‘Un-agency’ experiences exponential growth; doubles headcount and square footage ahead of 5th year in business
Kansas City, Mo. – Just two months after doubling its square footage, Crux KC is already keeping an eye out for its next office to accommodate explosive growth.
Since launching in 2016, Crux KC (Crux) has grown from just two clients and one full-time employee to 30 clients and a team of 15 at the end of 2020. The company added five more employees to its roster in January, bringing the total to 20, in anticipation of 50% revenue growth by the end of 2021.
Despite the pandemic, the company increased its topline revenue by 40% in 2020, hitting $1.25 million in revenue for the year.
“Only 2% of startups ever achieve $1 million in annual recurring revenue within the first five years of business, and we accomplished that in four,” Crux Founder & CEO Melea McRae said. “Achieving the results we were able to realize in 2020 is a true testament to our team, our unique ‘Door #3’ model and our long-standing clients who’ve have stayed with us through it all.”
Crux merges executive-level marketing and business strategy to provide a simple, smart and affordable outsourced marketing solution. After swiftly transitioning to remote work in mid-March, the company met the challenges of the pandemic with transparency and communication. Through daily check-ins and weekly virtual events, the company’s culture remained as strong as its business development efforts in 2020, landing 18 new clients, including Hoefer Welker, Morgan Hunter, the City of Mission, Kansas, CrossFirst Bank and SourceLink®.
Wanting to give back to the community in a meaningful way, Crux also launched its pro-bono marketing services program last year, devoting $30,000 of marketing services gratis to one worthy nonprofit annually. The 2020 recipient was People of All Colors Succeed (POAC), a courageous conversation starter working to build diverse communities grounded in understanding, acceptance and inclusion, and a future free from bullying.
“I wanted to have a million-dollar brand, and Crux was able to deliver that,” said POAC Founder & CEO Jamie Grayson. “Crux helped bring POAC to the next level in terms of message clarity and as a community partner organization ready for change. I’m excited to see how our relationship will evolve in the years to come as our organization grows.”
In October of last year, Crux held a nomination process for its next pro-bono marketing recipient. The Crux team selected KC Shepherd’s Center, which provides programs, leadership and advocacy to help older adults live healthy, engaged and independent lives.
The Crux team also raised $3,000 in lieu of its annual holiday celebration, giving back to both Harvesters Community Food Network and United Inner City Services (UICS), an arts-infused early childhood education program in Kansas City. That desire to give back, McRae said, is built into the company’s DNA.
“2020 was tough for our whole community, from small businesses and local restaurants to nonprofits working to serve our neighbors who need it the most,” McRae said. “We know success isn’t achieved alone, and we’re committed to giving back to the Kansas City community that’s helped us grow to this milestone. For us, it’s more than marketing. It’s about the greater good of using marketing to get results, and we’re driven to prove that what’s behind Door #3 is the best option.”
About Crux KC
Founded in 2016, Crux KC is Kansas City’s “un-agency,” merging executive-level marketing and business strategy to provide a simple, smart and affordable marketing solution for our clients. Because when you’re a business leader looking for growth, you’d rather just get to the point. Crux is your in-house marketing department—outsourced. Everything you need, nothing you don’t. Learn more at cruxkc.com.