Doubling a 20-Year Agency in 6 Months (Susan Fernandez)

August 4, 2026

Let's Dive Right In:

Susan Fernandez gave Jesse Gilmore six months to turn her agency around or she was shutting it down. She doubled it instead.

Susan had the niche and the team, but Epiphany Studio could not function without her in every decision. As one of the first five clients of the Leverage for Growth method, she got her expertise out of her head and into documented process, positioned her time around her unique ability, and let historical data cut the clutter. That structure at four people is what made her a credible merger target. Epiphany merged into UpSpring, where Susan is now SVP of Marketing.

Connect with the Speaker:

Susan Fernandez is Senior Vice President of Marketing at UpSpring, a strategic PR, marketing, and growth partner serving architecture firms, interior design practices, and product manufacturers in the built environment. Before joining UpSpring's leadership team, she founded and led Epiphany Studio, a boutique marketing agency focused on architectural and building product brands. Earlier in her career, Susan worked at leading New York advertising agencies, developing expertise in brand strategy and growth marketing. Today, she leads brand strategy across UpSpring, helping clients clarify their positioning and market presence. Her work centers on uncovering a company's core identity and aligning it with its long-term business goals.

Connect with Susan and UpSpring:
Web — https://www.weareupspring.com/
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanwalshfernandez/

Listen to More

A leverage-first agency redesign system helping established marketing agency owners build founder-independent businesses. Founded by Jesse P. Gilmore in 2019.