On today’s episode, Chris Rodriguez talks to Shannon about the art of building and scaling a digital marketing agency with patience, integrity, and strategy. They dive into the fun side of creative exercises like “Market Me This,” the realities of agency life, and what it really means to “respect the game” in business. Chris shares his journey from humble beginnings to founding iExcel, how he views success beyond just numbers, and why sharing knowledge openly is key to long-term growth.
Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:
Why thinking outside the box with playful exercises can sharpen real-world marketing strategies.
Chris joins Shannon in a fun game called Market Me This, where he has to market an absurd product — caffeinated toothpaste. Through this exercise, he shows how even playful challenges help marketers practice quick, creative thinking, and how those same skills apply to real-world campaigns.
How patience, process, and integrity create sustainable success for agencies.
Chris shares iExcel’s journey as a “middle-class” agency — scrappy but growing. Instead of focusing only on revenue goals, he emphasizes building processes, refining systems, and leading with humility. He explains why respecting the long game, without rushing or caving to outside pressure, leads to sustainable growth.
Why sharing knowledge instead of gatekeeping builds stronger relationships and a lasting brand reputation.
Chris explains how he openly shares strategies with prospects and peers, even when there’s no guarantee of business. He believes solving puzzles and adding value builds trust, and that no one can truly “steal” your idea because execution is what sets agencies apart.
About Chris Rodriguez and iExcel:
- Website: https://iexcel.co/
- Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisexcel/