Community Highlights: Meet Ellese Symons of Grow(th) Marketing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellese Symons.

Hi Ellese, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My career has been anything but linear, but through every twist and turn, two convictions have guided me: to pursue work I am deeply passionate about and to make a lasting impact on people’s lives. Looking back, I now see that what once felt like detours or leaps into the unknown were never accidents—they were the very path God was laying before me.

I began my professional life in commercial and residential real estate as a licensed broker and business owner. During that time, I repositioned distressed properties, closed more than $19 million in transactions, and represented both local businesses and large corporations. The work was challenging and rewarding, but despite the outward success, I felt an undeniable stirring in my spirit—a restlessness that told me I was not yet walking in the fullness of my purpose.

So, in faith, I did something bold: I left real estate without a roadmap, trusting that God would open the next door. That step of obedience led me to the wellness industry in the most unexpected way. My father had invested in a small CBD company, and when their team was suddenly flooded with orders during a Black Friday sale, he handed me a laptop and told me to “figure it out.” What began as a temporary favor turned into the breakthrough I didn’t even know I was searching for.

I built their customer service department from the ground up, then moved into marketing, ultimately serving as Vice President of Marketing for Balanced Health Botanicals, the parent company of CBDistillery™. Over the next three years, I helped scale the business from $100K to $60M in revenue, navigated one of the most restrictive advertising landscapes in e-commerce, and positioned the brand as an industry leader—culminating in its acquisition by Village Farms International.

Yet even at the height of that success, I felt God calling me forward once again. I knew He was asking me to take everything I had learned and use it to serve other businesses more directly. That’s when I launched Grow(th) Marketing, a consulting program designed to help startups break through growth plateaus and scale with precision and clarity. Today, I have the privilege of working with extraordinary brands like PowerFit Foods, a company I believe is revolutionizing the market with clean, minimal protein products. I’m also training as a sales representative for SmartCoach, the very program that taught me how to take ownership of my business and turn it into the success it is today.

At the same time, God has been bringing me back to one of my earliest passions: writing. In high school, I wrote a children’s book called The Refrigerator Box. My grandmother cherished that story and would often tell me, “You should be a writer.” When she passed away in July, I felt a deep conviction to finally honor her wish. I am now bringing the book to life with an illustrator, and it will be published—on Amazon, Walmart, and, Lord willing, in bookstores—by Christmas 2025.

When I reflect on my journey, I see not a straight career path, but a faithful one. Every pivot, every risk, and every opportunity has been part of God’s design, drawing me closer to His purpose: to create, to build, and to inspire. I may not always know where the road is heading, but I know the One who guides my steps—and that has made all the difference.

And above all these achievements, the roles I cherish most are being a wife and a mom. I am blessed beyond measure to share life with my husband, Luke, who is the definition of a true partner—steady, supportive, and unwavering in his love. And I am endlessly grateful to be the mother of two incredible children, who bring me more joy and pride than any professional milestone ever could. At the end of the day, these are the titles that matter most, and the legacy I hope to leave.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—my journey has been anything but smooth. In my 20s, I faced major health challenges that left me battling exhaustion, brain fog, and debilitating anxiety. Those struggles often felt overwhelming, but they also became a turning point. It was through the wellness space—especially the work we did in CBD and later my discovery of functional health—that I began to heal and regain my strength. That experience planted the seed for my passion for health and wellness, showing me firsthand the life-changing power of caring for our bodies in a deeper, more intentional way.

But the road wasn’t just marked by health challenges. There were seasons of uncertainty, moments of deep personal loss, identity crises, and even panic attacks that left me questioning my direction and purpose. Add to that the hurdles of navigating an unpredictable economy and building businesses in challenging industries, and there were many times the future felt uncertain.

The real turning point for me came when I fully surrendered my life to God. For years I had been trying to carry everything on my own strength, but once I gave Him control, I found a peace and clarity I had been searching for all along. That doesn’t mean the challenges have disappeared—I still face trials, as we all do—but I walk through them with a different lens. I no longer see them as roadblocks, but as part of God’s refining process. Today, I feel incredibly blessed to face life’s ups and downs with His guidance, and with the unwavering love and support of my husband and family.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Grow(th) Marketing?
I founded Grow(th) Marketing with a simple mission: to help businesses break through growth plateaus, achieve ambitious revenue milestones, and build lasting connections with their customers. After spending more than a decade scaling e-commerce brands, I saw how many startups were full of potential but struggling to find the right strategies and execution to unlock it. Grow(th) was born to fill that gap.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just hand clients a playbook—we step in as true partners. We bring both strategy and hands-on execution, removing the stress of managing multiple people or agencies. Every brand we work with gets a tailored approach designed to accelerate growth while staying true to its unique identity and values.

I’ve had the privilege of working with a number of incredible companies, but one I’m especially proud of is PowerFit Foods. Together, we’ve scaled the brand through organic growth and word-of-mouth momentum—proof that when a product is truly exceptional and the strategy is right, you don’t have to rely solely on paid advertising to win. Watching PowerFit Foods gain traction with such authenticity has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

At Grow(th), we specialize in building sustainable growth engines for startups and emerging brands, whether that means sharpening their marketing foundation, unlocking new revenue streams, or driving meaningful customer relationships. What I want readers to know is this: if you’re passionate about your brand but struggling to break through to the next level, we exist to help you get there—with clarity, confidence, and results you can measure.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My journey has never been a solo endeavor—it’s been shaped and supported by an extraordinary group of people who believed in me, challenged me, and walked alongside me.

First and foremost, my dad—a true serial entrepreneur—planted the entrepreneurial spirit in me from the very beginning. He showed me what it means to embrace the grind, to find joy in the process, and to never shy away from risk. I was fortunate not only to witness his passion for building but to work alongside him, learning lessons that continue to guide me today.

My brother-in-law, Chase Terwilliger, the CEO of Balanced Health Botanicals, has also been a profound influence. He embodies the principle of outworking everyone and leading by example. Watching his relentless dedication taught me that true leadership is not about titles but about showing up day after day with discipline and determination.

In the early days of CBDistillery, Chris Van Dusen became one of the most pivotal mentors of my career. He poured into me everything I know about marketing, brand building, and positioning. His guidance became the foundation I still lean on today, and I will be forever grateful for his investment in me.

I would also be remiss not to honor my team—both at BHB and the women I continue to work with today. Dana Bacon, Emily Swy, and Carly Swan are not just colleagues; they are lifelong friends and some of the most gifted, inspiring women I’ve ever met. Their brilliance, creativity, and unwavering support have made the work we’ve done together deeply meaningful.

And finally, my husband, Luke Symons. He is the very definition of a partner. Being married to an entrepreneur is not easy—the highs are high, the lows are low, and the road is often unpredictable. Yet Luke has stood beside me unconditionally through every chapter. His steady love, encouragement, and belief in me have given me the courage to keep moving forward even when I doubted myself. I am profoundly blessed to have a partner who not only supports my dreams but champions them as if they were his own.

At the end of the day, my story is not just about my work—it’s about the people God has so graciously placed in my life. They have poured into me wisdom, strength, and love, and I carry their influence with me in everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellesesymons/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellesemckenney/