Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1318: The "Not Afraid to Lose" Philosophy That Built a 20+ Person Agency w/ Peter Williams
Peter Williams is the definition of a multi-talented entrepreneur, seamlessly blending raw creativity with razor-sharp business strategy. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on his journey of building Designerds, a creative agency that has served global giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Samsung for over a decade. Peter reveals the "grit and hard work" required in the early days, the mindset shift needed to transition from a hands-on creative to a visionary CEO, and the strategic thinking that sets his agency apart from the competition. This episode is a masterclass for any founder looking to scale a service-based business, build an elite team, and find the courage to take calculated risks that lead to massive growth. Peter’s story will inspire you to stop wishing, start doing, and build a business that is not only successful but deeply meaningful.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 🚀 How to strategically differentiate your agency by solving the real problem, not just fulfilling the client's initial request.
- 🤝 The power of embedding yourself with clients to build unshakable trust and become a true extension of their team (hear his wild iMacs at Samsung story!).
- 📈 The "level up" framework for constantly expanding your skills to meet new client demands and stay ahead of the curve.
- 🧠 How to successfully transition from a hands-on practitioner to a strategic CEO focused on the financial health of the business and empowering your team.
- 💥 The "not afraid to lose" philosophy that fuels bold, game-changing decisions like buying out business partners and launching entirely new ventures.
- ⚙️ Actionable strategies for managing multiple businesses without burning out by cycling projects and carving out dedicated time for each venture.
- 💡 How to transform your own everyday frustrations into innovative, patent-pending products, just like Peter did with his second company, Luna Park Creative.
📝 About Peter Williams
Peter Williams is the founder and CEO of two successful companies: Designerds, a San Francisco-based creative agency now in its 11th year, and Luna Park Creative, a product innovation studio. With Designerds, he has led his global team to deliver world-class design for brands like Amazon, Walmart, and Samsung by embedding with in-house teams to create meaningful work. As a creative who has mastered the art of business, Peter brings a unique perspective on scaling a service business, taking calculated risks, and turning personal passion projects into profitable ventures.
🎯 Peter’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Whatever you pursue, do it from a place of meaning for yourself. It's hard work to be an entrepreneur... it should be rewarding. Nobody should start a business or continue to work in a business where it's just taking you down. It should be bringing you up."
📢 Memorable Quotes
- "I'm gonna stop wishing and start doing, because that list will just be unfulfilled forever if I don't start taking action.” – Peter Williams
- “You have to have some level of interest in seeing how far you can push your own abilities and your own expertise.” – Peter Williams
- "It's not like one day you're the CEO. It happens over time." – Peter Williams
🔗 Links & Resources