An Agency Story

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.

Inside this episode:

•  Why what got you here won’t get you where you want to go next 
•  The importance of clear expectations, boundaries, and accountability in  leadership 
•  Leadership lessons learned through burnout and self-awareness 
•  How coaching accelerates growth for agency owners and teams 
•  A critical lesson on business continuity and protecting what matters most 

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

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.

Inside this episode:

• The benefits of having a book to share your expertise
• Why agency leaders need a team that can tell them “no”
• Lessons from implementing EOS and creating accountability
• Another perspective AI's impact in the agency space

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

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.

Inside this episode:

•  How narrowing your focus can create stronger growth opportunities and clearer positioning 
•  Why building relationships within an industry ecosystem creates a competitive advantage 
•  Practical perspectives on AI adoption and why agencies must rethink how they deliver value 
•  The vision behind turning an agency into a platform that helps mission-driven organizations succeed 

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

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.

Inside this episode:

•  What's poppin' with AI in the agency space at the current moment
•  Perspective and tips from Vistara speakers
•  How AI-first agencies may reshape client expectations and what to do about it
•  Why outcome-driven agencies are best positioned moving forward 
•  The difference between using AI for efficiency versus strategic advantage

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

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.

Inside this episode:

•  Why communications deserves a seat in the boardroom 
•  The impact of today’s “trust deficit” 
•  How to uncover the real problem clients are facing 
•  A unique approach Kelly implemented for hiring 
•  The difference between simply delivering and creating real value

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

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:

•  Why there is a struggle to tell your story clearly 
•  The difference between “winging it” and intentional storytelling 
•  How story impacts positioning, branding, and trust 
•  A live storytelling exercise focused on An Agency Story podcast

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

•  The real difference between selling features vs. selling outcomes
•  How Punch found its niche by following momentum, not forcing a plan 
•  The moment Brian realized bigger wasn’t better 
•  A grounded take on AI: what it actually changes (or doesn’t) 
•  The philosophy of “the right amount of awesome” and how it shapes decisions across the agency

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

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

• Expecting polished talent instead of developing it—invest early and build your own pipeline 
• Design a workplace people genuinely want to be part of, not just a place to work 
• Evaluate work based on impact, enjoyment, and financial return.
• Young talent is an advantage as they bring raw creativity and real-time insight into culture, so use it 

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

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

• How handling rejection, client loss, and setbacks shapes stronger decision-making 
•  The hidden reality of agency ownership beyond the creative work (operations, HR, finances) 
•  Why staying adaptable, especially with shifts like AI, is critical to staying relevant 
•  How environment and early influences can shape your approach to entrepreneurship

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

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

•  The difference between real positioning and “parity” messaging 
•  A simple framework for thinking about audience, message, and effectiveness 
•  Why the best creatives are ultimately problem solvers 
•  How branding goes far beyond ads and into every part of a business

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