Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Suchánek. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chris, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Our overarching mission is to ensure that we’re not just selling widgets. Since 2008, a percentage of our annual profit has gone to helping under-resourced families in our community help make ends meet during the holidays. I can proudly share that we’ve served over 260,000 meals to families and contributed nearly 50,000 large-scale volunteer hours through our sister nonprofit, Project Boon. However, I believe this is what every business owner should do without waiting for success—it’s part of being a member of the community. I believe that true happiness comes from being useful to the people around us, whether they are under-resourced or our colleagues. It’s our job to bring something to the table, and I think happiness is found in that service.

However, that is not why I come to work every day. Most importantly, I started Firm Media with the mission to simply do it better. I saw well-intentioned agencies selling trust over value without understanding how to do it right, and I believed it could be done better. I strive every day to make sure that a true marketing partnership exists, and that remains my core mission.

Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sure, I am the CEO of Firm Media, a national award-winning marketing agency specializing in services for specialty medical practices such as oral surgery, plastic surgery, and med spas.

From the exhilaration of launching a Grammy-winning album to collaborating with iconic brands like EMI Music, Warner Brothers, and MTV, my marketing journey has been defined by a pursuit of excellence. My early experiences in the entertainment industry instilled a drive to create impactful work that resonates, a passion that continues to fuel my career today.

At Firm Media, we pride ourselves on delivering best-in-class web design and media production, including video and photography. Our approach is results-driven, utilizing a time-tested, systematized methodology to achieve high-quality outcomes for our clients. Our commitment to excellence has been recognized consistently; we were named Agency of the Year by the American Advertising Federation and have won awards annually for our web design and media production.

What sets us apart is not only our award-winning work but also our dedication to our clients. We understand the unique needs of specialty medical practices and tailor our services to help them thrive in a competitive market. Our team is committed to delivering unmatched customer service and ensuring that every project we undertake meets the highest standards.

I am incredibly proud of the high standard we have set at Firm Media. Each team member strives to uphold this standard, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible service and results.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’m actually in a period of drastic pivot right now, so this is very timely. This journey is quite personal, but I believe many businesspeople can relate to the need for deep inner work to get to the next level.

Sixteen years ago, I left an agency where I was making the most money I had ever made to start my own marketing firm from my kitchen table, armed with just a business card and a phone line. This wasn’t the first time I had started something with a vision, but I genuinely believed I could “do it better.” I didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time, but I knew what it felt like, and that was enough.

Fast forward 10 to 15 years, and we have built an award-winning national specialty medical marketing agency, with 40 employees, working with over 200 doctors across the country. However, I began to notice a sense of dread every day as I entered the office. The vision I had to touch greatness had turned into a vehicle for mediocrity, driven by people who cared more about personal gain than excellence. Having had the privilege in my earlier years to work on projects that exemplified authenticity, I knew what true greatness felt like, and this for sure wasn’t it.

I decided that day would be the last I would tolerate watching my vision be diluted by mediocrity and selfish ambitions. The past 12-24 months have been a journey of rebalancing everything I work towards and believe in. I had to look inward and ask myself how this happened. How did I let one of the biggest risks of my life become so watered down? The answer was that I had allowed my vision to become community property, entrusting it to people who lacked courage and vision.

This transformation started with me. Coming from a dysfunctional family and having poor coping skills molded for me, I often say I spent the first 20 years of my life learning things I had to spend the next 20 unlearning. My childhood circumstances were so challenging that not all my siblings made it. For some reason I believed that none of those circumstances affected me or those around me, expecting all survivors to behave like whole humans, which was unrealistic. I realized I had to address deep-rooted trauma.

So, I dove in. Today, I am embracing this transformation, committed to redefining my vision and ensuring it remains true to its core values. This pivot is not just about business; it’s about aligning my work with my authentic self and striving for greatness in everything I do.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

To manage a team effectively and maintain high morale, it is crucial to swiftly address and remove toxic players. Whether it’s office gossip, toxic positivity, top producers who undermine the team, or those lacking accountability, allowing such behaviors to persist can significantly harm team morale and productivity. Ensuring that everyone understands how their work contributes to the larger mission fosters a sense of purpose and happiness, as people find fulfillment in being useful and providing value to the community. Recognize your team as a community, and cultivate a culture of mutual support and respect.

It is vital to have the right people in the right roles and ensure that those who are not a good fit are asked to leave. This approach maintains a positive and productive work environment. Upholding high standards of professionalism creates a safe and healthy space where true professionals can thrive and establish clear boundaries that help individuals recognize their leadership potential. Encouraging leadership and accountability allows team members to take ownership of their roles and highlights those committed to the team. Embrace what may seem like rigidity as an act of courage and love; establishing clear rules and expectations shows care for your team’s well-being and is crucial for creating a healthy work environment.

Additionally, I believe people are starving for authenticity these days. Frankly, people are tired of being sold to, and most agencies have been selling trust rather than value. Trust can be hustled too easily, whereas delivering real value requires a level of expert execution. By focusing on providing genuine value through expertise and dedication, you can build a team and a business that stands out and fosters genuine connections with clients and team members alike. Implementing these principles helps cultivate an environment where professionalism, accountability, and mutual respect drive higher morale and sustained success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://firm-media.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/such_a_media/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuchanekC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophersuchanek/

Image Credits

Bryan Figueroa