An Agency Story

Can you build a successful agency without sacrificing the life you want to live? In this episode, Kate Manfull, Founder of Fierce Creative, shares how she turned late-night freelance projects into a creative agency built around flexibility, high expectations, and a people-first culture. From trusting her instincts to challenging traditional work schedules, Kate offers a refreshing perspective on building a business on your own terms.

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What if some of the best business opportunities come when you stop looking for them? In this episode, Claire Ransome, founder of Aloha Life Digital, shares her unexpected journey from publishing to entrepreneurship, the painful lessons of losing a business, and how embracing serendipity has shaped her approach to building an agency.

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What happens when you stop selling what you know and start solving a problem the market has overlooked? In this episode, Maddi Clarke, Founder of Yada Yada Studio, shares her unconventional journey into agency ownership, how she spotted an opportunity in social-first production, and why empathy might be one of the most powerful competitive advantages in business.

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Chris Vendilli went from Air Force security forces and police detective to building a 17-person agency, starting out as a half million dollar side hustle. In this episode, Chris shares the investments, hiring lessons, and unconventional acquisitions that helped shape Vendilli, along with what he's learned about evaluating opportunities, good and bad.

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Bryce North didn’t set out to build an agency, but years of launching products, raising capital, and recovering from failure taught him something important: credibility and relationships matter long before the pitch. In this episode, Bryce, founder of Don’t Be a Little Pitch, shares his unconventional approach to standing out, earning trust, and building an agency people genuinely want to work with.

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The most important shifts in an agency often happen at unexpected intersections: creativity and technology, lived experience and opportunity, or the freedom that got you here and the structure required to move forward. Steven Wakabayashi shares how those intersections have shaped Stranger Creative and why building a sustainable agency means knowing what to protect, what to let go of, and what to build next.

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Management doesn’t have to mean more layers, more meetings, and more people directing the work. In this re-released conversation, Jack Skeels author of Unmanaged: Master the Magic of Creating Empowered and Happy Organizations and founder of Agency Agile, shares how agency leaders can create more productive, empowered teams by rethinking what managers are actually there to do.

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Some of the best stories on An Agency Story come after the business conversation is over. This compilation of stories shared on past episodes brings together funny, unexpected, and occasionally uncomfortable moments that reveal the lighter side of agency ownership.

Inside this episode:

Learn about an opportunity to build resiliency and success for your business in 2027. 

This first edition of Wisdom From the Archives revisits standout ideas and lessons from past conversations with agency owners and experts. Russel adds his perspective to each clip, highlighting practical concepts worth bringing back into how you lead, position, and operate your agency. 

A few highlights from this episode:

Revenue alone doesn't build a stronger business. In this episode, Russel sits down with Natalia Zacharin, Founder of Zacharin Consulting, to discuss why profitable growth, financial forecasting, and better decision-making matter more than simply chasing more sales. You'll learn how to use your financials to make smarter decisions, avoid common traps, and build a healthier business with greater confidence. 

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Writing a book isn't about becoming an author, it's about becoming the authority your ideal clients already trust. In this episode, Henry DeVries of Indie Books International shares why a book is one of the most powerful business development tools an agency owner can have, how it opens doors to speaking opportunities and new clients, and why publishing is only the beginning. 

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Building a business isn't about avoiding challenges, it's about learning how to adapt when they inevitably come. In this episode, Russel sits down with Garrett Massey, founder of Polyglot Labs, to discuss what 20 years in business has taught him about change, difficult decisions, AI, and staying true to the work that matters most.

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When hustle is behind what ignited your business, it's easy to assume more hustle is the answer to every challenge. But there comes a point where working harder produces less progress. In this solo episode, An Agency Story host, Russel Dubree, explores why hustle eventually reaches its limits and what separates business owners who continue moving forward from those who stay stuck solving the same problems. 

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Building one business is challenging enough. Building two that look very different on the outside is a completely different approach. In this episode, Russel Dubree sits down with Sam Kulikov, Partner at Social Apex Media, to explore how an agency and an esports organization evolved together, creating new opportunities for innovation, stronger culture, and better marketing.

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What does building a successful business look like from the other side? In this special 200th episode, host Russel Dubree sits down with his wife , Nicole, to share the untold side of building an agency, the spouse's journey. From the sacrifices and uncertainty of the early years to the lessons they've learned after nearly 25 years of marriage, it's an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, partnership, communication, and what truly matters along the way.

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Branding and marketing tactics matter, but the businesses that endure are built on something deeper. In this episode, Kelsie Downs and host Russel, chat about how personal hardship, intentional leadership, and a commitment to long-term thinking transformed both her life and her agency. You'll hear why the next best decision often matters more than the perfect plan, and how building the right business starts with becoming the right leader. 

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Building a better agency is about creating better outcomes for your clients. In this episode, Tom Foster, Founder of Foster Consulting, shares lessons from more than 30 years in the marketing industry, including why founder involvement still matters, the need for clear outcomes, and ideas for becoming a better strategic partner.

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Learn about an opportunity to build resiliency and success for your...

Clients often know the result they want, but not the right path to get there. In this episode, Tony Brown of KDE Technology shares how his role shifted from selling websites and digital marketing to educating business owners on what they actually need to grow with confidence.

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Finding value doesn’t always require looking farther away. In this episode, Ross McDaniel, Founder of Fencepost, shares how his search for bigger opportunities ultimately led him back to the people, businesses, and community closest to home. His journey offers a refreshing perspective on growth, purpose, and building something meaningful right where you are. 

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Building a successful agency often requires reinventing yourself along the way. In this episode, Julia Wilk of Wheelhorse Web shares her journey from translator to agency owner, explores the challenges of narrowing a niche, and reflects on the leadership lessons that helped her move through burnout and become a stronger leader.

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In this episode of An Agency Story, Russel Dubree sits down with Tom Malesic, founder of EZ Marketing, to explore what it takes to stay relevant through decades of change. From selling websites before businesses understood the internet to navigating today's AI revolution, Russel and Tom share some of the hard won lessons on agency leadership.

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Lear...

Brand positioning is more than a marketing exercise—it can become the foundation for growth, partnerships, and long-term differentiation. In this episode, Rafi Norberg, Founder of Nexus Marketing, chats with Russel on how a highly focused niche strategy helped build a multi-million-dollar agency, why ecosystem thinking creates powerful advantages, and how agency leaders should approach the rapid changes brought by AI.

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AI has become the defining conversation in the agency world. In this episode, An Agency Story host Russel Dubree shares his experience attending Vistara, an AI-focused conference for agencies, and unpacks what’s real, what’s hype, and what agency owners should actually be paying attention to right now.

From AI-first agencies and operational shifts to outcome-driven positioning and the future value of human strategy, this episode offers an urgent, but calming perspective on how agencies can approach AI with less panic and more leverage.

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Public relations is no longer just about messaging, it’s about trust. In this episode, Kelly Vance, Founder of VANCE, shares a few simple but powerful philosophies on helping organizations communicate more effectively in a world filled with misinformation, public skepticism, and constant noise.

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Learn about an opportunity to build resiliency and su...

In this episode, Russel sits down with Park Howell, founder of The Business of Story, to explore storytelling frameworks, positioning, and clarity, Park shares practical insights on how agencies can cut through the noise and build stronger connections through intentional storytelling.

Inside this episode:

Learn about an opportunity to build resiliency and success for your business in 2027. 

Brian Tillman went from writing random product descriptions in a freezing warehouse to building a 50-person agency serving cybersecurity and tech companies. In this episode, he unpacks the shift from selling features to selling outcomes, why he walked away from growing to 100 people, and how “the right amount of awesome” became the standard for everything they do.

Episode Highlights

In this episode, Michael Huang shares his story on how focusing on culture, creativity, and mentorship can shape not just a business, but an entire talent pipeline. 

Key Takeaways

Learn about an opportunity to build resiliency and su...

What does it really take to build an agency from scratch and keep it going for over a decade? In this episode, Ryan Stets of 232 Creative shares the unfiltered journey of evolving from freelancer to agency owner, navigating uncertainty, and adapting to constant industry change. You’ll walk away with practical insight on resilience, decision-making, and what it takes to grow without losing direction. 

Key Takeaways

Great creative work doesn’t happen by accident, it’s built on fundamentals. In this episode, Cabell Harris shares decades of perspective on how the creative industry has evolved and what actually separates meaningful work from noise. 

Key Takeaways

Learn about an opportunity to build resiliency and success for your business in 2027. 

Building a better agency is about building people, culture, and meaningful impact. In this episode, Jennifer Mulchandani of Arlington Strategy shares a refreshingly honest perspective on hiring, leadership, and why a better practices might be to not aim to keep clients forever. 

Key Takeaways

Learn about an opportunity to build resiliency and success for your business in 2027. 

In this episode, Tom Schwab of Interview Valet breaks down how to use podcasting as a focused, intentional channel to build authority and attract the right results. If you’ve ever wondered whether podcasting is worth your time, this will change how you think about it.

Key Takeaways

Company: On Purpose Projects

Guest: Natasha Golinsky

Year Started: 2015

Employees: 1-10

 In this episode, Natasha Golinsky shares how a personal health crisis pulled her out of day-to-day operations and revealed a hard truth: the business didn’t actually need her to function. This conversation will challenge how you think about control, leadership, and the importance of building succession into your business.

Key Takeaways

Company: Beyond Spots & Dots

Guest: Melanie Querry

Year Started: 2006

Employees: 11-25

Building an well run agency often relies on mastering fundamentals that many can easily overlook. In this episode, Melanie Querry shares how she built Beyond Spots & Dots by focusing on transparency, operational discipline, and intentional growth. 

Key Takeaways

Company: Neff

Guest: David Neff

Year Started: 1959

Employees: 11-25

What does it take to build an agency that lasts decades and still love it? In this episode, Russel Dubree sits down with David Neff, founder of Neff, to explore the mindset behind a long, successful agency career. From relentless hustle to building powerful media relationships, David shares how creativity, persistence, and finding the "sexy" in every client account creates endless passion for his agency business.

Key Takeaways

Company: Stay Calm Industries

Guest: Evan Johnson

Year Started: 2013

Employees: 1-10

What do you do after losing your job at a coffee shop? If you’re Evan Johnson, you start a marketing agency the very next day. In this episode, Evan shares the unconventional story behind Stay Calm Industries, from landing his first clients as a barista to building a creative team and signing contracts in Iceland. It’s a candid conversation about leadership, hiring, and the “unearned confidence” that often fuels entrepreneurs at the s...

Company: Legal + Creative

Guest: Sharon Toerek

Year Started: 2014

Employees: 1-10

In this episode, Sharon Toerek of Legal + Creative reframes how agency owners should think about legal. Instead of treating it like a sunk cost, she explains how contracts, IP, and insurance can actively protect margins, increase leverage, and even create new revenue streams.

If you’ve ever ignored a contract, overlooked your IP, or treated legal like a necessary evil, this conversation just might change how you see it.

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