In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross Simmonds shares a personal journal-style update on his business journey and a major new strategic partnership. Ross walks listeners through the evolution of his brand Foundation Marketing, a newly formed alliance with education-sector marketing leader Carnegie, and the power of delivering value in every room you enter. This episode delivers insight into the journey from humble beginnings to significant success and highlights the long-term impact of authentic relationship-building, content creation, and value-driven partnerships.
Key Takeaways and Insights:
A Major Partnership Announcement
Ross announces the new partnership between Foundation Marketing and Carnegie
Carnegie Dartlet - Higher Education Marketing Organization
The Power of Speaking & Connection
Importance of showing up with value in every room
The origin story of how opportunities arise from consistent effort and public speaking
Ross’s Content Creation Journey
Ross’s early days blogging in his basement with little money (and lots of instant coffee)
Turning point: speaking invitation to Miami from a reader
Lesson: "You can live anywhere in the world, create content, and reach people globally"
About the Carnegie Partnership
Announcement revisited: Foundation + Carnegie collaboration to serve higher education clients
Carnegie’s strength: deep experience with higher ed digital marketing
Foundation’s traditional focus: B2B and SaaS, now expanding into higher ed
Early wins and the rewarding nature of impacting students’ journeys
How the Partnership Came to Be: Storytime
Carnegie first approached Ross via a DM inviting him to speak at their Orlando event
Ross’s mindset: treat the audience with full value even though it wasn't his target industry
Result: strong impact, positive reception, and future opportunity
Round Two: The Follow-Up Years Later
Ross’s wife encourages follow-up; he DMs Carnegie again
They invite him to speak a second time
Second session’s topic: content as a competitive edge, SEO as a moat
Deeper engagement: internal training, workshops at Carnegie
The Partnership Comes to Life
The relationship matures into a formal partnership
Foundation and Carnegie now jointly create content for higher ed institutions
Goal: drive meaningful, measurable results in the education space
Collaboration Vs. Scarcity
Business lesson: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Value of partnering with aligned people and organizations
Nuggets of wisdom from Ross’s grandmother: “There’s enough for everyone to eat”
Encouragement for listeners to seek partnerships that drive both impact and personal alignment
Resources & Tools:
🔗 Distribution.ai
🔗Carnegie and Foundation Partnership
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