impossible to make that assumption unless you know the industry,...

impossible to make that assumption unless you know the industry, the margins they make direct vs margins via strata. I don't know it but they do and they took that partnership for a reason. I hadan advertising business and it's success was based 100% on partnering with agencies who did the selling to the clients & got us the reach we could never get direct. Going direct can be very hard, even impossible if Strata for example are the gatekeeper.

the optimal approach is a combination but when you are starting if you can get a footprint with those connected then id take that any day. Once you have the runs on the board it is easier to go direct