Eli Rubel is a serial entrepreneur, best known as the "Agency Profitability Guy." Since 2020, his portfolio of agencies has produced over $9.8M in profits—all while maintaining part-time hours and full-time freedom. In this episode, Eli breaks down exactly how anyone can build (or scale) a service business—plus what it takes to turn it into a lifestyle asset that runs without you.

On this episode we talk about:

Eli’s entrepreneurial roots: setting up a photo studio in his parents’ garage, learning the lessons of low-wage jobs (room service at an hourly motel), and how early initiative shaped his career vision

Starting and scaling agencies: from his first agency, Matter Made (a B2B performance marketing shop), to No Boring Design (brand/design for SaaS companies), and Profit Labs (helping agency owners boost profit margins)

Why agency services are the ideal scalable side hustle: you can start solo as a freelancer, ramp up to replace (or surpass) your day-job income, and ultimately build a seven-figure company with qualified operators

The proven roadmap for new agency founders: identify in-demand services (paid media, design, marketing automation, sales support, cold email, etc.), connect with industry experts, and model the playbook on what works—no need to reinvent the wheel

Eli’s personal story: pivoting from CEO of VC-backed startups and e-commerce turnarounds to building cash-generating, low-stress agencies that let him spend more time with family ("the tricycle life")

The playbook: how Eli went from $0 to $40,000/month in personal net income within three months by leveraging his network, hiring great operators, and focusing on what he does best—relationships, vision, and assembling world-class teams

The agency profit formula: stop doing the technical work yourself, hire/partner with people you trust, and empower them to do what you can’t (or won’t)

Why AI is about to disrupt agencies—why you should “make hay while there’s hay to be made,” but prepare for a new wave where niche expertise and AI/automation consulting become the next big opportunities

How AI agencies (helping local businesses implement and automate with tools like HighLevel) could be the new “social media agency” gold rush for ambitious, young, or tech-savvy entrepreneurs

Eli’s advice: focus first on what’s proven to bring in revenue, then use your earnings and freedom to pursue higher-purpose projects or passion businesses down the road

Top 3 Takeaways

Agencies Offer Scalable, Flexible Income: Proven models like paid media, design, and marketing are easy to start and scale—no reinvention needed, just execution and networking.

Play to Your Unique Strengths: Don’t force yourself to do what you hate—partner with those who are better at the technical work, and focus on your unique edge (relationships, vision, operations, deal-making).

AI is the Next Massive Opportunity: Traditional agencies will be squeezed by AI, but that creates demand for those who can help small businesses adopt, automate, and run leaner-than-ever operations.

Notable Quotes

“Within three months we’d already surpassed my goal—$40,000 a month net income—and by three years, we’d produced $7M in profit.”

“I have never deployed a single client dollar or been inside of a client’s ad account since 2020. My superpower is assembling great people and letting them win.”

“Soon, AI will put 80% of agency businesses out of business. But if you get great at implementing it for specific niches today, there are millions to be made.”

Connect with Eli Rubel:

Website: https://www.elirubel.com/

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