chemistry.”
From Tech to Service: Lessons in Scalability
Running a tech company taught Robyn the value of building scalable systems. Now, she’s applying that mindset to her agency by exploring how to productize backend processes without losing the high-touch quality her clients value.
Growth Isn’t Linear, It Comes in Waves
Robyn speaks candidly about recognizing the inflection points in agency growth, especially at key revenue and team-size plateaus, and how she’s strategically preparing for what’s next without losing her original vision.
Show Notes
- MamaBear App Website (acquired by GromSocial)
- Predictive Index: predictiveindex.com
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