In episode 096 of Agency Bytes, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Kramer, founder and CEO of Cultivize, about how to improve the sales process through better lead nurturing and CRM strategies. We covered topics like identifying and converting leads, picking the right CRM tools, and the mindset shifts that make CRM usage more effective. Jason shared some great insights on evaluating past marketing efforts, making sense of key metrics, and positioning agencies for success. He also introduced some exciting tools and resources from Cultivize, including a Google Sheets-based CRM system called Profit Path, which helps businesses track leads and marketing expenses more effectively.

Key Bytes

• Cultivize focuses on helping businesses identify, nurture, and convert leads.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cultivize and Sales Optimization

Jason Kramer is the founder and CEO of Cultivize, a consulting firm dedicated to improving lead nurturing and CRM implementation. With more than two decades of experience, Jason has collaborated with both global and local brands to help align marketing and sales efforts. His expertise lies in optimizing sales processes, evaluating underperforming marketing campaigns, and fostering better integration between marketing and sales teams.

Contact Jason on his website and use code “Agency Bytes” to save $50 on Profit Path.

In episode 095 of Agency Bytes, I’m joined by Chip Griffin, founder of the Small Agency Growth Alliance (SAGA). With over 30 years of experience as an agency owner and entrepreneur, Chip shares how small PR, marketing, and creative agency owners can build businesses they truly love.

We dig into some of agency owners' pitfalls, including why chasing “copycat goals” and outdated benchmarks often leads to burnout, and why focusing on profit and personal satisfaction is key. Chip also breaks down his “floor-to-ceiling” pricing model, the importance of time tracking, and how finding focus (a.k.a. niching) can make your agency more efficient and profitable. Plus, we discuss how owners can step back from the grind and take control of their day-to-day.

If you’re ready to rethink your approach to running your agency, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you grow sustainably and love what you do. Tune in now!

Key Bytes

• Commit to building a business you want to own.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agency Growth

As the founder of the Small Agency Growth Alliance (SAGA), Chip Griffin helps small PR and marketing agency owners build businesses that they want to own. He works with them to grow profits, eliminate overwork, and improve their overall satisfaction.

As an experienced entrepreneur and agency owner himself, Chip shares the wisdom of his successes and the lessons from his failures. He understands the challenges and opportunities that face agency owners because he sat in the same chair and faced similar decisions.

Chip joined his first agency 30 years ago as a Junior Account Executive and has had an appreciation for the highs and lows these firms have experienced ever since.

Contact Chip on his website or on LinkedIn.

In episode 094 of Agency Bytes, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Chris Dubois, a seasoned marketing expert and non-founder CEO. Chris shares his fascinating journey from being an infantry officer to leading a successful agency that not only got recognized as an Inc 5000 honoree but also earned the prestigious Two Comma Club award. During our conversation, Chris dives deep into the Dynamic Agency OS, his framework for helping agencies achieve alignment and growth. Key areas of focus from the podcast include:

• Transformational Leadership: How Chris advanced from head of operations to CEO and his insights on effective leadership.

• Strategic Specialization: The importance of niching based on problem-solving and creating differentiated offers.

• Team Optimization: Evaluating and leveraging team strengths to maintain high standards and improve agency culture.

• Quarterly Planning: The benefits of conducting quarterly strategy sessions to stay aligned with client goals and maintain focus.

• Practical Tools: Chris's take on invaluable tools like the AI-powered calendar tool, Motion, and its impact on productivity.

Tune in to explore valuable strategies and actionable insights that can help marketing agency owners thrive and grow their businesses.

Key Bytes

• Chris DuBois transitioned from military service to agency leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Chris DuBois

Chris DuBois helps marketing agencies build a solid go-to-market foundation while avoiding common roadblocks by aligning business design with personal goals through the Dynamic Agency OS. A former head of operations and non-founder CEO at an agency, he is an INC 5000 honoree and 2 Comma Club awardee.

Contact Chris on his website or on LinkedIn.

In Episode 093 of Agency Bytes, I sat down with Jonathan Stark — a former software developer turned pricing consultant — to dig into a topic that trips up so many agencies: hourly billing vs. value-based pricing.

Jonathan shared how he made the shift from trading time for money to focusing on the value his work delivers. What started as a few talks with agencies grew into a full-blown movement — writing books, delivering content, and building a thriving community of creative professionals ditching the hourly model.

We talked about why hourly billing holds agencies back, the importance of deeply understanding client needs, and how to craft pricing options that reflect the true value you provide. Jonathan’s insights on uncovering client motivations and taking a more strategic approach to pricing will help you build stronger client relationships and increase profitability.

If you’re tired of being stuck in the “billable hour” mindset, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won’t want to miss.

Key Bytes

• Hourly billing limits income potential.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ditching Hourly Billing

Jonathan Stark is a former software developer who is on a mission to rid the world of hourly billing. He is the author of Hourly Billing Is Nuts, the host of Ditching Hourly, and writes a daily newsletter on pricing for independent professionals.

Connect with Jonathan and learn about ditching hourly on his website.

In Episode 092 of Agency Bytes, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Armin Vit, co-founder of Under Consideration and editor of the wildly popular blog Brand New. As someone who’s followed Armin’s work for nearly two decades, this was a bucket-list conversation for me.

We dove into the early days of design blogging and how Brand New evolved from a passion project into a thriving subscription-based business. Armin shared why he and his partner Bryony chose to lean into events and community-building over running a traditional design agency — and how that shift has shaped their success.

We also got into some fun topics like logo trends, what makes a redesign impactful, and how design can spark conversation. But what really stood out were Armin’s insights for agency owners — from taking calculated risks to staying organized with something as simple (and powerful) as spreadsheets.

If you’re an agency owner or a design enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this episode. Armin’s perspective on balancing creativity, business, and community is inspiring and packed with practical takeaways.

Key Bytes

• The transition to a subscription model was driven by the pandemic.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Armin Vit and Under Consideration

Born and raised in Mexico City, Armin Vit is a graphic designer and writer now living in Bloomington, IN. He is co-founder of UnderConsideration, a graphic design firm generating its own projects, initiatives, and content. He is the editor and primary writer of the popular blog Brand New. Along with his wife and business partner, Bryony Gomez-Palacio, he is the co-organizer and co-host of the Brand New Conference (established in 2010) as well as of First Round (established in 2018) and In-house In-focus In-person (launching in 2025). Cumulatively they have curated a selection of more than 450 individual speakers and hosted more than 12,000 attendees since 2010.

Contact Armin on any of his Instagram accounts: Personal, Brand New, In-House In-Focus, Brand New Conference, or on the Under Consideration website.

In episode 091 of Agency Bytes, I had the pleasure of chatting with Brad Farris from Anchor Advisors about one of the biggest challenges agency owners face — scaling their businesses. Together, we dig through some of the must-have habits that a CEO needs to find their version of success.

We dove into the mindset shifts that are crucial for growth, the tricky transition from being a consultant to stepping into a true coaching role, and why trust is absolutely essential when it comes to delegation.

Brad shared some incredible insights on how agency owners can break through that million-dollar revenue barrier, find real satisfaction in leadership, and avoid the endless cycle of overwork that so many of us fall into.

We also talked about building a healthy work culture and how shifting your perspective can make all the difference in solving problems.

And of course, we wrapped things up with some rapid-fire questions to get a few personal insights from Brad — always a fun way to end the conversation!

It’s a great episode packed with value, and I can’t wait for you to listen.

Key Bytes

• Success is driven less by what you do than who you decide to be.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agency Growth Challenges

Brad Harris from Anchor Advisors is known for helping agency and expert firm owners grow through the $1M—2M barrier to become thriving $3M —$5M agencies.

For over twenty years, Brad has worked alongside agency owners to help them sharpen their focus, raise their prices, and hire better people so that their firms can scale.

In his work with hundreds of agency owners, he’s learned that success is driven less by what you do than who you decide to be, and the biggest hurdle to your agency’s growth is between your ears.

Contact Brad on his website, or take his leadership assessment.

In episode 090 of Agency Bites, I'm thrilled to chat with Jon Tsourakis, the owner and president of Oyova, a dynamic national marketing and web development agency. Jon has an inspiring story about his journey into the agency world, and I can't wait for you to hear how Oyova has evolved over the years and the lessons Jon has learned along the way.

We dive into the challenges that agencies face in today’s ever-changing market and discuss the critical role of niche marketing and how personalized service can help retain clients. Jon shares his valuable insights on adapting to market conditions and his exciting plans for future growth, including potential acquisitions.

To wrap things up, we have some fun with rapid-fire questions that reveal personal insights and practical business advice. Join us for what promises to be an engaging and informative conversation!

Key Bytes

• Jon's journey into the agency space began after leaving a family business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Guest Background

Jon Tsourakis is a seasoned leader, marketer and sales expert. He’s the co-owner and President of Oyova, a national marketing and web development agency where he helps the firm identify and capitalize on new opportunities.

Contact Jon on LinkedIn or the Oyova website.

In episode 089 of Agency Bites, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dan Englander, CEO of Sales Schema. We dove into the world of strategic sales planning for marketing agencies and unpacked some of the biggest challenges agency owners face—things like relying too much on referrals, struggling with time, and not having a clear idea of their target market.

Dan breaks down why building trust and leveraging connections is so critical for effective outreach, and we talk about where automation fits (and doesn’t fit) into the sales process. He also explains why it’s so important to create a solid sales system before you start hiring salespeople, and how understanding sales cycles can help set better expectations.

We also touch on hiring the right salesperson and why the human element in sales can’t be overlooked. And of course, we wrap up with some fun rapid-fire questions that give us a glimpse into Dan’s personal and professional side.

If you’re an agency owner looking to make your sales process smoother, more human, and more effective—this one’s for you!

Key Bytes

• Many agencies rely too much on referrals for growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agency Growth Strategies

Dan Englander is the CEO and Founder of Sales Schema, a fractional new business team for marketing agencies, and he hosts The Digital Agency Growth Podcast. Previously Dan was the first employee head of new business at IdeaRocket, and before that, Account Coordinator at DXagency. He's also the author of Relationship Sales at Scale: How to Find Your Virtual Tribe and Reliably Grow Your Professional Service Business, Mastering Account Management and The B2B Sales Blueprint. In his spare time, he enjoys developing new aches and pains via Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and spending time with his wife Sarah and their son Adrian in NYC.

Contact Dan on his company website, LinkedIn, Facebook, or personal LinkedIn.

In this episode of Agency Bites, I sat down with Mario Lanzarotti, a business strategist who transformed his entrepreneurial journey through mindfulness and personal growth to focus on joy and making an impact. Mario shared his powerful story of starting an e-commerce business in New York, experiencing a pivotal panic attack that led him to meditation, and ultimately discovering the importance of emotional processing and redefining success. Through practices like Transcendental Meditation and plant medicine ceremonies, Mario developed his Zenpreneur method, which emphasizes that who you are being is more important than what you are doing. We dove deep into how entrepreneurs can break free from the hustle culture, process underlying emotional barriers, and create a more intentional, fulfilling business path. Mario's journey is a testament to the power of choice, inner work, and understanding that true success goes far beyond financial metrics.

Key Takeaways

• Mario's journey began in New York City with an e-commerce brand.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Zenpreneurship

Mario Lanzarotti is a pioneer in transforming the way agency owners scale their businesses, combining high-performance strategies with inner peace and sustainable success. After successfully exiting his first company, Awl & Sundry, in 2019, Mario embarked on a global journey that led to the creation of the Zenpreneur method—an innovative approach that empowers entrepreneurs to achieve 7-figure success without sacrificing their well-being.

Today, Mario is leading a movement that redefines entrepreneurial success by integrating wealth creation with self-mastery and mindful leadership. He specializes in guiding agency owners from overwhelmed solopreneurs to confident CEOs who build scalable businesses while maintaining freedom, control, and a lasting impact.

With over 1,000 business owners coached, Mario has left an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial community. His TEDx talk, which has amassed over 2 million organic views, underscores his groundbreaking methods for accelerating business growth while fostering a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle.

Mario’s mission is to help agency owners break free from the grind culture, scale with purpose, and create businesses that not only thrive financially but also contribute positively to their lives and the world around them.

Contact Mario on his website or on LinkedIn.

In Episode 087 of Agency Bytes, I had an inspiring conversation with Peter Kang, co-founder and chairman of Barrel Holdings. Peter shared his journey of building Barrel, a standout eCommerce agency specializing in Shopify, and how his vision evolved into creating multiple specialized agencies under the Barrel Holdings umbrella.

We dove into the challenges and rewards of growing an agency, the strategic decisions that shaped his path, and what it’s like to step back from daily operations to focus on the bigger picture. Peter is passionate about investing in the right people and systems to build an ecosystem of agency services that truly thrives and writes about it weekly in his newsletter.

He also opened up about the importance of transparency in communication, their bold Omakase experiment in funnel building, and launching *Agency Habits*, a resource-packed platform for agency operators. Throughout our chat, Peter emphasized the power of relationships in business and the fulfillment that comes from pursuing work you’re truly passionate about.

This episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration—don’t miss it!

Key Takeaways

• Peter Kang co-founded Barrel in 2006 with a focus on digital transformation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Peter Kang

Peter Kang is co-founder and Chairman of Barrel Holdings, a portfolio of digital agency businesses that includes Barrel, a leading Shopify agency, and BX Studio, a leading Webflow agency. Peter enjoys working closely with agency leaders both in and outside of Barrel Holdings, being a sounding board and sharing lessons learned from years of operating agency businesses.

Contact Peter at Barrel Holdings, his personal website, or on Agency Habits.