An Agency Story

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. 

Inside this episode:

•  Why more sales can actually create bigger financial problems 
•  The financial metrics every agency owner should understand 
•  How forecasting helps you make decisions before problems arise 
•  Why profit should fund your business growth, not debt or hope 
•  The role of ROI in hiring, software, and every business investment

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

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. 

Inside this episode:

•  Why a book builds authority long before someone reads it. 
•  The biggest mental roadblocks that keep experts from writing a book and how to overcome them. 
•  How to turn your expertise into intellectual property that creates long-term value. 
•  Why the real return on a book comes from speaking, relationships, and business development. 
•  The "perfect crime" strategy that helps you get paid while marketing your expertise.

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

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.

Inside this episode:

• Why adapting to change is one of the most important skills an entrepreneur can develop.
• Lessons learned from navigating difficult business decisions and unexpected market shifts.
• How AI is reshaping custom software development while making experienced developers even more valuable.
• The importance of focusing on solving real business problems instead of chasing every opportunity.
• Why playing the long game requires resilience, continuous learning, and a willingness to evolve.

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

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. 

Inside this episode:

•  Why hustle is a strength, but not the answer to every business challenge. 
•  How to recognize when effort is no longer producing meaningful results. 
•  The difference between reacting to today's problems and investing in tomorrow's success. 
•  Why the best business owners focus on solving hard problems instead of simply working harder. 
•  Practical questions to help you identify where your time and energy will have the greatest long-term impact.

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

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.

Inside this episode:

•  Why launching an esports organization made Social Apex Media a better agency 
•  How hiring specialists instead of generalists improved team performance 
•  The role of character, trust, and communication in building a strong culture 
•  Why creating your own "marketing laboratory" leads to better client work 
•  Lessons from leading two businesses that continuously fuel one another 

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

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.

Inside this episode:

•  The unseen sacrifices significant others often make while a business is being built 
•  How better communication can strengthen both a business and a marriage 
•  Why supporting a dream doesn't mean sacrificing your own needs 
•  The realities of balancing ambition, family, and long-term success 
•  Hear Nicole's answers to questions straight from An Agency Story community

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

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. 

Inside this episode:

•  How Kelsie turned personal adversity into renewed purpose and business growth 
•  Why focusing on the "next best thing" can help you move through uncertainty 
•  The importance of building systems before chasing more revenue 
•  How passion and expertise shape your business 
•  Why choosing depth over quick wins creates stronger client relationships 

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

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.

Inside this episode:

• Why outcome-based conversations are replacing service-based selling.
• The role a founder's experience and perspective plays in winning clients.
• Why your clients' success is the best measure of your own.

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

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.

Inside this episode:

• Why education can become one of the most important parts of the sales process
• How KDE helps clients toward clearer business goals
• What Tony learned about building a stronger team through mistakes, patience, and humility
• How KDE’s West Virginia roots continue to shape its mission, ambition, and commitment to local businesses

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

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. 

Inside this episode:

•  Why some of the greatest opportunities are right underneath your nose 
•  Discover a new way of battling imposter syndrome
•  The role of coaches, mentors, and systems in creating sustainable business growth 
•  Lessons learned from a working a two vastly different agencies 
•  How applying your own methods to real businesses builds confidence and credibility

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