Episode 13 | From Solo Freelancer to Leading a Women-Led Agency — Cara Chatellier on Scaling with Soul, Strategy, and a Little AI

What does it really look like to grow from freelancer to founder — without losing your values, your vision, or your sanity?

This week on Marketing Your Way, I’m joined by the incredibly grounded and generous Cara Chatellier, founder of Bubbly Creative, a boutique marketing agency that helps women-led brands in the health and wellness space grow with clarity, consistency, and joy.

Cara’s story started in Madrid with a laptop, one client, and a big leap. Today, she leads a fully remote, women-run team across two states. In this conversation, we talk about the real lessons behind scaling — from building a values-driven team, to letting go of misaligned clients, to using AI in a way that supports your brand voice (not replaces it).

If you’re a solo marketer, creative, or agency founder looking for a more aligned way to grow — this episode is going to meet you right where you are.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Cara transitioned from freelancer in Madrid to founder of a full-service agency

• The bold mindset shift that helped her scale sustainably

• Her early client acquisition strategy (including Upwork + word of mouth)

• How she built a collaborative, remote-first team culture

• Her favorite “tiny marketing fixes” that actually move the needle

• Why she fired a client — and how that decision created space for something better

• How she uses AI (like ChatGPT) to keep content efficient and authentic

• What success means to her right now (and why it’s changed)

5 Key Takeaways from This Episode

1. Gut instinct is your greatest business tool.

If you feel like a client relationship is off — it probably is. Listen to it.

2. You don’t have to do everything to grow.

You just need to do the right things, consistently and intentionally.

3. Leading a team remotely is possible — if you lead with empathy.

Cara shares how weekly check-ins, Slack culture, and genuine connection keep her team thriving across states.

4. Delegation takes courage, but it’s the path to sustainability.

From content review to client communication, it’s okay to let go (even if it’s messy at first).

5. AI is a powerful partner — when used right.

Cara uses ChatGPT projects and client transcripts to capture voice, generate content, and streamline work without losing the human touch.

Resources & Mentions:

✔️Book: StoryBrand by Donald Miller* (Cara and I both believe in the power of positioning your customer as the hero of your brand story.)

✔️FloDesk — the easiest, most beautiful email marketing platform out there. Stunning templates, simple automation, and no list limits. Get 50% off your first year: Sign up here

Connect with Cara:

• Website: bubblycreative.com

• Instagram: @bubblycreativema

• LinkedIn: Cara Chatellier

Join the Marketing Your Way Community

This is a space for women in marketing and creative roles to stay sharp, stay supported, and stay inspired. Whether you lead a team, run freelance projects, or work inside a brand or agency — you’re welcome here.

Inside the group, we:

• Share marketing insights, campaign wins, and lessons learned

• Post weekly industry news, creative trends, and AI tools worth trying

• Talk about how real marketers are streamlining their work with tech

• Host casual Zoom chats to ask questions, bounce ideas, and learn together

There’s no pressure to start a business or change careers. This is simply a place to connect with smart, like-minded women who get it — and share what’s really working in the world of modern marketing. Join now!

Want more behind-the-scenes?

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*This page contains an affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission if you sign up through it. I only share tools I trust and recommend.

Hi, I’m Anastasiia!

Ukrainian-born, Miami-based, and someone who spent over a decade building a successful marketing career before finally building something that felt like mine.

I didn’t leave corporate on a whim. I left because I wanted creative freedom, flexible time, and a business that aligned with my life — not the other way around.

It started as a freelance gig. Then a full roster. Then a boutique real estate marketing agency. Now, it’s also this — an education platform and podcast that helps women like you transition from “stuck” to “started.”

I’m here to teach you how to build a business that fits your goals, your energy, and your version of success.