A La Carte Media Consulting Hits Inc. 5000 at No. 719 with 477% Growth

A La Carte Media Consulting, a Chicago-based media strategy firm, ranked No. 719 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. The firm logged 477% revenue growth from 2022 to 2025, according to the ranking released Wednesday.

Christa Chavez Martay, the company's CEO, said the recognition validates the model she built six years ago. "We built A La Carte Media Consulting to bring together the agility and client-first mindset of an independent agency with the data, rigor, and capabilities of a major media company," she said. "Six years later, ranking No. 719 on the Inc. 5000 is a pretty exciting sign that the model is working."

The Inc. 5000 list ranks private U.S. companies by percentage revenue growth over three years. To qualify, firms needed at least $100,000 in revenue for 2022 and $2 million for 2025. The median growth rate among this year's honorees was 130%, Inc. said. The cohort collectively added more than 627,000 jobs over the past three years.

Past honorees include Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Oracle, and Patagonia. The list is widely considered the most prestigious benchmark for independent business success, according to Inc. For a media consultancy to land at No. 719 – well above the median – signals that the independent agency model can scale rapidly in a market dominated by holding companies, industry observers often note.

A La Carte Media Consulting was founded in 2020 as a minority and women-owned firm. It partners with brands and agencies on media strategy, planning, and execution across paid and owned channels. The company operates with a digital-first approach and a flexible, client-focused model, Martay said. The firm's growth rate suggests its approach is resonating with clients seeking nimble, data-driven media planning.

Inc. Editor-in-Chief Mike Hofman said the list reflects more than just financial performance. "Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still," he said. "Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance–it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact."

Inc. will celebrate the 2026 honorees at its conference and gala Oct. 14–16 in Dallas. The top 500 companies will appear in the fall issue of Inc. Magazine. Tickets are on sale now.

The company's CEO said the Inc. 5000 ranking opens new doors for the firm. "It's a pretty exciting sign that the model is working," Martay said.