Small But Mighty Agency: Recent Episodes
Audrey Joy Kwan
If you’re a creative, consultant, or agency owner who wants to know what the rollercoaster ride really looks like to grow your business from one to many — you’re in the right place. My guests and I pull back the curtains on the realities of growing and running agencies of different sizes and what it takes to build a team. If you’re anything like me, you want more than the highlight reel, you want to learn from the mistakes of others so that you can stop short of the same mistakes. I'm your host, Audrey Joy Kwan I spend my days as a coach and consultant to multiple 6 and 7 figure agency owners. For the last 7 years, I’ve been behind the scenes helping people grow, lead and operate small but mighty agencies. Here at the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we'll uncover what works — and equally as important— what didn't work to get these business owners to where they are today.
You're doing a piece of client work you've done a hundred times. You open a tool, and it does in minutes what used to take an afternoon. And instead of relief, there's a stomach drop: if it can do that, what am I still charging for?
Here's the real risk. Your clients are having that same realization, whether you talk about it or not.
And if you stay quiet about what's changed in how you deliver your work, you're not protecting yourself, you're just waiting for them to notice on their own, and start wondering what else you haven't told them.
In this episode, I break down what it actually takes to stay irreplaceable to a client right now. It's not one thing, it's a sequence, and there's a last step that's harder than the rest, the one this whole episode is really about.
Hit play if you've felt that stomach drop and haven't figured out what to do about it yet.
And if this one hits home, come talk it through live. We're digging into this exact question at the Strategic Partnership Mixer on August 6th, online.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep158
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Most agency owners have felt the sting of being ghosted after a great sales call, the kind where the conversation goes well, real interest seems to be there, a proposal goes out, and then nothing comes back.
It happens often enough that it gets treated as simply the cost of doing business, something you absorb by giving your best thinking away for free and hoping enough of it converts into paying work.
What that approach quietly costs, though, is time: hours that could have gone into your actual clients, your actual offer, or just having an evening back.
Daniela found her way to a different approach, but not by design. Like a lot of agency owners, she learned it the hard way, through the overwhelm of free consultations before building a sales process that leads not just to a signed client but to a 12-month retainer, and that process is what she unpacks in this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast.
Daniela Furtado is the founder of Findable Digital Marketing, an agency that works exclusively with design and construction firms, though it took her years to arrive at that focus.
For a long stretch early on, she ran her business across two completely unrelated industries at once, and it wasn’t until she finally chose which one to build around that everything else, including the sales system she still uses today, became possible.
That system starts with an $800 consultation, an offer that both saves Daniela time and primes prospects for the retainer conversation that follows. She walks through the details in the episode, along with how she pitches a 12-month commitment in a way that rarely comes down to the number twelve at all.
It took Daniela two years to build this system. The episode covers what she learned in that time, so you do not have to spend two years finding out for yourself.
Show Notes:
-Findable Digital Marketing Website: findabledigitalmarketing.com
-Instagram: findabledigitalmarketing
-Daniela's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/daniela-pimentel-furtado
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep157
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
You already know that search doesn't look the way it used to.
Buyers are no longer finding agencies through one clean path from Google search to website visit to inquiry.
They may discover you through an AI-generated answer, a Reddit thread, a local Facebook group, a directory, a review, a LinkedIn profile, or a blog post that answers a very specific question.
Darlene Moore from Drive Traffic is actively watching how visibility is shifting, and in this episode she shares what she's seeing on the ground right now — where decisions are actually being shaped, and what's working.
We talk about what makes content worth citing, why lived experience and specificity matter more than generic AI-generated content, and how you can use tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Reddit, and Search Console to understand where your buyers are actually looking for answers.
Show Notes:
-Website: drivetraffic.ca
-LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/darlene
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep156
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
There's a moment Joe Teo describes in this episode that will feel familiar to a lot of agency owners: revenue flattening, a growth channel that stopped working and no plan B.
For Joe, the CEO and co-founder of HeyOrca, that moment forced a question most marketers never think to ask: what if you'd built a growth strategy with no foundation underneath it?
In this episode, Joe breaks down how HeyOrca rebuilt their growth engine through community-led marketing after paid ads hit a wall, and what they learned about the difference between having an audience and building a community.
We get into:
- Why systems alone (newsletters, Slack groups, webinars) don't create community, and what actually does
- The shift from "what should we publish next?" to a question that changes everything
- How paid ads fit into a community-led strategy without becoming the whole strategy
- The participation signals worth tracking beyond likes and comments
- Why Joe thinks AI fatigue is pushing people toward something most marketers are underestimating
Joe is also the author of Community-Led Marketing, and his take on where trust, attention, and growth intersect right now is one I think you'll be thinking about long after the episode ends.
Show Notes:
-Website: heyorca.com
-Community-Led Marketing ebook: heyorca.com/ebook/community-led-marketing
-Joe Teo's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josephteols
-HeyOrca's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/heyorca
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep155
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Ten years of running an agency, and everything was still in her head.
Natasha Golinsky, founder of On Purpose Projects, a custom web and e-commerce development agency, didn't plan her exit from the day-to-day. A stage two breast cancer diagnosis gave her six weeks to hand over a business she'd been running for a decade, while everything lived in her head.
What came out the other side is one of the most honest, human stories about building a business that can run without you that I've heard.
In this episode, Natasha shares what it really took to build and lead a strong remote contractor team, why the freedom she worked toward came with an unexpected identity shift, and what she wishes she'd done differently long before the crisis hit.
Here's what we cover:
- What the handoff actually looked like when the timeline wasn't strategic, it was survival
- The emotional side of stepping out, the loneliness, the grief, and learning to let go of being needed
- The multi-phase hiring process Natasha uses to find contractors who are the right fit beyond technical skill
- How to start loosening your grip by identifying the work you already avoid
You don't have to go through a health crisis to build a business that doesn't depend on you. But you do have to be intentional about it.
Let's dive in.
Show Notes:
-Natasha's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/natashagolinsky
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep154
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
A lot of small business owners are feeling the pressure to keep up right now.
AI is changing how we work. New tools and platforms keep showing up. Buyers are behaving differently, and the market feels harder to read than it used to.
And I get it.
When things feel uncertain, it’s very easy to start adding more.
But for small but mighty business owners, more is not always what creates momentum. Sometimes it just makes the business heavier.
In this episode, I sit down with Lydia Lee, business strategist and work reinvention coach, for a conversation about what it really means to grow in this season.
This is not a tidy framework conversation. It’s more of a real talk about the pressure small business owners are carrying, what is changing in the market, and why some of the most important growth moves right now might actually be quieter ones.
We talk about simplifying, getting clearer on what you actually need, and building a business around your real season of life instead of someone else’s version of success.
We also get into why relationships matter more than ever. AI can give you ideas, outlines, and tactics, but it cannot replace trust.
In this episode, we cover:
- why experienced small business owners are feeling overwhelmed right now
- how AI is creating both urgency and distraction
- why adding more is not always the best response to uncertainty
- what it means to define growth based on the season you are actually in
This conversation is for you if you have been feeling the pressure to do more, but some part of you knows the answer might be to pause, simplify, and ask a more honest question:
What do I actually need right now?
Show Notes:
Website: screwthecubicle.com
YouTube: youtube.com/screwthecubicle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lydiallee
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep153
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
A lot of agency owners think about selling one day. But selling is not something you prepare for at the last minute.
And here's what most people miss: the things that make an agency attractive to a buyer are the same things that make it stronger, more stable, and more enjoyable to run right now.
Whether an exit is on your radar or not, this conversation is worth your time.
In this episode, I sit down with Steve Guberman, M&A advisor for agency leaders, to get into what owners are building well, what they're avoiding, and what it really takes to run a business you could sell if you wanted to.
Here's what we cover:
- The difference between building a team and building a team that can run without you
- What "panic selling" looks like and why so many owners end up there
- Why the goal isn't to sell. It's to have the option.
You don't build a great agency to sell it. You build it well, and selling becomes an option.
Show Notes:
-Website: agencyoutsight.com
-Get the Operators Audit Worksheet: agencyoutsight.com/resources
-LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/agencycoach
-Podcast: agencyoutsight.com/podcast
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep152
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Most agency owners think exit means one thing: finding a buyer.
This episode offers a different perspective.
I sat down with Daniel Pillai, CEO of Langton PR, to talk about a path into ownership that did not come through a traditional sale, but through trust, mentorship, and a gradual transition shaped over time.
It’s a conversation about leadership, succession, and the often unseen inner work of stepping into a role you’re not sure you’re ready for.
Together, we explore what agency owners may be missing when they overlook internal succession, how potential can show up before someone fully believes in themselves, and why leading well is one of the most important parts of building an agency that lasts.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- why exiting an agency doesn’t always have to mean selling to an outside buyer
- how account management and relationship leadership can become a foundation for ownership
- what true mentorship and stewardship can look like inside an agency
- why internal succession is not just an exit strategy, but a reflection of how well you lead
If you’ve ever thought about legacy, leadership, succession, or what it really means to build an agency that can outlast you, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.
Show Notes:
-Website: langtonpr.com
-Instagram: @daniel.pillai
-TikTok: @queendeehbic
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep151
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Some agencies do solid work and still lose clients.
And in a market like this, I think that raises a more important question than most people are asking:
What actually makes a client want to stay?
Because client retention is not just about doing good work.
It is not just about being responsive, likable, or easy to work with either.
There is a deeper layer to strong client relationships. A kind of value that makes a client feel steadier with you in the room, more confident in your perspective, and more likely to see you as someone who helps them think, not just someone who helps them deliver.
This episode explores what that kind of relationship really requires now.
I get into why client relationships feel different in this market, why strategic advisory matters more than ever, and what actually helps agencies become harder to replace when budgets tighten, pressure rises, and trust carries more weight.
If you want to become harder to replace in the eyes of your clients, this episode will help you see where that value really comes from.
RSVP to the next Mixer: https://agencytogether.com/mixer-event
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep150
What does it actually take to market to diverse audiences with depth, respect, and relevance?
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, I sit down with Marissa Nance, founder of Native Tongue Communications, to talk about what too many agencies still get wrong when trying to reach diverse audiences.
Marissa shares why broad multicultural marketing often falls short and why she prefers the term micro cultural marketing instead. We explore what it means to understand people beyond surface-level demographics and why empathy, research, and cultural nuance matter more than ever.
We also talk about the pressure agencies are facing right now as DEAI becomes more politicized, AI reshapes the marketing landscape, and brands risk losing the human insight that makes their work resonate.
In this conversation, we unpack:
- Why “micro cultural” is a more useful lens than “multicultural”
- Why culture goes deeper than race, ethnicity, or gender
- How empathy leads to stronger marketing
- Where AI can support the work and where human judgment still matters
- What agencies can do to market with more intention and integrity
If you want to create marketing that resonates more deeply and reflects a better understanding of the people you serve, this episode is worth a listen.
Show Notes:
-Website: nativetonguecommunications.com
-Instagram: marissa.nance
-LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marissanance
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep149
Is AI quietly making your agency more replaceable?
Or is it revealing where your real value actually lives?
Right now, content can be generated in seconds. Blog posts. Emails. Website copy. Entire strategies drafted with a prompt.
Which raises an uncomfortable question for agency owners:
If the machine can produce the words… what are clients really paying us for?
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we pull back the curtain on what AI actually looks like inside a working content agency serving technical clients.
My guest, Victoria Cowan, founder of Wordplay Creative, built her business on thoughtful, human-centered storytelling. When AI hit the marketing world she felt what many writers felt: fear.
Not hype. Not instant adoption. Fear.
Instead of ignoring it or blindly embracing it she integrated it intentionally.
In this conversation, we unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes:
- Where AI genuinely speeds up workflow and where it creates more work
- Why most AI-generated content sounds the same
- The growing importance of editorial discernment
- How tone of voice is becoming a serious competitive advantage
- What agencies need to consider around transparency and IP
- Why strategic thought partnership is becoming more valuable than execution
As more agencies use the same tools, sameness becomes the default.
If you’re navigating how to use AI without becoming commoditized, this episode will help you think more clearly about where your real leverage lives.
Let’s dive in.
Show Notes:
-Website: https://www.wordplaycreative.ca/
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriajunecowan/
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep148
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Your agency is working.
But the way you’re making decisions may no longer match where you actually want to go.
From the outside, everything looks steady but inside, something feels heavier than it should.
That heaviness often shows up when the business keeps operating in a way that made sense in the past, even though your perspective has started to shift.
You see your work differently now, and the way the agency runs hasn’t fully caught up.
Maybe you’re clearer about the clients who energize you.
Clearer about the work that strengthens the business instead of just sustaining it.
Clearer about what feels aligned and what quietly drains you.
But clarity doesn’t automatically reshape a business.
There’s often a stretch where your thinking evolves, but the business is still running on old patterns.
Most owners move through this alone, feeling the friction but not yet knowing what to adjust.
This episode continues the Small But Mighty series by exploring that in-between space—the gap between insight and intentional redesign.
Inside, we explore:
- Why your agency can feel heavy even when it’s successful
- The hidden gap between knowing what you want and running the business that way
- How old decision patterns keep you operating from an earlier version of your agency
- What actually shifts when you start choosing work that aligns with the direction you want to grow
If your agency looks successful but feels heavier to lead than it once did, this episode will help you understand the source of that heaviness and what’s actually ready to shift.
Want More Context?
This episode is part of a series exploring what happens when your agency grows but the way you build it needs to evolve.
Part 1 (Podcast): Two $1M Agencies. Very Different Realities
Part 2 (Blog): Why the Agency Growth Model Worked And Why It Doesn’t Now
Part 3 (Podcast): Some Agencies Make Growth Feel Easier. Here’s Why
Part 4 (Blog): You Outgrew Your Business
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep147
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
There’s a subtle difference you start to notice after enough time in this industry.
Some agencies grow with more ease.
Decisions get clearer instead of noisier. Momentum builds without everything getting heavier at the same time.
Not because they’ve found a shortcut, and not because they’re avoiding the realities of today’s market.
They’re operating in the same conditions as everyone else.
And yet, growth behaves differently for them.
This episode is about understanding why.
Not by looking for new tactics or better execution, but by naming the underlying forces that change how growth compounds over time.
When you step back, a different picture of growth starts to emerge. Not growth defined by doing more or adding more, but growth that feels more exciting and easier to sustain because it’s grounded in decisions that reinforce each other instead of competing for energy and attention.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why positioning that reduces buyer effort changes how momentum builds long before a sales conversation begins
- How trust, built through a clear point of view, shortens decision cycles and helps people feel confident choosing you
- Why fit becomes a compounding force when the work you take on actively makes your agency better over time
- How these forces work together to support growth that feels focused, intentional, and worth carrying forward
This conversation isn’t about changing how you work or adopting a new model overnight. It’s about understanding what makes growth feel smarter in a market that’s noisier, more uncertain, and more demanding than it used to be.
________
For those following the Small But Mighty series, this is Part 3.
Part 1 [Two $1M Agencies. Very Different Realities]is a podcast episode exploring the lived tension many agency owners are feeling right now.
Part 2 [Why the Agency Growth Model Worked – and Why It Doesn’t Now]is a blog post unpacking why the traditional growth model isn’t working anymore.
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep146
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you’ve ever looked at the version of “success” the agency world keeps promoting and felt a quiet sense of resistance, here’s a question worth sitting with:
What if growth isn’t supposed to feel this heavy?
Most agency owners aren’t afraid of growth. They’re ambitious. They care deeply about their work. They want their businesses to be profitable, respected, and sustainable.
And yet, somewhere along the way, growth starts to feel like more pressure instead of more clarity. More responsibility instead of more freedom. More motion instead of more stability.
This episode kicks off Small But Mighty: A Different Way to Grow an Agency — a five-part series exploring why so many capable agency owners feel misaligned with the dominant growth narrative, and what it looks like to build something different.
This conversation isn’t about tactics or positioning tricks. It’s about identity. About understanding why many “right” moves start to feel wrong when the underlying growth logic doesn’t actually fit the kind of agency you want to build.
In this episode, we unpack:
- The unspoken assumptions behind most agency growth advice — and how they quietly push agencies toward volume and complexity
- Why pricing, boundaries, and decision-making get harder even as revenue grows
A concrete contrast between two $1M agencies — and why they feel radically different to run
What the Small But Mighty agency identity really means in a market shaped by commoditization and noise
If you’ve ever wondered why growth feels harder than it should — or why success hasn’t delivered the ease you expected — this episode will help you see your business, and yourself, with more clarity.
Because there may be nothing wrong with you at all.
You may simply be building toward a different kind of success.
Sign up for our newsletter: agencytogether.com/about
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep145
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
We talk a lot about niching in the agency world.
Pick an industry.
Go deep.
Specialize.
But in today’s market, industry alone isn’t enough — and many capable agencies can feel that, even if they can’t quite name why.
Execution is easier to buy. Capability is everywhere. And “great work” doesn’t help clients feel confident when the stakes are higher.
What cuts through now is being clear about the outcome you’re willing to stand behind.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, we move beyond outcome clarity and into the real decision agencies are facing right now: choosing an outcome niche without boxing yourself in.
This isn’t about rebranding or narrowing for the sake of narrowing.
It’s about removing friction for your clients and for you, and creating focus that actually supports momentum.
In this episode, we explore:
- What outcome niching actually means and what it doesn’t
- Why niching by industry alone no longer creates enough traction
- The three guardrails that make outcome niching work without overcommitting
- How choosing an outcome can simplify sales, referrals, and delivery
If you’ve felt like you’re standing at the edge of your next stage and haven’t quite named what comes next, this episode will help you think it through.
These are the kinds of conversations we also have inside Agency Together.
If you’d like to pressure-test your thinking with other agency owners, you can RSVP for the next Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer here:
https://agencytogether.com/mixer-event
Tune in to rethink what specialization really means — and how choosing the right outcome creates clarity and momentum.
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep144
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What does your agency need to be known for in order to stay relevant as the market keeps shifting?
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, we explore the strategic shifts quietly shaping how agencies build momentum right now—and what it actually takes to future-proof your agency without chasing every new trend.
This isn’t about services, channels, or keeping up appearances. It’s about clarity—specifically, clarity around the outcomes your work creates, and how that clarity changes everything from sales conversations to capability-building.
Together, we explore:
- Why future-proof agencies anchor their growth to outcomes, not services or channels
- How outcome clarity reshapes offers, pricing, and sales conversations without adding complexity
- What capability-building actually looks like when it’s tied to a clear outcome (and why this matters in an AI-heavy world)
- Why community isn’t just support but a strategic advantage for staying grounded and informed
- The difference between “sounding clear” and being clear in a noisy market
This episode sets the stage for the next conversation, where we’ll go deeper into outcome niching: what it really means, how to do it without boxing yourself in, and what makes it work for you not against you.
🎧 Tune in to rethink what future-proofing your agency actually requires and where clarity becomes your advantage.
Show Notes:
Join the next Agency Together Mixer: https://agencytogether.com/mixer-event
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep143
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How do you know when your agency has outgrown its brand and what actually happens when you decide to change it after 17 years?
Today’s episode gives you a rare behind-the-scenes look at a rebrand most agency owners never get to witness.
My guest, Kim Atkinson, co-founder and COO of Foundery, recently led her agency through a full transformation after nearly two decades of being known as “Ontario SEO.”
What started as a small, local SEO shop evolved into an international, full-service digital agency… but the brand didn’t evolve with them. And eventually, the name that once helped them grow became the very thing holding them back.
In this conversation, Kim opens the door to the real journey. The fears, the hesitation, the naming battles, the internal alignment, and the strategic decisions that helped them pull off a rebrand without losing momentum.
Whether your agency has been around for 17 years or you're only a few years in, you’ll walk away with clarity on:
- how to know your brand no longer reflects your business,
- what to prepare for before changing anything,
- how to protect your visibility during the transition, and
- what shifts once your brand finally matches who you are today.
It’s an honest, practical sneak-peek into a rebrand done thoughtfully and a meaningful listen if you’re sensing it might be time for your own evolution.
Let’s dive in.
Show Notes:
-Website: Foundery.ca
-Kim's LinkedIn
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep142
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
There’s a stage in agency growth that looks successful on the outside but feels limiting on the inside.
You’re delivering great work, clients are happy, and your reputation is solid… yet you’re still underpriced, overextended, and not seen as the strategic partner you know you are.
This silent slowdown has a name: the value gap and most agencies stay in it far longer than they realize.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we unpack why this happens and how it ties directly to the three levels of competitive power that agencies move through as they grow. Most agencies unknowingly get stuck in the middle level, where their work is good enough to grow, but their positioning quietly caps their value.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why “good work” is no longer enough to stand out
- The 3 levels of agency competitive power and where most firms plateau
- The shift from selling deliverables to selling outcomes
- Why premium pricing follows transformation, not effort
- How specialization becomes strategic leverage
When you get clear on the big outcome you deliver, everything starts to line up. You can see what conditions need to be in place, who’s actually a right-fit client, and where your best results come from.
At that point, growth isn’t about doing more work. It’s about solving a bigger, more meaningful problem that earns higher value.
Listen in to explore where your agency sits today and what it takes to move beyond the ceiling.
Show Notes:
The Hands off CEO book: handsoffceo.com/book
Mandi's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep141
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Most agency owners say their business grows through referrals.
But when you ask what their referral system looks like things go quiet.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Referrals feel earned, but if they’re happening by chance, you’re leaving your growth to luck.
In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, we’re talking about how to stop waiting for referrals to “just happen” and start designing them through something I call your Strategic Partnership Squad.
Here’s what we get into:
- The difference between passive referrals and proactive partnerships — and how to build the latter.
- Why trust, not visibility, is driving growth for agencies heading into 2026.
- The four power players that make up your Strategic Partnership Squad:
- How these roles turn word-of-mouth momentum into a repeatable system.
If you’ve ever said, “Our business runs on referrals,” this episode will help you turn that from something you wait for into something you engineer.
These are the same kinds of conversations we had at the recent Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer where agency owners came together to share what’s working, swap insights, and see collaboration in action.
If you missed it, you can still explore how Agency Together helps you build referral-ready relationships and grow through collaboration — learn more here: https://agencytogether.com/
Show Notes:
Agency Together Connection/Discovery Call
Map Your Strategic Partnership Squad
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep140
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If trust still feels like an abstract concept in your business — something you earn, but not something you’ve designed — this episode is for you.
We’re breaking down five specific ways smart agencies are turning trust into a system they can scale, not just a sentiment they hope for.
When I look at the agencies that are landing clients faster, keeping them longer, and growing with more ease, they all have one thing in common:
They’ve transformed trust from a soft skill into a structural advantage.
In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, I’m unpacking five overlooked ways agencies are building trust that leads to stronger relationships, stickier retainers, and more sustainable growth.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll hear:
✔ How micro-offers lower resistance and speed up yeses in a skeptical market
✔ The “corner-seeing” mindset that transforms your team into trusted guides
✔ Why surfacing your thinking makes clients smarter and more loyal
✔ What it really means to define success early — and why it changes everything
✔ How demystifying AI builds credibility and strengthens your value
If you’ve been reselling your value month after month or struggling to stand out without shouting, this conversation will shift your approach.
These are the kinds of strategies we unpack inside Agency Together. If you want to be in the room with other agency owners building trust into how they grow, grab your spot at the next Strategic Partnership Mixer.
RSVP Here: https://agencytogether.com/mixer-event
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep139
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Raising prices when the market feels shaky? It sounds risky, right?
I’ve been there. A few years ago, I was staring down one of the toughest decisions in our agency.
Costs were rising. Salaries were climbing. And the market felt anything but stable.
The easy move would have been to freeze prices and hope things worked out.
But that would have put the entire business at risk.
So we raised prices. And clients said yes.
Not because it was comfortable, but because we leaned on a few key levers that I still believe in today.
In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, I’m breaking down five levers that help you raise your prices in a disrupted market without losing the clients you want to keep.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll hear:
- Why specialists hold pricing power while generalists get squeezed.
- How to repackage your offers so clients see you as adapting, not stagnating.
- The kind of financial leadership that gives you confidence in your pricing.
- A simple way to frame value-based pricing so clients see your fees as an investment, not a cost.
- How client relationships act like a “trust bank account” that makes price increases easier.
If you’ve ever wondered “How can I raise prices right now?” — this episode will give you clarity and confidence to strengthen your pricing power heading into the new year.
These are the kinds of conversations we dive into inside Agency Together. And if you’d like to be in the room with other agency owners for real talk about pricing, partnerships, and growth, join our free Strategic Partnership Mixer — the link is below.
RSVP to the Strategic Partnership Mixer on November 12th at 10:30 am PST.
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep138
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you’ve ever tried to build systems in your agency, this episode is going to blow your mind in the best way.
Because what if the real problem isn’t the tools you’re using or the fact that you “just need to make time” for it? What if the reason systems don’t stick... is because you’re the wrong person to be building them?
This week, I’m joined by David Jenyns, entrepreneur, author of Systemology and his brand new book Systems Champion. We dig into the uncomfortable truth about why systems fail, why AI won’t save you (yet), and how to finally get your agency running without you in the weeds.
You’ll walk away with a new lens on systems, not as something you have to do alone, but as something you can delegate and scale, starting now.
In this episode, we unpack:
- Why business owners are the worst people to build systems (even if they love them)
- The role of a Systems Champion and how it could be the game-changer you’ve been missing
- What makes a great Systems Champion (hint: it’s not years of experience)
- How AI fits into all this and why systems thinking is more essential than ever
- A simple mindset shift to help your team stop resisting systems and start owning them
- The compounding power of small systems wins (think: 10% to 60% profit increase)
This isn’t just about process. It’s about reclaiming your time, building a business that runs (and grows) without you, and setting your agency up to thrive in an AI-powered world.
Tune in and discover how freeing yourself from systems might be the best move for scaling your agency.
Links Mentioned:
David's Website: https://www.systemology.com/
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep137
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
From one-off brand shoots to a seven-figure agency on a subscription model, here’s how it happened.
What if brand shoots weren’t just one-off projects, but the foundation of a scalable business model?
In this episode, you’ll hear how one agency transformed brand shoots into a subscription-based system and built a seven-figure agency along the way. By creating a model where clients receive fresh, strategic visuals quarter after quarter, anywhere in the world, they’ve proven that creativity and systems don’t just coexist they fuel each other.
We cover:
- Why clients are obsessed with visuals and how to deliver them at scale.
- The certification system that ensures every creative hire meets the mark.
- How quarterly campaigns reinvent the same offer for new results.
- The “Power Up” referral model that makes collaboration seamless.
This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how to scale creativity without losing the magic—and why the right systems can unlock extraordinary growth.
Contact Lyrik:
-WorkPlay Branding Website: https://workplaybranding.com/
-WorkPlay Branding Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workplaybranding/
-Lyrik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyrik.fryer/
-Lyrik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyrikfryer/
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep136
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you’re tired of feeling like growth only happens through more visibility, more cold outreach, and chasing leads, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.
I sat down with Dan Englander, founder of Sales Schema and author of Relationship Sales at Scale, to talk about how agency owners can grow through collaborative, trust-based relationships instead of transactional tactics. Both of us work in the agency space and believe that trust drives sustainable growth, but we approach it from two different angles.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why cold outreach has created a wider trust gap (and what to do instead)
- How referrals can become a collaborative system, not a happy accident
- Why personalization alone isn’t enough and how to use real commonalities to build relevance
- Why founders still need to lead the relationship-building work before passing it off
- How specialization helps you connect faster and build mutual credibility with peers and prospects
If you want to grow through meaningful introductions, mutual support, and the power of your relationships instead of chasing leads, this conversation will leave you energized and equipped.
Resources Mentioned:
Website: salesschema.com
Instagram: instagram.com/salesschema
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep135
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you’re stuck between “too busy to stay small” and “not structured enough to scale,” this episode is built for you.
Everyone talks about growing to seven figures but no one warns you about what happens in the messy middle between solo and sustainable.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, I sit down with Carly Moir, Founder and CEO of White Canvas Design, to unpack what the messy middle of agency growth really looks like — and what it takes to move through it with intention and integrity.
We dive into:
- The moment she realized she couldn’t do it alone anymore (and who she hired first)
- Building recurring revenue through better boundaries and actual retainers (not “half-retainers”)
- The decision to hire a project manager and business development manager — and why both were game changers
- How she stays values-driven while growing (and what success really looks like to her now)
If you’re in that in-between stage — no longer a scrappy solo, but not yet a well-oiled team — this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.
Resources Mentioned:
White Canvas Design Agency: https://whitecanvasdesign.ca/
Instagram: instagram.com/whitecanvasdesignagency
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep134
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Specializing is scary. But focusing on one high-growth niche can take your agency to multiple seven figures without working harder.
If committing to one niche feels risky, Erica’s story will show you what’s possible on the other side.
This week, I’m joined by Erica Hakonson, CEO of Maven Collective Marketing, an agency that went all in on one niche: Microsoft Partners.
And here’s the wild thing…
Once they declared that focus, clients didn’t hesitate, they started saying:
“How have we not heard of you yet?”
This episode is packed with real talk about what it takes to go narrow, go deep, and build trust that actually compounds. Erica shares how they became the go-to marketing partner in the Microsoft Partner ecosystem, and how research, relationships, and restraint have fueled their growth.
Here’s what we cover:
- Why declaring a single niche was the turning point
How proprietary research changed the game - What it takes to deeply onboard and upskill a team
- The upside of saying no to wrong-fit clients and hiring before you feel ready
If you’re wrestling with whether going all in on a niche is “too limiting,” this episode will shine light.
🎧 Listen in, and then share it with a fellow agency owner who needs to hear it.
Resources mentioned:
- Maven Collective Website: https://mavencollectivemarketing.com
- LinkedIn: Erika Hakonson
- Youtube: Maven Collective
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep133
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
A lot of agency owners want deeper community but quietly assume it doesn’t really exist.
They’ve been in rooms where everyone’s guarded. Where conversations stay surface-level. Where “collaboration” is just a buzzword.
That quiet belief—“it would be nice, but that kind of network probably isn’t out there”—can keep you stuck, going it alone.
But I’ve seen what happens when the right people show up. And that’s exactly what this episode explores.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on what happens inside Agency Together, a curated referral network built on clarity, connection, and trust.
These are the kinds of wins that don’t happen by accident.
They happen in the right room, with people who actually show up for each other.
🎧 Inside the episode, you’ll hear:
→ The referral ripple that turned a values-aligned intro into a five-figure client
→ A collaborative project that united multiple agencies to expand niche visibility
→ How one operational insight helped uplevel a team and increase retention
→ Why one agency’s clarity and strategy led to a fully booked quarter
→ And how generosity around AI and systems created real time-saving results for others
If you’ve been skimming the surface but craving strategic, supportive relationships to grow your agency, this episode is your invitation.
Real wins happen when people stop “just” networking and start building together.
💡 Tune in now to hear what’s possible.
👥 Already know you’re ready for more community, more generosity, and less guarded growth?
Join us at agencytogether.com
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep131
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
You probably don’t need more leads.
That might sound counterintuitive, especially when every sales post says the opposite.
But what looks like a lead problem is usually something else:
→ A relationship problem
→ A misaligned positioning problem
→ A missing structure for managing trust
You’ve got people in your orbit—clients, collaborators, past leads, curious followers.
But if you’re not engaging those relationships intentionally?
Your growth stays inconsistent. Your pipeline stays unpredictable.
We’ve all heard it: “Your network is your net worth.”But here’s what that really means for Small But Mighty agencies:
Your network isn’t just a list of contacts. It’s your relationship management system.
And managing that network isn’t marketing—it’s sales.
Sales built on trust.
To make that work, you need clarity:
✔ Who are the people that actually grow your business?
✔ What role do they play in your network?
✔ How are you staying connected to them consistently?
That’s what we’re unpacking in this episode.
Inside, you’ll learn:
- Why “more leads” isn’t always the answer (and what is)
- The 3 relationship roles every agency needs to grow: Referrers, Collaborators, Amplifiers
- How to shift from chasing connections to curating a high-trust network
- Why relationship management is your most underutilized sales strategy
Because when you stop networking randomly and start building relationships on purpose?
That’s when growth starts to feel lighter and less of a hamster wheel.
Resources & Links:
- Join the next Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer
- Connect with Audrey on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/kwanaudrey
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep131
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Too many agency owners are building alone. But small doesn’t mean solo and solo isn’t sustainable.
Small but mighty agencies weren’t built to go it alone. Yet so many agency owners are trying to do everything themselves: holding the vision, leading the team, delivering the work, and pushing for growth in a vacuum.
That’s what “going solo” really looks like—juggling it all without strategic support, trusted peers, or collaborative momentum. And while it might feel efficient, it’s actually the slowest and hardest way to grow.
In this episode, I unpack why isolation is your real bottleneck and why Agency Together was built to change that.
You’ll learn:
- Why doing it alone is stalling your agency’s growth
- How strategic collaboration builds visibility, trust, and momentum
- Why competition is outdated and what to do instead
- How Agency Together curates relationships that fuel sustainable growth
- What to expect at our free Strategic Partnership Mixer
🎧 Listen in and if you’re ready to stop growing alone, come join us: agencytogether.com/mixer
Resources & Links:
- Join the next Agency Together Mixer
- Listen to “Why Less Experience Is Winning at Higher Prices”
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep130
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Being full-service almost broke her. Specializing gave her agency new life.
For over 16 years, Arleigh Vasconcellos said yes.
Yes to growth.
Yes to more services.
Yes to building a full-service agency that could handle it all.
She grew her team, expanded her client base, and became known for delivering results across everything from PR to websites to events.
But behind the scenes, she was on a treadmill she couldn’t get off.
Burnout crept in. Boundaries blurred. And the joy that once fueled her work? Gone.
In this powerful conversation, Arleigh shares how she unraveled the full-service model she built and why specializing in demand generation PR wasn’t just a strategic move, but a personal lifeline.
We talk about:
- The moment she realized she was “a victim of her own success”
- The emotional and operational cost of scaling without intention
- Why letting go of services, clients, and even team members was necessary
- The internal shifts that helped her reclaim her spark and build a business aligned with who she is today
Whether you're at a pivot point or simply questioning if the agency you built is the one you still want , his episode offers clarity, courage, and a path to realignment.
🎧 Tune in and hear how Arleigh rebuilt her agency for clarity, joy, and impact.
Resources & Links:
- Connect with Arleigh: Arleigh Vasconcellos on LinkedIn
- Roar & Whisper (Arleigh’s agency): roarwhisper.com
- Agency Together – The trusted community for Small But Mighty Agency owners. Arleigh is a member, and this episode includes insights from inside our sneak peek strategy sessions.
👉 Join Agency Together or learn more here
Want to Build an Agency That Attracts the Right Clients Before the Pitch?
Smart agencies don’t chase leads—they build trust that attracts them
👉 Get the free Trust Equity Mini-Course
Learn the 4 trust-building systems that help Small But Mighty Agencies grow through authority, referrals, and strategic partnerships—so you can get chosen before the sales call even happens.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep129
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Curious about adding a course to your agency model—but not sure if it’s worth it?
As agency owners, we’re always looking for smarter ways to scale.
Products. Templates. Digital assets.
The idea is simple: take what you know, turn it into something scalable, and earn while you sleep.
But here’s the nuance we don’t talk about enough:
Courses don’t remove complexity.
They shift it—from service delivery to audience building, funnel building, and volume marketing.
That’s what I explored with Kwadwo Sampany-Kessie,—agency owner, course creator, and host of the popular Art of Online Business podcast on this week’s Small But Mighty Agency podcast.
We unpack:
- Why he created a course for an audience his agency couldn’t serve
- How he validated the offer before building it
- The honest truth about course revenue and time savings
- Why low-ticket offers need high-volume marketing
- The double-strategy it takes to grow two different offers
🎧 Tune in if you're considering a digital product—and want the full picture of what it takes to do it well.
Resources & Links:
- Follow Kwadwo (pronounced QUĀY.jo) on Instagram: @quayjo
- Listen to The Art of Online Business podcast
Want to Build an Agency That Attracts the Right Clients Before the Pitch?
Smart agencies don’t chase leads—they build trust that attracts them
👉 Get the free Trust Equity Mini-Course
Learn the 4 trust-building systems that help Small But Mighty Agencies grow through authority, referrals, and strategic partnerships—so you can get chosen before the sales call even happens.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep128
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you’ve ever wondered whether building your personal brand is worth the time or struggled to show up online in a way that feels real and strategic—this episode is for you.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency, I sit down with Lauren Shirreffs, founder of Two Social and social media strategist to 250+ brands, to help you rethink how you show up online.
Lauren’s personal brand has become a magnet for opportunities, and today, she’s sharing how you can build one that attracts right-fit clients, top talent, and powerful collaborations.
You’ll hear what’s working for her personal brand on social media, how to take creative risks without losing your voice, and what it really takes to build a personal brand that grows your agency.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
- Why your personal voice matters more than your agency page
- What kind of content is resonating right now
- How to build trust by sharing not just wins—but lessons from mistakes
- Why your team’s presence online can boost your brand more than you think
- How to define your boundaries so showing up feels aligned, not performative
Whether you’re just getting started or refining what’s already working, this episode will help you show up more confidently and consistently.
Resource and Links:
-Instagram: @laurenmarias
-Agency IG: @2_social
-LinkedIn: Lauren Shirreffs
Want to Build an Agency That Attracts the Right Clients Before the Pitch?
Smart agencies don’t chase leads—they build trust that attracts them
👉 Get the free Trust Equity Mini-Course
Learn the 4 trust-building systems that help Small But Mighty Agencies grow through authority, referrals, and strategic partnerships—so you can get chosen before the sales call even happens.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep127
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you’re stuck in execution mode—constantly delivering but not getting paid for the strategic value you bring —it might be time to rethink how your agency is positioned.
In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, I’m joined by Sara Nay, CEO of Duct Tape Marketing, to talk about how agencies can shift from being seen as vendors to being valued as strategic partners who lead the marketing—not just execute it.
We dig into what it really looks like to lead with strategy, how to price and package that value, and how to start getting paid for the thinking you’re already doing.
Here’s what you’ll take away from the conversation:
- Why strategy is your agency’s biggest growth lever
- How to position strategic services so clients understand (and pay for) the value
- The signs it’s time to add Fractional CMO services to your model
- What to do if you're worried about falling into another time-for-money trap
- How to structure your team to scale strategy without burning out
This conversation will help you build a business model rooted in long-term relationships, recurring revenue, and sustainable growth—all while keeping your execution services in play.
Resources & Links:
Explore Duct Tape Marketing: ducttapemarketing.com
Connect with Sara Nay: Sara Nay on LinkedIn
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep126
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Let’s talk about referrals—not as a bonus, but as a strategy.
If you’ve been growing your agency through great work and word of mouth, but you’re starting to realize that waiting for referrals isn’t the same as designing for them… this episode is for you.
Because the most successful Small But Mighty agencies don’t leave referrals to chance. They build referral-ready relationships and strategic partnerships—on purpose.
Today, I’m breaking down what trust really looks like in action—and how certain behaviors, often overlooked, are what turn casual connections into consistent opportunities.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why referrals are a strategy—not something to leave to luck
- The 8 real-world habits of referral-ready agency owners
- How clarity in your niche makes you more referable
- What real trust looks like in referral-ready relationships
- How strategic partnerships can grow your agency without cold outreach
It’s not just a mindset—it’s a method. These habits make you easy to refer, easy to collaborate with, and easy to trust.
And I’ll share real examples from inside Agency Together where agency owners are doing exactly this—building a system for generosity, connection, and strategic growth.
Resources & Links:
Agency Together – The referral-ready membership community for Small But Mighty agency owners, learn more here.
Strategic Partnership Mixer – Join us at the next free Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer, RSVP here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. ANd I’ll See you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep125
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
When I helped sell and exit a niche agency in the orthodontic space, one thing became crystal clear: we didn’t grow by chasing everything.
We grew by staying focused, building trust, and saying no to the wrong opportunities — even when it felt risky.
It wasn’t loud, but it was strategic, and it worked.
And that approach?
It’s not just relevant — it’s exactly what works in today’s skeptical market.
Clients are more cautious. Referral partners are more selective. And hustle-heavy growth tactics? They’re falling flat.
What I’m seeing across the agencies I work with — and inside Agency Together — is a shift:
🚫 Less “do more.”
✅ More “do what matters”
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, I’m breaking down five growth habits that help small agencies scale without the grind while still building serious momentum.
Here’s what I cover:
- How saying no creates space for stronger positioning
- The most underused (and most profitable) part of your growth strategy
- Why your so-called “competitors” might be your best growth partners
- Content alone isn’t cutting it — here’s what to build instead
- The power of staying small, agile, and wildly efficient
If staying relevant without selling your soul is your priority, this episode is for you
Resources & Links:
Get the Trust Equity Scorecard – My free tool to help you measure how well your agency is building trust at scale — and where to focus next to grow through retainment, referrals, partnerships, and positioning.
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter and access our free mini-course on building Trust Equity to help you be a thought leader agency.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. ANd I’ll See you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep124
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Presenting with confidence and clarity isn’t just about public speaking—it’s about winning more business.
Whether you’re pitching to a potential client or leading a workshop, your ability to deliver a compelling presentation can make or break the deal.
In this episode, Laurie-Ann Murabito, an award-winning professional speaker, shares how agencies can craft client presentations that captivate, establish authority, and drive results.
She breaks down a simple yet powerful presentation framework, highlights common pitfalls to avoid, and reveals how storytelling can transform your sales approach.
Tune in to discover how to:
✔ Structure your presentations for maximum impact
✔ Avoid common mistakes that undermine your message
✔ Establish authority early so clients listen and trust you
✔ Keep your audience engaged (and not overwhelmed)
✔ Use storytelling to handle objections and convert prospects
✔ Build confidence in public speaking—even if you’re shy
This episode is packed with actionable insights—perfect for agency owners looking to refine their presentation skills and close more deals with confidence!
- Get Laurie-Ann’s Free Guide: speakandstandout.com/guide
- Listen to Laurie-Ann’s Podcast: Be In Demand Podcast
Resources & Links:
Find me on LinkedIn
Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter and free mini-course today to grow your agency.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small but mighty agency. As a bonus, get our free mini-course on building a Trust Equity Ecosystem, so you're not chasing clients and commanding premium rates.
Get the free newsletter and bonus free mini-course today.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep123
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you've ever caught yourself thinking, “My team should just know what to do” or “Why can’t my team read my mind?”—this episode is for you.
The truth is, unspoken expectations lead to missed deadlines, miscommunication, and frustration on all sides. But there’s a better way to make your expectations so crystal clear that your team knows exactly what needs to be done—without the guesswork?
Today, I’m joined by Kendra Johnson, leadership development specialist and founder of The Venned Group to noodle on one of my favourite topics, communication and leadership.
We’re going to break down why unclear expectations hold teams back—and how to fix it.
In this episode, we’re diving into:
- The biggest mistakes leaders make when setting expectations (and how to avoid them)
- How to create alignment so your team understands exactly what success looks like
- The difference between expectations and benchmarks—and why both matter
- Practical strategies to communicate expectations clearly and get your team fully bought in
If you want to spend less time micromanaging and more time seeing your team thrive, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Let’s get into it!
Connect with Kendra
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kendrajeanjohnson
Website: vennedgroup.com
Resources & Links:
Find me on LinkedIn
Don’t forget our free build your Trust Equity Ecosystem mini-course today to grow your agency.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small but mighty agency. As a bonus, get our free mini-course on building a Trust Equity Ecosystem, so you're not chasing clients and commanding premium rates.
Get the free newsletter and bonus free mini-course today.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep122
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Transitioning from a creative doer to an agency owner is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming.
Many creatives struggle with letting go of control, building a team, and shifting from doing the work to leading the business. If you feel stretched thin trying to manage everything, this episode is for you.
Today, I’m joined by Kait Day, Founder of Nowadays Studio, who shares her journey from being a burned-out freelancer to leading a thriving five-person agency.
She opens up about the challenges of hiring, delegating, and trusting her team—and how doing so has allowed her agency to grow without overworking herself.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The real first step to transitioning from creative doer to agency leader
- The best way to decide what to delegate first and how to set up processes that make it easier.
- How perfectionism holds agency owners back—and how to shift your mindset to trust your team.
- Letting go of misaligned clients, improving team morale and making space to take on better-fit projects.
- The support system (and who’s in it) that’s helped her to lead better
If you want to scale your agency without micromanaging, burnout, or bottlenecking your own growth, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
Connect with Kait Day:
Instagram: @nowadaystudios
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kait-day/
Resources & Links:
Find me on LinkedIn
Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter and free mini-course today to grow your agency.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small but mighty agency. As a bonus, get our free mini-course on building a Trust Equity Ecosystem, so you're not chasing clients and commanding premium rates.
Get the free newsletter and bonus free mini-course today.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep121
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you’ve ever had a prospect say, “I want to work with you, but I’m not ready for a full retainer,” you might be leaving money on the table.
VIP days offer a high-impact way to deliver results quickly—without the commitment of a long-term engagement. But are they the right fit for your agency?
In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Mitchell, founder of Wandermint Creative, a YouTube marketing and video coaching agency.
Melissa has mastered the VIP day model and shares how she integrated it into her agency to attract premium clients and increase revenue—without overcomplicating her business. She also reveals why she evolved her VIP days into VIP weeks and how it’s benefiting both her agency and her clients.
Tune in to learn:
- What VIP days are and how they work in an agency setting
- The biggest benefits of adding VIP days to your service suite
- How VIP days fit into the client journey and support long-term revenue
- The unexpected challenges of offering VIP days—and how to overcome them
- Why Melissa transitioned from VIP days to VIP weeks for even greater results
- Key tips for pricing, structuring, and selling your VIP offer effectively
If you’re looking for new ways to package your expertise, attract the right clients, and scale your agency without overcomplicating your operations, this episode is for you!
Connect with Melissa Mitchell:
Website: Wandermint Creative
Instagram: @themelissamitchell
YouTube: Wandermint Creative
YouTube channel checklist freebie: https://wandermintcreative.com/youtubechecklist
My new VIP Week offer: https://videogrowthplan.com/90-day-roadmap
Resources & Links:
Say hello on LinkedIn
Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep120
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Trust-equity over track record? It's happening. Here's why...
Did you know that 70% of the decision about your agency is made before you even showcase your results?
Last week, I spoke with an agency owner who lost a pitch to a competitor charging 20% more - despite having less experience and a smaller track record.
His response? "They somehow seemed like the safer choice."
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we unpack why great work alone isn't winning business anymore and what's really driving agency selection in today's market.
Whether you've lost opportunities to less experienced agencies charging premium rates or you're the newer agency looking to command premium rates, you'll discover why trust equity matters more than your track record and years in business.
This is a must-listen for any agency navigating today's shifted landscape.
Key takeaways:
- What's really driving agency selection in 2025 and beyond
- How trust equity is becoming the great equalizer between established and newer agencies
- Why the traditional "prove your worth" approach is failing
If you're tired of hearing, "Your work is fantastic, but…," this conversation is for you.
Resources Mentioned:
- LinkedIn Guide: Build Your Go-To Agency: 4 High-Trust Systems for Market Leadership
Connect:
- Say hello on LinkedIn
Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep119
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are You Missing Out On 9 Hidden Types of Agency Partnerships?
Most agency owners know about basic referral partnerships.
But what if I told you there are NINE different types of strategic partnerships that could transform your agency's growth? (And I bet you're only using one of them.)
In this special episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on partnership strategies that are quietly generating results for agencies.
These aren't your typical "let's trade referrals" arrangements – they're growth engines that can accelerate your client acquisition.
Warning: This episode might completely change how you think about growing your agency.
You'll discover:
- The 9 partnership types most agencies don't even know exist
- Why traditional networking isn't enough anymore (and what to do instead)
- How to make your marketing and sales feel effortless through strategic partnerships
- The undercover partnership type that's transforming how agencies handle talent and scaling
Plus, I'm sharing exactly how to implement each type of partnership, complete with real examples from agencies just like yours.
If you want to put these strategies into action. Join us at the Strategic Partnership Mixer. RSVP at agencytogether.com/mixer-event.
Stop leaving growth opportunities on the table. Let's transform your approach to partnerships!
Resources Mentioned:
- Agency Together Community: agencytogether.com/
- RSVP to the Strategic Partnership Mixer Event: agencytogether.com/mixer-event
Connect With Audrey:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kwanaudrey/
Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep118
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What trends will shape the agency landscape in 2025?
As we head into 2025, it’s clear the agency world isn’t slowing down—it’s evolving faster than ever.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, I’m diving into three game-changing trends every agency owner needs to know to stay ahead and plan smart for the year ahead.
Let’s be real: AI is everywhere right now, and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed its rapid rise.
But here’s the thing—it’s not just about AI as a tool. The bigger story is how AI is reshaping human connections and changing how you market and build relationships.
We’ll also look at two other key trends shaping 2025: how the misinformation economy is shaking up trust in the market and what the rise of fractional providers means for how agencies operate and innovate.
Join me as I break down the opportunities:
- How AI impacts the growing demand for human connection in marketing
- What you need to navigate the misinformation economy with confidence
- The rise of fractional providers and how it’s changing the game for agencies
Grab your coffee or tea, and let’s tackle these trends together.
Resources Mentioned
- Episode 116: Are You Hesitant to Niche? Let’s Talk About Why (and How to Overcome It)
- Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer
Join the Conversation
Are you ready to navigate these trends? Join us at the next Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer. This is your chance to connect with like-minded agency owners, collaborate, and build referral-ready relationships that can transform your business in 2025.
🎟️ Register now at agencytogether.com/mixer-event
If this episode resonated with you, share it with another agency owner navigating these shifts. Let’s tackle 2025 together and make it a year of meaningful growth and success!
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep117
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Why are agency owners so hesitant to niche even when niching is hailed as the secret to agency success?
Let’s be real—deciding to niche can feel daunting.
Fear of losing clients, choosing the wrong niche, or limiting your creativity might be holding you back.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, I’m breaking down the top reasons agency owners resist niching (as shared by a network of agency owner friends, colleagues and clients) and how to overcome those fears to build a thriving, sustainable business.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why staying broad might feel safe but often holds your agency back
- The most common objections agency owners have about niching—and how to reframe them into opportunities for growth
- Real-life examples of how niching can amplify your opportunities, attract higher-value clients, and build long-term success
- Tips for starting small, testing your niche, and transitioning existing clients without disrupting your business
Whether you’re already exploring a niche, niche-curious, or hesitant to take the plunge, this episode will give you the clarity, focus, and actionable tips you need to move forward confidently.
Show LinksJoin the Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer to connect with other niche-curious agency owners and grow together.
Subscribe to the Agency Together Newsletter for insights on building referral-ready networks and driving growth through collaboration.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep116
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How many of your network connections are sending you high-quality referrals? Take a moment to think about it.
If your answer is "not enough," you’re not alone. Many agency owners believe that growing the size of their network is the key to getting more referrals. But here’s the truth—it’s not about how many people you know; it’s about how well you know them and, just as importantly, how well they know you.
Today, we’re breaking down a big misconception in the agency world: the belief that a bigger network equals better results. Spoiler alert—it doesn’t.
What often gets overlooked is a huge opportunity: agency-to-agency referrals. But let’s address the common concern: Won’t we step on each other’s toes? If one agency gains a client, doesn’t another lose?
Not at all. Collaboration, when done with the right intent, is far more powerful than competition.
In this episode, I’m diving into:
- Why a large network isn’t the key to consistent, high-quality referrals.
- How to build deeper, trust-filled connections with other niche agencies.
- Actionable steps to create a referral-ready network that actually delivers results.
Let’s rethink what it means to have a network that truly works for your agency!
Show Links:
Join the Agency Together Newsletter: https://audreyjoykwan.com/newsletter
Explore Agency Together: https://audreyjoykwan.com/Agency-Together/
Connect with Audrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwanaudrey/
Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep115
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What’s the secret to building a high-caliber, close-knit team as your agency grows?
Growing an agency isn’t just about increasing numbers; it’s about expanding in ways that keep your team engaged, connected, and performing at their best.
In this episode, we dive into building a strong, scalable culture that keeps your team driven and purpose-focused.
I’m joined by Victoria Gray, COO of Conversion Digital, a boutique agency that’s doubled in size under her leadership while maintaining a high-performing, purpose-driven vibe.
We’ll cover:
- Three core principles that help keep a team connected, aligned, and motivated as you grow.
- A unique 'growth committee' model that connects employees with multiple leaders for mentorship, fostering shared purpose and top performance.
- And how to empower your team to make impactful decisions without constant oversight.
If you’re looking to build a dynamic, motivated team, this episode is full of practical tips to help you grow while staying true to your agency’s core values. Let’s dive in."
Show Links
LinkedIn: Victoria Gray
Conversion Digital: conversiondigital.ca
Access our network designed for agency owners to get more consistent referrals, connections and collaborations. Agency Together can save you time and help you build a network that gets you the clients you want to work with.
And don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep114
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If you're wondering how to boost team morale and client satisfaction while giving your team the gift of time, this episode is for you.
Revenue goals are important for agency owners, but so is achieving a sustainable work-life balance.
And one concept that's been making waves in the agency space is the four-day workweek.
While we've touched on this topic before, today, we’re getting into details with actionable insight you can put into practice even if you’re not fully ready for the four-day workweek.
You’ll meet Teylor, who leads a thriving five-person agency that has fully embraced the four-day workweek for three years.
So, even if having a shorter work week isn’t on your radar, this episode is jam-packed with ideas to help your business save time and have happier clients.
Tune in to hear:
- The practical steps her agency took to transition from a traditional five-day work model to a four-day work week.
- How they scrapped busywork, leveraged automation, and improved productivity without sacrificing client relationships.
- The impact of the four-day work week on employee morale and client satisfaction and how it has strengthened relationships.
- How Teylor and her team handle urgent client requests and busy seasons without compromising their four-day structure.
- Why transparency with clients is key when implementing shorter work weeks—and what to communicate that leads to better client relationships
Listen in as Teylor offers insights to building a work-life balanced agency without sacrificing productivity or client satisfaction.
Show Links
Book Recommendation: Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less
Tools Mentioned: Harvest, Basecamp
LinkedIn:Teylor Schiefelbein
Email: Teylor@ArmadaDigitalCo
Access our network designed for agency owners to get more consistent referrals, connections and collaborations. Agency Together can save you time and help you build a network that gets you the clients you want to work with.
And don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep113
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Has your agency hit a plateau? Maybe you're attracting the wrong clients or feeling like your services aren’t being valued as much as they should be.
If this sounds familiar, it might be time to rethink your positioning.
In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, we’re diving into how repositioning your agency can help you:
- Break out of a growth plateau
- Attract bigger, higher-paying clients who truly value your expertise
- Gain clarity on your niche and stand out in a crowded market
- Build a reputation as a go-to expert in your industry
Wondering if it’s time to reposition?
I’ll walk you through the four key signs that indicate a shift is needed and share actionable steps to successfully reposition your agency and reignite growth.
Key Takeaways:
- The benefits of repositioning and why it can transform your agency’s prospects
- Practical insights on how to realign your services and messaging to attract the clients you truly want
- How to shift your positioning to open doors to higher-value clients and more lucrative opportunities
Let me know your thoughts after you listen—I’d love to hear from you!
Show Links
Access our network designed for agency owners to get more consistent referrals, connections and collaborations. Agency Together can save you time and help you build a network that gets you the clients you want to work with.
And don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep112
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are you a small agency owner wondering how to really stand out?
If you've been feeling the pressure of competition and questioning how to unlock new growth opportunities, you're in the right place.
In today's episode, I’m unpacking a strategy to transform how you approach growth.
The future of small agencies is in building networks, not silos.
Specialization and collaborative ecosystems are already opening doors to new opportunities that many small agencies might have thought were out of reach.
That’s why in this episode, I’m sharing the answers to these three key questions:
- Why are small agencies better together
- How choosing collaboration over competition is not just a trend—it's the future.
- Why the old “competition” mindset is holding you back—and how to shift it for more success
If you’re of the mindset that other agencies who offer the same services are your competition, it could be limiting your potential.
So stick around because if you want smarter ways to grow and shape the success of your agency, this episode will point you in the right direction.
Show Links
If I may suggest a collaborative ecosystem, check out Agency Together – a referral network designed to help busy agency owners get more consistent referrals and connections without wasting time.
Don’t Forget The Free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep111
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What if you could cut your task from hours to minutes—wouldn’t that change how your agency operates?
Imagine if what took you 14 hours now takes you 2 hours, or what took you 4 hours now takes 35 minutes?
For Matt Rouse, co-owner of Hook SEO, those numbers reflect the reality of how AI is raising his agency's productivity.
In this episode, Matt shares how AI has drastically increased productivity at his agency, helped him streamline operations, enhanced client services, and even developed new offerings.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How this agency cut task times from hours to minutes using AI
- Discover the AI tools this agency uses to automate tasks, reduce costs, and deliver more value to clients.
- Find out how using AI helped this agency create a new service with lower costs and increased profitability.
If you're wondering whether AI will take over jobs in the agency space, Matt answers with a resounding yes—but with a twist. Tune in to hear how AI has changed the way this agency works and gain practical insights on how your agency can harness AI to save time, improve quality, and remain competitive.
Show Links
Book: Will AI Take My Job?
Website
Digital Marketing Masters Podcast
Hook SEO
Get the Free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep110
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Has the thought of franchising your business ever crossed your mind?
Whether your answer is a “yes” or “no,” this episode will get you thinking about what is possible.
If you want to leverage your business and explore new growth avenues, building a marketing franchise is an option.
But as you might guess, it’s not just about having a great business idea—it’s about having proven systems and processes that can scale.
So, what does it take to transform an agency into a successful franchise?
In today’s episode, we sit down with Vivian Olodun, CEO of Flourish Media, who shares her journey from agency owner to franchisor.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How she created a franchise that allows franchisees to customize their approach based on their unique strengths and market positioning
- The complexities of franchising and how she navigated them in record time
- How to create predictability without taking the human element out of the business
Tune in today to hear how this agency owner is doing things differently and gain actionable insights into how to leverage your business better.
Show Links
Flourish Media Website
Vivian's Instagram
Get the Free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep109
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What is the number one thing that stops agency owners from specializing in a niche?
Fear.
It’s the fear that niching down will result in fewer clients.
But the reality is quite the opposite. I see niche agencies thrive every day, and their success stories speak volumes about the power of specialization.
In today’s episode, Amanda Lee Smith shares the transformative process that led her to a niche and the defining moments that made her go all in.
Her agency has worked with brands like Adidas, Arcyterx, Lululemon, and Allbirds because of their specialty in outdoor sports and activities.
What sets her agency apart is its deep industry knowledge and its ability to partner with clients as true experts. Specializing has made working with dream clients not just possible but a reality.
Of course, the decision to specialize isn't always straightforward; it requires introspection, experimentation, and a willingness to adapt.
In this episode, Amanda shares key actions that helped her claim and thrive in her niche. Including:
- How to shape your brand and positioning for a specific niche.
- Tips on leveraging niche benefits to attract and work with dream clients.
- Knowing when to say "yes" and when to decline opportunities outside your niche.
- Standing out in marketing with creative strategies catered to her niche
Tune into this episode to hear the transformative journey and gain actionable insights into claiming and thriving in your own niche.
Show Links
Monday Creative Website
Get the Free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep108
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What’s working in marketing this quarter to drive sales?
First, there is no one-size-fits-all to anything.
Finding what works for your business is an exercise in understanding your ideal buyers, but the opportunity to see and hear what works for others can help you optimize or streamline what works for you.
That’s why we’ve invited three friends who are marketing specialists in their specific niches to share what is working for them and their clients.
You’ll hear three powerful insights that are generating results for each of these marketing specialists:
- Kim, a direct response copywriting expert, shares how she is using lazy, low-key techniques to build relationships and make marketing easier and more effective.
- Ashley, a launch strategist, emphasizes the need for more nurturing and shares one thing she is doing that can be connected to 30% of her sales.
- Melissa, a YouTube marketing strategist, highlights the impact of understanding your audience's real search habits and shares how she creates content that ideal clients actually search for.
A common thread connecting each of these insights, despite their different areas of expertise, is the focus on increasing trust and building relationships.
Tune in to this episode to see how the foundation of increasing trust and building relationships is being implemented across different businesses. You'll get actionable insights to enhance your marketing efforts and drive more sales.
Show Links
LinkedIn: Audrey Kwan
Free Discovery Call for Agency Together
Get the Free Agency Together Newsletter.
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep107
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What does a successful pivot into new services look like for an agency?
It’s not always smooth sailing!
In our latest episode, we chat with Ted Lau about how he identified the need for a more profitable and stable service niche during a difficult business partner break-up.
By prioritizing client feedback, Ted transitioned his business from a creative services provider to a lead-generation digital marketing agency.
He leaned into four keys for growing the agency and navigating the pivot:
- Aligning marketing strategies to macroeconomic trends
- Digging deep to understand client needs
- Leaning into open communication
- Shifting from fluff to measured results
Tune into this episode to discover the whole story and learn actionable tips.
Show Links:What Are The Top Niches for Agency Success in The Current Economy?
You Know Ted YouTube
Marketing News Canada Podcast
Ballistic Arts
Ted’s LinkedIn
Get Your Agency Org Chart Cheatsheet to Build a Small But Mighty Agency
Are you flying by the seat of your pants building your agency and want more order to chaos? Start here. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet for a look inside a Small But Mighty Agency structure that scales.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep106
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Your account managers are key to client retention.
Excellent client account management leads to happy clients, and when clients are happy, they don’t churn.
My first role inside agencies was in Account Management, and I know what it takes to be a great account manager and lead account managers because I lived it for years.
When you walk in the shoes, you know the size of those shoes.
My guest today, Taylor McMaster, has done exactly that, too. Today, she owns a fractional Account Management agency.
In this latest episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, we unpack the myth of the do-it-all account manager,
Why?
The expectation of the do-it-all account manager is often unrealistic and prevents your account managers from being effective at helping you retain clients.
In this episode we’ll dive into:
- What it takes to be an excellent account manager
- Best practices for client retention, including the importance of proactive communication.
- Explore unrealistic expectations placed on account managers that keep them from fulfilling the core function of maintaining client relationships.
Tune in as we share how to optimize your account management team to keep clients happy, reduce churn and improve retention.
Show Links
Get the free Agency Together Newsletter and Build a Small But Mighty Agency
Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Get the free Agency Together Newsletter here.
DOT & Company: dotandcompany.co
Taylor’s LinkedIn
Happy Clients Podcast
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep105
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
If the thought of a 4 day work week has crossed your mind, my guess is that you’ve gone back and forth thinking about it.
Implementing a four-day workweek takes thought and consideration – so in today’s episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast – I bring along a few friends who have implemented four-day work weeks.
You’ll get four different perspectives and four unique insights on this week's episode.
This summer, we’re doing something different on the podcast by bringing you a few a-sync episodes. A-sync episodes are not live interviews with our guests.
Instead, I posed the same question to four people:
Q: What insight or challenge have you encountered with a 4-day work week, and how do you address it in practice?
Then, I asked each guest to record a clip under three minutes long and share their unique perspective.
My goal for these a-sync episodes is to help you get “to-the-point answers.”
Tune in as we get to the point of the 4-day work week.
Show Links
LinkedIn: Audrey Kwan
Want more referrals, connections, and strategic collaborations to grow your agency?
Agency Together is the only community and network specifically designed to help niche agencies strategically collaborate to get referrals.
It doesn't have to be a dog-eat-dog world in which one Agency's gain is another's loss. We're here to change that, and help agencies grow together. If that resonates, apply today here: Agency Together
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep104
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
To niche or not to niche? It’s a very relevant question to agency owners.
As I started to think that the topic of niching was overdone, I started to see a pattern in conversations with agency owners pop up.
Standing out is challenging because agencies compete for general attention instead of being specific.
So, instead of creating better opportunities for niche clients to find you, you end up chasing and convincing clients – it takes much more work.
In this week's podcast episode, I explore the five key advantages niche agency owners are capitalizing on today.
We’re examining what niche agency owners leverage in a noisy market to achieve substantial and sustainable growth.
We’ll get into:
- If you’re a niche agency, are you taking advantage of these five benefits that make generating leads easier for niche agencies right now?
- If you’re hesitating to niche, do these hesitations resonate, and how do you rethink the hesitation?
Tune in, and let's get started!
Show Links
Book a Consult
Agency Together
Access a curated referral network to help niche agency owners get more referrals with strategic collaborations.
Do you want a network and community that helps you collaborate strategically to get more referrals? Start here 👉 Take a look at Agency Together and see if you're the right fit.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep103
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How do you know if a referral network is right for you?
Imagine having a network that’s not just another mastermind or course but a community focused on helping you grow through strategic collaborations and consistent referrals.
Picture this: curated connections, referral pods, and collaboration events tailored to extend your reach and grow your business.
At Agency Together, we’ve created a purposeful community where the intent is crystal clear: generating strategic collaborations and referrals to grow your agency.
If you’re an agency with a niche, tune in.
We’ll dive into:
- Why is a niche your best friend for making memorable referral-ask
- The untapped potential of strategic collaborations for agencies
- How to know if a referral network like Agency Together is your perfect match
Don’t miss this episode. Learn how to stand out, get more clients in a referral network and leverage a referral community for maximum impact.
Show Links
Is Agency Together Right for You?
Connect on LinkedIn
Join a community where the intent is crystal clear: generating strategic collaborations and referrals to grow your agency without feeling the transactional ick factor.
You should apply for Agency Together if want consistent referrals and collaborations opportunities to increase visibility for your brand and agency. Apply here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep102
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Want more referrals and clients for your agency?
Getting consistent referrals doesn't have to be a mystery.
If you’ve been following our “How to Get More Referrals” series, you’re already on the path to leveraging a referral strategy that brings in consistent clients.
Referrals aren’t just about asking for business—they're about creating a culture and ecosystem that naturally encourages and rewards the sharing of opportunities.
Remember, 84% of B2B decision-makers start the buying process with a referral.
This episode will help you reach those decision-makers by activating your referral channels.
Learn the best practices for activating ⏭️existing clients, ⏭️strategic partnerships, and ⏭️associations to generate consistent referrals.
Tune in now!
Show Links
Agency Together
Part 1: 5 Powerful Reasons Why Top Agencies Have Referral Programs (and why you need one)
Part 2: 4 Key Referral Channels: Are You Using Them to Get More Clients
Want to grow your agency and get more clients with consistent referrals?
Join me over at Agency Together.
Agency Together is not just another networking community. You gain a curated referral network for agency owners who value getting more clients with strategic collaborations.
I believe in helping each other grow; we are stronger together. Agency Together is not a program, course, or mastermind. We are a community focused on collaboration to get more referrals and grow your agency.
To find out more and secure your spot, go to audreyjoykwan.com/agencytogether
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep100
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How effectively are you leveraging referrals to get more clients?
Hubspot Sales Trend Report emphasized the importance of referrals, especially when buyers are more cautious about spending money.
Referrals are the top way to receive high-quality leads and shorten the sales cycle because it’s worth more in trust than a cold lead or sales rep.
In part two of this mini-series on how to get more referrals, I unpack the top four referral sources every agency owner should know and include in their marketing and sales plan.
Knowing the different referral sources will help you build a better system for consistent referrals.
Tune into this episode of the podcast to discover:
- What are 4 key referral channels to get more clients
- Why you need different referral channels to get consistent referrals
- How partnerships with non-competing agencies can be more profitable than taking on the work
Show Links
Get On The Agency Together Waitlist to Secure Your Spot
Part 1: 5 Powerful Reasons Why Top Agencies Have Referral Programs (And Why You Need One)
If you want a focused community to help you get consistent referrals without wasting time, lean in:
I’m opening the waitlist to our community – Agency Together.
Agency Together is not just another networking community. You gain a curated referral network for agency owners who value growing their bottom line with strategic collaboration.
Join Agency Together to grow with strategic collaborations and consistent referrals.
👉Get On The Waitlist to Secure Your Spot
As a community, Agency Together will change your referral game; join the members who know that together, they can tap into more of the 84% of decision-makers who start their buying process with a referral.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep100
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
he podcast, I’ll share:
- Five different types of referrals your business can leverage
- Actionable insights on optimizing your referral process
- Breakfree from the challenges of generating more referrals effectively
Where to begin?
Start with the first episode, where we explore why top agencies thrive with referral programs and why yours should too.
Don't miss out on transforming how you think about referrals.
Show Links
Connect with Audrey on Linkedin
Join the Agency Together waitlist
I’m opening the doors to a community that will help you get more referrals.
Join our network of niche agency owners who value collaboration to grow their bottom lines together.
Agency Together is a community and referral network that helps you grow your book of business through curated referral and collaboration pods.
If you’re curious about how Agency Together will help you uncover the untapped potential of referrals, click here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep99
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are you feeling overly involved in the day-to-day tasks of your business?
If removing yourself from certain day-to-day processes or tasks isn’t getting easier, you might have overlooked some key processes.
In this episode, we share the concept of “invisible work.”
Invisible work is the critical yet often overlooked processes that you might be handling because you don’t know how to get it off your plate.
Your invisible work wastes valuable time and keeps you working in your business instead of on your business.
If you can’t fully articulate the invisible work, it stays invisible, holding you back from scaling your business.
When you uncover the invisible work, you also gain a strategic advantage by revealing more of your intellectual property.
⭐Tune into this week’s podcast episode to:
- Get 5 questions that will help you uncover your invisible work
- Learn how invisible work keeps you stuck in the daily grind and how to get it off your plate
- Why invisible work is intellectual property and how capturing it increases the value of your business
Show Links
Book a discovery call
Get Your Agency Org Chart Cheatsheet to Build a Small But Mighty Agency
Are you flying by the seat of your pants building your agency and want more order to chaos? Start here. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet for a look inside a Small But Mighty Agency structure that scales.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep98
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Do you find yourself stepping back into the day-to-day of your business?
You’re not alone.
What if I told you that you might be creating more work for yourself by inserting yourself back into projects and that there is a better way?
I get it. You’re an agency owner who fears that standards won’t be met without your direct involvement, clients will be unhappy, and relationships will deteriorate.
It’s a common bottleneck, and in this episode, we’ll explore how to effectively stop jumping back in and let go with confidence so you don’t burnout.
You’ll hear a compelling case study of an agency owner whose personal involvement became a major bottleneck and how I helped her break free.
Stay tuned, and you’ll discover how to rethink and redefine your role so you can:
- Delegate with confidence without risking the quality of delivery
- Maintain and exceed the high standards your clients expect while the business grows
- Empower your team and free yourself from the daily grind.
Show Links
Book a discovery call
Get Your Agency Org Chart Cheatsheet to Build a Small But Mighty Agency
Are you flying by the seat of your pants building your agency and want more order to chaos? Start here. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet for a look inside a Small But Mighty Agency structure that scales.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep97
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How does the desire for quick success cloud long-term strategic thinking?
It can appear as shiny distractions or band-aide approaches instead of dealing with the root cause.
Why does this happen? It's a case of not seeing the forest from the trees because you’re standing among the trees.
Ultimately, it makes your to-do list longer and your life harder as you go one step forward and two steps back.
How can you tell if your pursuit of quick success obscures your strategic vision?
Sometimes, it's hard to see until it’s too late.
In this episode, I help you see the signs so you can course-correct.
Tune into this podcast episode to hear:
- The hard-to-see signs that you might be prioritizing shiny quick wins over sustainable growth.
- Four tangible effects of losing sight of your strategic vision so you can get in front of the challenge.
- Insights to maintain focus and ensure your growth isn't sidelined by short-term gains
Show Links
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn’t dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep96
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Is it a great idea or a shiny distraction for your business? How do you decide?”
I’ve seen business owners go all in on distractions at the expense of what is working in the business and derail their team because the shiny object syndrome is real.
The one thing that entrepreneurs don’t lack is ideas and the tendency to be quick starts.
Raise your hand if that’s you.
New ideas can bring creativity and innovation and diversify opportunities – one hundred percent.
But shiny distractions, such as new offers, services, and ideas, can threaten the foundation that has made your business successful if left unchecked.
In this new series, I share how you can keep the shiny distractions from derailing your agency.
Tune into this episode to get the number one guardrail you need to install in your business and three things not to overlook in your guardrail.
Show Links
Are you flying by the seat of your pants building your agency and want more order to chaos? Start here. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet for a look inside a Small But Mighty Agency structure that scales.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep95
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Have you struggled with letting go of client work and trusting your team to deliver?
You might feel – even with processes – that your team can’t deliver at the level you want.
It’s not unusual for agency owners to struggle with sharing their specialized knowledge with their team.
The struggle is made more difficult when you don’t know or don’t solve the root of the issue. This misunderstanding leads to reliance on ineffective, "quick-fix" solutions.
I often hear agency owners express the challenge as “my team let me down" or "I find it hard to delegate client responsibilities,” but the root is the struggle to transfer your niche knowledge.
It’s a bottleneck that stunts business growth, operational efficiency, and your ability to step into a role where you work on your business more than you work in your business.
In this episode, I explore the nuanced challenge of niche knowledge transfer and provide three key strategies for knowledge transfer in an agency.
Show Links
Get Your Agency Org Chart Cheatsheet to Build a Small But Mighty Agency
Are you flying by the seat of your pants building your agency and want more order to chaos? Start here. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet for a look inside a Small But Mighty Agency structure that scales.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep94
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What strategies are working for agencies that are leaders in their niche?
☝️It’s one thing to say that the riches are in the niches, but what are agencies that thrive in their niches doing differently than their counterparts?
For one thing – they’re not scattering their efforts; niche agencies use laser focus to their advantage.
Even if you specialize in an industry or sector, you still need to maximize what sets you apart, especially when niches are competitive and the economy is changing.
Whether you are a niche or generalized agency, in this episode, find out what leading niche-focused agency owners are doing to stand out.
Tune in to hear the four strategies agency owners leading in their niche are paying close attention to right now.
Show Links:
What Are The Top Niches for Agency Success in The Current Economy?
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn’t dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Book a Consult
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep93
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What niches have the most opportunities for agencies right now?
Yes, the riches are still in the niches.
In other words, growth is most pronounced in specialization, not generalization, but not all niches are equal in this economy.
Some niches are ripe with untapped opportunities for agency owners to carve out and tailor their expertise.
So, what exactly are these lucrative niches?
In this episode, I merge valuable insights from my work with niche-specific agencies and conversations with agency owners to share an emerging pattern for success in niches.
Tune in to learn the three factors that make certain niches more lucrative than others right now.
Show Links
Book a Consult
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn’t dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep92
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What moves should you make on LinkedIn to attract clients effectively this year?
With the platform constantly evolving, understanding the dos and don’ts of LinkedIn can feel like a puzzle.
In this episode, you’ll hear from a LinkedIn Marketing Agency Owner on how to make LinkedIn work for you.
We dive into what’s working for content creation and engagement and explore how to avoid mistakes users commonly make on Linkedin.
Whether LinkedIn has been your playground for a while or you’re just dipping your toes in, this episode is packed with practical tips and tricks you won’t want to miss.
So, let’s get into it and find out how to leverage LinkedIn to attract clients in 2024.
Show Links
Louisebrogan.com
Louise’s Linkedin
Linkedin with Louise YouTube
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn’t dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep91
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What is the approach that has helped me build a track record for tripling growth for agency owners?
Let’s start with what it’s not – it’s not about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions.
It's about a strategic system that has taken me years to distill into a lens (like a magnifying glass) you can use today.
Like many experts, I had the expert’s curse, which means it's hard for me to step outside my brain to see how to distill my complex knowledge into more straightforward, more accessible concepts for you to use without losing the depth.
But a magical thing happened when I went from sharing words to turning it into a resource that shows you the connections.
I bridged the gap so you can see the system as a whole and use it to identify patterns in your agency and get to the solutions faster.
In this episode, get to know the strategic system that has helped me build a track record for tripling growth for agencies and learn how you can use it, too.
Don’t miss this one.
Show Notes:
Part 3: The “Big 3” Pillars Agency Owners Need to Build a High-Performing Agency
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Book a consult
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep90
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What separates high-performing agencies from the rest?
It's more than just having a great product or service.
The secret lies in this asset: unlocking your team's potential and, by extension, your agency.
A high-performing agency has healthy profit margins, retains phenomenal talent, has streamlined operations and enhanced brand reputation.
I've seen firsthand how growing your people – not just your directors– leads to more profits and efficiencies.
The framework I'm sharing is designed to guide you in unlocking your agency's potential to scale.
In this episode, I’ll share the big three pillars for high-performing agencies and how to use the pillars to identify and address gaps in your agency.
Tune in.
Show Links
Part 1: Hey Achievers Framework for Growing Agency Leaders
Part 2: 5 Key Things Doers Have To Unlearn to Succeed as Leaders
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep89
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What if the very skills that have made you successful might now be the ones you need to reassess and unlearn to become an effective leader?
We've seen it firsthand with our clients – the satisfaction that comes from executing tasks with precision, solving problems swiftly, and managing time like a pro.
But what happens when those very skills, which once propelled your business or career forward, become obstacles to growth?
As you aim to build a scalable business or lead an agency beyond day-to-day operations, the real work begins not just in acquiring new skills but in letting go of the old ones.
In this episode, let's look at how you and your team can transition from doer to leader faster by tapping into the 5 key things doers have to unlearn to succeed as leaders. Tune In.
Show Links
Hey Achievers Framework for Growing Agency Leaders
How to Grow the Leaders That Move Your Agency Forward So You Don’t Burn Out
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep88
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Do you need a strategy to elevate team members to leadership roles within your agency?
How can you support your team in acquiring leadership skills and resilience beyond what you can teach them personally?
If one or both questions resonate, this series is for you.
Developing your rising leaders in your agency is required if you want to build a scalable business.
I've walked the path from being an account coordinator to being an agency leader and helping agency owners scale and even exit the business. And I have a Master's in Communication focused on Organizational Development;
I’ve walked the walk, and I know when agencies develop their leaders, they become scaled agencies.
So follow along in our new series on how to grow the leaders that move your agency forward (so you don’t burn out).
In part one today, learn our Hey Achievers Framework to empower your agency’s future leaders. Tune in.
Show Links
4 Leadership Styles to Get You Out of the One-Size-Fits-All Approach: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep79/
Hey Achievers Framework: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-grow-leaders-move-your-agency-forward-so-you-dont-audrey-kwan-gpmfc/
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep87
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What data do you need to look at in your agency to optimize profitability?
In this episode, we examine the relationship between operations and finance in an agency and examine metrics that matter for profitability.
You don’t need to be a CFO or COO to benefit from this episode; you just need to be curious about what metrics to track.
You’ll gain a fundamental understanding in this episode of
- What might be missing in your profit and loss statements,
- The importance of the delivery margin metric to profit
- Why time tracking, even if you don’t bill by the hour is smart
- The one thing people get wrong about utilization rates
By the end of the episode, you’ll be able to identify areas for improvement to boost your profitability. Tune in.
Show Links
Parakeeto.comAgency Profitability Toolkit
LinkedIn
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep86
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How can agencies navigate growth with more ease in 2024?
I work closely with seven-figure agency owners, and I have the opportunity to see overarching trends and patterns.
I know we have heightened noise, and it’s harder to break through.
I know with the economic changes, buying decisions require more trust than ever.
It isn’t negative; it just requires new ways of approaching your business
I also know that the need for done-for-you services (agency services) isn’t shrinking.
The more complicated things like marketing become, the more need there is for expertise
And the ultimate desire for lean business means less full-time staff and more agency contracts.
With all that said, what are the predictions for agency success in 2024?
Tune in for the insights to help you grow.
Show Links:
Episode 76: 5 Ways to Position Your Agency as First Choice
How to Make Better Decision in Your Business
Part 1: 12-Step Framework I Use to Support Seven-Figure Agencies to Make Better Decisions
Part 2: 5 Hidden Biases that Sabotage the Decision-making of Agency Owners
Part 3: 4 Habits for Thriving When Motivation Wavers
Part 4: How a project debriefing system helps make better teams
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn’t dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep85
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What is the most important system in your business?
Your answer may vary depending on your stage of business.
If your business has a team, the most important systems aren’t just about “doing” the work.
Highly valuable systems empower your team to be problem solvers and make continuous improvements.
When you nurture a team of critical thinkers, you can be assured they are solving challenges that help you grow your business without you being there.
That’s why post-project debriefs are powerful.
A post-project debrief is a system that supports building highly effective and innovative teams.
The often-overlooked system can transform your decision-making process, show your team how to make better decisions, enhance efficiency, and help you build a better team. Tune In.
Show Links
Part 1: 12-Step Framework I Use to Support Seven-Figure Agencies to Make Better Decisions
Part 2: 5 Hidden Biases that Sabotage the Decision-making of Agency Owners
Part 3: 4 Habits for Thriving When Motivation Wavers
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep84
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Do you believe that motivation is key to success?
What if I said it’s not?
Because, let's be real, motivation is fickle. It comes and it goes.
You won't get far if your actions depend on your feelings and you constantly wait for motivation.
Even the seven-figure business owners I work with don’t always feel motivated.
Rather than waiting, It's all about setting up a system that works when motivation takes a backseat.
Let’s get that system set up for you today.
In this episode, I share the 4 habits you can set up now to keep moving forward when you don’t feel motivated.
Show Links
Part 1: 12 Steps to Make Better Decisions in Your Business This Year
Part 2: 5 Hidden Biases That Lead to Slow Growth or No Growth
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep83
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How do these 5 hidden biases lead to slow growth or no growth?
As a coach and consultant, I get the privilege of looking beneath the surface of other people’s decision-making processes.
And one or more of these five hidden biases can appear when you make strategic business decisions.
Hidden biases sabotage sound decision-making. It creates havoc when they stay hidden.
In this episode, I’ll uncover 5 hidden biases.
Plus, I share examples of how these 5 hidden biases can impact your decision-making so you don’t fall into the trap unknowingly.
Don’t let hidden biases unknowingly navigate your decisions. Tune In.
Show Links
Part 1: 12 Steps to Make Better Decisions in Your Business This Year
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn’t dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep82
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Facing a decision and not sure which way to turn?
The nature of being an entrepreneur is to make decisions; some decisions are quick, and others carry more risk and uncertainty.
That’s why it’s an investment in yourself to check your intuitive decision-making process with a recipe for making better decisions.
This 12-step process has helped me support an agency owner in selling and exiting his business and serve as a strategic thought partner to multiple six- and seven-figure agency owners.
In this episode, I'm sharing my go-to 12-step process for when intuition doesn't cut it for major decisions and your quick thinking needs a strategic boost.
Get actionable steps for making better decisions to grow your business this year.
Show Links
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep81
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Want to know the 5 pillars that anchored business growth this year?
In our annual year-end review, we drill down to five learnings that will inform the steps for next year and share how you can take each one to level up in 2024.
⭐Purpose
⭐Retention
⭐Micro-Shifts
⭐Leadership
⭐Real-Life Connections
You’ll hear how the pillars anchored the growth of my business and the growth of the agencies I coach, consult and support.
So, let’s unwrap the year and grow better together. Tune in.
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep80
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are You Just Delegating or Truly Leading?
If you've ever faced disappointment despite 'clear' instructions or felt like your leadership approach isn't resonating – I’ve been there too.
Leadership is more than the oversimplified mantra of "just delegate.”
There is much more to growing a business with a team than "just delegate.”
Delegating is one style of leadership out of four styles.
I’ve been doing leadership for 15 years, and I know relying on a one-size-fits-all approach always falls short.
In this episode, I dive into 4 leadership styles that go beyond the oversimplified mantra of delegation.
I’m talking about adapting your style so that you can build a stronger, more resilient, and high-performing team.
Knowing which style to use can make all the difference, whether you're a seasoned leader or stepping into a leadership role for the first time.
Tune in to get the goods on going from a delegator to a dynamic leader who knows how to tap into your team's strengths.
Show Links
LinkedIn Blog Post: 4 Leadership Styles to Get You Out of the One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep79
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Did you know it requires more than systems and processes to get you out of client delivery, increase efficiency and scale your business?
In today’s episode, I’m sharing why systems are merely a starting point and not the finish line because the crucial factor often overlooked is leadership.
Leadership is how you create a scaleable business where people hold one another accountable, encouraging a bottom-up approach to accountability.
The engine that makes leadership work, in other words, the heart of leadership, is communication.
In this episode, we'll explore the three key communication challenges that leaders must excel at navigating to create a business that doesn’t require constant “top-down” management or accountability; instead, it creates “bottom-up” accountability.
And I’ll reveal the ONE communication skill that can help you get there faster.
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep78
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How did I land the emcee role for one of Canada’s largest TEDx?
Great question.
Here’s the secret.
At the end of last year, I took a CEO day for myself — no distractions, no meetings, no laptop—just me and my notebook.
I identified four lessons that grew my business.
I’m replaying the episode for you all because if there was a secret to my year, it was knowing how to focus.
Getting to host TEDX and having room to say yes was made possible by taking the lessons from last year into 2023.
I used to get so busy in the excitement of planning for the next year that I didn’t spend enough time reflecting and distilling my lessons.
Last year was different, and it paid off.
Tune in to hear the lessons — every year builds on the next, and I hope it gets you thinking about the lessons you will distill and carry into 2024 for easier growth.
Show Links
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep77
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Want to be the agency that clients think of in your niche?
👏Yes.
Are you strategically positioned to attract more clients?
Find out in this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast.
I’m focusing on what it takes to have powerful positioning in your business.
Positioning isn’t just about standing out – it’s about being strategically positioned in the minds of your clients.
Here’s a peek at what we’ll cover
- Five ways to elevate your positioning
- Insights into a compelling narrative that resonates with ideal clients
- Actionable steps to ensure clients think of your agency first every time.
Show Links:
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep76
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How do you challenge the norms in your niche?
For example, do most businesses in your niche say they provide excellent customer service? And you find yourself saying something similar.
If that’s you, it’s time to break free of the sameness and make a bigger impact.
And if it’s not you, you can’t lose by exploring better positioning.
I share two questions in this episode to help you explore better positioning.
And find out how our guest answers the questions to make her mark as an agency owner.
Show Links
Website: https://hopskipmedia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adwordsgirl/
Build a Mighty Pod Model for your agency so that client work isn't dependent on you to scale. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet here.
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep75
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Have you ever felt the weight of comparing your journey to someone else's?
You know, that irresistible urge to measure your progress against others, especially in this last quarter of the year.
We've all been there, and today, I have insights to share on the comparison trap, drawing from lessons learned during my Master's Degree and the wise words of an Olympic Gold Medalist professor.
Tune in if you're ready to navigate through distractions and pave a faster path to success because this might change how you plan for 2024 and beyond.
Show Links
Book a strategy call
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep74
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What if I told you that your expertise can get in the way of growing your business?
It sounds counterintuitive, but it's a real barrier.
The phenomenon is called the curse of the expert. It can play out in different ways on your journey from being a solo service-based business owner to an agency owner.
But wait, isn't being an expert advantageous? When that expertise becomes a barrier to training your team or scaling your business, it's more of a curse than a blessing.
In this episode, I share how your expertise becomes a barrier to scaling your business and how you can overcome the 'curse.'
Show Links
Audrey Joy Kwan
Stuck in the “it’s easier to do it myself” cycle?
We’ve all been there. Get access to a free private audio event, all about breaking free from being the bottleneck in your business.
If you’re a consulting, marketing or creative agency owner, this thoughtfully curated line-up is for you.
Featuring 5 business leaders – you won’t find this line-up anywhere else – who have gone through different seasons when “just delegate” isn’t enough.
Join me on the inside of this private audio event 👉Breakfree from Being the Bottleneck
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep73
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are you protecting your time effectively?
Last month, I found myself in the emergency room of a hospital, and it got me thinking about the parallels between better boundaries in an emergency room and in a business.
Not every challenge in a business, just like not every trip to the ER, is a life or death situation. The right boundaries help you prioritize what truly matters and let go of being the bottleneck.
In this episode, I share how to set better boundaries so you can serve your clients better and guard your time to grow your business.
Show Links
Breakfree from Being the Bottleneck
Stuck in the “it’s easier to do it myself” cycle?
We’ve all been there. Get access to a free private audio event, all about breaking free from being the bottleneck in your business.
If you’re a consulting, marketing or creative agency owner, this thoughtfully curated line-up is for you.
Featuring 5 business leaders – you won’t find this line-up anywhere else – who have gone through different seasons when “just delegate” isn’t enough.
Join me on the inside of this private audio event 👉Breakfree from Being the Bottleneck
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep72
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How do you transform processes into profits?
If you want a higher ticket offering in your service-based business, tune in. You’re listening to the last episode of a series to help you break down a strategic system in your business called your intellectual property so that you can build a profitable business without burning out.
Intellectual property drives results and helps your team deliver for your clients in your service-based business, and it’s a powerful tool for marketing and positioning when packaged and presented effectively.
By leaning into this strategic system, you can reduce what feels like heavy lifting in your business.
So tune in as I plug into transforming your processes into profits.
Show Links:
Part 1: Ep 67: How can intellectual property transform your service-based business?
Part 2: Ep 68: Leverage these two foundations to break free from being a bottleneck
Part 3: Ep 69: How to avoid a major trap that keeps you stuck as the bottleneck in your business
Part 4: Ep 70: Creating more revenue-generating opportunities with a strategic service delivery structure
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep71
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are you ready to discover what can separate your service offerings from the pack?
We're digging into the art of crafting a repeatable structure for your service delivery and what makes it possible to transfer your knowledge to others.
In this episode, strategic service delivery structure isn’t just about the mechanics of intellectual property.
There’s more.
Understand how it's about making your mark and creating a legacy that stands the test of time.
Let me explain in this week's episode.
_______
This episode is part four of our series on finding and developing intellectual property (IP) in your service business.
Whether you want to enhance your competitive edge, create processes that liberate you from the nitty-gritty or craft a magnetic marketing presence, this series shows you the power of IP to make it happen.
Show Links
Delivery System Blueprint
Part 1: Ep 67: How can intellectual property transform your service-based business?
Part 2: Ep 68: Leverage these two foundations to break free from being a bottleneck
Part 3: Ep 69: How to avoid a major trap that keeps you stuck as the bottleneck in your business
You have a lot on your plate as a marketer, consultant or creative business owner.
You want to grow your business but are bogged down with busy work that doesn't move the needle.
I know because I help six and seven-figure service-based business owners (120 and counting) who are at capacity get out of being stuck in client delivery to scale.
Having a clear delivery system that works for a lean team can help you break free from this cycle.
Get your hands on our Delivery System Blueprint to help you step out of the busy work and into more of what you love. Download the FREE BLUEPRINT
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep70
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Do you know how to steer clear of the A to Z thinking trap?"
It’s a major pitfall that keeps service-based business owners trapped as the bottleneck of their business.
In this episode, we’ll give you step-by-step actions to avoid the trap or, if you're in it, how to get out - so you can grow your business and do it with a lean team.
Show Links
Part 1: How can intellectual property transform your service-based business?
Part 2: Leverage these two foundations to break free from being a bottleneck
You have a lot on your plate as a marketer, consultant or creative business owner.
You want to grow your business but are bogged down with busy work that doesn't move the needle.
I know because I help six and seven-figure service-based business owners (120 and counting) who are at capacity get out of being stuck in client delivery to scale.
Having a clear delivery system that works for a lean team can help you break free from this cycle.
Get your hands on our Delivery System Blueprint to help you step out of the busy work and into more of what you love. Download the FREE BLUEPRINT
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep69
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are you looking to take your business to the next level without becoming the bottleneck? If that sounds like you, tune in.
In this series, I'm bringing you short, power-packed episodes that reveal valuable insights on developing your money-making intellectual property so you can grow a business without being the bottleneck.
Today, we're diving into part two of the series, where I'll be sharing two foundational elements that make intellectual property development easier for consultants, marketers, and creatives.
Plus, you'll get to hear how these foundations transformed a solopreneur's consulting business, allowing her to step away from client delivery.
Exciting stuff, right? I couldn’t agree more! Tune in today.
Show Links
Part 1: How can intellectual property transform your service-based business?
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep68
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Have you ever wondered how to find and develop your money-making intellectual property in your service-based business?
Maybe you think you don’t have intellectual property, or you find yourself doing the work in your business but struggling to unlock the method to your expertise.
In this five-part series on the podcast, we’re deep diving into how to find and develop your money-making intellectual property.
In this series, we're going to hit three goals:
- Identify foundations that make developing intellectual property easier
- Find "hard-to-see” intellectual property already in your business
- Discover how to structure your service delivery system for intellectual property
Today’s episode is part one. I’ll help you set the stage and say “yes” to embracing the IP (Intellectual Property) in your service business and share why starting now is ideal.
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep67
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What is the messy middle?
The messy middle is the transformation phase, where you get out of client delivery and grow your business with a lean team.
If you’re a marketer, consultant or creative who turned your skill and expertise into a service-based business, odds are you started your business for more opportunities and freedom.
As you scale your business from just you to three, five or twenty, you unknowingly (or knowingly) hold onto freelancer and solopreneur habits that no longer serve your direction, and you end up overwhelmed.
Welcome to the messy middle. Now what?
If you think about it differently, the messy middle is a milestone because only some get to this transformation phase.
To get through the messy middle, it's time to remove the freelancer or solopreneur hat and put on the agency owner hat.
Tune in as we share the common habits that keep you stuck in the messy middle and how to navigate through this phase and come out stronger.
Show Links
Delivery system blueprint
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep66
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How can agency owners leverage financial forecasting and modelling to better inform strategic planning and drive growth?
Lean in as we talk to an agency owner whose secret to scaling from seven to eight figures is mastering financial forecasting.
You might be at the stage of business where you’re doing this with minimal support, or you might have a fractional or even full-time Chief Financial Officer.
Either way, this episode will get your gears turning on how to improve decision-making and allocate resources more effectively.
Show Links
Website: https://ramsayinnovations.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmorrisramsayinnovations/
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep65
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are you scaling chaos in your service-based business?
If you started your business as a marketer, consultant or creative and have grown from a solopreneur to having a team, you may have some solopreneur habits holding you back.
And if you've been following my journey, you already know that structure, roles, and processes are the secret sauce for keeping chaos at bay.
But here's the twist: that's just one side of the story.
As you transition from solopreneur to CEO, you need a whole new set of skills in your arsenal.
In this episode, we share the solopreneur habits that might hold you back and the top three skills needed to go from solopreneur to CEO while reclaiming your time.
Show Links
Ep. 60: Is The Agency Model The Best Path For You? audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep60/
Ep. 50: 5 Pillars of a Productized Service That Help You Grow (even if you’re at capacity) audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep50/
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep64
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What's the hidden cost of not building your team in your business?
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that doing everything yourself is the best option, but the truth is, it can lead to burnout and regret down the line.
As a coach and consultant, I've seen firsthand how entrepreneurs can take on a lot, but we all have a breaking point. So, what can you do to avoid falling into over-commitment and over the cliff of burnout?
Invest in getting client delivery off your plate.
But I know that most people only address pain when they're in pain. That's why it's easier to sell Advil than a vitamin.
This episode is a vitamin episode about being proactive instead of reactive.
If you're not experiencing growing pains in your business yet, lean in - this is your vitamin.
And if you are experiencing growing pains, turn up the volume - this is your Advil.
Don't wait until it's too late to make a change. Let's explore the hidden cost of inaction in your business and how to take action now to invest in your business's future.
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep63
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Have you hit a wall in your business, struggling to grow from solopreneur to a lean team that can give you back more time?
You’re not alone; it's a common struggle.
Building a team for your service business goes beyond hiring people; it's about creating an effective organizational structure, developing processes, improving communication, and stepping into leadership.
Today we’re exploring a challenge that shows up at many different stages of business growth. It's the challenge of learning to let go and give up some control so you can step into your leadership role.
Our discussion on the podcast today shares valuable insights to help you overcome these obstacles, step into the CEO role and take your business from good to great.
Show Links
Website: https://thewrittenworldagency.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewrittenworld/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-dagan-3677ab39/
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep62
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Are you ready to take your business to the next level but feeling held back by fears and doubts?
Join us for an inspiring episode where we explore the topic of cultivating courage as an entrepreneur. Hint: courage isn’t always about doing more; it can be about doing less.
We discuss the not-so-obvious blocks that can hinder your growth and provide insights to overcome them.
Discover the power of breaking free from generational conditioning and family expectations, evolving your identity, and recognizing your true self-worth.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is about taking a new perspective – slowing down to grow – in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Hear how this agency owner cultivated the courage to succeed.
Show Links
Website: bartlettbrands.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bartlett-brands/about/
Instagram: instagram.com/bartlettbrands/
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep61
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Attention all creatives, consultants, and marketers!
Is the agency model the best path for scaling your service business?
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, I tackle this question and share my insights on the agency model drawing from nine years of hands-on experience building and coaching multiple six and seven-figure agency owners.
I discuss the right time to consider the agency model, the difference between being self-employed and a business owner, and the self-employment trap that many service providers fall into.
Plus, you'll learn the importance of consciously choosing between self-employment or business ownership and building effective systems and processes for team delivery.
Find out if the agency model is the right choice for your business.
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep60
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Do your clients see you as a partner or a vendor? What is the difference, and why does it matter?
My guests today reached their first annual $500K in revenue by prioritizing setting themselves up as a partner to their clients and establishing a strategic relationship that is long term.
If you’re in a vendor relationship, it's transactional, and your clients contact you when a transaction is needed. In a partner relationship, you have a deeper connection, including insights into the organizations' processes, working styles and communication, leading to more trust and long-term clients.
Hear how this duo prioritizes building partnerships with their clients and why they kept their full-time job until the agency hit $500k in annual revenue.
Show Links
Website: https://cxd.studio/
Katherine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherineboyarsky/
Gabby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielap93/
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep59
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
How to double your revenue and increase client retention in your business?
It takes more than just getting more clients.
Consider how the business can be sustainable when you want to double your revenue. You need to build internal capacity in your business.
Nobody wants a rollercoaster service business when the churn rate is high, one month, you’re feasting, and the following month you’re fasting.
While marketing and sales are essential, sustainability and scalability require strategic considerations, including how your team operates and delivers your services.
Today’s episode explores four strategic activities that helped this agency owner double her revenue and increase client retention – with sustainability as the actual measurement of success.
Show Links
Website: https://talkfastsocial.com/
Instagram: @talkfastsocial
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep58
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Is now the right time to change, pivot or develop a new offer in your business?
As business owners, we can’t be tone death to what's happening in the market and the economy – both are different than just two years ago.
What might have been working two years ago in your niche is rapidly changing, requiring you to make potentially big decisions.
Today, we have a timely discussion from an entrepreneur of 18 years who has been named Best Female Marketing and PR CEO of the Year (USA) by Global 100.
Listen to how she’s made some critical choices in her business, including insights from going through the 2008 recession and how she applies the lessons to her business today.
Show Links
threegirlsmedia.com: https://www.threegirlsmedia.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikamontgomery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikataylormontgomery/
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep57
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
What’s one of the best ways to grow faster and avoid painful mistakes? That’s an easy one for me: getting a mentor.
As a business owner, having mentors helped me gain experiences not shared in books found on bookshelves; I’ve benefited from a better understanding of their wins and mistakes.
But mentorship isn’t just for a business owner; it's also for your team and helping them reach their highest potential.
Today, we’re talking about diversity, equity and inclusion in marketing and marketing agencies and, more specifically, ethnic and racial representation in mentorship.
A Harvard Business Review article titled Truth About Mentoring Minorities: Race Matters inspired this episode. It took me back to when I started my agency career and what I wished was more available.
If mentorship is important to you, tune into this episode.
Show Links
Truth About Mentoring Minorities: Race Matters https://hbr.org/2001/04/race-matters
Asians In Advertising: https://www.asiansinadvertising.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suziebao/
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep56
Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis
Do you believe in planning for more happiness and joy in your business?
If you’re like me, you got your planning done in December, or maybe, January is the month you start planning.
I don’t know a business owner who isn’t doing some sort of planning right now.
Whether you do it at the end of the year or the beginning of the year, there’s no wrong or right time.
But there is one thing many small business owners don’t do when they make strategic plans: you don’t actively plan for more happiness.
That’s why in today’s episode, we talk about making happiness soup in 2023 and the five necessary ingredients to add to your plans for more joy.
Show Links:
Website: https://www.katiejefcoat.com/
Podcast: https://www.katiejefcoat.com/happiness
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep55
Here are the big four lessons I learned this year that helped me make money and grow my business by 30%.
Each lesson is a way of thinking and being as we head into 2023, where the trend points towards buying decisions taking longer because people are more careful with spending.
Hear why these lessons make me a better business owner with an even greater potential to accelerate growth in the new year:
- Welcome the fear of doing something new but keep it simple.
- Nurturing genuine relationships is marketing, not vanity metrics.
- Find your pace, don’t race.
- You can achieve all the goals and still have mindset snafus.
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep54/
What is a significant advantage of a small agency?
It’s the ability to stay in its lane and go deep into a niche.
Today, we’re talking to an agency owner about her niche in cultural intelligence.
Cultural intelligence is not just a hot topic but a much-needed one.
Authentic representation matters because it empowers. I’m speaking from my own experience as an Asian-Canadian who grew up seeing very few, if, at all, Asians represented as business owners (except for the stereotypical laundry mat or corner store owner).
Cultural intelligence supports responsible brands in learning the difference between authentic and inauthentic ways to have diverse representation.
I’m all for the authentic; I hope you are too.
If that’s you, tune into this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency to hear how cultural intelligence in indigenous communities connects this agency owner to big brands.
Show Links
Website: https://deplume.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/design_de_plume/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-de-plume/
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Can I tell you about a scenario I’ve encountered many times?
I speak to service-based business owners who get stuck spending 9-5 every day in client meetings, and there’s no space for other things that need to happen.
On the one hand, there’s plenty to celebrate because they have a fully booked service business. On the other hand, they are at capacity and the bottleneck in their business.
They have a good team, but the challenge is that the team who got them here isn’t going to take them to the next season.
A burst of growth in your business can test you as a business owner because it requires different thinking in leadership, culture and team structure.
But you don’t need to work more to grow your business; you need to work less.
Hear how this small business CEO changed her thinking and evolved her team so she could step into her CEO role and focus on crossing the seven-figure mark.
Show Links
Website: https://redstartcreative.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redstartcreative/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccateaff/
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
A potential client comes to you with a project, and the scope (a.k.a objectives, requirements and outcomes) is unclear.
It happens to all service providers, and it can drain time, money, and your team
It can distract you from scaling what works well in your business.
The challenge is that unclear scopes can come disguised as opportunities, especially if you’re unclear about your business vision and where you want to spend time and resources.
Listen to this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency, where we look at how to handle unclear scopes and the power of the discovery process.
Show Links
Productize Your Service Roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Ep 50: 5 Pillars of a Productized Service That Help You Grow (even if you’re at capacity): https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep50
“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business
How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now. You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all…
I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!) things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll ese you on the next one.
Let’s grow a complicated business that feels like a ball and chain. Said NOBODY.
I’ve been there.
I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done.
It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.
Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of multiple six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale.
It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service.
Listen to this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency to get the 5 pillars of a productized service that can help you grow (even if you’re at capacity)
Show Links
EP. 49: Why A Productize Service Agency? Do You Need It
Download the FREE Productize Your Service Roadmap
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
What makes a service business high ticket and sets you up to get paid like an expert?
Here’s the thing to know, it’s not about doing more in your business; it's actually about doing less.
Hear why productized services and the agency model support you to do less while providing exponential value to your clients and how it gets you out of being the bottleneck in your service business
(hint: it has something to do with your intellectual property and how the agency model has changed.)
-Episode 48: Success: How to get more time freedom in your service business and make money (even on vacation) with Justin Salters
-Case Studies: audreyjoykwan.com/case-studies
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Do you want more time to work on the business rather than in it?
When Justin reached out to me for help, he was the bottleneck in his business. His service delivery processes lived in his head, so he spent his day-to-day implementing services, managing clients, and providing client strategy.
He was doing it all with little time to focus on real business growth. It wasn’t sustainable, and he didn't have the time and freedom he craved.
We made changes that supported him to streamline his business, gain more freedom and take time off without worrying things would fall apart.
Six months later, Justin shares what’s happened since working together and how he is now leading a scalable company that no longer rests only on his shoulders.
He has a service business that can run without him and continues to make money even when he’s on vacation.
Justin's journey through entrepreneurship will inspire you no matter where you are in your business.
And suppose you want to get service delivery, client management and strategy off your plate. This episode just might give you the confidence to take the next step in that direction.
In this episode, we’ll discuss
- Why focusing on streamlined service delivery processes earlier creates exponential growth
- How he stopped being a bottleneck in his business and gained more freedom
- How service delivery processes helped him transition from consultant to CEO
- How to have exponential growth without working more hours or compromising service delivery
Show Links
Website: heysalty.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justinsalters/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
What is the greatest asset for a multiple seven-figure agency?
After ten years as the CEO of her agency and another 12 years before that working as a creative director – thats’ 22 years - Jenny Smith knows her team is the greatest asset.
In this episode, Jenny shares how transparency about her agency's profit and losses helped her team understand the financial basics and raise the level of trust, ultimately leading to committed and engaged team members.
If you want to hear how transparency and being imperfect helped her have a multiple 7 figure business, keep listening.
On this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency:
- The power of being an imperfect
- What her previous agency life taught her about growing her team
- How to help your team feel part of something bigger
- What strengths does she lean into to lead a multiple 7-figure agency
- Breakthrough and break down moments of running her multiple 7-figure agency
Show Links
Website: https://rayagency.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-smith-3631308/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayagency/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
If you’re a consultant or marketer who hasn’t hit consistent $10K months yet, this episode demonstrates its possible by keeping it simple.
It requires effort, of course, but you don’t need to make it complicated. It's all about being persistent.
Why are we talking about consistent $10K months on the podcast today?
It’s the launchpad to growing a service business with a team. $10K months unlock more cash flow to do things like getting more support in your business. It opens your mind to make consistent $20K, $30K and beyond months.
Tune in to hear the organic methods that have led this strategist to consistent $10K months.
Show Links
Website: https://www.rwdigital.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rw-digital-marketing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digital.rw/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
So what’s stopping you from getting more help?
You might be thinking it seems like a risk to make another hire.
What comes first? Is it getting the new hire or the new clients? It’s the age-old chicken or egg question.
While every scenario has different considerations on who to hire and in what capacity, one thing holds, don’t wait till you’re overwhelmed to hire.
If your business is not growing consistently, it might be that you’re still too much day-to-day, working in the business, rather than on growing the business.
Hear how this business owner went from side hustle to solopreneur and now an agency, during the pandemic, by making the right hires.
Tune in to this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency for insights on:
- How to get comfortable with leading a team
- The journey from side-hustle to a six-person team
- When is the right time to start building a team
Show Links
Website: scribenational.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/scribenational
Instagram: @aftonbrazzoni
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll See you on the next one.
You’ve reached capacity, now what?
Building your business requires different priorities, decisions and leadership at different stages of growth.
When you hit capacity, you need to put the brakes on and focus on building internal capacity. Internal capacity is processes and team members who can help you serve your clients and grow your business.
Ignore internal capacity building for too long, and you can break your business.
Hear how this agency owner focused on marketing and sales to get to $500K, the mistakes she made that almost broke her business and how she’s moving forward to a million.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency:
- Finding the right partner to grow the business
- Lessons learned from being at capacity
- When to pump the breaks in your business so that it doesn’t break
- What not to do again when experiencing a growth spurt
- Building an account management team
Show Links
Website: https://www.theartofb.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theartofb/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofb.ca/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll See you on the next one.
How can you inspire your team to greater heights?
The short answer is to be a more effective leader who knows how to inspire the best in people.
But what motivates one person doesn’t always inspire the next. That’s why personality assessments can help inform better leadership.
We explore how personality assessments help you hire better, become a better leader and support you to reach your business goals faster.
In this episode of the Small but Mighty Agency Podcast:
- When to use personality assessment in the hiring process
- How personality assessments support retainment of talent
- Improving workplace culture and creating lasting change
- How to give your team a common language for improving communication
Show Links
Website: https://www.peoplecore.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peoplecore/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Do you know an opportunity when you see one, and more importantly, are you willing to take that risk?
Saying ‘yes’ led this service-based business owner from a 9 - 5 job to a seven-figure business.
There’s a saying in entrepreneurship: “you’ve got to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.”
Today’s guest did precisely that – with no experience in marketing, he quit his job to launch a marketing agency.
His journey to a seven-figure business isn’t an overnight success story; most businesses are not; a success story is made up of time and work that goes unseen.
Tune into this episode to learn:
- How he delivered a marketing service he had no idea how to deliver
- Starting a service niche business with zero experience
- The mistakes that helped him get to seven figures
- Why his zone of genius was both a gift and a hindrance to growth
- How he uses processes and systems to encourage learning and development in his team
Show Links
Website: https://www.localseosearch.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-vuong-205b2917/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Recap the episode, give the listeners a call to action, tease the next episode
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
What inspires someone to buy an existing marketing business?
Meet Diane. After selling her successful first business, she decided to return to work by purchasing a marketing agency.
Diane shares her decision-making process and what she would do differently if she were to do it again.
Plus, hear the strategies she uses to become the go-to agency in her county and the marketing activities to get more clients.
Tune into this episode to explore:
- What motivated her to buy an established agency?
- How did she transition from employee to owning an agency
- What would she do differently if she bought an agency again?
- The approach to building the reputation of her business as a go-to agency for her county
- How she inspires her team to stretch outside their comfort zones
Show Links
Mustang Mktg: https://www.mustangmktg.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mustang-marketing/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll See you on the next one.
What pivots do you need to make in a business as it grows?
All businesses will at some point make a pivot - it's a strategic move that you take to ensure that your business remains viable and profitable.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, meet Nanci, she is an entrepreneur of 25 years; she’s owned and operated an agency and has gone through multiple pivots, including her most recent one, where she pivoted her niche.
Tune in to hear how she made the strategic decision to narrow her niche and tap into her wisdom of wins and fails from leading teams for two decades.
Show Links
C3inc: https://c3inc.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancicorrigan/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
When you think of a niche for your business, you might naturally consider a specific industry or market.
But a niche isn’t always an industry; it can be a service you offer. Case in point, meet Allie LeFevere, the co-owner of Obedient Agency.
Their niche is humor, and they help grow brands that make people laugh. In this episode, we explore the creative process to generate humour-driven marketing and how this agency owner protects the greatest asset of creativity while on the path to building a seven-figure business.
Tune in to learn more about:
- The creative process to generate humour driven marketing
- How she creates space in her business to generate wildly creative ideas
- Why having a well-oiled machine helps her stay in the creative lane
- How her business partnership thrives despite differences
Show Links
–Obedient Agency: https://www.obedientagency.com/
–LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/obedient/
–Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obedientagency/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank you for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll See you at the next one.
If there’s one constant in owning a business, it’s getting comfortable with change.
As business owners, we need resilience in the face of change, whether changing business models, shifting marketing strategies, or building a team.
Change isn’t just about us, “the business owner”; it affects the people in our business. Leaders effectively managing their teams in an ever-changing environment is vital to business success. Today on the podcast, we explore best practices for change management and change leadership.
And suppose you're wondering how to scale a consultancy. In that case, we explore how this change management consultant is growing into an agency by building up apprentices and confidently letting go of the client-facing role in her business.
In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
- How do leaders manage their business in an ever-changing environment
- Why change leadership principles, not just change management is vital
- Growing her consultant into an agency through apprenticeship
- How she confidently let go of the client-facing role in her business
Show Links
-Helios Consulting: https://www.heliosconsulting.ca/
-Kait Dinunzio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitdinunzio/
Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:
https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale
Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.
Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.
Before you know it, you’re at capacity.
So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?
Meet the Mighty Pod Model.
The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.
If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources
Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.
Is it easier to start an agency when you’ve worked for agencies most of your career? The answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no.
Running an agency requires more than just doing the work of servicing clients; it requires building a profitable and sustainable business.
Taralyn and her partner went from solopreneur to an agency owner in 10 months with 23 clients and quickly grew to a team of six people.
In this episode, we explore the different thinking required to go from working in the business to ON the business, and we talk through how the things that got them here won’t get them where they want to go.
Show Links
Bold Lip: https://boldlip.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taralyncarver/
Instagram: @boldlip.creative
Grab Your FREE Mighty Pod Team Model
This episode is brought to you by the Mighty Pod Model
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
If you want a multiple six-figure and beyond service business that won’t sink when you stop working? Build a Mighty Pod Model that scales and lead a team you love. I’ll show you how.
Click this link to save yourself the time of figuring out a service model that creates more capacity in your business
Now it’s time to build your Small But Mighty Agency
Thanks for tuning into the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode please subscribe and share it with a friend.
Connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or visit my website
What is the fastest way to $500K in a service-based business?
Today’s guest shares how she and her business partner scaled to $500K in sales in their first year without using complicated marketing strategies or being on every platform to market their business.
Growth for this agency owner has also meant steadily growing a team and leaning into processes that have helped them grow to multiple seven figures
Join me to hear how this agency owner earned half a million in her first year and how she and her partner scaled it to multiple seven figures in five years.
Show Links
UpHouse Inc: https://uphouseinc.com/
Kiirsten's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiirstenmay/
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
The one thing you need to have a sustainable agency? Happy Clients.
Great client management can mean the difference between a happy client who stays for the long term or a frustrated client who churns.
And we know that it costs a lot more to find a new client than to retain one.
Nobody understands this better than our guest, Taylor McMaster, who owns an agency that provides fractional client account managers to seven-figure agencies.
So what’s the secret to having consistent rockstar client account managers who keep clients happy? It's all in stellar hiring and training processes.
Tune into this episode to learn more about mastering client management.
Show Links
Dot and Company Website: https://www.dotandcompany.co/
Dot and Company Instagram: @dot_and_company
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
This small but mighty agency owner used the Upwork platform to grow his animation agency to multiple six figures in under two years.
Going from solopreneur to a team of nine, Guillermo Chan went from a 9 - 5 job to building the business of his dreams, where he gets to do what he loves and make an impact on the lives of others.
In this episode of the podcast:
- Using Upwork to grow a service-based business to high multiple six figures
- Immigrating to a new country, taking risks and following his passion
- How the challenges of mental health inspired him to start his agency
Show Links:
Broken Pencil Studios
Broken Pencil Instagram
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Recap the episode, give the listeners a call to action, tease the next episode
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
How are creatives, consultants, and marketers making multiple six figures thriving in an increasingly crowded marketplace?
The great resignation left a door wide open for more businesses to consider working with freelancers, contractors and boutique agencies because employees were leaving like never before, which created demand in the marketplace.
On the other side of that same coin, the pool of writers, designers, and animators either freelancing or starting their agencies widened, creating a saturation of sameness.
There is one common key business decision I see solopreneurs make to get out of the sea of sameness and reach multi- six figures in their service business.
This key business decision helps them grow more quickly and profitably.
In this episode, I share what I see contributes to the success of first-year multiple six-figure service businesses.
Show Links
Economic Innovation Group article on The Start-Up Surge
Audrey Joy Kwan
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for tuning into the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, head over to Apple Podcast to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share
Are you stuck in your business feeling like client work is dependent on just you, and you worry it will all go down the tank when you stop working?
If you don’t know how to change that – or maybe you do, but it hasn’t turned out how you thought it would? Tune in to discover:
- Why do some business owners remain the bottleneck even after getting systems and processes in place?
- Where do you start when documenting systems and processes and get it done without overwhelm
- The method to get processes in your service business done in less time and with less stress
- Access our free productized service workflow to leverage our approach of one service and one system at a time.
- Which system to start with if you are at capacity and need to overcome revenue plateau
Show Links
Get the FREE Productized Service Workflow.
Website
support@audreyjoykwan.com
Where To Start When Documenting Systems for Your Business?
Here’s our approach to get it done in less time and with less stress.
Curb the overwhelm that stops most business owners from creating the structure and control they need to grow the business with systems and processes.
Most creatives, consultants and agency owners cherry-pick random systems to document and as a result, get buried in what feels like a never-ending list of processes that you just don't get done.
To get it done in less time and less stress, start with one service.
Download our free productized service workflow to identify the different systems in one service AND then choose one system at a time.
I promise you, when you start with one service and then choose one system in that service, you'll get to leverage your processes to grow your business faster.
USE THE FREE PRODUCTIZED SERVICE WORKFLOW TO GAIN MORE CLARITY TODAY
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
What makes a creative agency excel past its competition?
Nurturing and protecting the creative spirit in the team.
The creative spirit is the secret sauce for an agency to do outstanding creative work.
Some call it “strategic magic” or “zone of genius.”
I like to think of it as the art that makes their craft possible.
Let me explain
The craft is the production, it's 80% of the work, but the creativity, the strategy, the zone of genius is the 20% that makes the 80% excellent.
That 20% is the art.
We chat with a seasoned creative agency owner on how he nurtures creativity in his team, finds opportunities to help the team stay accountable and protects creativity from getting derailed by clients who don’t get the creative process.
Tune into this episode to explore:
- How he inspires the creative spirit of his team in his creative agency
- What’s working for training and developing creative talent
- Identifying opportunities to transfer knowledge to his team
- The power of teaching clients how to work with his agency
- What is the difference between clients who treat your agency as a vendor versus clients who treat you like a partner and say yes to only the latter?
- Proactively educating clients to have a better partner relationship with their agency
Show links
Website: https://www.pinwheelcontent.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddanthony/
The Delicatessen : https://delicatessen.substack.com/
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap.
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease.
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team to support your clients and free up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method.
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
When this seven-figure agency owner surveyed 50 of his clients about what they valued when working with a small agency, the response was a surprise. It wasn’t the price and it wasn’t even quality.
The top three things the clients of this seven-figure agency want to see from an agency are experience, communication and processes.
Yes, processes.
Processes are like guardrails. By definition, a guardrail is a barrier placed along the edge of something such as a staircase to keep you from falling off the stairs
When your processes are guardrails and clients are educated on how your uniquely created guardrail supports them on the road to getting the results they want, your processes add a tremendous amount of value for your clients.
In this episode of the podcast, tune in to explore
- How processes can set you up for premium pricing.
- Going from generalized marketing services to productized video and animation services
- Intentionally building a business with value-added processes
- How processes empower creatives to be more creative
- How educating clients on processes supports making more money
Show Links
Website: tripwiremedia.com
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/dougdarling
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Is it worth the time to cross-train your team?
Even the most talented people in your team can’t succeed if your entire team follows their own processes, and communication is a mess.
Cross-training leads to better communication, and communication leads to a business that is less dependent on you.
In this episode of the podcast, we’re exploring how this agency owner hires the right people, streamlines communication and cross-trains his team so that he can spend more time in creativity instead of project management.
Including:
- How he took one opportunity in college (10 years ago) and turned freelancing into an agency
- Why solving communication challenges grows the business
- Cross-training team members is worth the time investment
- What is the T shape model, and how it guides his hiring process for right-fit team members?
- How he cross-trains his team to create more efficiency and less dependency on one person to know it all
- Changing his org structure and why he restructured his agency model
Show Links
Suits & Sandals Website: https://suits-sandals.com
Work Association Podcast: Apple, Spotify, Google
Nick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickdank/
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
These four concepts are how I’ve helped grow agencies to multiple six figures and beyond.
I’ve supported an agency owner to grow, sell and exit his business, doubled the gross revenue of clients with small but mighty agencies and helped owners have more time off.
To kick off 2022 on the podcast, here are the concepts that always show up.
If you’re bumping up against capacity in your business, you can’t miss concept number one.
Concept number one is the pillar to bringing in other people to do the work and free up your time in a service business.
Maybe you’ve never thought about the agency model in this way – it can be small but mighty and sustainably grow your business to serve more clients, make more money and free up your time.
Find out how we can work together to grow your service-based business, book a consult (https://calendly.com/audreyjoykwan/consult)
Show Links
About Audrey Joy Kwan: https://audreyjoykwan.com/about
Connect with Audrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwanaudrey/
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and free up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Is it possible to run an efficient agency with eight part-time contractors while working part-time?
For this CEO mom, the answer is yes.
Although this may not be a way of running a business for everyone, Kara demonstrates that how you choose to operate your business can 100% fit your priorities.
Kara’s priorities are her three kids and her mission to employ young moms by providing as much flexibility as possible in her business.
In this episode, you’ll hear how she makes it all work and how small but mighty agencies of today are changing. Including:
- What it looks like to run an agency part-time and have three young kids
- How she manages a team of 8 part-time contractors
- Why she chooses to stay with part-time contractors (for now)
- How to build a business that values the needs of young moms
- Thoughts on workplace improvements that can better support young moms
Show Links
LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/karahoholik)
Website (https://socialforgood.co)
Instagram (socialforgood.co)
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
What does it mean to streamline a business for growth? At its core, it means simplifying or eliminating unnecessary work-related tasks to make running the business easier.
While eliminating things may sound simple, streamlining a business can involve hard decisions.
In this episode, we connect with Kyle who streamlined his business by restructuring his remote team.
In the case of this small business, restructuring involved removing one job role and as a result, navigating changing scopes of work for the rest of his team -- all the while maintaining their core value of relationship-focused servicing and a high-vibe team.
Kyle shares his thought process behind the change, why it was necessary and the impact on his business.
Together on the Small But Mighty Agency, we explore:
- Driving agency change and building a lean team
- Restructuring his team to better serve clients and be more effective
- Revising job functions and roles and empowering people to own the work
- Acknowledging leadership blindspots and growing from mistakes
- Why a coaching first principle in the business brings out the best in his team
- Using culture surveys to build a high vibe team and encourage retainment
Show Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyledoranra/
Website: https://www.ramarketing.com/
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Today, we explore how Amisha Shrimanker started an online copywriting agency three years ago and has since worked with some prominent names in the industry.
Amisha shares the juicy details of her strategies that have landed her dream clients.
Together on the podcast, we explore:
- Her cold pitching strategy, the one she uses to get on dream podcasts and work with dream clients
- How she leverages results into case studies to amplify her competitive advantage
- How she uses project debriefs not only to serve clients better but meet a need that naturally increases the lifetime value of the client
Show Links
Copy Crew Website: https://thecopycrew.com/
Copy Crew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecopycrew/
See the AJK Case Studies: https://audreyjoykwan.com/case-studies
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you bythe FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
What is the fastest way to grow a service-based business to seven figures?
Not a trick question 🙂
It’s to help your clients get results faster.
Meet Lisa Genovese, five years into building her marketing agency, Lisa discovered the 20% of activities driving results for her clients and decided to go all-in on the service offering,
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency, we dig into the 80/20 rule that helped Lisa catapult her business to a seven-figure agency and why getting support to discover her 80/20 was a wise decision.
Tune in to hear:
- How she identified a new revenue stream that became her agencies signature service
- Finding her stride as an agency owner at the five-year mark
- Going all-in on the 80/20 rule despite the doubt
- Why her agency won’t work with a client unless the client invests in the impact assessment offer and how she asks them to invests
- Trusting that the fastest path to success is to turn down clients that are the wrong fit
Show Links
Lisa Genovese LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamariegenovese/
Bottom Line Website: www.wearebottomline.com
Women Presidents Organization: https://www.womenpresidentsorg.com/
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
How do you build a collaborative partner network that actually works and can help you grow your business?
In this week’s Small But Mighty Agency podcast, we connect with Jon Allison, the owner of a Branding Studio with a track record of using authentic relationship marketing to grow his business and deliver exceptional work.
What’s impressive is that 70% of the work Jon currently does in his business involves his collaborative partners.
Together we explore:
- Growing a business with collaborative partners
- What makes a collaborative partner network successful?
- Why white-labeling doesn’t work in collaborative partner networks and what to do instead
- How to work effectively when sharing work with collaborative partners
- How value-match, not formality, is key
Jon’s an open book about what makes his collaborative partner network effective, from size to budget transparency, values alignment, and all the things to look out for.
Tune in if you want to spend less time doing busy work with relationship marketing and tap into how a collaborative partner network can work for you.
Show Links:
Backcountry Branding Website: https://backcountrybranding.ca/
Backcountry Branding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonallison/
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Focus is a superpower.
But distractions are everywhere.
You’re short on time, and you want to grow your business with less overwhelm.
How do you steer clear of shiny opportunities and ideas that are vampires to your time and energy?
How do you make better strategic decisions?
I rarely share about how I arrived at my mission and my why.
That’s because, for the longest time, I didn’t know how to share something so personal.
My deep connection to my mission and why (I started my business) keeps me focused when there are hard decisions to make.
In this episode, I share with you how I use my deep connection to my mission and why (I started my business) to keep strategically focused and not only grow faster but grow with less overwhelm.
Show Links
Joel Sellentine: Finding a north star and growing a seven-figure agency in 4 years: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep19/
Get my signature COMPASS method inside our Team Growth Roadmap
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Click this link to unlock the COMPASS Method
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
How do you engage and inspire younger generations in your service-based business? Today we’re exploring Generation Z, the most entrepreneurial generation of our time.
Generation Z is disrupting the traditional ways of entering the workforce by choosing entrepreneurship over being an employee.
In this episode, I speak with Julie Wang on embracing being a Generation Z agency-owner and her insights on employing her Generation.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
- Why being a Gen Z agency-owner is a unique value proposition
- Exploring the gap between job role expectations versus the reality of entry marketing roles for Gen Z
- Freelancing as the gateway to business ownership for young entrepreneurs and why most Gen Z’s are doing it
- Internal motivations and external factors that are shaping the ambitions of Gen Z
- What does Gen Z really want in a job?
Show Links
Tiny Planet Digital Website: https://tinyplanet.digital/
Tiny Planet Digital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tiny-planet-digital/
Tiny Planet Digital Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinyplanet.digital/
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my COMPASS method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Unlock the COMPASS Method right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Are you a marketer, consultant, or creative who started your business with a specialized skill?
You have steady revenue, a solid client base, and work coming in.
It’s more than you can handle by yourself, but you’re saying yes to everything. You’re working 24/7, and it isn’t the life you dreamed of as a business owner.
If that’s you, you’re not alone.
in this episode of the Small But Might Agency, we explore Trevor’s trajectory from:
- Transitioning from freelancer to an agency over a course of 6 months
- Going from broad services to specializing to grow his business faster
- Creating the runway to build his business by letting go of wrong-fit clients
- Using profit-share bonuses to incentivize entrepreneurial team members
Show Links
Trevor Longino Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorlongino/
Trevor Longino Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrevorLongino
Crowdtamers Blog: https://crowdtamers.com/blog/
Crowdtamers Website: https://crowdtamers.com/
This episode is brought to you bytheFREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my C.O.M.P.A.S.S method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Unlock the C.O.M.P.A.S.S Method right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
What does it take to grow an agency from 0 to 7 figures in four years?
The first thing I noticed about Joel, founder of KARMA jack is his joy and zest for life.
He has an uncanny ability to make conversations about almost any topic lighthearted yet packed with insights.
In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency, Joel shares how he grew his agency to 7 figures in four years, and that includes:
- Finding a north star in his business and creating a business with more meaning
- How to keep the authenticity of giving back as company mission versus company marketing
- The value of investing in a team in his first year of business
- How he is leading a seven-figure marketing agency of 23 people
- The step-by-step morning routine that keeps him inspired
Meet Joel Sellentine, after a successful career in fundraising and helping grow several businesses, Sellentine invested his leadership ability and marketing expertise into starting his own agency. Now leading an eclectic team of marketing experts, the data-driven agency has led a wide array of clients to incredible success. With a Bachelor of Arts in English from Oakland University, he started an internship program for Detroit area students and uses the driving force of one day giving away $1 million in scholarships.
Show Links
Traction by Gino Wickman: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8549192-traction
The One Thing by Gary Keller: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16256798-the-one-thing
Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40121378-atomic-habits
Joel Sellentine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelsellentine/
This episode is brought to you bytheFREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my C.O.M.P.A.S.S method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Unlock the C.O.M.P.A.S.S Method right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
What if the traditional rules of productivity and work are broken because they are outdated?
Meet Brittany Berger, she’s on a unique mission to help neurodivergent individuals work smarter, not harder, whether a business owner or not.
Brittany believes that the traditional rules of productivity and work that people learn are inaccessible for many.
She speaks candidly about her neurodivergent brain and how she has leveraged it in her business to be more productive and focused.
In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, we explore:
- How to recognize the point of diminishing returns where more work doesn’t pay off
- Building a business with Chronic Illness, ADH, and Autism
- Reducing content creation overwhelm by using a content remixing strategy
- Why posting one piece of content over and over again will work in your favor
Brittany Berger is the founder of Work Brighter, a digital media company that helps productive people go beyond working smarter to a version of productivity that makes room for “unproductive” things like rest, self-care, and fun.
Show Links
Susan Cain, Author of Quiet Revolution: https://www.quietrev.com/author/susan-cain/
Work Brighter Website: https://workbrighter.co/
Work Brighter IG: https://www.instagram.com/workbrighter/
Brittany Berger Website: https://www.brittanyberger.com/
Brittany Berger IG : https://www.instagram.com/thatbberg/
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my C.O.M.P.A.S.S method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Unlock the C.O.M.P.A.S.S Method right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
How does diversity drive progress and creativity in marketing agencies?
And why will agencies who don’t address the call to action on diversity and inclusion get left behind?
In this Small But Mighty Agency episode, I connected with Mooren Bofill, Partner of 123West, an award-winning agency, to explore the topic of diversity and inclusion and what Morren is doing to champion initiatives that are not just band-aide approaches.
Tune in to gain insights on:
- Why diversity and inclusion make an agency more creative and successful
- Learning to see ethnicity as a superpower to creative work in an agency
- When doing the same things go un-noticed how does it impact diversity and inclusion
- How an award-winning agency is innovating to create more opportunities for people in underprivileged backgrounds to advertising
We also get to talking about what it was like to work in agencies as a young woman of Asian ethnicity. Yes, that was like 15 years ago. We both speak candidly about our upbringings, struggling to find our voice and learning to see our ethnicity as the superpower.
Join us in this vital conversation about re-thinking the impact of diversity and inclusion to help you build a better business.
Show Links
123 West: https://123w.ca/
Morren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobofill/
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my C.O.M.P.A.S.S method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Unlock the C.O.M.P.A.S.S Method right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
What are some of the biggest fears business owners I work with having about building a team?
It’s normal to have fears, it doesn’t make you less likely to have an effective team but understanding how these fears track and what’s true instead will help any business owner become a better leader and grow a more profitable business whether you have a team of one or many.
In this solo episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast
▪️Discover the two ways of thinking that self-sabotage business owners from having effective teams.
▪️Uncover how these fears track in reality and what's true instead.
▪️Why business owners don’t know that they are micro-managing
▪️How to have uncomfortable conversations with someone who isn’t keeping commitments
▪️Get clear on the three-pillar foundation you need so that you don’t self-sabotage
▪️How can a roadmap help you grow your business with a team more confidently?
Show Links
Audrey Joy Kwan https://www.audreyjoykwan.com/
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my C.O.M.P.A.S.S method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Unlock the C.O.M.P.A.S.S Method right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Lots of companies and corporations say they are people first but are they?
Talk is easy. Alignment of business decisions to the principles and values of people first isn’t that simple.
Meet Kate Strathmann; she thinks of her business as an incubator for building a company that gives her team the freedom and flexibility they need.
In her bookkeeping agency and consultancy practice, Kate makes decisions in alignment with the actions and values of the cooperative economy where her goal is not to maximize profits for her gain and instead have a business created to meet the human needs of her team.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
▪️What does it mean to build a counterculture business that isn’t centered around the primary purpose of profitability for the owner or the founder(s)?
▪️How she uses a matrix of compensation to create a system for her team to have more freedom and flexibility
▪️How she prioritizes quality work over the amount of time spent at work and how that inspires her team for excellence
▪️One untraditional action in her hiring process that helps her find the right fit for her culture
Kate Strathmann is a multi-disciplinary business owner and a rebellious spirit. She is the owner and director of Wanderwell, a consulting and bookkeeping practice that grows thriving small businesses while investigating new models for being in business. Wanderwell integrates financial expertise with an empathic, vision-forward approach, and leads with the belief that businesses can help create a more just world that centers people, community, and the environment.
Show Links
Wandererwell Consulting: https://wanderwellconsulting.com/
Wanderwell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_wanderwell_/
Kate Strathmann LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katestrath/
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my C.O.M.P.A.S.S method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Unlock the C.O.M.P.A.S.S Method right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Raising your rates?
Andréa Jones is the CEO of Online Drea a social media marketing agency that brings in between $70K - $80K per month with high ticket retainers.
But that wasn’t always the case.
Listen to how Andréa transitioned from a $500 retainer service by leveling up her offer and then raising her retainers that now range between $2500 to $5000 per month.
Join us in this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency to explore:
▪️When is the right time to raise your rate?
▪️How to raise your rates and communicate your new rates to legacy clients
▪️Why losing clients isn’t a bad thing when growing a business
▪️The marketing activities that tripled her revenue
▪️When is the right time to create a course and membership when you have an agency
Andréa Jones has built an online business committed to empowering businesses to utilize the power of social media in a positive and impactful way, without being overwhelmed and drained by it. With over 7 years experience in the game, Andréa hosts the acclaimed podcast Savvy Social Podcast, leads a team providing done-for-you service inside of her marketing agency that was named a Top Digital Marketing Agency in 2021, and serves over 200 students in her membership Savvy Social School.
Show Links
Andréa’s video on How To Organize Social Media Content using Airtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fw9vCKj_Do
Website: https://onlinedrea.com
IG: https://instagram.com/onlinedrea
FB: https://facebook.com/onlinedrea
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/onlinedrea
This episode is brought to you by the FREE TEAM GROWTH ROADMAP
What if you didn’t spend all day, every day, in the weeds of running your business?
More flexibility. More freedom. Less overwhelm.
You’d scale your business with more ease
Gain clarity on the strategic systems and leadership actions to create a self-managing team that can support your clients and frees up your time.
My free Team Growth Roadmap will give you my C.O.M.P.A.S.S method to get you out of the weeds of running your business and help you build a small but mighty team that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Unlock the C.O.M.P.A.S.S Method right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
When you think of having a multiple seven-figure marketing agency, you might also think to reach this revenue marker; you need to serve many clients or have a big team.
Think again.
Rita Barry of Rita Barry & Co. has built a digital marketing agency that serves 15 clients with a team of 7 people and makes multiple seven figures.
Rita keeps things simple by focusing on one core service. In this special episode, get an inside peek at:
▪️ How offering fewer services has led to more revenue and when to let go of a service offering.
▪️ What people tend to misunderstand about marketing metrics
▪️ The marketing strategy that helped her build a multiple 7 figure agency
▪️ Prioritizing client revenue over agency revenue and how that has helped transform her business
▪️ Mindset challenges to building a team that supports a 7-figure agency and how to overcome it
▪️ How to hire A+ players to her team
Rita Barry is the CEO of Rita Barry & Co, a digital marketing agency that focuses on metrics and helps its clients take control of their numbers so that they can transform their marketing campaigns and drive more sales. Rita revels in nerdy data collection and interpretation, connecting with business owners whose missions she loves, and creating true value and growth through marketing. She lives with her husband, kids, and Boston Terrier, Zoey in the gorgeous Canadian Rockies, where she can literally climb a mountain any time she needs to getaway.
Show Links
Rita Barry & Co. Website: https://ritabarry.co/
Rita Barry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritabarryco/ Rita Barry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritabarry/This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
▪️Make connections easier
▪️Share what your business offers
▪️Discover new resources
▪️And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Have you hired somebody into your business before and felt burned because it didn’t work out? Michael did, and it cost him $60,ooo. In this episode, we explore the hiring and leadership insights gained from the costly mistake and how the mistake he made 6 years ago informs his approach to hiring and building his team today.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
- How to avoid making $60,000 in hiring mistakes
- The leadership skills that are necessary for team building
- Creating KPI’s to help team members see how their salary and role can grow with the company
- The necessity of creating additional time to train people and the payoff
- Rebounding from losing over $250,000 in four days in the covid pandemic
Michael Tighe is the co-founder and managing director of SOLID, a creative design and marketing agency that launched in 2010. Mike has a long-standing success record in agencies, before co-founding SOLID he worked at Critical Mass, and started up his first design company before co-founding SOLID. Mike is now the leader of a team of 14 with 5 full-time staff and 11 contractors. His quotable, "People think you have to be this otherworldly strong person to start a business, to build a business, and that's not true, To me, what it really means is your ability to bend and not break."
Show Links
Solid Website: https://asolidsite.com/
Michael Tighe Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miketighe/
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
If you’re a service-based solopreneur bumping up against capacity, what might feel scary but necessary is to de-prioritize business-building activities like marketing and visibility for business-stabilizing activities like systems, process improvements, and building your team.
If onboarding two more clients in your business with the current structure you have now creates anxiety about servicing them with excellence, it's time to look at your operations and team.
Karen Seymour was a solopreneur who started her digital marketing business four years ago. Over the past four years she’s gone from wondering how to get her next client to now bumping into a capacity challenge. This year, she’s deciding to put her clients first by focusing on business-stabilizing activities like systems, processes and team to better serve her current and future clients.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
- What’s growing her business right now
- How to know it’s time to focus on streamlining operations and team
- What a team can really do for your business
- What’s working on social media this year
- Why networking is more important than ever
Karen Seymour is the Founder & Social Media Strategist at Karen J Seymour - Digital Marketing, LLC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She started her business in 2017, after a 10-year career as a consultant and project manager. Karen specializes in growing audiences and creating communities of loyal, raving fans and customers on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. When she’s not working, you can find Karen shopping online, brunching with friends, or spending time with her husband Geoff and 2 adorable fur babies, Roger and Eboni.
Show Links
Facebook: @kjsmarketing
Instagram: @kjs_marketing
Email: hello@karenjseymour.com
Website: https://www.karenjseymour.com/
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants, and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
While partnership in a business isn’t for everyone, it has its benefits.
Darian Kovacs started his agency from a storage closet in the start-up days and now has a thriving agency of 80 clients.
Jelly Digital Marketing and PR who serves clients like La-Z-Boy and Splash Down Waterpark went from an agency of one owner -- Darian Kovacs -- and towards his vision of an agency owned by a team by bringing in business partner, Sarah Clark.
In this special episode we speak with Darian and Sarah about what makes a partnership successful and we get an inside peak of the systems and processes that make running 80+ clients possible in their business.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
- What makes partnership in an agency successful
- What systems and processes make running 80+ clients possible
- The Standard Operating Procedure that is working for Jelly Digital Marketing and PR to help the team prioritize their work
- How Jelly Digital Marketing and PR plan and track capacity so that budget and people are balanced
- Why launching their own podcast isn’t the marketing strategy most people think it is
Show Links
Jelly Digital Marketing and PR (https://jellymarketing.ca/)
Jelly Digital Marketing and PR (https://www.instagram.com/jellymarketing/)
Marketing News Canada (https://marketingnewscanada.com/)
You Are Special, Max Lucado (https://www.amazon.ca/You-Are-Special-Max-Lucado/dp/1581342195)
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Having a full service agency was not a business that Jenn Ennis planned for when she started offering graphic design services as a freelancer back in 2014.
Jenn credits a series of small pivotal moments in her journey adding up to the business she has now.
In this episode we explore the small but mighty moments, including a lesson in pricing that set her up for success, and how one project can change your confidence and the trajectory of your business.
Jenn is the proud wife of an actor, and mom to three boys. A graphic designer by trade, and over 15 years of working in brand development and design, Jenn founded Jennis Design Co. in 2014. JDCO is a full-service creative agency specializing in practical brand strategy and cohesive design solutions for print and digital marketing. Jenn is also the co-host of the Raising Mom Podcast.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:9:58: Starting out as a boutique graphic design services and becoming a creative agency
11:25: How new hires helped her expand her scope of services
12:29: Landing her first 5 figure client and how it changed the business
15:19: How to price your services
18:08: When increasing your prices does and doesn’t make sense
21:47: Why transform a creative agency into a digital agency
26:51: What does it mean to switch to a leadership mindset
Show Links
Graphic Artist Guild Handbook
JDCO Website
JDCO Instagram
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Do you feel like delegation is a struggle and you have a hard time trusting the people you’ve hired, BUT you still have hope that you can build a team that doesn’t rely on you to function?
When that happens, you know you will regain time freedom and bandwidth.
Yes, it's possible.
Tune into this episode to hear the four things that might be holding you back from having a self managing team
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, you will
- Recognize the hazards of the self employment mindset trap to growing a business
- Gain clarity on how communicating a strategic plan helps to build a self managing team
- Learn what needs to come before your hiring process in order attract A+ people
- Hear why processes and systems are not enough to set others up for success
This week's episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast is a solo episode. From time to time, I’ll be covering questions and challenges that I see my clients experience to support business owners like you to set up their teams and operations to be strategic.
Show Links
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
How is this Leader of the Year named by Marketing News Canada making the competition irrelevant?
While most people know that consultant-type businesses don’t scale, this marketing agency owner isn’t too concerned with scaling right now, instead he’s focusing on what he calls building a defensible model.
In other words, he would rather be in an uncontested marketplace solving a unique challenge for his clients than compete in a crowded one solving the same problems as everybody else.
He’s carved out a healthy portfolio of B2B clients in travel, tech, and retail but scaling isn’t his focus right now.
Conner Galway is the President of Junction Consulting – a digital consultancy in Vancouver, BC. Junction Consulting’s recent work includes helping to create a digital learning platform for Destination BC, and training for Lululemon. Conner was most recently named Leader of the Year by Marketing News Canada for his support of Canada’s tourism industry through the COVID-19 pandemic. Conner is one of Canada’s premiere digital business educators, teaching and developing curriculum at schools like Brainstation, Simon Fraser University, and Capilano University. He shares his latest thinking in a weekly email called The Brief that’s read by leaders at many of North America’s most respected brands.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
2:41: How Conner started his first agency
4:45: Why the marketing consultant agency model over a traditional marketing agency that does implementation
8:50: The team structure he uses to run his marketing consultant agency
11:14: Why say “no” to the execution and implementation of marketing strategy and what to focus on instead
12:44: The “bias” and why it may not best serve clients best interest
14:39: What is the concept of digital from the inside out
19:15: What is Junction doing to productize and systematize a consultant-agency business
21:22: Why scaling is over-glorified and what is more important than scaling for Conner
26:41: What is and isn’t working to grow the business?
Show Links
Website: wearejunction.com
Twitter: @Conner_G
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/connergalway
The Brief weekly newsletter: brief.wearejunction.com
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
If you can set yourself up to avoid the Self Employment Trap of owning an agency in the first few years of business, the result is a business that sets you up for more time freedom.
What’s the Self Employment Trap? It’s when you the business owner become the chief of everything by day juggling all the responsibilities and firefighter by night fixing all the problems, and feeling like you don’t have a team that you can trust.
Meet Shannon, she is a consultant turned agency-owner. We explore why she started an agency, the things she would do differently if she were to start again, and what she is doing to pave her way forward to building a bigger team to get out of day to day operations
Shannon DeSouza’s boutique digital marketing agency is based in Vancouver, where she leads all initiatives on web design, social media coaching and launch campaigns. Her professional experience comes from the software industry, where she spent 10 years working alongside CEO’s. For the last 5 years, her digital marketing agency has helped clients become more profitable by gaining more visibility, driving traffic, and increasing their sales online.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
4:10 Why positioning herself as a consultant first was the right first step
8:20: Who she doesn’t want to be in her business and what was holding her back
9:32: What is the first system and process she invested in for her business
10:31: What she would do differently in her first year of business
12:43: Insights about her clients behavior before they buy and how that has changed her service offerings
15:22: What she is doing in her own social media to warm up cold audiences
24:03 The exact mindset block on money that she had to overcome to get to the next level
36:20: Why men and women are different when it comes to the selling
Show Links
Marketing 4 Moms Website
Marketing 4 Moms on LinkedIn
Marketing 4 Moms on Instagram
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
Making a pivot in business can be extreme or it can be very natural. Hear how Christine pivoted her mom blog to provide services that her advertisers didn’t know they needed until she naturally connected them to her digital marketing service-offerings.
And then faced with an opportunity to change a competitive environment. Christine shares why she evolved her service offerings again to offer CMO for hire services.
PLUS if you’ve ever thought about bringing your significant other into your team, Christine and I have a conversation about her decision to bring her husband into the business, what happened and why it ultimately didn’t work.
Christine Pilkington has been consulting in digital marketing and product development for so long she can remember a world before content marketing, social media and mobile
Her client roster includes some of the world’s biggest brands like AOL, BMW, MINI, Chevrolet, RadioShack, and Canada’s top media brands like Maclean’s, CityTV and Today’s Parent.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
3:20: From corporate job to moving across country and starting a mom blog
8:47: The anatomy of profitable service offerings for a mom blog
12:30: Adding new services to the agency and the value of the “learn it” approach
15:23: Having her husband join the business, what she learned and why it ultimately didn’t work out
19:04: How do CMO for hire services work?
21:03: Why Christine doesn’t see her company as an agency
23:03: How the definition of agency is evolving
Show Links
Vancouvermom.ca
Crisp Media
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
How do service based business owners miss opportunities for bigger plays in sales calls? You’ve been there and I’ve been there. It happens when the stakes are high and your nerves get the best of you. That’s why we’re talking about sales calls today and how to spot opportunities to close bigger deals with two ways of thinking. Hint: my favorite is: “peeling an onion”.
Allison Davis is a sales trainer and coach. With nearly 20 years of sales experience, Allison's contributions have elevated the revenue of companies like National Geographic, Time Out North America and Gabrielle Bernstein, Inc. Allison now focuses on sharing her empathic and human approach to selling with business owners who desire a fresh, modern sales process that feels organic and aligned — not stale and prescribed.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
5:41: Two common mistakes people make on sales calls
8:33: what happens when we approach sales conversations with a script
9:17: How to hit “beats” in a sales call using the ALIGN framework
10:54: Using the concept of “peeling an onion” in a sales call to get to the bigger pain points and therefore the bigger sale
15:35: Tap into the power of drilling down and sticking to one big pain point in a sales call
16:05: The difference between being good and being great in a sales call
19:14: Storytelling as a superpower and how to marry storytelling and presentation decks in sales
Show Links
ALIGN Download: https://allison-davis.com/align/
Follow Allison on LinkedIn
Follow Allison on Instagram
Clubhouse: @allison-davis
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right hereNow it’s time to build your Small But Mighty Agency
Thanks for listening to the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes or send a screenshot on Instagram while tagging me @audreyjoykwan
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Discover why identifying the missing processes for other businesses is an opportunity that service-based business owners can miss and how Joel invested his time to build a delivery process that set him and his team up as the go to experts in an uncontended niche.
Joel Klettke is the Founder of Case Study Buddy a specialized team who help B2B brands capture, share and cash in on customer success stories. He is also a sought after conversion copywriter for SaaS and B2B, having served clients like Hubspot, WP Engine and Scott’s Cheap Flights.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
10:08: What is the the value of being in a deep niche and why it’s the opposite of limiting
14:46: Using one simple marketing strategy to grow both his businesses
16:44: The power of defining and articulating his process to exponential growth
19:53: Why he thinks of his company as a powerful process masquerading as a company
20:43: How he went through “the muck” to figure out what works
30:13: The catastrophic failure of hiring 10 people into his business and why it failed
32:10: Why people who are good at their craft have a difficult time stepping into the manager role and building a team for their business
34:57: How he decided on the right partner for his business and perspectives on partnerships
Show Links:
Case Study Buddy Website
LinkedIn: Joel Klettke
Twitter: Joel Klettke
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Now it’s time to build your Small But Mighty Agency
Thanks for tuning into the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, head over to Apple Podcast to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media.
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify
If you have a sales ceiling that you keep bumping up against and can’t seem to bust through? Or maybe you’re navigating the complexities of an efficient small team? Listen in on this candid conversation about mindset blocks and team wins and struggles with Lindsay O’Donnell.
Lindsay O'Donnell is the founder and owner of Piquant Marketing, a Vancouver-based digital marketing agency that specializes in health food. After years of being an activist and bouncing around different industries, she found her calling working with small food businesses wanting to change the world.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
5:05 – Why the thinking behind “when I have extra money then I will hire” is flawed
7:43 – Learning to delegate and the mindset shift that needs to take place to go from doing to delegating
13:34 – The different stages of hiring and how Lindsay is managing her team of 12 contractors
20:56 – The relationship between hitting sales goals and building a team
26:18 – Why team members might not own the work like you the business owner wants them too
34:08 – The additional activities that Lindsay says contributed to the best sales month ever
Show Links
Piquant Marketing
Piquant Marketing on Instagram
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Now it’s time to build your Small But Mighty Agency
Thanks for tuning into the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, head over to Apple Podcast to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media.
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify
Get an inside peek into how this Award-Winning Strategy Agency of The Year is doing things differently. With 37 people (and growing), his agency has no departments and instead uses a concept called casting, to bring the right people into the right creative projects. Hear how Scot and his team reduce the fear of failure and perfectionism paralysis by actively showing clients the quantity of ideas that failed to get to the quality ones.
Scot Keith is the co-founder and CEO of 123w an idea and design agency that launched in 2013 with humble beginnings in a small garage in Vancouver. Scot has a long-standing success record in creative agencies, before co-founding 123w, he worked at Palmer Jervis DDB, Lowe Roche, and helped to start-up Zulu Alpha Kilo and his first company Kommunity.
On this episode of Small But Mighty Agency:
3:44 – How the greatest weakness in his business became the greatest opportunity for his brand positioning.
4:28 – Why are 45% of his team members creative directors?
8:32 – Why say no to having departments and how he uses the concept of casting
9:33 – The core principles of casting and going against the casting stereotypes for the most creative campaigns
12:21 – Why creativity doesn’t come out of thin air and his methodical approach to creativity
14:02 – How to consistently arrive at great work
14:33 – Why showing clients where you failed is an ingredient for success
18:33 – The value of being relentless and the impact on his business
19:55 – Why having an award winning agency parallels a winning sports team
21:56 – The most important lesson you can learn as a leader
Show Links
123w Website
Scot Keith Linkedin
Simon Sinek
Malcolm Gladwell Book "Outliers" (10,000 hours)
This episode is brought to you by the FREE Strategic Connections Roundtable
Join the free Strategic Connections Roundtable where creatives, consultants and service-based business owners can meet new business connections without the awkwardness of traditional networking. It's a curated experience where the group fit is curated so that connections and conversations thrive.
That means that every month, a strategic connections roundtable will bring together a group of service based business owners in similar stages of business who can benefit from knowing each other SO that you can
- Make connections easier
- Share what your business offers
- Discover new resources
- And have an opportunity to mastermind a challenge
Save your free seat right here
Thanks for tuning into the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, head over to Apple Podcast to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media.
Click here to listen on Apple
Click here to listen on Spotify
If you’re a creative, consultant, or agency owner who wants to know what the rollercoaster ride really looks like to grow your business from one to many — — you’re in the right place.
My guests and I pull back the curtains on the realities of growing and running agencies of different sizes and what it takes to build a team.
And if you’re anything like me, you want more than the highlight reel, you want to learn from the mistakes of others so that you can stop short of the same mistakes.
I'm your host, Audrey Joy Kwan I spend my days as a coach and consultant to multiple 6 and 7 figure agency owners. For the last 7 years, I’ve been behind the scenes helping people grow, lead and operate small but mighty agencies.
Here at the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we'll uncover what works —and equally as important— what didn't work to get these business owners to where they are today.
Ready? Set. Let's go.