Small But Mighty Agency: Win clients and build better networks for marketing and consulting agencies

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 LinksDelivery system blueprintHey 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-ep66Podcast 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 LinksWebsite: https://ramsayinnovations.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmorrisramsayinnovations/“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based businessHow 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/roadmapHey 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-ep65Podcast 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 LinksEp. 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 oneGet the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep64Podcast 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 businessHow 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/roadmapHey 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-ep63Podcast 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 LinksWebsite: 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 businessHow 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/roadmapHey 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-ep62Podcast 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 LinksWebsite: bartlettbrands.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bartlett-brands/about/Instagram: instagram.com/bartlettbrands/“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based businessHow 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/roadmapHey 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-ep61Podcast 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 businessHow 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/roadmapHey 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-ep60Podcast 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 LinksWebsite: 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 businessHow 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/roadmapHey 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-ep59Podcast 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 LinksWebsite: https://talkfastsocial.com/Instagram: @talkfastsocial“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based businessHow 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/roadmapHey 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-ep58Podcast 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 Linksthreegirlsmedia.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 businessHow 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/roadmapHey 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-ep57Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis