An Agency Story
First hand interviews of creative, digital, advertising, and marketing agency owners that have walked the talk of running an agency business. These are riveting stories of the thrill of starting up, hardships faced, and the keys to a successful business from agency owners around the world.
Episodes
What happens when a lifelong developer decides to step out from behind the code and build something of his own? In this episode, Piotr Nowak, founder of Nopio, shares his journey from being fired from a comfortable job to creating an international digital agency based in Poland. He reveals how embracing simplicity, culture, and clear purpose helped him transform complex projects into meaningful, lasting partnerships.
Key Takeaways
Most people avoid embarrassment and failure, Darwin Liu trained for it. In this episode, he reveals how doing the uncomfortable on purpose helped him build a multimillion-dollar agency and stay sharp in an industry that's rapidly changing. You'll hear the mindset behind pushing limits, hiring struggles, and why boredom can be a sign of progress.
Inside this Episode:
- Why getting comfortable with embarrassment builds real...
Most agency owners don’t realize how long they’ve been operating in survival mode, it becomes default. In this episode, Kelly Gordon of Dapper Codes shares what it really took to move from reacting to everything to leading with intention. You’ll hear the turning points, the mindset shifts, and the cost of staying in “hard mode” too long.
Key Takeaways
- The unseen impact of staying in survival mode
- Why hard things take much longer t...
Company: Norbella
Guest: Stephanie Noris
Year Started: 2009
Employees: 1-10
Running an agency means solving problems every day, but what if one lesson could make most of them easier? In this episode, Stephanie Norris of Norbella shares how mastering tough conversations, focusing on people, and tackling root challenges have shaped her 16-year journey in business.
Key Takeaways
- Why learning to have difficult conversations solves m...
Company: Visible Logic
Guest: Emily Brackett
Year Started: 2001
Employees: 1-10
Financial Clarity and the Creative Journey with Emily Brackett
In this episode Emily Brackett, founder of Visible Logic and Branding Compass, shares how a pivotal moment reshaped the way she runs her business. From building a branding agency rooted in clarity to developing a software tool that helps businesses define their message, Emily’s story is a r...
Company: Comet Fuel
Guest: Jarod Spiewak
Year Started: 2018
Employees: 1-10
In this episode, Jarod Spiewak, founder of Comet Fuel, shares his unconventional journey, the pivotal shifts in his business model, and the hard-earned lessons behind building a system of value.
Key Takeaways
- Why saying “yes” strategically can unlock bigger client opportunities
- Ensuring you have R&D happening in your business
- The importance of tracking cus...
Company: Inovāt
Guest: Doug Logan
Year Started: 2006
Employees: 1-10
What happens when a 14-year-old builds an agency and later finds himself running a burrito shop on the side? In this episode, Doug Logan of Inovat shares his journey from teenage entrepreneur to seasoned agency owner, offering candid lessons on leadership, letting go, and staying in love with the work.
Key Takeaways
- Why imposter syndrome never fully disappears ...
Company: Enleaf
Guest: Adam Chronister
Year Started: 2009
Employees: 1-10
Adam Chronister took his time on his path to entrepreneurship. Struggling in school and unsure of his future, he took the long road—gaining experience, building a side hustle, and creating financial runway before finally making the leap. In this episode, Adam shares how that deliberate approach shaped the ethos of Enleaf, where focusing on the business, not ...
Company: Bytes.co
Guest: Jason Di Vece
Year Started: 2010
Employees: 26-50
What happens when you walk away from security and take the leap into the unknown? In this episode, Jason Di Vece, Co-Founder of Bytes.co, shares how selling everything to move abroad reshaped his mindset and set him on the path to building a 25-person agency serving hundreds of clients.
Key Takeaways
- The risky move that built lasting confidence and shaped Ja...
Company: Scratch Media + Marketing
Guests: Ryan Ellis
Year Started: 2009
Employees: 26-50
What happens when an agency depends too much on its founder? In this episode, Lora Kratchounova, Founder of Scratch Marketing and Media, shares how she built a 40-person B2B tech agency by shifting from founder-dependence to team empowerment. From mastering positioning to embracing deep tech and climate tech, Lora’s story highlights an ever presen...
Company: Red Egg Marketing
Guests: Ryan Ellis
Year Started: 2011
Employees: 11-25
Growing an agency doesn’t always come from chasing the newest trends, it often comes from mastering the basics. In this episode, Ryan Ellis, Founder of Red Egg Marketing, shares how focusing on client relationships, intentional growth, and sticking to fundamentals helped him build a business that lasts.
Key Takeaways
- How low expenses gave Ryan the fre...
Company: AOR
Guests: Alyssa Ash
Year Started: 2011
Employees: 25-50
What if your journey to owning an agency started without you even knowing it? In this episode, Alyssa Ash, Partner at AOR, shares how she went from junior designer to co-owner of a leading creative and digital agency. You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes story of a years-long leadership transition, the lessons learned along the way, and how she’s navigating an unpredictab...
Company: Cro Metrics
Guests: Gwen Hammes
Year Started: 2011
Employees: 50-100
Gwen Hammes, Co-CEO of Cro Metrics, shares her journey of taking over leadership, not by replicating the past, but by evolving it. In this episode, Gwen shares what happens when you step into a founder’s shoes and choose to grow the team before the business.
Key Takeaways
- The biggest risk in leadership transitions
- Why growing your people first leads to bette...
Company: 118 Group
Guests: Dylan Steven
Year Started: 2017
Employees: 1-10
The Secret to a Smarter, Stronger Team? Build a Learning Culture
What if the best agency investment isn’t more tech or tighter processes, but more learning? In this episode, Dylan Steven of 118Group shares how embedding education and autonomy into his team’s DNA has elevated their work and strengthened their connection. He unpacks how letting go of control ...
Company: Bubbly Creative
Guests: Cara Chatellier
Year Started: 2020
Employees: 1-10
When your brand is an extension of who you are, the work becomes deeply personal and powerful. In this episode, Cara Chatellier, founder of Bubbly Creative, shares how she built a values-driven agency that puts relationships first and strives to deliver marketing that actually connects. If you're tired of generic content and ready to build somethin...
Company: Perspektiiv Design Co
Guests: Alison Gardner
Year Started: 2014
Employees: 1-10
What if building your agency meant more boundaries, not more burnout? In this episode, Alison Gardner, Founder of Perspektiiv Design Co, shares how she transformed her solo design practice into a collaborative agency without sacrificing her creativity, identity, or personal life. You'll hear how she built a system that supports her, even throu...
Company: Mad Mind Studios
Guests: Omid Mousaei
Year Started: 2008
Employees: 11-25
What does it take to build a creative agency from nothing…without connections, experience, or a safety net? In this episode, Omid Mousaei of Mad Mind Studios shares how his journey from immigrant to agency founder shaped the values, mindset, and grit behind his business. If you've ever faced setbacks or felt alone in the chaos of agency life, this e...
Company: Upswept Creative
Guests: Sarah Giffrow
Year Started: 2011
Employees: 1-10
What if staying un-niched was your more niche than you think? In this episode, Sarah Giffrow of Upswept Creative shares why she chose variety over specialization, and how it’s helped her build a values-driven agency that aligns with who she is. From helping mission-focused clients to overcoming the challenge of marketing her own business, Sarah offers ho...
Company: 108 Degrees Digital Marketing
Guests: MaryAnn Pfeiffer
Year Started: 2001
Employees: 1-10
What happens when an agency owner stops doing it all and decides to go all in on what truly works? In this episode, Maryann Pfeiffer of 108 Degrees shares how becoming a recognized expert, through years of focused effort, transformed her agency’s positioning, visibility, and lead generation. You'll hear a candid take on the real inve...
Company: Market Mentors
Guests: Michelle Abdow
Year Started: 2003
Employees: 11-25
From Seatmate Stranger to Business Catalyst
Launching a business while raising twins? That’s just the start of Michelle Abdow’s remarkable journey. In this episode, she shares how a chance encounter on a flight led to a game-changing client and why building a resilient, feedback-driven culture has helped her agency thrive through decades of change.
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