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What are your goals for your agency this new year? Which new heights are you hoping to reach and what needs to change in order for you to get there? As we step into a new year, agency owners start setting ambitious targets. But achieving these goals requires more than just wishful thinking—it demands a clear understanding of three critical elements: where you want to go, who you need on your team to get there, and perhaps most importantly, how you need to evolve as a leader.

Today, we're joined by a special guest who has witnessed countless agency journeys firsthand. As a key member of the Jason Swenk team, she's become a trusted companion to our mastermind members, guiding them through their growth challenges and celebrating their victories. Her unique perspective comes from years of observing what makes agencies thrive, understanding their common hurdles, and helping create environments where both businesses and people flourish. Tune in for an engaging conversation about teamwork, growth, and the importance of a community that can help you evolve as a leader.

Stacey Green is the Director of Happiness for the Jason Swenk and Agency Mastery team. After ten years working side to side with Jason, she’s on the show for the first time to share the insights into her unique role, which encompasses client success, event planning, and keeping the team organized amidst the chaos. As she celebrates her 10-year anniversary with the team, Stacey reflects on the evolution of her position and talks about some of the changes she’s seen over the years. Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how she ensures the smooth operation of the podcast and the agency's mastermind calls.

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• 10 years of shaping agency success.

• Identifying your agency domino.

• The mastermind advantage. 

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E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service.

As Director of Happiness at the Agency Mastery and Jason Swenk Team, Stacey has spent the last decade wearing many hats. This unique title, crafted collaboratively with Jason, encompasses everything from ensuring client success and orchestrating events to keeping Jason focused :)

Through her regular interactions with mastermind members, Stacey has gained a profound insight into the agency landscape: while the industry constantly evolves, the fundamental challenges agency owners face—and their approaches to solving them—remain remarkably consistent. The industry, however, is rather mercurial in its constant change and only those willing to adapt will thrive.

The mastermind program itself reflects this philosophy of adaptation. When Stacey first joined, the membership process was simply transactional—pay the fee and you're in. However, experience taught us that cultural fit is crucial for the community's success. This realization led to the development of a more sophisticated vetting process, ensuring new members align with the group's goals, ethics, and lifestyle values. The result has been the creation of a more cohesive and effective community of agency owners who truly support each other's growth.

Towards the end of the year, Jason challenged his mastermind members to identify their critical "domino"—that singular element that, when properly aligned, sets everything else in motion for their agency's success. This exercise isn't just theoretical; it's born from real-world experience, as Jason and his team face many of the same challenges they help other agencies overcome.

Take marketing talent, for instance. Over the past two years, the team has struggled with finding and retaining the right marketing person, cycling through several mismatched hires. Yet this challenge has offered valuable lessons, helping Jason and Stacey better understand the essential qualities they need in their ideal candidate.

As we enter the new year, agency owners should approach their goal-setting with three crucial questions: Where do you want your agency to go? Who do you need to hire to get there? And perhaps most importantly, who do you need to become as a leader? This final question is critical because an agency can only grow as far as its leader's capabilities. Personal growth isn't just beneficial—it's essential for pushing your agency to new heights.

While one-on-one coaching can be valuable, many business owners eventually hit a ceiling in their growth—a point where individual guidance no longer provides the momentum needed to reach new heights. This is why Jason shifted away from traditional one-on-one coaching toward the more dynamic approach of mastermind groups.

Unlike the linear relationship between coach and client, masterminds create an ecosystem of shared experiences and diverse perspectives. Agency owners learn not just from a single mentor, but from peers who are actively tackling similar challenges from different angles. This multiplicity of viewpoints often reveals solutions and opportunities that might never surface in traditional coaching.

As we enter the new year, consider how you're approaching your agency's growth. If past coaching experiences haven't delivered the results you sought, a mastermind group might offer the fresh perspective you need. As Stacey emphasizes, what brought your agency to its current level won't necessarily propel it to the next. Sometimes, the key to breaking through plateaus lies in embracing new approaches to learning and growth. Success in the agency landscape demands constant evolution and the willingness to learn from others.

Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.