Episode 184: S2| Ozzy and Zachary: From Napkin Ideas to a Thriving Agency
Introduction
How often do ideas sketched on a napkin turn into million-dollar businesses? For Ozzy Garner and Zachary Conover, that was precisely the beginning of Advertis. Founded in a Kentucky restaurant, their company now serves hundreds of marketing agencies, offering a full-scale fractional marketing department to boost agency success. Let’s dive into their journey, motivations, and strategies that have made Advertis a leading white-label marketing agency partner.
Ozzy and Zachary’s Journey and Motivation
Ozzy and Zachary’s entrepreneurial journey began with a serendipitous meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, in December 2020. From the outset, their shared backgrounds in startups paved the way for a successful partnership. Before launching Advertis, Ozzy, and Zachary were both immersed in the startup world—Ozzy consulted for equity, while Zachary worked for a company that Ozzy was leading. After recognizing Zachary’s passion and intelligence, Ozzy brought him on as Director of Marketing for a project introducing AI from Europe to the U.S. market.
Their partnership began in a restaurant called Biscuit Belly, where they brainstormed on a napkin, sparking the foundation of Advertis. Despite not knowing each other deeply on a personal level, they quickly discovered their shared values and aligned motivations. Both Ozzy and Zachary are driven by a desire to create opportunities for others, and their aim with Advertis was to serve both marketing agencies and their clients by offering streamlined fulfillment services.
Strategies and Tips for Entrepreneurs
The strategies that helped Advertis scale include strong project management systems and a culture of transparency, two components essential for their rapid growth. Zachary highlighted their use of advanced project management tools, such as ClickUp, which allowed them to standardize processes and disseminate knowledge effectively across their team. For entrepreneurs seeking to scale their agencies, Zachary’s advice is to invest in robust systems that foster transparency, improve team alignment, and reduce the burden of “tribal knowledge.” He believes that having operating procedures accessible to everyone empowers teams and enhances efficiency.
Another critical strategy involves capacity management. As Ozzy noted, understanding and managing workload capacity helps ensure that no team member is overwhelmed. By leveraging ClickUp, they gained the visibility to see who needed relief and where budget adjustments were required to accommodate the growing workload. Their recommendation for entrepreneurs: always assess the tools your team loves to use and make sure those tools serve the overall business purpose.
Current Challenges and Solutions
One of the key challenges facing Advertis today is recruiting. With their rapid growth, finding and onboarding quality talent that fits their culture is a major hurdle. As a fully remote company serving agencies globally, Advertis receives thousands of applications whenever they post a job. Zachary expressed that their challenge lies in efficiently sifting through the overwhelming number of applicants while ensuring a cultural fit.
During the podcast, David offered insights on the importance of crafting clear messaging in recruitment, akin to marketing, to ensure that only the right candidates are attracted. This involves emphasizing the company’s core values and mission right from the start, creating a powerful magnet to draw the right talent while repelling those who might not be a fit.
About Ozzy Garner and Zachary Conover
Ozzy Garner and Zachary Conover are the co-founders of Advertis, a white-label marketing partner that acts as a fractional marketing department for other agencies. Their mission is to serve their families, teams, and communities by supporting the growth of the agencies they partner with.
You can connect with Ozzy at ozzy@advertis.com or find both Ozzy and Zachary on LinkedIn, where they actively share insights and connect with entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Ozzy and Zachary’s journey with Advertis is a testament to the power of collaboration, transparency, and using the right tools for growth. Their strategies have helped them overcome the challenges of scaling a business while building a strong culture of service. If you’re interested in learning more or connecting with Advertis, reach out directly or subscribe to the Seven Figure Journey podcast to hear more inspiring stories.
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