An Agency Story

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

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

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

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 megaphone vs. a magnetright

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

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

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 creates endless passion for his agency business. Key Takeaways

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 about leadership, hiring, and the “unearned confidence” that often fuels entrepreneurs at the start. Key Takeaways

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 like a necessary evil, this conversation just might change how you see it. Episode Highlights: most financial leverage

What happens when a mailroom clerk discovers Google Ads and turns it into a multimillion-dollar advantage? In this episode, Anthony Higman shares his journey from corporate frustration to building Adsquire, a digital marketing agency for law firms. You’ll learn what it really takes to bet on yourself, build a high-performing team from scratch, and create momentum through bold, unconventional moves. Key Takeaways

What happens when a founder stops chasing growth and starts building with intention? In this episode, Lysa Miller, Founder of Ladybugz, shares how she rebuilt her agency around simplicity, empathy, and clarity. From sprint-based web design to a mindset shift that changed everything, this conversation explores the invisible work behind building an agency you actually want to run. Key Takeaways

What does it really feel like to go from employee to agency owner, especially when the pressure hits fast? In this episode, Jill de Chavez shares her journey of stepping into ownership at Briteweb and what it taught her about leadership, transparency, and building a people-first agency that aligns with values and numbers. Episode Highlights:

Starting an agency is hard. Starting one with a baby at home is even harder. In this episode, Elyse Lupin, Founder of Elysium Marketing Group, shares the real story behind building a food and franchise agency through uncertainty, motherhood, and constant industry change. Key Takeaways Want a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if one of those spots is right for you. Click this link to visit AnAgencyStory.com and click “Let’s Talk.”

Money clarity changes everything. In this episode, fractional CFO Sarah Patterson breaks down how agency owners can stop guessing and start making confident financial decisions using 7 simple, repeatable habits. You’ll learn how to turn financials into a practical tool for direction, focus, and smarter leadership. Key Takeaways Want a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if one of those spots is right for you. Click this link to visit AnAgencyStory.com and click “Let’s Talk.”

Growth doesn’t usually fail because of effort, it fails because of friction. In this episode, Russel sits down with John Balauat of Help.Agency to unpack why forcing outcomes creates pressure, bad decisions, and stalled momentum, and how the discipline of reducing friction leads to clearer sales, better partnerships, and healthier agencies. Key Takeaways Want a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if one of those spots is right for you. Click this link to visit AnAgencyStory.com and click “Let’s Talk.”

You can never underestimate the ability to measure your business. In this episode, Russel sits down with Jason Brewer of Brolik to unpack what 22 years of agency ownership actually teaches you about predictable revenue, leadership, and long-term decision-making. Key Takeaways Want a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if one of those spots is right for you. Click this link to visit AnAgencyStory.com and click “Let’s Talk.”

Clarity in business doesn’t arrive all at once, it’s built through decisions, experience, and commitment. In this first ever "Where are they now?" episode, Russel reconnects with Rachel Ledet, Founder of 30|90 Marketing, to explore how her agency evolved over the past few years and what changed once she fully committed to a clear focus. This episode is a candid look at confidence earned over time, the hard tradeoffs behind positioning, and what happens when an agency stops hedging and starts building with intention. Key Takeaways earn Check out Rachel's original appearance on An Agency Story podcast, Episode #40 - When Saying Yes Almost Cost Her the Account Want a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if one of those spots is right for you. Click this link to visit AnAgencyStory.com and click “Let’s Talk.”

What does it really take to build a large agency without chaos, investors, or burning out your team? In this episode, Alex Melen, Co-Founder of SmartSites, shares how starting a business at 13 shaped his long-term mindset and how disciplined measurement and intentional growth decisions helped SmartSites become a 450-person agency. Key Takeaways Want a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if one of those spots is right for you. Visit AnAgencyStory.com and click “Let’s Talk.”

In this episode, Russel sits down with Tom Conlin of North Street to unpack how an unexpectedly narrow offer became a mechanism for opening doors, reducing stress, and creating better opportunities across the business. Key Takeaways Want a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if one of those spots is right for you. Visit AnAgencyStory.com and click “Let’s Talk.”

What if the key to improving your agency is stepping away from your business? In this conversation, Hillary Applegate, founder of Digital HQ, shares how distance reshaped her leadership, clarified what actually matters, and strengthened the way her team operates. Listeners will walk away with a fresh perspective on agency ownership, boundaries, and letting go. Key Takeaways Want a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if one of those spots is right for you. Visit AnAgencyStory.com and click “Let’s Talk.”