About Anchor & Grow: Built by Founders, for Founders
We're not a traditional agency. We're business owners who've made payroll, worn every hat and bet on our own ideas, and now we partner with founders to build brands and marketing that actually grow a business.
"To partner with founders to anchor brands and grow businesses."— The Anchor & Grow Mission
We've Been in Your Shoes
Anchor & Grow was born from a simple frustration: founders deserve better than the detached, one-size-fits-all approach most marketing agencies offer. Small businesses get squeezed between two extremes: expensive agencies that hand the work to junior staff, and freelancers who disappear when things get busy.
We started this company because we've been in the trenches. We've built businesses from scratch, dealt with the uncertainty, and learned what it actually takes to grow sustainably. We know what it feels like to spend money on marketing and not know if it's working.
So we built the partner we wished we'd had: one that pairs technical precision (SEO, AI search, data and analytics) with a real understanding of brand, audience and the day-to-day weight of running a business. One that explains the why behind every recommendation, publishes its prices, and measures success by one thing: whether your business grows.
That's the Anchor & Grow promise: a partner who has felt the pressure you feel, and who is as invested in your success as you are.
The Founders Behind Your Growth
Two founders, one mission. Between us, we bring business strategy, operations, brand and content together, so you never have to choose between depth and breadth.
John Rankin
Co-Founder · Strategy & OperationsJohn brings something most marketing professionals can't: 22 years of actually starting, owning and scaling a business. He's been exactly where you are, and he knows what it takes to get to the other side.
With degrees in computer science and marketing, John bridges the gap between big-picture marketing strategy and the realities of running a business. He uses metrics to show, clearly and concretely, how marketing drives real business growth, not just impressions and clicks. When he isn't working with clients, you'll find him studying AI and how new technology is changing the way businesses grow.
Degrees in computer science & marketing · 22 years as a business owner
Kylie Campion
Co-Founder · Brand Voice & ContentRaised by entrepreneurs and drawn to brand development before she had a word for it, Kylie brings 20 years of experience in blogging, branding, copywriting and social media to every client engagement.
Her B.A. in Sociology and master's degree in education give her a rare view of business psychology, social trends and brand voice, along with a real gift for teaching clients to own their brand story. Kylie specializes in SEO and GEO content for small businesses, making sure your brand is found not just on Google but in the AI-powered search tools where customers increasingly look. She's also a composer whose music has been featured in multiple films.
B.A. Sociology · Master's in Education · 20 years in brand and content
Four Values That Guide Every Engagement
Authenticity
We are who we say we are. No smoke and mirrors, just honest, transparent partnership.
Partnership
We win when you grow. We work with you, not just for you, and your goals become our goals.
Clarity
We take the complex, from tech to data to strategy, and make it human, actionable and understandable.
Resilience
We know the grit it takes to build a business. We show up consistently, adapt when things change, and stay in it for the long haul.
How We're Different From a Typical Agency
| Topic | Typical agency | Anchor & Grow |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | Sold by an account manager, done by junior staff | Led by the founders on every account |
| Experience | Agency experience only | 22 years of real business ownership |
| Pricing | Custom quotes, hidden fees | Published price ranges and a fixed quote before work begins |
| Reporting | Impressions and vanity metrics | Leads, cost per lead, revenue and return on ad spend |
| Strategy | Templates reused across clients | Built around your market, customers and budget |
| Your role | A black box you pay for | We explain the why, so you understand and share ownership of the process |
| Search | Google only | Google plus AI search: ChatGPT, Perplexity and AI Overviews |
| Contracts | Long lock-ins | 6-month minimum on retainers, then month to month |
Remote-First. Built for Founders Across the U.S.
We work with founders and small businesses across the United States. Our work happens over video calls, email and shared project tools, with clear timelines, regular check-ins and one point of contact, so distance is never a barrier. When a project needs it, such as a brand photo or video shoot, we can arrange on-location work, with travel quoted separately.
Questions About Who We Are
Who founded Anchor & Grow?
Anchor & Grow was founded by John Rankin and Kylie Campion. John brings 22 years of starting, owning and scaling a business, along with degrees in computer science and marketing. Kylie brings 20 years in branding, copywriting and SEO content, along with a background in sociology and education.
Where does Anchor & Grow work?
Anchor & Grow works with founders and small businesses across the United States. We're a remote-first team, so our work happens over video calls, email and shared project tools, and every client gets the same founder-led partnership no matter where they're based.
What makes Anchor & Grow different from a traditional marketing agency?
We're founder-led and founder-focused. You work directly with the founders instead of being handed off to junior staff, our prices are published with a fixed quote before work begins, and we report on leads and revenue instead of vanity metrics. We also optimize for AI search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, not just Google.
Who will I actually work with?
You'll work directly with our founders. One of them leads your account as your single point of contact, and both are involved in strategy. When a project needs specialist skills, such as video production, we bring in trusted partners and manage them for you, so you still have one team and one point of contact.
What kinds of businesses do you work with?
We work with small and medium-sized businesses and founders, from pre-launch startups to established companies ready to scale. Our clients include professional services, legal, trades, health and wellness, e-commerce, SaaS and hospitality businesses. We start with your market and customers, not a template built for someone else.
What does the name Anchor & Grow mean?
Anchor stands for the foundation: a clear strategy, a strong brand identity and a plan that keeps your business steady. Grow stands for what comes next: consistent, measurable marketing that builds momentum over time. Our Plan, Build and Grow services follow the same path.
How do I start working with Anchor & Grow?
Book a free 30-minute strategy call. We'll learn about your business, review where your marketing stands today, and recommend the right starting point, whether that's a package or a single service. There's no commitment and no sales pitch.
Let's Build Something That Lasts
You have a mission, and your business is growing. We'd love to hear about it. Book a free 30-minute strategy call. It's founder to founder, with no pressure and no pitch.