We recently connected with Courtney Ross and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

In 2017, while serving as a Marketing Director in Washington, D.C., I met Eddie, a United States Marine Corps pilot who was training in Quantico. We dated long distance for three years, but as our relationship deepened, I faced a pivotal decision: remain in D.C. with a flourishing career or relocate to North Carolina to be with Eddie. Given the limited remote work options at the time, moving meant potentially sacrificing my professional trajectory.

Determined to find a solution that met my personal and professional aspirations, I decided to chart my own course. One week before our wedding, I established Sawgrass Marketing, a boutique creative agency dedicated to crafting meaningful narratives for luxury brands. The name “Sawgrass” was inspired by the untouched beauty of the southeastern coast, reflecting our commitment to creating authentic and immersive experiences.

Over the next five years in North Carolina, Sawgrass Marketing flourished into a six-figure enterprise. However, the unpredictable nature of military life soon presented another challenge: Eddie received orders to relocate to Japan. This move posed significant hurdles for the business, including a substantial time difference and the complexities of managing U.S.-based clients from abroad.

Embracing the adventure, I transitioned Sawgrass Marketing into an international agency. To accommodate our clients, I began my workdays between 3-4 am, conducting early meetings before attending to family commitments. While this schedule ensured uninterrupted service for our clients, it placed considerable strain on our team. The time difference led to unconventional working hours, affecting team morale and resulting in increased staff turnover.

Reflecting on this journey, the decision to establish Sawgrass Marketing stands as a testament to resilience and adaptability. It underscores the sacrifices military families make and highlights the importance of flexibility in the face of unforeseen challenges. Today, Sawgrass Marketing continues to thrive, blending southern hospitality with international design to create compelling narratives for luxury brands worldwide.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sawgrass Marketing is a boutique creative agency founded in 2017 by Courtney Ross, a marketing professional with a passion for storytelling and design. Inspired by the untouched beauty of the southeastern United States, particularly the vast marshlands known as sawgrass, the agency’s name reflects its commitment to crafting authentic and immersive experiences for luxury brands.

Our Journey into the Industry

Our journey began with a vision to help luxury brands immerse their customers in the feeling of pristine, natural beauty. Drawing inspiration from the organic purity of the outdoors, we aim to create marketing strategies that resonate deeply with audiences, fostering meaningful connections between brands and their clients.

Services We Provide

At Sawgrass Marketing, we specialize in:

Branding: Crafting cohesive and impactful brand identities that communicate your story, values, and aesthetics, targeting your desired customer demographic.

Marketing Strategy: Transforming luxury brands into fruitful businesses by auditing all marketing channels, providing assessments, and setting strategic goals.

Web Design: Curating alluring photography and narratives to capture your ideal clientele, turning your marketing investment into profit.

Social Media Management: Developing and executing tailored social media strategies to enhance brand presence and engagement across platforms.

Media Shoots: Organizing and directing professional media shoots to produce high-quality visual content that aligns with your brand’s identity.

Problems We Solve

We understand the challenges luxury brands face in standing out in a saturated market. Our team delves deep into the fabric of your brand, understanding its aesthetics and values at an intimate level. This collaborative intimacy allows us to architect strategies that evoke emotion and forge authentic bonds with your desired market.

What Sets Us Apart

Our approach is rooted in southern hospitality and influenced by international culture and design. We believe marketing should mold your guests’ aspirational ideas into meaningful memories. By reimagining hospitality marketing, we help integrate the desire for extraordinary experiences into everyday lives.

Our Commitment

As a certified United States military-spouse-owned business and conservation advocate, we donate annually to causes close to our hearts: military spouse entrepreneurship and marshland conservation. This commitment reflects our dedication not only to our clients but also to the broader community and environment.

Pride in Our Work

We take immense pride in our ability to create meaningful marketing that transforms luxury brands into fruitful businesses. Our diverse expertise in marketing and design allows clients to scale their marketing efforts at a fraction of the cost, all while maintaining authenticity and depth in their brand narratives.

At Sawgrass Marketing, we don’t just tell your brand’s story—we help your audience experience it.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara has been a game-changer for us at Sawgrass. Guidara’s idea of going above and beyond to create memorable experiences really struck a chord with us – especially since we service hospitality companies.

We’ve taken this to heart by getting to know our clients on a deeper level – it’s about creating a sense of partnership and less about a transaction. We don’t just meet their needs; we anticipate them and deliver solutions that surprise and delight. It’s about building genuine connections and offering more than what’s expected.

By embracing this approach, we’re not just fulfilling expectations—we’re consistently exceeding them, showing our dedication to excellence and genuine care in every interaction.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

A lot of our business comes from the connections we’ve built through the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) conferences and, honestly, good old-fashioned word of mouth. The “words of affirmation” from past clients and referral partners have been huge in helping us land new business. When people genuinely love working with us and share that with others, it carries so much more weight than any ad ever could. Those personal recommendations and industry connections have been the biggest drivers of our growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sawgrassmktg.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawgrassmktg
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sawgrassmktg
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sawgrassmarketing/

Image Credits

Johanna Lakin Photography