The Truth About Marketing Agencies (and What You Should Really Look For

❓What if your marketing strategist understood your industry as well as you do?

In this no-prep conversation, host Adrienne Barker, MAS dives into the marketing journey of Jake Setterlun—an engineering student turned marketing agency founder—who believes the best campaigns come from people who actually get your business. Together, they explore the value of practical experience, the dangers of outsourcing too soon, and the importance of creating systems that serve real client goals, not just metrics.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Tailored > Template: Jake emphasizes why personalized marketing strategies outperform cookie-cutter campaigns—especially for small businesses.
• Understanding is Everything: Knowing a client’s business isn’t optional—it’s essential for delivering real results.
• Start by Doing the Work: Jake shares how offering free services early on helped him gain experience, referrals, and long-term clients.
• One-Time vs. Monthly: His unique business model charges clients once for life, flipping the typical subscription model on its head.
• Failures = Fuel: A failed outsourcing experiment in the Dominican Republic taught Jake the value of adaptability and in-house systems.

💬 Quote to Remember:

“If you don’t understand your client’s business, you’re just posting. Real marketing is about solving real problems—and that starts with knowing who you’re solving for.” — Jake Setterlun

🔗 Connect with Jake Setterlun:

📍LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jakesetterlun