An Agency Story

Clients often know the result they want, but not the right path to get there. In this episode, Tony Brown of KDE Technology shares how his role shifted from selling websites and digital marketing to educating business owners on what they actually need to grow with confidence.

Inside this episode:

• Why education can become one of the most important parts of the sales process
• How KDE helps clients toward clearer business goals
• What To...

Finding value doesn’t always require looking farther away. In this episode, Ross McDaniel, Founder of Fencepost, shares how his search for bigger opportunities ultimately led him back to the people, businesses, and community closest to home. His journey offers a refreshing perspective on growth, purpose, and building something meaningful right where you are. 

Inside this episode:

•  Why some of the greatest opportun...

Building a successful agency often requires reinventing yourself along the way. In this episode, Julia Wilk of Wheelhorse Web shares her journey from translator to agency owner, explores the challenges of narrowing a niche, and reflects on the leadership lessons that helped her move through burnout and become a stronger leader.

Inside this episode:

•  Why what got you here won’t get you where you want to go next 
• &nb...

In this episode of An Agency Story, Russel Dubree sits down with Tom Malesic, founder of EZ Marketing, to explore what it takes to stay relevant through decades of change. From selling websites before businesses understood the internet to navigating today's AI revolution, Russel and Tom share some of the hard won lessons on agency leadership.

Inside this episode:

• The benefits of having a book to share your expertise
• Why agency lea...

Brand positioning is more than a marketing exercise—it can become the foundation for growth, partnerships, and long-term differentiation. In this episode, Rafi Norberg, Founder of Nexus Marketing, chats with Russel on how a highly focused niche strategy helped build a multi-million-dollar agency, why ecosystem thinking creates powerful advantages, and how agency leaders should approach the rapid changes brought by AI.

Inside t...

AI has become the defining conversation in the agency world. In this episode, An Agency Story host Russel Dubree shares his experience attending Vistara, an AI-focused conference for agencies, and unpacks what’s real, what’s hype, and what agency owners should actually be paying attention to right now.

From AI-first agencies and operational shifts to outcome-driven positioning and the future value of human strategy, this...

Public relations is no longer just about messaging, it’s about trust. In this episode, Kelly Vance, Founder of VANCE, shares a few simple but powerful philosophies on helping organizations communicate more effectively in a world filled with misinformation, public skepticism, and constant noise.

Inside this episode:

•  Why communications deserves a seat in the boardroom 
•  The impact of today’s “trust ...

In this episode, Russel sits down with Park Howell, founder of The Business of Story, to explore storytelling frameworks, positioning, and clarity, Park shares practical insights on how agencies can cut through the noise and build stronger connections through intentional storytelling.

Inside this episode:

•  Why there is a struggle to tell your story clearly 
•  The difference between “winging it” and intent...

Brian Tillman went from writing random product descriptions in a freezing warehouse to building a 50-person agency serving cybersecurity and tech companies. In this episode, he unpacks the shift from selling features to selling outcomes, why he walked away from growing to 100 people, and how “the right amount of awesome” became the standard for everything they do.

Episode Highlights

•  The real difference between s...

In this episode, Michael Huang shares his story on how focusing on culture, creativity, and mentorship can shape not just a business, but an entire talent pipeline. 

Key Takeaways

• Expecting polished talent instead of developing it—invest early and build your own pipeline 
• Design a workplace people genuinely want to be part of, not just a place to work 
• Evaluate work based on impact, enjoyment, and financial re...

What does it really take to build an agency from scratch and keep it going for over a decade? In this episode, Ryan Stets of 232 Creative shares the unfiltered journey of evolving from freelancer to agency owner, navigating uncertainty, and adapting to constant industry change. You’ll walk away with practical insight on resilience, decision-making, and what it takes to grow without losing direction. 

Key Takeaways

• How ...

Great creative work doesn’t happen by accident, it’s built on fundamentals. In this episode, Cabell Harris shares decades of perspective on how the creative industry has evolved and what actually separates meaningful work from noise. 

Key Takeaways

•  The difference between real positioning and “parity” messaging 
•  A simple framework for thinking about audience, message, and effectiveness&...

Building a better agency is about building people, culture, and meaningful impact. In this episode, Jennifer Mulchandani of Arlington Strategy shares a refreshingly honest perspective on hiring, leadership, and why a better practices might be to not aim to keep clients forever. 

Key Takeaways

• A strong, human-first environment can outperform higher salaries and reduce costly turnover 
• Growth from empowering clients, not m...

In this episode, Tom Schwab of Interview Valet breaks down how to use podcasting as a focused, intentional channel to build authority and attract the right results. If you’ve ever wondered whether podcasting is worth your time, this will change how you think about it.

Key Takeaways

•  Why podcasting isn't a numbers game 
•  The difference between using podcasts as a megaphone vs. a magnet
•  How to choose the ri...

Company: On Purpose Projects

Guest: Natasha Golinsky

Year Started: 2015

Employees: 1-10

 In this episode, Natasha Golinsky shares how a personal health crisis pulled her out of day-to-day operations and revealed a hard truth: the business didn’t actually need her to function. This conversation will challenge how you think about control, leadership, and the importance of building succession into your business.

Key Takeaways

Company: Beyond Spots & Dots

Guest: Melanie Querry

Year Started: 2006

Employees: 11-25

Building an well run agency often relies on mastering fundamentals that many can easily overlook. In this episode, Melanie Querry shares how she built Beyond Spots & Dots by focusing on transparency, operational discipline, and intentional growth. 

Key Takeaways

•  Culture is preserved through clear processes, shared standards, and ...

Company: Neff

Guest: David Neff

Year Started: 1959

Employees: 11-25

What does it take to build an agency that lasts decades and still love it? In this episode, Russel Dubree sits down with David Neff, founder of Neff, to explore the mindset behind a long, successful agency career. From relentless hustle to building powerful media relationships, David shares how creativity, persistence, and finding the "sexy" in every client account cre...

Company: Stay Calm Industries

Guest: Evan Johnson

Year Started: 2013

Employees: 1-10

What do you do after losing your job at a coffee shop? If you’re Evan Johnson, you start a marketing agency the very next day. In this episode, Evan shares the unconventional story behind Stay Calm Industries, from landing his first clients as a barista to building a creative team and signing contracts in Iceland. It’s a candid conversation...

Company: Legal + Creative

Guest: Sharon Toerek

Year Started: 2014

Employees: 1-10

In this episode, Sharon Toerek of Legal + Creative reframes how agency owners should think about legal. Instead of treating it like a sunk cost, she explains how contracts, IP, and insurance can actively protect margins, increase leverage, and even create new revenue streams.

If you’ve ever ignored a contract, overlooked your IP, or treated legal lik...