Rachelle Sassine’s entrepreneurial spirit has been a constant throughout her life. From setting up shop as a child to running her own digital marketing agency, Perceptiv, she’s always been fueled by a passion for building meaningful, people-focused solutions. Rachelle is on a mission to help small businesses thrive in an often-overpromised, underdelivered industry by staying true to her values of honesty, trust, and hard work.
1. Rachelle, how did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
I’ve had the entrepreneur bug for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would set up little shops, selling to my siblings, friends, and parents. It wasn’t just a game to me—it was about being in control, making decisions, and bringing ideas to life. I’d stack imaginary shelves, create strategies to make my “products” appealing, and even handle “customer complaints.”
As I grew older, I realized those playful moments were laying the foundation for my entrepreneurial mindset. What excites me today is the same thing that excited me back then—creating something meaningful, solving problems, and helping others succeed. That spirit led me to launch Perceptiv, a digital marketing agency with a human-first approach.
2. What challenges did you face in building Perceptiv?
Starting a digital marketing agency in Sydney, one of the most competitive markets, was daunting. I wanted Perceptiv to stand out, not just as the best agency, but as the most trustworthy. The stigma around agencies overpromising and underdelivering pushed me to build something different—an agency where honesty, results, and relationships come first.
Early on, the challenge was finding clients who believed in our mission. But instead of focusing on aggressive sales tactics, we let our work speak for itself. We grew through referrals, which allowed us to triple our client base in just eight months. That was a proud moment—it validated our approach and showed that businesses valued not just our results but the relationships we were building.
3. How do you stay motivated during difficult times?
When things get hard, I’ve found that stepping away is often the best way to recover. Taking a holiday, escaping to nature, or simply switching off helps me quiet my mind and regain perspective.
I’ve also learned to embrace the reality that entrepreneurship is much harder than it seems. If it were easy, everyone would do it. The only way to fail is to give up, and knowing that keeps me grounded and motivated. At the end of the day, I remind myself why I started—to create something meaningful and help small businesses succeed.
4. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
The reality is, entrepreneurship is tough. It requires resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to stick it out when things don’t go as planned. My advice? Embrace the challenges and focus on progress, not perfection.
I also believe in the power of being human. Don’t be afraid to build genuine relationships, even in business. People remember those who are honest and trustworthy, especially when things are difficult. And above all, never stop learning. The moment you think you know everything, you stop growing.
5. What’s been a proud moment in your journey so far?
One of my proudest moments was when we tripled our client base in less than eight months—all through referrals. That level of growth showed me that we weren’t just delivering results; we were building trust, educating business owners, and forming lasting relationships. It was a moment that reinforced my belief in Perceptiv’s mission and approach.
6. What is your vision for Perceptiv?
Perceptiv exists because small businesses are the backbone of every economy, yet they’re often underserved in the digital space. Most agencies overpromise, and most gurus oversell. At Perceptiv, we overdeliver.
Our vision is simple: to grow 1,000 businesses and leave a lasting legacy. We aim to help small businesses break through the noise, grow with confidence, and achieve their potential with marketing strategies that work. Along the way, we want to change the stigma around digital marketing agencies by staying human, honest, and focused on results.
Final Thoughts
Rachelle Sassine’s story is a testament to the power of staying true to your values, even in a competitive industry. Through Perceptiv, she’s not just helping businesses grow; she’s redefining what it means to be a trusted partner in marketing.