Episode Summary
In this episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree sits down with Amy Hage and Brittney Trahan, co-founders of Strategy Maven Agency, a full-service email and SMS marketing firm based in New Orleans. What began as career curiosity turned into a thriving partnership rooted in trust, complementary strengths, and a relentless drive to grow, intentionally and authentically.
Episode Highlights
- How a shared vision, and three years of patient persistence, turned Brittney and Amy from acquaintances into co-founders.
- What it was like launching a business in the middle of the pandemic and how e-commerce trends worked in their favor
- Why they chose to niche down into email and SMS, and how that focus accelerated their growth
- The underrated power of great communication and follow-through as a client retention strategy.
- The personal philosophies that shape their agency’s culture, decision-making, and steady ascent.
Agency Info
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Company: Strategy Maven Agency
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Guest: Amy Hage and Brittney Trahan
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Year Started: 2020
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Employees: 11-25
It’s so simple, but just doing what you say you’re going to do sets you apart.
Brittney Trahan
Key Takeaways
Strong Partnerships Require Shared Values, Not Just Skills
Amy and Brittney don’t just divide tasks, they align on core work ethic, mutual respect, and big-picture goals. This has allowed them to make decisions smoothly, avoid resentment, and build a foundation stronger than many partnerships that fail.
Narrowing Your Services Can Be a Catalyst for Growth
Initially offering a broad range of services, Strategy Maven found clarity and momentum by narrowing its focus to email and SMS marketing.
“It was hard at first,” they admit, but the decision made client acquisition, team training, and performance outcomes significantly better.
Building Slowly Pays Off in Stability and Sustainability
Rather than rushing to scale, Amy and Brittney were deliberate, opting to grow at a pace that allowed them to maintain quality and control.
“We didn’t pay ourselves consistently until year two,” Amy recalls. But that discipline has paid dividends in the form of loyal clients and a rock-solid team.
Client Experience Still Matters More Than Flashy Services
Despite a digital world obsessed with funnels, tactics, and trends, what’s kept Strategy Maven thriving is old-school reliability:
“We just do what we say we’re going to do,” Brittney explains. That simplicity is why many of their clients have stuck around since day one.
Entrepreneurship is Often Rooted in Hardship and That’s Okay
From first-generation immigrant grit to navigating family struggles, both Amy and Brittney attribute their entrepreneurial resilience to formative experiences that taught them perseverance, independence, and possibility. Their story reminds us: Entrepreneurship isn’t just a business choice, it’s often a personal evolution.
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