Marina Brenko

It was 2023 when I worked at a PE company as a marketing director and part of my job was helping out with events at which the CEO was a keynote speaker, so I would follow him pretty much everywhere with our videographer and make sure everything was ready for his presentation. I also would go to any session that was related to marketing whenever I got a chance.

At one of the events I went to another marketing panel, honestly not expecting much as I felt there was nothing new I could learn about marketing. But as they say, you have to be at the right place at the right time, and your whole life may change. And there I saw her. She owned the stage. There was a fire in the way she spoke, a spark in her eyes, and an energy that made me listen with my mouth wide open. I thought “finally, finally I’ve met someone different, someone real, and not another “follow me” guru”. That was when I met Jennifer Bagley for the 1st time. And since that day I knew I had to find a way to work with her. So I put my manifestation skills to work, and a few months later I was part of her team (I also had to stalk Jen and Melanie on LinkedIn for quite a bit asking to hire me). And I will tell you it was a roller-coaster! If you know Jen, she’s moving fast! Not everyone can cope with that. We had people come and go. At times it was very stressful. But for me she was always the leader I wanted to trust and follow. If nothing changes - nothing changes! Over the years, I’d become skeptical of marketing agencies because I’d seen too many overpromise and underdeliver. And if you don’t understand marketing yourself, it’s easy to end up paying for promises instead of results. CIWG was different from the beginning. It was never about money for Jennifer, it was always customer success first. And for me CIWG was always the best marketing agency out there without a question.

Then one day I left... and not because I wanted to, for the record. But because it made more sense for me at that period of my life to join a local company as a CMO. While not directly working at CI, I referred all the businesses that came to me for advice to Jennifer and her team. I’ve had two companies who I worked with at that time built their websites by CI, and the 3rd one just went live. The 3rd one I had to fight for a while for, it is a franchise and they don’t just let you have full autonomy. But I got it, trusting Jennifer’s vision I knew I couldn’t fail them.

People have asked me, “What is it about Jennifer that makes you want to work with her so much?”

The answer has always been simple: trust. I trust her judgment, her integrity, and her willingness to do what’s right, even when it’s not the easiest path. She’s authentic, honest, and never afraid to challenge people to think differently. She doesn’t build businesses around hype - she builds them around results and genuinely caring about the people she serves.

Jennifer taught me that you don’t have to choose between doing what’s right and building a successful business. The best leaders care enough to tell the truth, challenge people to grow, and never stop raising the bar. That’s the kind of leader I aspire to be.

My time at the other company was coming to an end, I accomplished my mission and safely handed it off to the CI team, because it was the right thing to do. I started looking for another job. I hoped I could get back with CIWG. Because they are the best and I am the best and there’s no other place I’d rather be right now! The systems they build, the people, the vision, the results are out of this world and I’m so so happy I’m back and proud to be part of it all and be able to serve more good people, families and business.

I do really feel like home here. Throughout my career I’ve been with many different companies, and don’t think I’ve ever wanted to go back to any, but CI Web Group.

Lots of people claim to be self-made. I don’t believe anyone is. We’re shaped by the people around us - the ones who challenge us, encourage us, believe in us, disappoint us, teach us, and help us grow. Every person we meet leaves a mark, and together those experiences become who we are. People like Jennifer inspire and encourage me to keep looking beyond the horizon, and never settle for what’s comfortable.

Home isn’t always a place. Sometimes it’s the people who challenge you to become the best version of yourself. For me, that’s CI Web Group.

Thank you, Jennifer, for believing in me. I’m grateful our paths crossed, and I’m even more grateful to be home.