For Immediate Release
August 15, 2023
Kansas City, Mo. — Inc. Magazine today revealed local “un-agency” Crux KC ranks No. 1,500 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
Crux reported a revenue growth of 383% from 2019 to 2022, an improvement on their 211% growth from 2018 to 2021 that landed them at No. 2,678 on the 2022 list.
“We’re thrilled to be recognized as a fastest-growing private company on the Inc. 5000 again this year,” said Crux Founder & CEO Melea McRae. “Our explosive growth is a testament to our unique fractional CMO model, our incredibly talented team and our truly wonderful client partners. We’re honored to be listed alongside so many successful, entrepreneurial businesses making an impact across the country.”
The Inc. 5000 is a unique data-driven look at the country’s most successful companies in independent business. Household names including Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft and Patagonia are among the many brands that gained their first national exposure as honorees on the list in previous years.
The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238%. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy throughout the past three years.
“Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic,” said Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “To make the Inc. 5000—with the fast growth that requires—is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.”
Crux’s unique marketing “un-agency” model combines business acumen with executive-level marketing strategy and expertise in every marketing discipline to offer a nimble and affordable outsourced marketing solution for businesses of all sizes. The common denominator is if they’re ready to invest in their growth.
In 2022, Crux celebrated the addition of 44 new clients, increased its team by 42%, introduced new offerings to clients, and increased top-line revenue by 112% to continue its seven-year growth trend and live up to its nickname, the “Red Ferrari.”
In the last year, the company made key changes in leadership, including VP of HR & Talent Development Katie Ragan, Senior Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Evans, Creative Director Brooke Barrier, as well as added several creative, social media, content, digital and marketing services professionals to the team.
This isn’t the first Inc. accolade for Crux in 2023. The “un-agency” was named an Inc. Best Workplace in May. Crux was then named a two-time Champion of Business by the Kansas City Business Journal and a three-time Greater KC Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Small Business. The marketing “un-agency” also landed on the Kansas City Business Journal’s Fast 50 list of KC’s fastest-growing companies in 2023, and Ingram’s Magazine’s Corporate Report 100 in 2022 and 2023 and Best Companies to Work For in 2022.
“We’re no strangers to the level of growth and commitment that keeps landing us on lists like Inc. 5000,” McRae added. “This honor belongs to our exceptional team and clients, and we can’t wait to turn the page to see what’s next in the Crux story.”
For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location and other criteria, visit inc.com/inc5000.
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About Crux KC
Founded in 2016, Crux KC is Kansas City’s “un-agency,” combining the leadership of a fractional CMO with a marketing-department-as-a-service model to provide simple, smart and affordable full-funnel marketing solutions for clients. Because when you’re a business leader looking for growth, you’d rather just get to the point. Crux is your in-house marketing team—outsourced. Everything you need, nothing you don’t. Learn more at cruxkc.com.
About Inc.
Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work reaches more than 50 million people across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, slated for Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 in San Antonio, visit http://conference.inc.com/