A Team, Culture

A Team Spotlight Series: Interview with Anna Furmanov

Meet Anna Furmanov, Fractional CMO on our A Team.

When you need a fractional CMO to put gas on your go-to-marketing fire, you need Anna Furmanov. Anna is a marketing powerhouse. She is revenue-focused, strategic and rolls-up her sleeves with every client. She is also the host of the Modern Startup Marketing podcast, which is a must-listen.

Here at Growth Street, we’re all about people. Our A Team is the life-blood of our business. Meet the people who share their expertise and best selves every day, including our amazing Fractional CMO, Anna!

What is something most people don’t know about you?

When I was 5 years old, my family immigrated from Russia to America with only $400 (family of 4).

I got accepted into U of I (Urbana-Champaign) College of Design because they liked my essays and my AP art portfolio of artwork (oil paintings of dogs with human emotions) from high school. After one semester, I transferred over to the College of Business Administration. I still love to paint whenever I get the chance.

Are you more of an introvert or extravert?

I’m definitely both and it depends on the day and the season, although if you ask me what I’d rather do on a Saturday night – go party or read a book – it’s going to be read a book 95% of the time. And that’s not just because of the pandemic.

If you were to define your superpower, what would it be?

Asking the right questions in order to get a big picture understanding of top business opportunities (strategy) and then figuring out what to prioritize to get the job done.

What lights your fire?

Creating and building something that I’m proud of and that others also find valuable.

Do you have a pet? If so, tell us about it!

My daughter has a stuffed animal dog named Snowball and she likes to remind me that it’s not just her dog, it’s OUR dog.

What is something you wish you knew sooner? 

Building an audience on LinkedIn is insanely valuable to build relationships and for both personal and professional growth.

In your words, what is the power of brand?

The power of brand is trust, without needing to hire a salesperson.

What does being apart of the A Team mean to you?

I love being part of something bigger than myself. The A Team represents a group of like-minded business experts that are shaping what it means to succeed in business given how much everything has changed in the past couple of years.

What makes Growth Street special?

The Giddy Up!

Who is a business leader you admire and why?

I bring on so many leaders and experts onto my podcast (Modern Startup Marketing) that it’s hard to pick just one. Here’s a list of some:

  • Christopher Lochhead – brings game-changing thinking for businesses that want to be category creator.
  • Andy Raskin – shaping the importance of storytelling and strategic narrative and creating a movement for your business
  • Chris Walker – has a weekly event for forward-thinking marketers and hasn’t missed a single week (except maybe 1-2 weeks for vacation) in the past 2 years. That’s the power of community.
  • Michael Klozotsky (CMO at IMO) – an all around good person, marketing leader and always has time to mentor.
  • Katie Perry (VP Marketing at Public) – super sharp + focused + fun personality and knows how to leverage creative ideas.

Giddy up, Anna! We are so lucky to have you on our A Team.

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