When I helped sell and exit a niche agency in the orthodontic space, one thing became crystal clear: we didn’t grow by chasing everything. We grew by staying focused, building trust, and saying no to the wrong opportunities — even when it felt risky. It wasn’t loud, but it was strategic, and it worked. And that approach? It’s not just relevant — it’s exactly what works in today’s skeptical market. Clients are more cautious. Referral partners are more selective. And hustle-heavy growth tactics? T...
Apr 02, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Presenting with confidence and clarity isn’t just about public speaking—it’s about winning more business. Whether you’re pitching to a potential client or leading a workshop, your ability to deliver a compelling presentation can make or break the deal. In this episode, Laurie-Ann Murabito, an award-winning professional speaker, shares how agencies can craft client presentations that captivate, establish authority, and drive results. She breaks down a simple yet powerful presentation framework, h...
Mar 19, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 123
If you've ever caught yourself thinking, “My team should just know what to do” or “Why can’t my team read my mind?” —this episode is for you. The truth is, unspoken expectations lead to missed deadlines, miscommunication, and frustration on all sides. But there’s a better way to make your expectations so crystal clear that your team knows exactly what needs to be done—without the guesswork? Today, I’m joined by Kendra Johnson, leadership development specialist and founder of The Venned Grou...
Mar 05, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Transitioning from a creative doer to an agency owner is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. Many creatives struggle with letting go of control, building a team, and shifting from doing the work to leading the business. If you feel stretched thin trying to manage everything, this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by Kait Day, Founder of Nowadays Studio, who shares her journey from being a burned-out freelancer to leading a thriving five-person agency. She opens up about the challenges ...
Feb 19, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 121
If you’ve ever had a prospect say, “I want to work with you, but I’m not ready for a full retainer,” you might be leaving money on the table. VIP days offer a high-impact way to deliver results quickly—without the commitment of a long-term engagement. But are they the right fit for your agency? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Mitchell, founder of Wandermint Creative, a YouTube marketing and video coaching agency. Melissa has mastered the VIP day model and shares how she integrated it in...
Feb 05, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Trust-equity over track record? It's happening. Here's why... Did you know that 70% of the decision about your agency is made before you even showcase your results? Last week, I spoke with an agency owner who lost a pitch to a competitor charging 20% more - despite having less experience and a smaller track record. His response? "They somehow seemed like the safer choice." In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we unpack why great work alone isn't winnin...
Jan 22, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Are You Missing Out On 9 Hidden Types of Agency Partnerships? Most agency owners know about basic referral partnerships. But what if I told you there are NINE different types of strategic partnerships that could transform your agency's growth? (And I bet you're only using one of them.) In this special episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on partnership strategies that are quietly generating results for agencies. These aren't your typical "let's trade referrals"...
Jan 08, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 118
What trends will shape the agency landscape in 2025? As we head into 2025, it’s clear the agency world isn’t slowing down—it’s evolving faster than ever. In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast , I’m diving into three game-changing trends every agency owner needs to know to stay ahead and plan smart for the year ahead. Let’s be real: AI is everywhere right now, and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed its rapid rise. But here’s the thing—it’s not just ab...
Dec 18, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Why are agency owners so hesitant to niche even when niching is hailed as the secret to agency success? Let’s be real—deciding to niche can feel daunting. Fear of losing clients, choosing the wrong niche, or limiting your creativity might be holding you back. In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, I’m breaking down the top reasons agency owners resist niching (as shared by a network of agency owner friends, colleagues and clients) and how to overcome those fears to build a thriv...
Dec 04, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 116
How many of your network connections are sending you high-quality referrals? Take a moment to think about it. If your answer is "not enough," you’re not alone. Many agency owners believe that growing the size of their network is the key to getting more referrals. But here’s the truth—it’s not about how many people you know; it’s about how well you know them and, just as importantly, how well they know you. Today, we’re breaking down a big misconception in the agency world: the belief t...
Nov 20, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 115
What’s the secret to building a high-caliber, close-knit team as your agency grows? Growing an agency isn’t just about increasing numbers; it’s about expanding in ways that keep your team engaged, connected, and performing at their best. In this episode, we dive into building a strong, scalable culture that keeps your team driven and purpose-focused. I’m joined by Victoria Gray, COO of Conversion Digital, a boutique agency that’s doubled in size under her leadership while maintaining a high-perf...
Nov 06, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 114
If you're wondering how to boost team morale and client satisfaction while giving your team the gift of time, this episode is for you. Revenue goals are important for agency owners, but so is achieving a sustainable work-life balance. And one concept that's been making waves in the agency space is the four-day workweek. While we've touched on this topic before, today, we’re getting into details with actionable insight you can put into practice even if you’re not fully ready for th...
Oct 23, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Has your agency hit a plateau? Maybe you're attracting the wrong clients or feeling like your services aren’t being valued as much as they should be. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to rethink your positioning. In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency , we’re diving into how repositioning your agency can help you: Break out of a growth plateau Attract bigger, higher-paying clients who truly value your expertise Gain clarity on your niche and stand out in a crowded market Build a...
Oct 09, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Are you a small agency owner wondering how to really stand out? If you've been feeling the pressure of competition and questioning how to unlock new growth opportunities, you're in the right place. In today's episode, I’m unpacking a strategy to transform how you approach growth. The future of small agencies is in building networks, not silos. Specialization and collaborative ecosystems are already opening doors to new opportunities that many small agencies might have thought were...
Sep 25, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 111
What if you could cut your task from hours to minutes—wouldn’t that change how your agency operates? Imagine if what took you 14 hours now takes you 2 hours, or what took you 4 hours now takes 35 minutes? For Matt Rouse, co-owner of Hook SEO, those numbers reflect the reality of how AI is raising his agency's productivity. In this episode, Matt shares how AI has drastically increased productivity at his agency, helped him streamline operations, enhanced client services, and even developed n...
Sep 11, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Has the thought of franchising your business ever crossed your mind? Whether your answer is a “yes” or “no,” this episode will get you thinking about what is possible. If you want to leverage your business and explore new growth avenues, building a marketing franchise is an option. But as you might guess, it’s not just about having a great business idea—it’s about having proven systems and processes that can scale. So, what does it take to transform an agency into a successful franchise? In toda...
Aug 28, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 109
What is the number one thing that stops agency owners from specializing in a niche? Fear. It’s the fear that niching down will result in fewer clients. But the reality is quite the opposite. I see niche agencies thrive every day, and their success stories speak volumes about the power of specialization. In today’s episode, Amanda Lee Smith shares the transformative process that led her to a niche and the defining moments that made her go all in. Her agency has worked with brands like Adidas, Arc...
Aug 14, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 108
What’s working in marketing this quarter to drive sales? First, there is no one-size-fits-all to anything. Finding what works for your business is an exercise in understanding your ideal buyers, but the opportunity to see and hear what works for others can help you optimize or streamline what works for you. That’s why we’ve invited three friends who are marketing specialists in their specific niches to share what is working for them and their clients. You’ll hear three powerful insights that are...
Jul 31, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 107
What does a successful pivot into new services look like for an agency? It’s not always smooth sailing! In our latest episode, we chat with Ted Lau about how he identified the need for a more profitable and stable service niche during a difficult business partner break-up. By prioritizing client feedback, Ted transitioned his business from a creative services provider to a lead-generation digital marketing agency. He leaned into four keys for growing the agency and navigating the pivot: Aligning...
Jul 17, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Your account managers are key to client retention. Excellent client account management leads to happy clients, and when clients are happy, they don’t churn. My first role inside agencies was in Account Management, and I know what it takes to be a great account manager and lead account managers because I lived it for years. When you walk in the shoes, you know the size of those shoes. My guest today, Taylor McMaster, has done exactly that, too. Today, she owns a fractional Account Management agen...
Jul 03, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 105
If the thought of a 4 day work week has crossed your mind, my guess is that you’ve gone back and forth thinking about it. Implementing a four-day workweek takes thought and consideration – so in today’s episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast – I bring along a few friends who have implemented four-day work weeks. You’ll get four different perspectives and four unique insights on this week's episode. This summer, we’re doing something different on the podcast by bringing you a few a-s...
Jun 19, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 104
To niche or not to niche? It’s a very relevant question to agency owners. As I started to think that the topic of niching was overdone, I started to see a pattern in conversations with agency owners pop up. Standing out is challenging because agencies compete for general attention instead of being specific. So, instead of creating better opportunities for niche clients to find you, you end up chasing and convincing clients – it takes much more work. In this week's podcast episode, I explore...
Jun 05, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 103
How do you know if a referral network is right for you? Imagine having a network that’s not just another mastermind or course but a community focused on helping you grow through strategic collaborations and consistent referrals. Picture this: curated connections, referral pods, and collaboration events tailored to extend your reach and grow your business. At Agency Together, we’ve created a purposeful community where the intent is crystal clear: generating strategic collaborations and referrals ...
May 29, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Want more referrals and clients for your agency? Getting consistent referrals doesn't have to be a mystery. If you’ve been following our “How to Get More Referrals” series, you’re already on the path to leveraging a referral strategy that brings in consistent clients. Referrals aren’t just about asking for business—they're about creating a culture and ecosystem that naturally encourages and rewards the sharing of opportunities. Remember, 84% of B2B decision-makers start the buying proc...
May 22, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 101
How effectively are you leveraging referrals to get more clients? Hubspot Sales Trend Report emphasized the importance of referrals, especially when buyers are more cautious about spending money. Referrals are the top way to receive high-quality leads and shorten the sales cycle because it’s worth more in trust than a cold lead or sales rep. In part two of this mini-series on how to get more referrals, I unpack the top four referral sources every agency owner should know and include in their mar...
May 15, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 100
he podcast, I’ll share: Five different types of referrals your business can leverage Actionable insights on optimizing your referral process Breakfree from the challenges of generating more referrals effectively Where to begin? Start with the first episode, where we explore why top agencies thrive with referral programs and why yours should too. Don't miss out on transforming how you think about referrals. Show Links Connect with Audrey on Linkedin Join the Agency Together waitlist I’m open...
May 08, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Are you feeling overly involved in the day-to-day tasks of your business? If removing yourself from certain day-to-day processes or tasks isn’t getting easier, you might have overlooked some key processes. In this episode, we share the concept of “invisible work.” Invisible work is the critical yet often overlooked processes that you might be handling because you don’t know how to get it off your plate. Your invisible work wastes valuable time and keeps you working in your business instead of on...
May 01, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Do you find yourself stepping back into the day-to-day of your business? You’re not alone. What if I told you that you might be creating more work for yourself by inserting yourself back into projects and that there is a better way? I get it. You’re an agency owner who fears that standards won’t be met without your direct involvement, clients will be unhappy, and relationships will deteriorate. It’s a common bottleneck, and in this episode, we’ll explore how to effectively stop jumping back in a...
Apr 24, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 97
How does the desire for quick success cloud long-term strategic thinking? It can appear as shiny distractions or band-aide approaches instead of dealing with the root cause. Why does this happen? It's a case of not seeing the forest from the trees because you’re standing among the trees. Ultimately, it makes your to-do list longer and your life harder as you go one step forward and two steps back. How can you tell if your pursuit of quick success obscures your strategic vision? Sometimes, i...
Apr 17, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 96
Is it a great idea or a shiny distraction for your business? How do you decide?” I’ve seen business owners go all in on distractions at the expense of what is working in the business and derail their team because the shiny object syndrome is real. The one thing that entrepreneurs don’t lack is ideas and the tendency to be quick starts. Raise your hand if that’s you. New ideas can bring creativity and innovation and diversify opportunities – one hundred percent. But shiny distractions, such as ne...
Apr 10, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 95
