Siblings Deirdre and Dave Purdy are redefining outsourced marketing for tech-enabled brands through their company, Purdy Marketing Co.
With a unique model that blends in-house dedication with agency expertise, the co-founders are helping complex, innovation-driven companies translate their ideas into powerful marketing strategies. Drawing from backgrounds in med tech, health tech, and brand development, Deirdre and Dave launched their agency – Purdy Marketing Co. – to solve a common industry frustration: ineffective, misaligned, and opaque marketing support. Today, they’re not just offering a service—they’re building trusted partnerships, streamlining strategy, and fueling growth for companies on the cutting edge of technology.
What does “entrepreneurship” mean to you? How has your understanding of it evolved over time?
Dave Purdy: For me, entrepreneurship boils down to a few key elements: recognizing opportunities as they arise, trusting that you’re capable of rising to the occasion, and the willingness to take a leap of faith. It’s recognizing that there will never be a “right time,” so the best you can do is be prepared, and never assume you’re done learning.
Deirdre Purdy: My understanding of “entrepreneurship” has definitely evolved over the years. I used to think the best part of owning your own business was the professional independence. But now, I realize it’s actually the feeling that comes from betting on yourself to succeed and having the resilience and grit to see it through. Entrepreneurship is all about learning to move forward despite the inevitable setbacks, and having the ability to continually pivot and learn along the way.
Tell us about your first experience with entrepreneurship. What sparked your interest in building something of your own?
Deirdre: We grew up watching our dad and uncle successfully build their own businesses, so we had a front-row seat to the long hours, big risks, and thrill of getting a business off the ground. Watching them navigate challenges and celebrate wins gave us a deeper appreciation for the balance of risk and reward. More than anything, it taught us that entrepreneurship isn’t about having all the answers. You just have to be willing to jump in, learn as you go, and trust yourself to figure it out. That mindset is what gave us the confidence to start Purdy Marketing Co. – and it’s what keeps driving us forward.
What is the origin story of your company? What motivated you to start, and how did those early days shape your journey?
Deirdre: Throughout our careers—both agency and in-house—we kept running into the same frustrations with outsourced marketing: misaligned expectations, delayed timelines, under-resourced teams, and a lack of transparency. Companies often find themselves bouncing between agencies, only to end up frustrated and back at square one. We saw an opportunity to change that by bridging the gap between outsourced and in-house marketing, and taking the guesswork out of the process. So when we started Purdy Marketing Co., our core mission was to make marketing simple, transparent, and truly collaborative.
We wanted to strip away the industry fluff and create an experience where businesses feel supported. Where they actually understand the strategy is, why it matters, and how it’s driving results. Earning our clients’ trust is the most rewarding part of what we do, and we’re committed to running our business like an extension of our clients’ team, not just another outsourced agency.
Has there been a pivotal moment or a game-changing decision that defined your growth as an entrepreneur?
Dave: For me, it was the first time we said “no” to an opportunity that wasn’t a fit for us. When you first start a business, turning down opportunities feels unthinkable – you’re hungry for clients and willing to make all kinds of compromises just to get the business. And even though I think that’s an important part of the process, there comes a time when you need to recognize your value and feel confident enough to walk away when something isn’t a fit. Learning to say “no” was a key moment that ultimately benefited both our business and our clients. By not spreading ourselves too thin, we’re able to give our clients the attention they deserve and provide the best service possible.
What is the biggest milestone you hope to achieve in the next three months, and why is it important to you and your business? How are you planning to tackle it?
Deirdre: In the next few months, we’re really focused on bringing in a few more clients that fall into our sweet spot of tech-enabled brands, since that’s where we stand out. We help businesses take complex ideas and turn them into compelling marketing strategies that resonate with both technical and non-technical audiences.
To make that happen, we’ve been doubling down on outreach and building authentic relationships with people in the tech space – whether that’s through strategic networking, refining our content to address the specific challenges these companies face, or just showing up as a trusted resource in the areas they’re looking for support. We’re also continually refining our own messaging to make sure we’re clearly getting across the value we bring to the table.
What does “success” mean to you, both personally and professionally?
Deirdre: To me, success is all about fulfillment – both in work and in my personal life. It’s less about milestones and achievements than it is about making an impact I can be proud of. Some of the most rewarding moments come from collaborating with people who share the same values, where the work is energizing and the relationships are authentic. At the end of the day, if I’m excited about what I’m doing, stay open to new experiences, and surround myself with great people, that’s success in my book!
Dave: The moments I feel “successful” are when I can feel myself moving forward in the right direction – even a tiny bit. I know that my goals and values are going to change over time, so instead of focusing on some far-off achievement, I try to focus on the moments when I feel like I’ve overcome some sort of challenge, or gained some clarity, or risen to the occasion despite being afraid or unsure. It’s made feeling “successful” a little more tangible for me, both professionally and personally.
What is your entrepreneurial superpower? How has it helped you overcome challenges or seize opportunities?
Deirdre: I’d say our entrepreneurial superpower is being siblings. We’ve got built-in accountability and are always pushing each other to a higher standard—not just because we want our business to succeed (which we definitely do!), but because we never want to let the other down. Plus, there’s the added benefit of sibling-level honesty. We’re not afraid to call each other out, challenge the other’s ideas, or celebrate wins. Our sibling dynamic pushes us to do our best work every single day, and our clients definitely feel the impact of that!
What’s it like working alone or with a team? How do you approach building strong partnerships?
Deirdre: I think one of the hardest parts about starting your own business is losing the built-in network of colleagues and mentors you get in a larger setting. Since it’s just the two of us, we’re really intentional about building and nurturing our own network. We make it a point to surround ourselves with people who challenge us—clients, partners, and friends—who keep us evolving and learning. Whether we’re in a brainstorming session or just chatting over coffee, we love getting fresh perspectives that push us to think differently and do better.
What excites you most about the market or industry you operate in? How are you navigating its challenges and changes?
Deirdre: What excites us the most is how fast things are evolving in the tech space! As tech-enabled brands keep pushing the envelope, the challenge is staying ahead of the curve and making sure their complex ideas make sense to the intended audience – whether they’re tech-savvy or not. We love kickoff meetings where we get to dive into brand new technologies and totally geek out about all the ways we can help bring them to market. By staying on top of emerging tech and shifting customer needs, we’re able to connect cutting-edge innovations with real human impact and that’s an exciting space to be!
What’s one daily ritual or practice that keeps you grounded and focused?
Deirdre: Working out, for sure! Whether it’s a Peloton class, morning swim, walk outside, or some yoga to unwind, I’ve found that movement is the best way to clear my head and stay focused. It helps me think more clearly, be more productive, and shake off the stress of a busy day. Fun fact: Dave and I actually do a Peloton ride together every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before work. It’s our way of holding each other accountable and helps start the day on the right foot!
Share a moment when your resilience as an entrepreneur was tested. How did you push through, and what did you learn?
Dave: People always say Year One is the hardest when starting a new business, but I’d argue it’s Year Two. That’s when the novelty and excitement starts to die down, referrals from your immediate network dry up, and you realize you have to fight for every bit of business. By Year Two, you’ve probably had a few lean months, so you know exactly what’s at stake.
Luckily, Deirdre and I are both too stubborn to throw in the towel when things get tough – especially after all the hard work we put in to get the business off the ground! That’s when we decide to take a step back and reevaluate what sets us apart, lights our creative fire, and drives us forward. It turned out that the business we launched with was no longer aligned with where we had evolved. So we updated our mission, refined our value proposition, and dreamt up our ideal client. That all led us to a new visual identity and message that was a better reflection of our brand. Taking the time to refocus and adjust helped us keep our nose to the grindstone and become we’re way more confident in our business – and in ourselves as entrepreneurs.
How do you manage the demands of entrepreneurship while maintaining your well-being? What strategies work best for you?
Dave: When Deirdre and I started our business, we knew we wanted to avoid falling into the hustle-culture trap we were sold as millennials. The typical agency model—overloaded, stretched thin, and constantly chasing more—is outdated, unsustainable, and honestly, not fair to clients. Instead of taking on a ton of clients and only giving each a fraction of our energy, we focus on working with fewer clients that we can truly invest in and grow with over time. This approach helps us maintain a healthy work-life balance, and also leads to better work all around!
What kind of entrepreneur do you aspire to be? How do you want to be remembered in your industry or community?
Dave: I want to be remembered as an entrepreneur that generates opportunity. I love the creative network we’ve developed over the years, and being able to bring in specific partners for opportunities where I know they’ll thrive. It feels like I’m getting the chance to build an all-star team for each project, and I love enabling that type of collaboration.
Have you faced a major crisis in your business? How did you navigate it, and what advice would you give others in similar situations?
Dave: We have faced a major crisis in our business, and it’s honestly a little (…okay, VERY) embarrassing to admit. There have been months when we got so caught up in client projects that we totally let our own business operations slip. During one of those crazy months, we somehow let our health insurance policies lapse. We didn’t realize we had zero health coverage for months! Once we did, it was an absolute fire drill.
Thankfully, once we realized our mistake, we were able to get temporary insurance until open enrollment – and luckily, neither of us was hit by a bus in the interim. But it was a BIG wakeup call to stay on top of our business ops, no matter how busy we get, and a mistake we won’t be making again!
What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs about building and leading teams?
Dave: My recommendation would be to learn how to not micro-manage. Your job is to steer the ship and stay on course, while allowing each crew member to do the job you chose them for. Because the truth is that you’ll never be an expert in everything – sometimes you need to trust the team you build and let good ideas rise to the surface.
Deirdre: I’d say communicate more than you think you need to. Clarity upfront will save you time, resources, and frustrations down the line! Just because something makes sense in your head doesn’t mean it’s clear to everyone else in the room. Without voicing expectations or providing context, there’s a lot of room for misinterpretation. The more you explain the ‘why,’ the more your team can deliver.
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that keeps you motivated on tough days?
Deidre: “All great things come from stepping outside your comfort zone.” If you’re not pushing yourself to try new things or navigate your way through uncomfortable situations, you’re limiting your own growth. Someone once told me that feeling unsure or uncomfortable usually means you’re on the brink of something big—and that’s always stuck with me. So instead of shying away from it, I’ve learned to lean in, trust myself, and embrace the discomfort. At the very least, you’ll learn something new!
If someone wrote a book about your entrepreneurial journey, what would the title be?
“Partners in business, not in life” … You’d be surprised how often we need to explain that we’re brother and sister, not husband and wife!
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