I’m Makena Finger Zannini, founder of The Boutique COO and co-founder of Brick by Brick Collective. I escaped a cult, put myself through Wharton, and scaled a 7-figure agency from scratch with no safety net. Through my business, I help founders grow lean, profitable businesses rooted in data and systems. My goal is that my companies are a source of reliable, trustworthy information about how to successfully grow a business in an industry that can be often difficult to navigate for business owners.

>What makes your business unique?
What sets us apart is how practical and grounded we are. We’re not here to sell founders on hype or overwhelm them with jargon; instead, we’re here to build businesses that actually work. In an industry full of empty promises and one-size-fits-all solutions, our goal is to be the most trustworthy partner in the room. We prioritize transparency, results, and doing what’s right over what’s flashy—and that’s why our clients stick with us.
 
>What's on the horizon for you?
In the next six months, I’m excited about launching a few new companies that have been in the works for a while, each building on what we’ve already proven works. We’re also setting up the next round of systems and infrastructure to support long-term growth with an eye toward eventual sale. Personally, I’m training for both a half-marathon and a marathon, which is a really rewarding goal to have outside of my businesses!

>How do you see AI entering your field?
I’m seeing two extremes in my field: some agency owners aren’t using AI at all, and others are over-relying on it, outsourcing everything to AI but still trying to charge full-service pricing. Honestly, I think that’s short-sighted. To me, AI is a tool to help us deliver more work, faster, at the same high quality, so we can give clients more value for the same price, not less value for the same cost. I also think it’s exposing how inflated some value-based pricing models were to begin with, and a lot of agencies are struggling to adjust. The ones who win will be the ones who integrate AI thoughtfully.

>What's a mistake you've made that became a major learning moment? 
Early on, I had a harder time managing hiring and firing, ignoring red flags or holding on for too long. Those decisions are hard, especially when you’re just starting out and still calibrating your gut. Since then, I’ve built a much more robust hiring and performance management process, and I’ve integrated incentive comp heavily into the business to reward the right outcomes. It doesn't make it easier emotionally but it helps give me a proven structure to lean on!

>You’ve only been an EO Member for a few months, but what has been your favorite moment so far?
I went on retreat very soon after joining and it was such a great way to meet other folks in EO quickly and in a more casual setting. It kicked off what I think is going to be a great year for me in EO!

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Makena joined EO Portland in 2025. Interested in joining a community of business founders? This could be your year! Learn more.