155. The Brutal Truth About Building a Creative Agency in NYC ft. Shortstache & Chelstache

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May 7, 2025

Garrett King, known as Shortstache, and Chelsea Moon are the creative duo behind Stache.Haus, a boutique agency in New York. They share their journey of leaving LA to build a business in one of the toughest markets, facing sleepless nights and financial strains. The couple discusses the emotional challenges of transitioning to freelancing and the importance of authenticity in client relations. They also highlight the balance between creativity and structure, emphasizing the need for transparent budgeting and nurturing community through creativity.

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ANECDOTE

Launching Agency Amidst Major Life Changes

Garrett and Chelsea moved from LA to NYC, quitting secure jobs and launching an agency amidst huge life changes like planning a wedding.
They experienced loneliness, brutal winter, and emotional shock but fought through adversity together.

INSIGHT

Differentiation Through Combined Strengths

Stash.Haus arose as an evolution of Garrett's personal brand, not just a production house.
Their unique dynamic as a husband-wife, male-female team in NYC sets them apart with combined skills in production, brand strategy, and community building.

ADVICE

Sprinkle Relief in Constant Grind

Sprinkle moments of relief like social outings or community events to handle the constant grind.
Accept that building a business means non-stop work but prioritize small breaks for sanity.

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