Episode Summary
In this episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree sits down with Rachel Harris Ledet, founder of 30|90 Marketing, a boutique strategic marketing agency based in New Orleans, Louisiana. With a rich background in corporate marketing and a deep love for her city, Rachel shares how her career shaped her unique approach to working with clients, not just for them.
Episode Highlights:
- The Origin of 30|90: Learn the story behind the agency’s name, tied to the latitude and longitude of New Orleans and why numbers spoke to Rachel’s original AEC industry roots.
- The Hovercraft Method: How Rachel mastered the art of getting the information she needed by showing up, asking questions, and literally riding shotgun.
- The Leap from Corporate: What finally pushed her to leave a secure job and how she made sure she wasn’t leaping blindly.
- Client Lessons Learned: Why sticking to your process matters and how one near-disaster cemented that.
- Vision for the Future: Rachel’s dream for a culture-first, family-friendly agency that does great work without burnout.
Agency Info
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Company: 30|90 Marketing
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Guest: Rachel Harris Ledet
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Year Started: 2018
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Employees: 1-10
Anytime you get real with yourself, you start to find answers pretty quickly about what you’re meant to be doing.
Rachel Harris Ledet
Key Takeaways
Relationships Drive Results
Rachel’s “ride-along” origin story isn’t just anecdotal, it reflects a larger theme. Listening first and embedding deeply with client teams gives her a competitive edge. It’s not about quick wins; it’s about long-term partnerships.
Calculated Risk is Still Risk
Rachel didn’t jump into entrepreneurship without a plan. She built a client base quietly, checked the viability with trusted peers, and secured support at home before flipping the switch. The leap wasn’t reckless, it was measured.
Stick to Your Process
A pivotal moment came when Rachel bent her usual client workflow to meet a client’s demand, only to watch the project fall apart under pressure. The lesson? Trust your process and protect your standards.
Growth Can Be Personal and Professional
Rachel wants to grow 30|90, but not at the cost of its culture. Her vision? A nimble, eight-to-ten person team where everyone feels supported both at work and at home. No glorified hustle, just meaningful work and balance.
Visibility Is Her Best Sales Tool
Despite being a marketing expert, Rachel admits her own business growth still relies on word-of-mouth and showing up in person. Her current focus is on speaking engagements, workshops, and community involvement as authentic lead gen.
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