Episode 500 5 Agency Leadership Lessons from 500 Podcasts with Drew McLellan

May 5, 2025

Celebrating a major milestone, the host reflects on invaluable lessons from a decade of agency insights. They emphasize agency life as a long marathon, highlighting the significance of teamwork and mental well-being. The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people shines through, along with the need for strong core values in navigating challenges. Commitment to community and leading with love are stressed as keys to business success. The heartfelt reflections offer both inspiration and practical takeaways for agency leaders.

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INSIGHT

Agency Ownership Is A Marathon

Agency ownership is a marathon requiring continual learning and adaptation to change.
Celebrating small victories and taking care of mental and physical health are key to endurance.

ADVICE

Push Through Hard Days

Push through hard days in agency leadership even when motivation wanes.
Commitment and resolve lead to gratitude and pride after tough times.

INSIGHT

Agency Is A Team Sport

Agency success depends on choosing teammates who support and learn alongside you.
Building a supportive community reduces loneliness and enhances collaboration.

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Welcome to a milestone episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan takes the mic solo to commemorate a remarkable achievement—the 500th episode of the podcast. With nearly a decade of weekly episodes under his belt, Drew reflects on the invaluable lessons that have emerged from ten years of conversations, challenges, and growth within the agency world.

In this special episode, Drew distills his journey into five key lessons learned through years of podcasting and agency consulting. From recognizing that agency life is a marathon, not a sprint, to emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team, Drew candidly addresses both the successes and the struggles that come with leading and growing a business. He offers practical wisdom on staying adaptable, celebrating milestones, and taking care of your own wellbeing—insights applicable whether you’re a new agency owner or a seasoned industry veteran.

Drew also shares why having the right support system is crucial, illustrating how learning and growing together creates a thriving agency community. He dives into the values that drive AMI, especially the commitment to leading with love, and how clear core values and business practices act as guiding principles during both calm and challenging times.

If you’re looking for inspiration, reassurance, or tangible takeaways to apply to your agency, don’t miss this landmark episode. Drew’s reflections are a heartfelt thank you to listeners, guests, and partners, as well as a rallying call for the next 500 episodes—reminding all of us that the agency journey is a whole lot better when we travel it together.

A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

- Embracing agency ownership as a marathon, not a sprint
- The critical value of ongoing learning and adaptability
- Prioritizing self-care and celebrating small wins along the way
- Building and nurturing a strong, supportive team culture
- Leading with core values—especially love and gratitude
- Using clear boundaries and best practices to guide agency decisions
- The power of community: why together is always better