Small But Mighty Agency: How to Grow Your Agency

What is a significant advantage of a small agency?

It’s the ability to stay in its lane and go deep into a niche. 

Today, we’re talking to an agency owner about her niche in cultural intelligence. 

Cultural intelligence is not just a hot topic but a much-needed one. 

Authentic representation matters because it empowers. I’m speaking from my own experience as an Asian-Canadian who grew up seeing very few, if, at all, Asians represented as business owners (except for the stereotypical laundry mat or corner store owner). 

Cultural intelligence supports responsible brands in learning the difference between authentic and inauthentic ways to have diverse representation. 

I’m all for the authentic; I hope you are too. 

If that’s you, tune into this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency to hear how cultural intelligence in indigenous communities connects this agency owner to big brands. 

Show Links

Website: https://deplume.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/design_de_plume/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-de-plume/

“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business

How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now.  You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all… 

I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!)  things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does. 

I’ve been there.

I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done. 

 It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.  

Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale. 

It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap

Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. 

Can I tell you about a scenario I’ve encountered many times?

I speak to service-based business owners who get stuck spending 9-5 every day in client meetings, and there’s no space for other things that need to happen.

On the one hand, there’s plenty to celebrate because they have a fully booked service business. On the other hand, they are at capacity and the bottleneck in their business.

They have a good team, but the challenge is that the team who got them here isn’t going to get them to the next season.

Nothing puts that to the test than a burst of growth in your business because when that happens, it requires you to think differently about your leadership, culture and team structure.

And different thinking doesn’t require you to work more in your business; you need to work less.

Hear how this small business CEO changed her thinking and evolved her team so she could step into her CEO role and focus on crossing the seven-figure mark. 

Show Links

Website: https://redstartcreative.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redstartcreative/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccateaff/

“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business

How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now.  You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all… 

I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!)  things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does. 

I’ve been there.

I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done. 

 It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.  

Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale. 

It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap

Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. 

A potential client comes to you with a project, and the scope (a.k.a objectives, requirements and outcomes) is unclear. 

It happens to all service providers, and it can drain time, money, and your team 

It can distract you from scaling what works well in your business. 

The challenge is that unclear scopes can come disguised as opportunities, especially if you’re unclear about your business vision and where you want to spend time and resources.

Listen to this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency, where we look at how to handle unclear scopes and the power of the discovery process. 

Show Links

Productize Your Service Roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources

Ep 50: 5 Pillars of a Productized Service That Help You Grow (even if you’re at capacity): https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep50

“Less is More” is how you scale a service-based business

How do I know this? I can 100% relate to where you are now.  You feel like you’re wearing too many hats and can’t do it all… 

I know that if you create a complex business that makes you feel trapped, you will never want to grow your business. You’ll do little (or big!)  things to self-sabotage growth because you don’t want to scale overwhelm; nobody does. 

I’ve been there.

I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done. 

 It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.  

Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale. 

It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. Download the FREE productize your service roadmap: https://audreyjoykwan.com/roadmap

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll ese you on the next one. 

Let’s grow a complicated business that feels like a ball and chain. Said NOBODY. 

I’ve been there.

I learned this lesson as the second in command of an agency. I could not turn off my brain and relax because I would worry about what was and wasn’t being done. 

It wasn’t until I looked at the business from a productized service perspective. It gave us more bandwidth to double the revenue and sell and exit the business.  

Since then, I’ve been behind the scenes of multiple six and seven-figure service-based businesses, helping agency owners who are at capacity get out of being stuck in service delivery to scale. 

It all starts by looking through the lens of a productized service. 

Listen to this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency to get the 5 pillars of a productized service that can help you grow (even if you’re at capacity) 

Show Links

EP. 49: Why A Productize Service Agency? Do You Need It

Download the FREE Productize Your Service Roadmap

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. 

https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet

If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet

• Why focusing on streamlined service delivery processes earlier creates exponential growth 
• How he stopped being a bottleneck in his business and gained more freedom
• How service delivery processes helped him transition from consultant to CEO 
• How to have exponential growth without working more hours or compromising service delivery

https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet

If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet

What is the greatest asset for a multiple seven-figure agency?

After ten years as the CEO of her agency and another 12 years before that working as a creative director – thats’ 22 years - Jenny Smith knows her team is the greatest asset. 

In this episode, Jenny shares how transparency about her agency's profit and losses helped her team understand the financial basics and raise the level of trust, ultimately leading to committed and engaged team members.

If you want to hear how transparency and being imperfect helped her have a multiple 7 figure business, keep listening.

On this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency: 

• The power of being an imperfect
• What her previous agency life taught her about growing her team 
• How to help your team feel part of something bigger 
• What strengths does she lean into to lead a multiple 7-figure agency 
• Breakthrough and break down moments of running her multiple 7-figure agency

Show Links

Website: https://rayagency.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-smith-3631308/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayagency/

Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:

https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources

In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale

Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.

Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.

Before you know it, you’re at capacity.

So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?

Meet the Mighty Pod Model.

The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.

If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. 

If you’re a consultant or marketer who hasn’t hit consistent $10K months yet, this episode demonstrates its possible by keeping it simple. 

It requires effort, of course, but you don’t need to make it complicated. It's all about being persistent. 

Why are we talking about consistent $10K months on the podcast today? 

It’s the launchpad to growing a service business with a team. $10K months unlock more cash flow to do things like getting more support in your business. It opens your mind to make consistent $20K, $30K and beyond months. 

Tune in to hear the organic methods that have led this strategist to consistent $10K months.

Show Links

Website: https://www.rwdigital.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rw-digital-marketing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digital.rw/

Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:

https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources

In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale

Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.

Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.

Before you know it, you’re at capacity.

So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?

Meet the Mighty Pod Model.

The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.

If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/resources

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.

So what’s stopping you from getting more help? 

You might be thinking it seems like a risk to make another hire. 

What comes first? Is it getting the new hire or the new clients? It’s the age-old chicken or egg question. 

While every scenario has different considerations on who to hire and in what capacity, one thing holds, don’t wait till you’re overwhelmed to hire. 

If your business is not growing consistently, it might be that you’re still too much day-to-day, working in the business, rather than on growing the business. 

Hear how this business owner went from side hustle to solopreneur and now an agency, during the pandemic, by making the right hires. 

Tune in to this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency for insights on:

• How to get comfortable with leading a team
• The journey from side-hustle to a six-person team
• When is the right time to start building a team

Show Links

Website: scribenational.ca

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/scribenational

Instagram: @aftonbrazzoni

Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:

https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet

In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale

Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.

Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.

Before you know it, you’re at capacity.

So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?

Meet the Mighty Pod Model.

The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.

If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll See you on the next one. 

You’ve reached capacity, now what? 

Building your business requires different priorities, decisions and leadership at different stages of growth. 

When you hit capacity, you need to put the brakes on and focus on building internal capacity. Internal capacity is processes and team members who can help you serve your clients and grow your business. 

Ignore internal capacity building for too long, and you can break your business. 

Hear how this agency owner focused on marketing and sales to get to $500K, the mistakes she made that almost broke her business and how she’s moving forward to a million. 

In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency: 

• Finding the right partner to grow the business 
• Lessons learned from being at capacity 
• When to pump the breaks in your business so that it doesn’t break
• What not to do again when experiencing a growth spurt 
• Building an account management team 

Show Links

Website: https://www.theartofb.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theartofb/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofb.ca/

Did you know that I have a coaching program called the Mighty Pod Model? You can get the Free Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet here:

https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet

In the high touch program, we help our clients go from solopreneur to an agency model, so they gain more freedom by having a service business where client work isn't dependent on them to scale

Maybe you started as a solopreneur with zero people in your business.

Eventually, you bring in an assistant and contractors, but you continue to hold onto the strategy and direct communication with your clients.

Before you know it, you’re at capacity.

So, what happens if you want to grow bigger?

Meet the Mighty Pod Model.

The Mighty Pod Model isn’t just a business model. It's a high-touch coaching program that helps you go from solopreneur to agency owner with a profitable, streamlined and strategic roadmap.

If you’re feeling like the bottleneck in your service business, download our FREE Mighty Pod Model Cheat Sheet: https://audreyjoykwan.com/cheatsheet

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll See you on the next one.