From Dojo to Digital Empire: An Agency Growth Story

How do you turn decades of passion into a thriving business that dominates a niche?

In this episode, Corey sits down with Cris Rodriguez, Founder and Visionary of Grow Pro Agency, to unpack her transformation from martial artist school owner to digital marketing powerhouse. Serving over 450 martial arts schools across the U.S., Cris reveals how her agency carved out a competitive edge through witty strategy, results-driven marketing, and an all-American team.

Cris doesn’t hold back as she shares the secrets behind her success—why Facebook ads and word-of-mouth remain unbeatable, how content creation drives engagement, and the role of company culture in retaining top talent. She also opens up about the risks and rewards of going all-in on a single vertical and why hiring the right team is non-negotiable.

If you’re looking for real-world insights into building a specialized, scalable agency while staying grounded in your vision, this conversation delivers.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• Benefits of hiring a dedicated sales team for your agency (+ hiring tips)
• Why developing joint venture partnerships is essential for scaling an agency
• Leveraging the power of word-of-mouth marketing
• How to create engaging content that converts
• The risks and rewards of focusing on one vertical
• Why Cris uses Facebook ads as her primary marketing strategy
• Secrets to improving your client and employee retention
• Why you need an abundance mindset when serving a competitive market

Here are some actionable key takeaways for agency founders:

• Hiring a dedicated sales team is essential for systematic growth and allows the agency owner to focus on leadership and strategy.
• Developing joint venture partnerships can expand reach and bring in higher-quality leads, which is critical for scaling.
• Client retention is driven by results and strong relationships.
• Hiring a team aligned with core values ensures better collaboration, productivity, and morale.
• A strong company culture leads to higher employee satisfaction and reduces turnover.
• Creating high-quality content helps build brand authority and attract new clients in a competitive market. 

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

- Connect with Cris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisleerodriguez/ 

- Check out Grow Pro Agency: