Overcoming Adversity with Trish Lessard
Key Takeaways
- Trish rebuilt Media Junction from $60K in credit card debt after a two-year battle with stage 3 cancer
- A 9-month process to develop the Media Junction Culture Code created authentic organizational values
- Guidance from HubSpot co-founder Brian Halligan helped shape the agency's growth trajectory
Trish Lessard, founder of Media Junction, joins the show to share one of the most remarkable stories in the inbound agency community - rebuilding an agency after a life-altering health crisis.
The Full Story
Trish started building websites in 1996, well before the inbound marketing movement existed. When the market turned down in 2005, she left to pursue real estate. Then came a devastating diagnosis - stage 3 cancer. She spent two years fighting the disease and successfully recovered.
Rebuilding from Zero
When Trish returned to Media Junction, she faced $60,000 in credit card debt and a skeleton crew. With just herself and one team member, Kim, she began rebuilding. They hired a creative director named Ryan and started the slow process of growing back.
Culture as Foundation
The HubSpot partnership became a turning point. Trish received guidance from HubSpot co-founder Brian Halligan, who helped shape the agency’s growth trajectory. Inspired by what she observed in the HubSpot community, Trish dedicated 9 months to developing the Media Junction Culture Code. The process included a team-wide survey to inform cultural values, ensuring the result was authentic rather than aspirational.
The Culture Code became more than a document - it became the foundation for hiring, retention, and daily decision-making. Combined with a move to a new office closer to the city center and team-focused hiring practices, Media Junction grew into a HubSpot Diamond Partner agency. Trish’s story demonstrates that resilience and values-driven leadership can transform even the most challenging circumstances into agency success.