Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Rose.
Hi Amy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I didn’t take a straight path into marketing—I like to say I “hustled my way in.” I actually started my career in sales, but I knew I wanted to be in a more creative profession. Back in the late 1900s (as my kids like to tease me), I applied for an Administrative Assistant job at a St. Louis advertising agency – just hoping to get my foot in the door (very Michael J. Fox in “The Secret of My Success.”). The owner didn’t hire me for that support role, but instead offered me a job as a Media Planner and thus began my career in advertising and marketing. From there, I worked as a media planner, media supervisor, and client account director.
My career then took me from St. Louis to Kansas City and even to Los Angeles. I spent years at advertising agencies gaining experience with major brands and big campaigns. Eventually, I moved to the client side, working directly with national brands like Domino’s Pizza and Famous Footwear. Seeing marketing from both sides of the table taught me a lot about what clients really need—and that’s when I realized I wanted to create marketing that was strategic, intentional, and accountable.
In 2016, I took the leap to start my own agency. It wasn’t just about building a business—it was also about finding a balance that allowed me to be present for my daughters while doing work I’m passionate about. After eight years of growing an agency with a partner, I decided to go out on my own in 2024 and launched 1609 Marketing, a full-service marketing agency. What really sets us apart is how we partner with small and medium-sized businesses—truly partner. For us, it’s not just about doing our job and sending an invoice; it’s about understanding our clients’ goals, helping them figure out what’s next, and being a source of support and innovation along the way. Our team brings deep experience and genuine care for our clients’ success. We handle everything—from brand development to website design, local SEO, social media, and digital advertising—but we’re especially focused on creating strategies that actually move the needle. Whether it’s a startup finding its footing or an established brand looking to grow, we treat every business like it’s our own, delivering results that are measurable and meaningful.
The name 1609 Marketing isn’t just a random number. There is special meaning behind this name. It is a nod to the year a study was done and recognized that a beehive is actually led by a queen bee—not a king bee, as people had long believed. As a woman-owned agency, that really spoke to me. I was also drawn to the way a hive operates—its teamwork, efficiency, and structure. It felt like the perfect metaphor for 1609 Marketing: everyone on our team has an important role, we collaborate closely, and we’re all focused on helping our clients succeed.
For me, 1609 Marketing is about building a business that reflects my values, fosters creativity, and puts client relationships first. The first year was full of growth, gratitude, and yes, plenty of late nights after my kids went to bed—but it’s also been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep growing, supporting amazing clients, and showing that when marketing is done right, it doesn’t just generate results—you can feel the impact.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Honestly, no—but it’s been incredibly rewarding. Starting 1609 Marketing came at a time of major personal transitions for me, and I faced the challenge of building an entirely new team and client base from scratch. I couldn’t rely on previous clients or colleagues, so I had to rebuild everything from the ground up. Looking back, I think that was a blessing in disguise—it pushed me to find an even stronger, more aligned team and to focus on building the kind of agency I’d always envisioned.
I also had to hustle to find new clients, which was both challenging and energizing. I was driven by a clear purpose: to create a business that would allow me to support my daughters while doing work I love, and to provide clients with thoughtful, results-driven marketing. Those early challenges shaped the agency we are today—a team that’s strong, capable, and fully committed to our clients’ success.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
1609 Marketing is a full-service marketing agency helping small and medium-sized businesses get real results. We specialize in website design, local SEO, social media marketing, digital advertising, and brand development—but what really sets us apart isn’t just what we do, it’s how we do it.
One thing I’m especially proud of is the way we communicate results. Our monthly reports aren’t just numbers and graphs—they tell the story of what happened, why it happened, and what we’re doing next to build on successes or adjust when things didn’t go as planned. Many clients have seen reports that are overwhelming or confusing, and I wanted to create something they could actually understand and use.
Brand-wise, I love that 1609 might just look like a number at first, but once people hear the story behind it, there’s that “ah-ha” moment—they get why it’s our name. We’re woman-owned—check. The characteristics of a hive mirror how we operate—check. And the hexagons woven throughout our branding—the strongest shape in nature, how a hive is built—check. Everything clicks together in a way that feels thoughtful, clever, and memorable, without plastering honeybees all over everything we do.
Beyond the work, I’m proud of the example I get to set for my daughters. Running a woman-owned agency allows me to show them that women can be strong, set goals, work hard, and go after what they want. At 1609 Marketing, we’ve built a team that’s collaborative, talented, and deeply committed to our clients’ success—and that combination of experience, insight, and heart is what I hope clients—and my daughters—see every day.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy? Honestly, it’s thriving in both my personal and professional life—and knowing that I can do it on my own. After my divorce, I thought I needed a partner to make an agency work, but I’ve realized I don’t—I can lead, build, and grow a business on my own. That said, I still rely on my amazing team, and they’re a huge part of what makes this work so fulfilling. Seeing our clients succeed, building something I’m proud of, and sharing that journey with a talented, supportive team—it’s all deeply rewarding. It’s a reminder that you can create your own path, trust yourself, and still collaborate with people who lift you up along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1609Marketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1609marketing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1609Marketing
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1609-marketing/
