Miguel Cruz & Jose Escalera of The Idea Farm

An inside look at “The Playbook,” their monthly or quarterly review process where they compare a client’s growth rate and campaign results against market benchmarks.

In this episode of “I Am Lakeland,” host Don Burns sits down with Jose Escalera, CEO of The Idea Farm, and Miguel Cruz, who handles business development for the firm’s new Florida expansion. Jose shares the rich history of the company—a digital marketing firm founded over 50 years ago—and its mission to serve as a comprehensive marketing department for small to medium-sized businesses.

The Idea Farm differentiates itself by focusing on transparency, education, and long-term partnerships. Jose and Miguel explain their “client-first” philosophy, which often involves coaching business owners on their actual needs rather than just selling them the most expensive services. Their goal is to grow alongside their clients, helping them hit their initial goals and then elevating them to the next level.

Whether you’re a business owner struggling to quantify your marketing ROI or a startup looking for a strategic partner to tell your story, Jose and Miguel’s data-backed and “soulful” approach to growth offers a clear path to success. 90

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