Episode Summary
In this episode, Russel sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Nicki Purcell, the president of Insite, a Dallas-based digital agency celebrating 25 years in business. With a unique perspective as a non-founder leading an agency, Nicki shares her winding career path, lessons learned through corporate America, and how she ultimately embraced entrepreneurship through co-ownership.
Episode Highlights:
- The “Drunken Walk” of an Entrepreneur: Nicki’s candid reflection on how her career path was shaped more by serendipity than strategy, and why that’s not a bad thing.
- From PR to Product Development: How she expanded a traditional PR agency’s offerings by pioneering marketing services, using existing client relationships as proof of concept.
- Making the Leap at the Fork in the Road: What prompted her to turn down a prestigious corporate offer in favor of agency life and how a painting helped make the decision clear.
- Leading Without Founding: The challenges and advantages of taking over an established agency as a non-founder and how she built credibility and trust with the team.
- Why Writing Down Your Fears Matters: A surprising leadership tactic that helped Nicki navigate big transitions and mitigate risk.
Agency Info
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Company: Insite
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Guest: Nicki Purcell
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Year Started: 1998
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Employees: 26-50
Sometimes you have to get what you’ve been chasing to realize you don’t want it.
Nicki Purcell
Key Takeaways
Leadership Is About Filling in the Gaps, Not Knowing It All
Nicki emphasizes the value of surrounding yourself with great people, especially those who complement your blind spots. This people-first approach allows her to focus on strategic growth and culture-building instead of micromanaging.
Entrepreneurship Isn’t Always About Starting from Scratch
Though she didn’t found Insite, Nicki operates with the same entrepreneurial mindset. Her story reminds us that ownership can look different and sometimes, stepping into a role with an existing foundation provides the greatest leverage for meaningful impact.
Context and Calm Are Underrated Leadership Traits
As the leader of an agency with a 25-year legacy, Nicki talks about the importance of being a calming voice amidst the noise, providing perspective in times of uncertainty, and helping her team feel confident in the path ahead.
Personal Values Shape Professional Decisions
A painting titled “When Going Left Wasn’t Right” influenced one of the biggest decisions in her life. Nicki’s story is a testament to aligning professional moves with personal values, especially when family and balance are priorities.
Show Notes
- Insite’s 25-Year Anniversary Timeline (includes archived versions of the agency’s website through the years)
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