Episode Summary
This week on An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree sits down with Christina Alvino, founder of FineView Marketing, a full-service marketing agency focused on the self storage and commercial real estate space. Based in Austin, TX, Christina didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur—she almost became a marine biologist—but a series of career pivots and strategic opportunities led her to build one of the few niche agencies in a highly specialized sector.
From freelancing at her dining room table to leading a team that powers digital strategies for multi-state storage operators, Christina opens up about how she got there, what drives her vision, and how speaking at conferences became her most powerful marketing tool.
Episode Highlights
- The Accidental Agency Owner: How Christina went from corporate marketing roles to launching her agency—with the help of industry partners.
- Niche Focus = Fast Growth: Why choosing self storage was both a practical and strategic decision.
- Pandemic Acceleration: How COVID-19 fast-tracked FineView’s technology integrations and client expansion.
- Speaking as Strategy: How Christina built her brand—and client base—through education-driven conference talks.
- Vision Beyond the Exit: Christina’s goals for financial independence and creating wealth opportunities for her team.
Agency Info
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Company: FineView Marketing
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Guest: Christina Alvino
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Year Started: 2016
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Employees: 1-10
I never try to sell from the stage. I teach. That’s why they keep inviting me back.
Christina Alvino
Key Takeaways
Betting on Yourself Starts with Belief, and Backup
Christina didn’t leap into entrepreneurship alone. With early support from industry partners who became her first client and financial backers, she was able to de-risk the transition. Negotiating for essentials like rent coverage and health insurance made the leap manageable.
The Power of Niche Focus
FineView’s success wasn’t accidental, it came from doubling down on one vertical: self storage. That industry knowledge, combined with relationships built through years in the space, allowed the agency to scale quickly and authentically. A niche can be more than a marketing tactic, it can be your moat.
Speak to Educate, Not to Sell
Christina attributes much of FineView’s lead generation to speaking engagements at conferences. Her key? She educates first, sells never, and stays visible in the same niche community year after year. “Be helpful first.” If your audience trusts your expertise, the leads will follow, eventually.
Financial Independence Is the Endgame
This isn’t about a job; it’s about building an asset. Christina is clear that her long-term goal is to sell the agency and use the proceeds for generational wealth, while also rewarding the team that helped her build it. Build your agency like it’s a business, not a hustle. Start with the exit in mind.
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