What if your copywriter became your CEO… and crushed it?

In this episode, I sit down with Claire Marshall, who started with us as a copywriter and eventually became the first CEO of Lean Marketing (back when we were still called Successwise). We reflect on the wild ride of building a global team, leading without micromanaging, and growing a business by growing people. Claire also shares the deeply personal journey she’s been on since stepping away from chasing external success to redefining what fulfillment actually looks like. 

If you've ever wondered what kind of person can run your business like it's their own — or whether it’s possible to shift gears after years of hustle — this one will hit home.

Key Takeaways:

• Meet Claire Marshall: The Digital Nomad: I introduce Claire — our very first CEO — and we talk about how her global lifestyle shaped the way she leads and works.
• The Journey from Copywriter to CEO: Claire didn’t start in leadership — she started writing copy, and we walk through how she rose to lead the entire company.
• Hiring for Attitude and Growth: We unpack my philosophy on hiring, and why I’d choose someone with curiosity and grit over experience any day.
• Challenges and Lessons in Leadership: Claire and I get real about the growing pains, missteps, and what we both learned navigating leadership in a fast-scaling business.
• Transitioning and Personal Growth: After stepping away, Claire shares how she redefined success and found a new path that goes far beyond business.

Listen in for the laughs, lessons, and everything in between — only on the Lean Marketing Podcast.

Shareable Quotes:

• "Marketing is the sexy part, but it’s the systems that make the sexy stuff actually work." — Claire Marshall
• "You’re not just running a company — you’re growing people." — Claire Marshall
• "Somebody who thinks it's very exciting that the world is their oyster, and somebody who is terrified that the world is their oyster." — Claire Marshall
• "I often hire for attitude rather than skills, which is great — but there is definitely a cost to it." — Allan Dib
• "A-players are contextual. Someone who’s great in one company might not be great in yours." — Allan Dib