Fast + Light Agency: A Story of Friendship, Innovation, and Digital Marketing Done Right
Fast + Light Agency: A Story of Friendship, Innovation, and Digital Marketing Done Right
In the world of digital marketing, it's rare to find an agency that truly puts its clients first. But that's exactly what Drew Mabry and Alex set out to do when they founded Fast + Light Agency (F+L). Their journey is a testament to the power of friendship, shared values, and a commitment to doing things differently.
The story of F+L begins with an unlikely partnership. Alex was co-founding a destination Yoga Retreat startup, while Drew was brought in to write a product requirements document for the initial website and infrastructure. Drew's role at the time was that of a tech consultant, known for asking tough questions and then moving on to the next project.
"I was pretty much the guy who'd show up at tech and media companies, ask all sorts of annoying questions, write a long document over a period of months, and then fire myself," Drew recalls with a chuckle. "Things were no different this time. Everyone hated my stupid questions like 'How does that make us money?' and 'Why would people want to buy that?'"
Despite (or perhaps because of) Drew's penchant for asking the hard questions, he and Alex formed a friendship. They discovered their complementary approaches to connecting with the world, and this partnership would eventually lead to the creation of F+L.
Two major insights from their work on the Yoga Retreat project laid the foundation for their future agency:
1. The disconnect between founder visions and market realities: "Retreat leaders felt it was vulgar to have to sell their retreat," Alex explains. "They expected people to magically join based on some pretty pictures." This experience taught them the importance of communicating essential information empathetically.
2. The shortcomings of traditional digital agencies: As they met with various agencies, Drew and Alex were put off by the glossy presentations that avoided discussing potential challenges. "The gist of all the conversations seemed to be 'Close your pretty mouth, sign this contract and write us a big check, and everything will be great,'" Drew remembers. "We both felt it was pretty gross, and there had to be a better way."
When Alex's co-founder turned down an opportunity to bring Tyra Banks on board as a spokesperson (yes, that Tyra Banks!), it was clear it was time for a change. Shortly after, Drew and Alex founded F+L with a mission to build a better agency.
"Our initial goals, which still guide us today, are to have empathy, speak the truth, treat our clients' money like it's ours, and eschew long-term commitments," Alex states. "We grow or we go – it's that simple."
Over the past eight years, F+L has weathered the ups and downs of the business world, continually learning and adapting. Today, they're proud to help clients succeed with digital strategy, paid media, and websites for E-Commerce and Local brands.
"We love what we do," Drew says. "Alex has been the best partner, we've built a team we're proud of, and have an amazing roster of clients."
Their approach is refreshingly straightforward: they're always happy to speak with brands about improving their digital presence, whether or not it leads to a partnership. They offer no-cost website teardowns and audits of paid media or SEO, embodying their commitment to adding value first.
As Drew and Alex look to the future, they remain committed to their original vision: an agency that truly puts its clients first asks the tough questions, and delivers results. Fast + Light Agency stands out as a beacon of authenticity and effectiveness in digital marketing in a world of flashy pitches and empty promises.
For brands looking to elevate their digital presence with a partner who genuinely cares about their success, F+L offers a compelling alternative to the status quo. As Drew and Alex would say, "Let's connect for an introductory conversation. We're here to help you succeed, one digital strategy at a time."
