Marcelo Russo is an Argentine-born visionary dedicated to helping people and ideas find each other — blending technology, empathy, and strategy to make others smarter and more connected.
He is the Co-founder of Fri3nds Agency.
Find Marcelo:
Website: www.fri3nds.com
Instagram: @themarcerusso
X: @themarcerusso
LinkedIn: Marcelo Alejandro Russo
Affiliate Links:
Webflow: https://try.webflow.com/1p91anb2byd3
Bloom: https://bloom.cello.so/hXX9A7c0zQc
Chapters:
00:00 Admiring Brilliance: A Conversation About Leadership
05:21 From Tech to Creativity: Marcelo's Journey
10:25 Building a Creative Agency: The Friends Agency
15:14 Navigating Growth: From 17 to 4
20:33 The Challenge of Scaling: Retaining Talent
29:45 Navigating the Challenges of Agency Management
35:30 Establishing Guiding Principles for Team Dynamics
42:25 The Role of Organizational Health in Business Success
52:57 Learning from Past Mistakes: Growth and Adaptation
01:01:19 Ego and Opportunity: Expanding Business Verticals
01:07:44 The Importance of Cohesion in Teams
01:13:40 Navigating Client Engagements
01:20:23 Creating Productive Friction
01:28:21 Transformative Relationships and Personal Growth
01:39:18 Dog Tales and Personal Connections
01:46:25 Networking Adventures in New York
01:50:53 The Value of Authentic Connections
01:58:50 Breaking the Ice: Vulnerability in Conversations
02:06:01 The Nature of Conversations
02:11:15 The Role of Hobbies in Life
02:19:58 The Pressure of Monetizing Hobbies
02:26:49 Finding Joy in the Process
Takeaways:
- The importance of networking and relationship building in business.
- The significance of protecting and supporting your team as a leader.
- The balance between technology and creativity in agency work.
- The transition from a large team to a smaller, more efficient core team.
- The importance of trust and transparency in team dynamics.
- Navigating challenges during downsizing and maintaining growth.
- The role of accountability in business relationships.
- Hiring principles that prioritize cultural fit and friendship.
- The value of building personal relationships in business.
- The significance of organizational health in team success.
- The intersection of business strategy and creativity in agency work.
- The importance of open communication with clients.
- Learning from mistakes and viewing them as growth opportunities.
- The need for strategic thinking in client engagement.
- The balance of creativity and operations in agency work.
- The importance of client retention and relationship management.
- Overcoming the fear of public speaking can lead to new opportunities.
- Networking can be transformational and energizing.
- Community connections can provide endless optimism for the future.
- It's important to focus on personal connections rather than just business.
- Balancing creativity with business demands is crucial for satisfaction.
- Hobbies should be pursued for joy, not just as potential businesses.
- Finding the right partners can enhance personal and professional growth.
- Your network can significantly impact your success and happiness.
- Pursuing passions can lead to unexpected opportunities and connections.
