Episode Summary
In this inspiring episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree chats with Miranda Calatrello, founder of Calatrello Creatives, a Louisville-based boutique marketing agency focused on organic social media and digital marketing for small businesses.
Born from pandemic disruption and built on the values of flexibility, family, and community, Miranda’s agency has become a beacon for military spouses seeking meaningful work and for small business owners navigating the digital landscape.
Episode Highlights:
- How Miranda transformed pandemic downtime into an up and coming social media business
- The pivotal role her agency plays in supporting military and first responder spouses with remote, flexible employment
- A behind-the-scenes look at preparing for maternity leave as a solo founder
- Why hospitality and wellness became her agency’s niche (and how her former employer became a client!)
Agency Info
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Company: Maven Marketing & Co
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Guest: Miranda Calatrello
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Year Started: 2019
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Employees: 1-10
The wheels should be running without me. That’s how we’ve set it up.
Miranda Calatrello
Key Takeaways
Building a Business with Purpose
Miranda didn’t just create a business for herself, she built an opportunity for others like her. As a military spouse, she saw a gap in flexible, career-building roles and made it her mission to fill it. Hiring military and first responder spouses became a central tenet of her agency culture, offering not just employment but understanding and community.
Turning Setbacks into Strategic Launchpads
Her career shift began with a furlough from her hospitality job during COVID-19. Rather than wait it out, she leaned into her informal social media work, formalized her offerings, and quickly grew her client base. The adversity created space for a long-imagined vision to come to life.
The Power of Community and Networking
From legal documents to maternity leave plans, Miranda has relied on her network to navigate the unknown. Her advice: ask for help, and don’t be afraid to reach out. Many of her professional connections have evolved into lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.
Planning for Life and Business Transitions
Facing maternity leave as a founder required deep planning and trust. Miranda created a 10-page maternity plan, elevated a team member to COO, and shifted her presence off client accounts months in advance. The result? Her business didn’t skip a beat and now she has a blueprint for long-term leadership.
Defining Boundaries and Values
One compelling story reveals how a client’s business split after a divorce led to Miranda’s decision to implement a strict no-competition policy within client industries and markets. This experience helped her reinforce trust, maintain professionalism, and avoid future conflicts.
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