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

Josh, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today undefined

I’ve always seen innovation as staying curious and adapting—not just chasing new tech or trends. Most of the time, it’s about small, consistent moves that help you grow over time.

Tech has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember—it’s second nature and still shapes a lot of my work today. But if there’s one thing that’s really defined my career, it’s been a constant drive to learn and expand.

I started out in the fashion industry, working in product development, but I was always curious about how the whole business fit together—marketing, branding, sourcing, operations. I kept asking questions and pushing to learn beyond my immediate role.

That curiosity pulled me off the traditional path. I ended up building a broad, diverse skill set—without even realizing it at first—and looking back, that’s been one of my biggest strengths.

When I launched my own creative studio, that range of experience allowed me to help brands think bigger—not just about a logo or an ad, but about how their whole digital presence connects and supports their business goals.

For me, innovation wasn’t about inventing something new. It was about staying curious, stepping outside the typical roadmap, and building a career that could adapt as industries and technologies evolved.

Josh, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always been someone who’s curious about how things work — not just on the surface, but behind the scenes. Early on, that curiosity led me into the fashion industry, where I started in product development. But pretty quickly, I realized I wasn’t the type to stay in one lane. I wanted to understand every part of the business — branding, marketing, sourcing, even how products actually got into people’s hands.

That drive led me to take on a variety of roles across the industry, including Sales & Marketing for brands, Market Analyst for a leading retail consulting firm, and eventually serving as Vice President for an apparel manufacturer.

That mindset naturally evolved into starting my own business, Remote Cntrl. At the time, I didn’t set out thinking “I’m going to build an agency.” It was more about finding ways to help brands connect all the dots — from creative strategy and content development to building websites and managing their presence online through platforms like Google and Yelp. It’s grown into a boutique studio where I work closely with clients across different industries like hospitality, CPG, fashion, wellness, and professional services.

The work we do ranges from brand storytelling and content (photo and video), to web development and social media strategy. But at the core, it’s really about helping brands show up in a way that feels genuine, cohesive, and intentional.

What sets Remote Cntrl apart is how hands-on and personal the process is. I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” marketing or bloated agency teams where you get lost in the shuffle. I only offer services I know I can personally execute and scale when needed, which keeps the work thoughtful and the collaboration close.

I’m proud that so many of my clients come back year after year, and that they trust me not just as a partner, but as someone who really cares about their business like it’s my own.

If there’s one thing I hope people take away from working with me, it’s that Remote Cntrl is built around partnership — not just delivering great visuals or campaigns, but helping brands grow in a way that feels real and lasting.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I’ve been going to Cabo since I was a kid, and to this day, it’s still one of my favorite places to travel. Back in 2018, I stayed at a new spot a friend had recommended—a boutique hotel in the heart of Cabo San Lucas called Bahia Hotel & Beach House.

At the time, content development was a growing service of mine, and naturally, I was sharing a lot on my socials. What I didn’t know was that the brand manager of the hospitality group that owned the hotel had come across my posts. After noticing that I had my own business, she reached out. We ended up meeting during my trip and had a few great conversations. A week later, I was officially consulting for the hospitality group, which included the hotel and two restaurants.

Even though my hospitality experience was limited—and I had no prior hotel experience—I trusted that my background in consumer behavior and market analysis would translate. I knew I could learn the industry as I dove in.

At the time, the hotel was about 70% reliant on wholesale platforms like Expedia and Hotels.com, and I immediately saw massive potential to drive more direct bookings. I had already seen the power of social media and the rise of DTC brands in the fashion and CPG space, so I built a 6-12 month plan to refresh their brand presence, elevate their content strategy, and maximize organic reach through strategic brand partnerships.

This also aligned with a major renovation project they were undergoing—the hotel wanted to drive more traffic, but also raise their ADR (average daily rate) by showcasing the value of their investments back into the property.

After eight months, I was offered a fractional Director role. Four months after that, we started seeing amazing results: direct bookings climbed to around 70%, dramatically increasing margins and allowing the brand to capture valuable customer data they previously missed through wholesale booking ‘walls.’

Fast forward seven years, and we’ve accomplished a lot—with a lean team, consistent strategy, and while I’ve remained 95% remote. It’s still one of my favorite success stories because it combined personal passion, a calculated risk, and trusting the value of transferable skills.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Honestly, I wish I had some crazy hack or silver bullet to share—but the truth is, I’m terrible at posting for my own brand, I’ve run maybe two ads ever (for myself), and I’m not someone who goes to mixers or mastermind groups.

Almost all of my new clients have come through word of mouth and referrals. I won’t lie—it stresses me out sometimes to say that out loud—but I also take it as a huge compliment. I think it comes down to trust.

One of the things I’m most proud of, both personally and professionally, is that people see me as genuine. I’m honest—sometimes to a fault—and I won’t sugarcoat things or just follow along if I don’t believe it’s the right move. I always think about the long game when it comes to building relationships, and I believe that’s a big reason why client loyalty and referrals have been such a steady part of my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://remotecntrl.studio/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remote_cntrl & https://www.instagram.com/bymrgross
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gdmgrp/