At Be Found Online (BFO), we’ve always believed that while we are experts in helping brands grow their presence online, we should still find like-minded partners that allow us to bring full-service results to the table (and mean it). That philosophy is exactly why we are a proud founding member of Nostos Network, a partner agency network of like-minded independent shops leaning on one another’s unique specializations for the benefit of our collective clients.
When we combine our expertise at BFO with the specialized talents of our Nostos partners—ranging from high-end creative to web developers to literally-you-name-it—we aren't just a collection of indie agencies anymore. Together, we are a full-service contender capable of outmaneuvering the "Big Four" holding companies with more agility, deeper expertise, and the indie mindset that most brands want.
Earlier in March, the BFO team headed to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for the Nostos 2026 NYC All-Community Meet-Up. Hosted at the iconic Hoxton and Wythe Hotels, the event was a masterclass in the power of the independent agency model… and a great opportunity for us to get together with friends that we often work with, though rarely see in person.
The meet-up kicked off on Tuesday evening with cocktails and food at Jaffa, which gave many of us a chance to catch up with folks we’d been hoping to see. It was a brief whirlwind of “hellos” and “what have you been up to’s,” but it helped keep everything under control for the event itself.
Wednesday, the meet-up itself, was a packed day of presentations and workshops in the Wythe Hotel’s Main Hall, concluding with a rooftop cocktail hour at Bar Blondeau. Despite the pull of an unseasonably beautiful March day in New York City, the collaborative energy and chit-chatting that filled the room kept most of us glued to our seats, jotting down ideas, and enjoying each other’s company.
Whether we were participating in "Nostos Speed Dating" to meet a new Nostos member and start a new friendship or engaging in member-led panels like "Building Strength from the Inside," there was a palpable sense of reciprocity. We moved through sessions on operationalizing growth and AI hacks for indies, but the underlying theme was clear: by sharing and collaborating, we all get smarter, faster, and better - and that value gets passed on to our clients. This isn't a zero-sum game; it’s a community where a win for one agency is an opportunity to bring along the entire network’s capability.
This collective brain trust allows BFO to offer our clients something rare: the personalized attention of a boutique Chicago agency with the "back-end" power of a vetted full-service network. We walked away from the Mini-TED Talks and guest panels with a renewed perspective on how “fun" can be a creative catalyst and how indie agencies are uniquely positioned to be more disruptive than their larger counterparts.
The vibe in Williamsburg proved that being independent doesn’t mean being isolated. We’re headed back to Chicago with a fresh set of tools, new partners to call on, and a renewed commitment to our clients and the Nostos community.
We’re back at it now, fueled by everything we learned in Brooklyn. If you’re looking for a partner that combines deep data expertise with the reach of a global independent network, let’s talk.