Episode Summary
This episode features Chris Skavish and Nico Brooks, co-founders of Two Octobers, a Denver-based marketing agency focused on making complex marketing analytics approachable, actionable, and ethical. They work with a broad range of clients, from universities to nonprofits to B2B/B2C businesses, and help in-house teams understand and activate their own data.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why treating analytics like a teaching opportunity makes Two Octobers stand out.
- How the agency’s self-management philosophy empowers teams and eliminates unnecessary hierarchy.
- How their certified digital marketing apprenticeship tackles industry-wide diversity gaps head-on.
Agency Info
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Company: Two Octobers
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Guest: Kris Skavish and Nico Brooks
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Year Started: 2010
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Employees: 11-25
We assume people want to do good work…so our job is to remove barriers, not add layers of approval.
Kris Skavish
Key Takeaways
Make Data Understandable, Not Just Available
Two Octobers specializes in helping teams go from data confusion to confident execution. With a focus on training + services, they don’t just deliver dashboards—they teach clients how to use them.
“We assume you’re here to do great work—our job is to remove the friction.” – Kris Skavish
Self-Managed Teams Are More Than a Buzzword
Inspired by Reinventing Organizations, the agency operates with minimal hierarchy and maximum trust. Employees are empowered to make strategic decisions—with support, not micromanagement.
“You don’t need my approval to buy a tool to do your job better. You just need good judgment and consultation.” – Kris Skavish
Apprenticeship Solves What Hiring Can’t
Real change requires building new pathways. Their U.S. Dept. of Labor–certified apprenticeship program helps candidates from underrepresented backgrounds enter the field with mentorship and experience—not just a résumé.
“If you only hire experienced people in a biased industry, you’re just moving people around. To change the game, you have to change the composition of the field.” – Nico Brooks
From Fear to Function: AI & Privacy in Marketing
Two Octobers is preparing clients for a world of increased data regulation and evolving AI tools—not with hype, but with strategy. Their goal? Equip marketers to responsibly use first-party data to drive growth in a changing world.
Show Notes
- Two Octobers YouTube Channel – Practical GA4 & data tutorials
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