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An Agency Story

Russel Dubree

171 episodes

4 days ago

What does it really take to build a large agency without chaos, investors, or burning out your team? In this episode, Alex Melen, Co-Founder of SmartSites, shares how starting a business at 13 shaped his long-term mindset and how disciplined measurement and intentional growth decisions helped SmartSites become a 450-person agency. Key Takeaways Why agency growth helps the talent gameHow accurate measurement protects your businessHow writing a book sharpens your thoughtsWant a more clarity and...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for An Agency Story is the property of Russel Dubree and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

What does it really take to build a large agency without chaos, investors, or burning out your team? In this episode, Alex Melen, Co-Founder of SmartSites, shares how starting a business at 13 shaped his long-term mindset and how disciplined measurement and intentional growth decisions helped SmartSites become a 450-person agency. Key Takeaways Why agency growth helps the talent gameHow accurate measurement protects your businessHow writing a book sharpens your thoughtsWant a more clarity and...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/171)

An Agency Story

A 13-Year-Old Founder Builds a 450-Person Agency - Smart Sites

What does it really take to build a large agency without chaos, investors, or burning out your team? In this episode, Alex Melen, Co-Founder of SmartSites, shares how starting a business at 13 shaped his long-term mindset and how disciplined measurement and intentional growth decisions helped SmartSites become a 450-person agency. Key Takeaways Why agency growth helps the talent gameHow accurate measurement protects your businessHow writing a book sharpens your thoughtsWant a more clarity and...

2 days ago

42 minutes

An Agency Story

Finding the Unexpected Tip of the Spear - North Street

In this episode, Russel sits down with Tom Conlin of North Street to unpack how an unexpectedly narrow offer became a mechanism for opening doors, reducing stress, and creating better opportunities across the business. Key Takeaways How a narrowly defined offer can become a powerful door-opener for bigger workWhat it really means to “see the machinery of the business” and why it changes decision-makingThe difference between being busy and being profitableHow AI can increase leverage without d...

1 week ago

43 minutes

An Agency Story

Why Stepping Away is a Power Move - Digital HQ

Company: Digital HQ Guest: Hillary Applegate Year Started: 2020 Employees: 11-25 What if the key to improving your agency is stepping away from your business? In this conversation, Hillary Applegate, founder of Digital HQ, shares how distance reshaped her leadership, clarified what actually matters, and strengthened the way her team operates. Listeners will walk away with a fresh perspective on agency ownership, boundaries, and letting go. Key Takeaways Why stepping away can reveal blind spot...

2 weeks ago

39 minutes

An Agency Story

The Untapped Differentiator: Your Story - An Agency Story

Most agency owners underestimate the most powerful differentiator they have, their personal story. In this episode, Russel breaks down why your authentic “why” matters and how sharing it can deepen connection with your team, attract the right clients, and clarify your purpose. Key Takeaways Why your personal story is the strongest positioning tool you’re not usingHow authenticity creates instant connection and builds trust with your team and clientsThe hidden reasons owners avoid sharing thei...

3 weeks ago

18 minutes

An Agency Story

Rule Breaking and Tear Making: A Culture Transformation - Scott Social

What does it take to turn a disconnected, overwhelmed team into a unified, creative powerhouse? In this episode, Chelsea Flower, Founder of Scott Social, shares the pivotal mindset shifts, leadership breakthroughs, and culture changes that doubled her agency’s clients and transformed her team from stressed and siloed to connected and thriving. Key Takeaways Why investing time, not just money, into your team leads to exponential transformationHow clarity reduces stress, boosts creativity, and ...

1 month ago

45 minutes

An Agency Story

A Love Story, a Record Store, and an Agency - Neon Moth

What happens when a laid-off marketer, a former music teacher, and a chance meeting lead to a design and web agency? In this episode, Jason and Lisa Cerezo share how Neon Moth was built through partnership, necessity, and a deep commitment to serving small businesses well. You’ll hear how they grew from $300 websites to a dependable agency built on clarity, communication, and care. Key Takeaways Their first client that helped them build dependable recurring revenueHow clear content, honest ex...

1 month ago

38 minutes

An Agency Story

The Discipline of Doing Hard Things - My1Brand

Doing hard things isn’t optional in entrepreneurship, it’s the requirement. In this episode, Benjamin Behrooz, Founder of My1Brand, reveals why discomfort is the doorway to better leadership, stronger teams, and real creative excellence. You’ll hear how hardship shaped his career, how he builds empowered teams, and why great agencies must invest in doing things the right way instead of the easy way. Key Takeaways Why embracing difficulty is essential to building long-term successThe min...

1 month ago

32 minutes

An Agency Story

A Month in Manhattan - White Canvas & Loop3

What happens when you pack a bag, buy a ticket, and bet everything on yourself? In this episode, Nico Pisani, founder of White Canvas and Loop3, shares how one bold month in New York transformed his mindset, business, and approach to risk. From humble beginnings in Argentina to building two successful agencies, Nico’s story is a testament to action over perfection and the lessons that only failure and courage can teach. Key Takeaways Why sometimes taking action without a plan is the fas...

1 month ago

44 minutes

An Agency Story

When Trauma Becomes Direction - RicketyRoo

Some stories start with ambition, this one starts with a crash. In this episode, Blake Denman, founder of RicketyRoo, shares how a near-fatal accident and a long recovery reshaped his perspective on business, leadership, and life. Key Takeaways How trauma can transform the way you lead and make decisionsThe “User Guide” system RicketyRoo uses to strengthen remote cultureWhy self-awareness and communication beat rigid policies The surprising role anxiety plays in focus and performan...

1 month ago

38 minutes

An Agency Story

Building Trust Across Borders - Nopio

What happens when a lifelong developer decides to step out from behind the code and build something of his own? In this episode, Piotr Nowak, founder of Nopio, shares his journey from being fired from a comfortable job to creating an international digital agency based in Poland. He reveals how embracing simplicity, culture, and clear purpose helped him transform complex projects into meaningful, lasting partnerships. Key Takeaways Why getting himself fired became the best catalyst for Piotr’s...

2 months ago

29 minutes

An Agency Story

The Entrepreneur Who Tested Rejection Like a Workout - X Agency

Most people avoid embarrassment and failure, Darwin Liu trained for it. In this episode, he reveals how doing the uncomfortable on purpose helped him build a multimillion-dollar agency and stay sharp in an industry that's rapidly changing. You'll hear the mindset behind pushing limits, hiring struggles, and why boredom can be a sign of progress. Inside this Episode: Why getting comfortable with embarrassment builds real confidenceThe difference between being an entrepreneur and running a comp...

2 months ago

39 minutes

An Agency Story

When Survival Stops and Vision Starts - Dapper Codes

Most agency owners don’t realize how long they’ve been operating in survival mode, it becomes default. In this episode, Kelly Gordon of Dapper Codes shares what it really took to move from reacting to everything to leading with intention. You’ll hear the turning points, the mindset shifts, and the cost of staying in “hard mode” too long. Key Takeaways The unseen impact of staying in survival modeWhy hard things take much longer than we expectHow positioning evolves over time, not overnightThe...

2 months ago

41 minutes

An Agency Story

Learn Once, Solve Forever - Norbella

Running an agency means solving problems every day, but what if one lesson could make most of them easier? In this episode, Stephanie Norris of Norbella shares how mastering tough conversations, focusing on people, and tackling root challenges have shaped her 16-year journey in business. Key Takeaways Why learning to have difficult conversations solves more problems than any process or toolThe pursuit of happy people and great workHow focusing on team growth and culture leads to stronger clie...

2 months ago

43 minutes

An Agency Story

When Financial Clarity Became a Competitive Edge - Visible Logic

Financial Clarity and the Creative Journey with Emily Brackett In this episode Emily Brackett, founder of Visible Logic and Branding Compass, shares how a pivotal moment reshaped the way she runs her business. From building a branding agency rooted in clarity to developing a software tool that helps businesses define their message, Emily’s story is a reminder of adhering to the fundamentals of business. Inside this episode: Why understanding financials is essential for every agency owne...

3 months ago

34 minutes

An Agency Story

Do Clients Trust Your Team… Or Just You? - Comet Fuel

In this episode, Jarod Spiewak, founder of Comet Fuel, shares his unconventional journey, the pivotal shifts in his business model, and the hard-earned lessons behind building a system of value. Key Takeaways Why saying “yes” strategically can unlock bigger client opportunitiesEnsuring you have R&D happening in your businessThe importance of tracking customer acquisition cost (CAC) for long-term growthDetails for an agency planning workshop event November 10th and 11th 2025.

3 months ago

45 minutes

An Agency Story

Teen Agency Founder Turned Burrito Boss - Inovat

What happens when a 14-year-old builds an agency and later finds himself running a burrito shop on the side? In this episode, Doug Logan of Inovat shares his journey from teenage entrepreneur to seasoned agency owner, offering candid lessons on leadership, letting go, and staying in love with the work. Key Takeaways Why imposter syndrome never fully disappears and how to manage itThe hidden cost of holding on to too many hats as a founderGaining leverage in new business conversationsHow in th...

3 months ago

46 minutes

An Agency Story

How a GED Grad Out-Earned His Day Job - Enleaf

Adam Chronister took his time on his path to entrepreneurship. Struggling in school and unsure of his future, he took the long road—gaining experience, building a side hustle, and creating financial runway before finally making the leap. In this episode, Adam shares how that deliberate approach shaped the ethos of Enleaf, where focusing on the business, not just the work, became the foundation for growth and fulfillment. Key Takeaways Why struggling in school gave Adam a different perspecti...

3 months ago

36 minutes

An Agency Story

His Best Decision Was Leaving Everything Behind - Bytes.co

What happens when you walk away from security and take the leap into the unknown? In this episode, Jason Di Vece, Co-Founder of Bytes.co, shares how selling everything to move abroad reshaped his mindset and set him on the path to building a 25-person agency serving hundreds of clients. Key Takeaways The risky move that built lasting confidence and shaped Jason’s entrepreneurial journeyWhy hiring mistakes can cost yearsHard decisions every agency leader must face (and why the hardest on...

4 months ago

42 minutes

An Agency Story

Would Your Agency Survive the School Bus Test? - Scratch Media + Marketing

What happens when an agency depends too much on its founder? In this episode, Lora Kratchounova, Founder of Scratch Marketing and Media, shares how she built a 40-person B2B tech agency by shifting from founder-dependence to team empowerment. From mastering positioning to embracing deep tech and climate tech, Lora’s story highlights an ever present learning mindset and team focused leadership. Key Takeaways The “school bus test” what is it and why it mattersThe role of positioning as the most...

4 months ago

28 minutes

An Agency Story

When Playing Defense Wins the Game - Red Egg Marketing

Growing an agency doesn’t always come from chasing the newest trends, it often comes from mastering the basics. In this episode, Ryan Ellis, Founder of Red Egg Marketing, shares how focusing on client relationships, intentional growth, and sticking to fundamentals helped him build a business that lasts. Key Takeaways How low expenses gave Ryan the freedom to experiment and gain experienceWhy retention and consistency matter more than chasing quick winsThe overlooked value of knowi...

4 months ago

31 minutes