Industry leaders Kellie Pean and Sophie Jacoel of 'Brand New: a collective' share how to achieve sustainable growth, client retention, and a healthy, productive workplace.

Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2025) - On episode No. 98 of the DesignRush Podcast, Kellie Pean and Sophie Jacoel of 'Brand New: a collective,' an award-winning integrated marketing agency, unpack one of the toughest questions for

What happens when you scale faster than your people, systems, and culture?

The answer: creative energy collapses, morale slips, and client trust suffers.

Source: DesignRush

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Pean and Jacoel share how their culture-first agency has scaled intentionally by protecting what makes them excellent: clear processes, emotional intelligence, and deep alignment with both team and clients.

"I'd rather go slow and get it right than just ball out because I can," says Pean. "Yes doesn't get you excellence."

Key Takeaways on How To:

• Scale with internal clarity to avoid burnout and operational breakdowns
• Say no to misaligned work to protect morale and creative quality
• Build culture as an operating system, not just a 'vibe'
• Foster long-term client partnerships, not transactional ones
• Use AI as a support tool, while keeping brand strategy firmly human-led

The episode also touches on why retention is the ultimate success metric.

"There can be no better measurement of success in my mind," says Jacoel.

Pean adds: "When your clients are excited to work with you, that kind of validation is very important."

Pean and Jacoel offer a compelling alternative for agency founders and team leaders chasing fast growth: prioritize clarity, lead with culture, and grow only when you're truly ready.

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About DesignRush

DesignRush is a media platform and a B2B marketplace connecting businesses with agencies through expert reviews and agency ranking lists, awards, knowledge resources, and personalized agency recommendations for vetted projects.

About Brand New: a collective
Brand New: A Collective is a culture-first creative agency specializing in strategy, storytelling, and brand experiences across fashion, beauty, entertainment, and regulated industries. Founded in 2017, the agency is known for its human-led approach, operational clarity, and commitment to long-term partnerships.

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