2026 is turning out to be a landmark year for First Ascent, and we’re taking a quick pause from client work to celebrate two milestones!
First Ascent Makes the Inc. 5000 List
We are thrilled to announce that, for the very first time, First Ascent has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America!
For over 40 years, the Inc. 5000 has served as a premier benchmark for independent businesses, ranking companies based on three-year revenue growth. In the agency world, that kind of sustained growth is notoriously hard to pull off. The marketing world loves a shortcut, but rapid growth that dilutes client care or burns out a team isn’t real success. Making this list proves that playing the long game is still a winning strategy.
“Being named to the Inc. 5000 for the first time is a milestone eleven years in the making. Every single year since 2015, we’ve managed to grow and do better than the year before—sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot. A slow and steady approach isn’t always glamorous, but it has been sustainable for us. Reaching this point is a direct result of our hardworking, dedicated team and the incredible clients who trust us with their biggest goals. It’s proof that taking the time to build things right pays off!”
— John Himics, Co-Founder & President
Representing Delaware on a National Stage
Delaware might be small, but our business community punches well above its weight. Out of millions of private businesses across the country, First Ascent is proud to be one of only 38 companies in the entire state of Delaware to make the 2026 list!
We’ve built our agency in Wilmington from day one, so bringing this kind of national recognition back to our home state—and the community that helped us grow—is easily the best part of making the list.
First Ascent Wins the Superstars in Business Award
The momentum didn’t stop at our first Inc. 5000 ranking. Right here in Delaware, First Ascent was also named a recipient of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Award!
Named in memory of local business leader Marvin S. Gilman, this honor recognizes small businesses for outstanding achievement and strong company culture. Unlike awards that solely look at top-line revenue, Superstars in Business looks under the hood at how a company is actually run. Winning it validates that the internal culture and foundation we’ve built are just as strong as our growth numbers.
A Landmark Year Eleven Years in the Making
These two awards are major highlights, but they are part of a much bigger story for First Ascent this year.
Earlier this year, John Himics earned a spot on the Delaware Business Times‘ 40 Under 40 list. In the program’s most competitive year yet, John was chosen among the select group of young leaders making a difference in the First State. For our agency, it’s a nod to the steady leadership that has guided First Ascent from the very beginning. Building a business in Delaware means your reputation is everything, and this recognition is proof that John’s commitment to our local community doesn’t go unnoticed.
And most exciting of all, we officially bought our own building! After years of renting, having a place of our own gives First Ascent a permanent anchor in Wilmington. It gives our team a lasting home base to collaborate with clients and proves that we are rooted in Delaware for the long haul.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
None of this happens in a vacuum. To our team who brings their best every single day, to our clients who trust us with their big ideas, and to everyone in the Delaware community who has cheered us on over the last 11 years—thank you.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re even more excited about what’s next. Onward!