Scaling a Marketing Agency in 2026: Insights from Gayle Kalvert of Creo Collective

In this episode of The Sheer Growth Podcast, James Sheerin sits down with Gayle Kalvert, founder and CEO of Creo Collective, to talk about what it really takes to build and scale a modern B2B marketing agency.Gayle shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder in New York to unexpectedly becoming a founder after being laid off, and how that experience shaped the way she built her agency culture today.The conversation dives deep into agency growth, AI, outsourcing, profitability, hiring, client relationships, and the realities of running a service-based business in 2026.We cover:How Gayle transitioned from corporate life into entrepreneurshipWhy traditional agencies often fail their peopleThe importance of building a healthy agency cultureHow Creo Collective uses a hybrid freelance modelWhy subject matter expertise still matters in the AI eraHow AI is transforming agency operations and workflowsWhy profitability matters more than revenueThe challenges of pipeline generation and agency growthHow outsourced talent in the Philippines helped scale the businessWhy authenticity and transparency matter in leadershipIf you’re an agency owner, marketer, founder, or freelancer trying to grow a sustainable business in today’s AI-driven world, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical lessons.⸻🎙️ About Gayle KalvertGayle Kalvert is the founder and CEO of Creo Collective, a B2B growth marketing agency focused on helping ambitious tech brands scale through strategic marketing and execution.Creo Collective works with B2B technology companies by combining experienced marketing talent with flexible, scalable delivery models.The agency specializes in:• B2B growth marketing• Content and copywriting• Partner marketing• Event marketing• Strategic marketing operations• Demand generation• Fractional marketing supportGayle is also the host of the podcast Work In Progress, where she shares honest conversations around entrepreneurship, growth, work, and life.🌐 Website: https://gaylekalvert.com🌐 Creo Collective: https://www.creocollective.io🎙️ Marketing In Progress Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/marketing-in-progress/id1811403680LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaylekalvert/⸻⭐ About The Sheer Growth PodcastThe Sheer Growth Podcast features smart conversations with founders, marketers, and agency leaders on growth, AI, and the future of business.Hosted by James Sheerin.⸻🚀 Powered by Sheer AIAt Sheer AI, we help agencies grow with AI-powered client acquisition.We help marketing and advertising agencies:• Build predictable lead generation systems• Improve campaign ROI• Replace unnecessary tools with smarter workflows• Scale without bloated overhead🌐 https://www.sheer-ai.com