She Watched Her Family’s Agency Close Then Started Over - StartStrong

Company: StartStrong Marketing
Owners: Shauna Archer
Year Started: 2018
Employees: 1-10 

What happens when the agency you planned to inherit suddenly shuts its doors? Shauna Archer didn’t just face the end of her family’s legacy, she found a new path forward. In this episode, Shauna shares how she navigated loss, found unexpected opportunity during the pandemic, and built Start Strong Marketing from the ground up.

Key Takeaways

• The biggest risk of relying too heavily on one client (and how it ended her parents’ agency)
• How Shauna rebuilt her confidence after career-shaking grief
• The surprising upside of starting a business during a crisis
• Why small operational wins matter more than flashy growth
• How she found new purpose by aligning with ESG-driven clients

Hear details for an agency planning workshop event November 10th and 11th 2025. Visit anagencystory.com to learn more.