There’s been no more volatile time in the coffee business than the last 24 months. Rising prices, shifting trends, and a pressured consumer have all created a difficult environment in which to win. At Colectivo, we’ve navigated these challenges by being disciplined and surrounding ourselves with partners who share our vision for long-term success.
From the start, Pellizzi has understood and cared deeply about balancing short-term headwinds with long-term focus. They’ve delivered more value and stronger results by putting our goals first.
Here’s why.
1. They Care Like Owners Do
Large agencies are often structured like machines—efficient, layered, and standardized. Small agencies, by contrast, operate more like small businesses—because they are.
At Colectivo, that mentality resonates. We started as a single café in Milwaukee and built our brand through sheer care and craftsmanship. Small agencies mirror that same entrepreneurial drive. They take your project personally. You’re not a line item on their balance sheet; you’re part of their story. That ownership mindset leads to accountability and, often, remarkable creativity.
When we work with a small team, I know exactly who’s behind every ad, every photo, every line of copy. There’s no baton-passing between departments or waiting for approvals from someone who’s never stepped foot in one of our cafés. The work becomes human again—personal, emotional, and authentic.
2. Transparency and Direct Communication
With large agencies, it’s not uncommon to feel disconnected. You might meet a senior partner during the pitch but rarely see them again once the contract is signed. Day-to-day communication happens through layers of account managers, strategists, and assistants.
In a smaller agency, communication is direct. You know who’s doing the work, and you can have honest, unfiltered conversations about performance, strategy, and budget.
This directness builds trust—and trust is the foundation of effective marketing partnerships.
3. Smarter Use of Budgets
Let’s be honest: big agencies have big overhead. Office space in New York or Chicago, extensive management layers, and expensive software stacks—all of that gets built into their fees.
Smaller agencies operate leaner. They put more of your money into the work itself. You’re paying for execution, not bureaucracy. And because they’re hungry to prove themselves, they often go above and beyond to deliver value far exceeding what their invoice suggests.
For a company like Colectivo, that efficiency matters. We want our marketing dollars to stretch as far as possible—to tell our story, support our communities, and drive sales without wasting resources. Small agencies respect every dollar spent. They make smart choices, prioritize impact, and treat your budget as if it were their own.
4. Focus on Long-Term Partnership, Not Retainers
The best small agencies think in terms of relationships, not contracts. They know their future depends on results and trust, not lock-in clauses or retainer renewals.
That mindset makes them proactive. They check in regularly, share ideas before we ask, and celebrate wins with us. They’re invested in the long term because our success is their success.
Large agencies often focus on growth targets and client churn rates. Smaller ones focus on people—on doing great work that earns the next opportunity. That’s the kind of partner we want.
Don’t be surprised to see a member of the Pellizzi team working behind the counter at your local Colectivo—they’re on the ground interacting with customers, finding gaps, and developing narratives that drive engagement. When a marketing agency is willing to work IN your business, you’ve found the right partner.
Scott Isabella
President, Colectivo