Creative Outcomes

In this episode of the Creative Outcomes podcast, host Craig Baldwin speaks with Garrett, Spencer, and Tucker, the partners behind Alright Studio. They share their journey from freelancers to running a 10-person creative agency in Brooklyn, discussing the evolution of their business model, their approach to team building, financial challenges, and how they've learned to trust their intuition while building something meaningful. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - 01:10 - Introduction to the podcast and Alright Studio partners 01:10 - 06:00 - The genesis of Alright Studio and partnership formation 06:00 - 10:30 - Current state of Alright Studio and their service offerings 10:30 - 14:30 - What makes Alright distinctive and their unique approach 14:30 - 19:00 - Financial management challenges and finding upsource 19:00 - 26:45 - How accounting partnership changed their business approach 26:45 - 33:40 - Team growth, studio culture, and organizational philosophy 33:40 - 41:00 - Business ownership challenges and finding validation 41:00 - 48:30 - Long-term perspective, future outlook, and closing thoughts For more, contact us: https://www.upsourcedaccounting.com/contact-us?utm_campaign=Alright_Podcast

🔍 M&A Secrets: 10 Surprising Truths from Two-Time Sellers From shocking valuation differences to the truth about strategic acquisitions, discover what really happens when selling your business. Key revelations: - Valuations aren't as scientific as you think - Even big companies are figuring it out as they go - Your negotiating power is stronger than you realize - How net working capital can shift your final payout - The reality of working under new ownership Whether you're considering selling your business or just curious about M&A, this candid discussion pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind closed doors. Learn from those who've been through it twice! Want help navigating your M&A journey? Connect with our experienced team at Upsourced. https://www.upsourcedaccounting.com/contact-us?utm_campaign=M&A_Podcast

Learn the 5 financial metrics your agency should be tracking to unlock profitable growth. In this session with Upsourced's Ryan Watson and Agency Builders' Logan Lyles, you'll learn: - The 5 financial metrics successful agencies get right (from Upsourced’s analysis of dozens of agency clients) - The Hierarchy of Financial Needs to identify the right financial metric to prioritize at your agency's current stage - The 3-part framework known as the Margin Triangle (key to getting a handle on your agency’s gross margin) If you have questions, please contact us for more: https://www.upsourcedaccounting.com/contact-us?utm_campaign=ABWebinar

Join us in this episode of Creative Outcomes as Natalie from Fifth Third Bank's Provide division breaks down everything you need to know about SBA loans. In this must-watch podcast, discover: ✅ When to consider an SBA loan ✅ Key qualification requirements ✅ How to use SBA loans for business growth ✅ Acquisition financing strategies ✅ Avoiding common loan application mistakes Perfect for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone looking to understand business financing options! For more, contact us: https://www.upsourcedaccounting.com/contact-us?utm_campaign=SBALoanPodcast TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - When to Consider an SBA Loan 2:20 - Documentation Requirements for SBA Loans 3:30 - Types of SBA Loan Use Cases 5:15 - SBA Loans: Strategic Growth vs Immediate Cash Needs 6:40 - SBA Loan Qualification Criteria 8:00 - Risks and Personal Guarantees in SBA Lending 9:25 - Handling EIDL Loan Repayment Challenges 12:15 - What to Avoid with SBA Loans 13:40 - SBA Loans for Business Acquisition 15:35 - SBA Loan Benefits Compared to Conventional Financing 17:05 - Steps to Explore SBA Loan Options 19:05 - Current Lending and M&A Market Trends 21:50 - Importance of Banker Relationships 23:50 - Closing Remarks

In this episode, Anthony Armendariz, co-founder of Funsize, shares: - The origin story of Funsize - Inside look at Method Week - their innovative quarterly program bringing teams together - How they've built a lasting design agency while balancing family business dynamics - Their evolution from a 4-day workweek to a thriving two-division studio - The power of reinvention and authentic company culture in agency life - Anthony's vision for the future of design consulting and creative workPerfect for agency owners, designers, and anyone interested in building sustainable creative businesses that put people first! For more, contact us: https://www.upsourcedaccounting.com/contact-us?utm_campaign=FunsizePodcast TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction & Funsize Overview 3:42 - Working with Spouse/Family Business 6:31 - Previous Agency Experience & Lessons Learned 9:37 - Leadership Role & Company Culture 15:48 - Method Week Deep Dive 24:42 - Future Vision & Dreams for Funsize

In this episode, former agency CEO and current consultant Chris DuBois shares his insights on developing the leadership skills needed to build high-performing, motivated teams. Drawing from his experiences transitioning from an operator role to a consultancy, Chris discusses strategies for hiring the right people, managing through challenges, and fostering a dynamic agency culture that employees are excited to be a part of. Learn how to become the type of leader your team wants to follow. For more, contact us: https://www.upsourcedaccounting.com/contact-us?utm_campaign=ChrisPodcast

In this episode, Craig Baldwin interviews Karl Sakas, agency advisor and author of "Work Less, Earn More". Karl shares insights on helping agency owners find balance, delegate effectively, and increase profitability. Key topics include: - The inspiration behind Karl's new book - Frameworks for reducing owner involvement - Balancing work reduction with agency growth - Strategies for high-value time management - Overcoming challenges in delegating responsibilities - Using the "advanced retrospective" tool for goal-setting Learn practical advice for optimizing your agency and achieving both personal and professional success. Whether you're looking to scale, sell, or simply enjoy running your agency more, this episode offers valuable takeaways for creative business owners. Book: Work Less, Earn More: How to Escape the Daily Grind of Agency Ownership (https://sakasandcompany.com/lp/work-less-earn-more-book/?utm_campaign=CreativeOutcomes) Resources: Free agency advice from Karl Sakas (https://sakasandcompany.com/free-resources-for-agencies/?utm_campaign=CreativeOutcomes) Free Template: Visualizing your ideal agency with an Advance Retrospective (https://sakasandcompany.com/using-advance-retrospectives/?utm_campaign=CreativeOutcomes) LinkedIn: Connect with Karl Sakas on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlsakas/)

Proven tips to master your financial and RevGen strategies at each stage of the agency life cycle. Download The Agency Growth Roadmap: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11KeDnbqa9Z3-pWc37V0zlD--eVEYZ0vL/view?usp=drive_link In this insightful conversation, we break down the four key stages of agency growth: - Creating the Business (0-$1M) - Building the Business ($1M-$3M) - Growing the Business ($3M+) - Scaling the Business ($10M+) We dive deep into the challenges and opportunities at each stage, covering topics like: - Overcoming the "cobbler's children have no shoes" problem - Balancing short-term revenue needs with long-term growth - The importance of time tracking and profitability analysis - Developing repeatable revenue generation systems - Creating organizational structures that support growth - Professionalizing sales and marketing as you scale Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your agency to the next level, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies for success. For more, contact us: https://www.upsourcedaccounting.com/contact-us?utm_campaign=Agency-Growth-Roadmap-Podcast

This episode of Creative Outcomes tackles the important topic of late accounts receivable (AR) for creative agencies. Ryan Watson and Ashley Vaughn dive deep into strategies for preventing and collecting late payments from clients. They discuss the importance of having clear payment policies and upfront communication with clients about AR processes. Tune in to learn more! For more, contact us: https://www.upsourcedaccounting.com/contact-us?utm_campaign=Aged-AR

Learn how to find and get recurring revenue for your creative agency or services business. Craig Baldwin from Upsourced joins to discuss: 📈 The benefits of recurring revenue like predictability, higher valuations, and improved financial health 🤺 Balancing project-based "boom" revenue with recurring "bus" revenue 💰 Specific ways to add recurring revenue streams like support/maintenance, package deals, staff augmentation, and retaining AOR status ⚖️ The impact recurring revenue has on M&A valuations 🎯 Evaluating your services and capabilities to uncover recurring revenue opportunities 💭 Why there's no silver bullet - it takes experimentation to find the right recurring model Recurring revenue reduces risk and provides stability for agencies and creative services firms. Get practical tips on adding more predictable revenue to your business.