We Build on People – Growth and Trust Are Our Core Values

What underpins a healthy company culture? How can we support the growth of individuals and teams? And why is feedback truly a gift? Sára Škvorová, People & Culture Expert at Marketup, delves into all this and more in her inspiring story. 👇

Sára, you are a People & Culture Expert at Marketup. How did your journey with this agency begin, and what led you to return after several years away? My journey with Marketup began over eight years ago. At the time, I was an enthusiastic HR manager drawn to the dynamic environment and growth opportunities of a young agency. Over time, the company grew, my role evolved, and I realized that I enjoyed direct work with people more than strategic management. It was a tough decision, but I recognized that I needed a change. I started psychotherapy training, focused on education, and spent several years gaining experience in other organizations, including the non-profit Otevřeno. After three years, Mirek reached out with an offer to return and lead people care and development, and the decision was an easy one. I love Marketup not only for its culture but also for the fairness of its founders. Today, I’m excited to be back and thrilled to contribute to a healthy environment full of opportunities.

What is your main mission at Marketup? My goal is to support people on their journey to success—whether it’s managing stress, improving communication skills, or building leadership capabilities. My approach is highly individualized—everyone has their unique challenges, and I aim to be a guide rather than a teacher. On an organizational level, I work to create systems that foster growth for individuals and teams alike. For example, I’m working on projects like skill cards and career maps, which clearly outline career development opportunities at Marketup. I believe that when people know where they’re headed, they’re more motivated to work on themselves.

You’ve mentioned leadership development. What inspired you to create the Leadership Academy, and what results have you seen? The Leadership Academy was created to support our managers. Often, they are experts who find themselves in a new role of leading people and need to develop the necessary skills. We extended this to talents with managerial potential. The goal was to create a platform where managers can share experiences, find inspiration, and learn how to improve their teams. The content focuses on seven key managerial skills—from performance management to effective communication. What has surprised me the most is the high level of engagement from participants. The atmosphere is always fantastic, and the outcomes include not only new skills but also stronger relationships and trust across teams.

Marketup often emphasizes that “Feedback is a gift.” How do you support this in practice? “Feedback is a gift” is our mantra, borrowed from the creative team. It means that feedback is an opportunity—it helps us improve and also build relationships. Unfortunately, we often encounter situations where people are afraid to give or receive feedback. That’s why we’ve created workshops where we teach the principles of constructive feedback and practice specific scenarios. The biggest challenge is overcoming fears—whether it’s the fear of a negative reaction or the tendency to reject feedback outright. Our goal is to create an environment where people not only welcome feedback but actively seek it.

What, in your opinion, defines a “healthy company culture,” and how do you support it at Marketup? A healthy company culture is built on trust, openness, and fairness. People need to know they can be themselves, express their opinions, or disagree without fear of repercussions. This can only be achieved by setting clear expectations and rules that are consistently upheld. At Marketup, we aim to address issues directly, avoiding “watercooler gossip.” Our managers are key to creating psychological safety—their reactions to mistakes or new ideas shape how people feel within their teams. We support them through training and coaching to ensure they can foster this environment.

Sára, how do you see your role at Marketup today? I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Every day, I see how my work contributes to the growth of individuals and the company as a whole. For me, the greatest reward is the feeling that I’m helping people discover and fulfill their potential. Marketup is a place where we not only work but also grow as individuals, and I’m grateful to be part of this journey.