Small But Mighty Agency: How to Grow Your Agency

If you're wondering how to boost team morale and client satisfaction while giving your team the gift of time, this episode is for you. 

Revenue goals are important for agency owners, but so is achieving a sustainable work-life balance. 

And one concept that's been making waves in the agency space is the four-day workweek. 

While we've touched on this topic before, today, we’re getting into details with actionable insight you can put into practice even if you’re not fully ready for the four-day workweek. 

You’ll meet Teylor, who leads a thriving five-person agency that has fully embraced the four-day workweek for three years. 

So, even if having a shorter work week isn’t on your radar, this episode is jam-packed with ideas to help your business save time and have happier clients. 

Tune in to hear: 

• The practical steps her agency took to transition from a traditional five-day work model to a four-day work week.
• How they scrapped busywork, leveraged automation, and improved productivity without sacrificing client relationships.
• The impact of the four-day work week on employee morale and client satisfaction and how it has strengthened relationships.
• How Teylor and her team handle urgent client requests and busy seasons without compromising their four-day structure.
• Why transparency with clients is key when implementing shorter work weeks—and what to communicate that leads to better client relationships 

Listen in as Teylor offers insights to building a work-life balanced agency without sacrificing productivity or client satisfaction.

Show Links

Book Recommendation: Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less

Tools Mentioned: Harvest, Basecamp

LinkedIn: Teylor Schiefelbein

Email: Teylor@ArmadaDigitalCo

Access our network designed for agency owners to get more consistent referrals, connections and collaborations. Agency Together can save you time and help you build a network that gets you the clients you want to work with. 

And don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.

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. 

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep113

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

Has your agency hit a plateau? Maybe you're attracting the wrong clients or feeling like your services aren’t being valued as much as they should be. 

If this sounds familiar, it might be time to rethink your positioning.

In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, we’re diving into how repositioning your agency can help you:

• Break out of a growth plateau
• Attract bigger, higher-paying clients who truly value your expertise
• Gain clarity on your niche and stand out in a crowded market
• Build a reputation as a go-to expert in your industry

Wondering if it’s time to reposition? 

I’ll walk you through the four key signs that indicate a shift is needed and share actionable steps to successfully reposition your agency and reignite growth.

Key Takeaways:

• The benefits of repositioning and why it can transform your agency’s prospects
• Practical insights on how to realign your services and messaging to attract the clients you truly want
• How to shift your positioning to open doors to higher-value clients and more lucrative opportunities

Let me know your thoughts after you listen—I’d love to hear from you!

Show Links

Access our network designed for agency owners to get more consistent referrals, connections and collaborations. Agency Together can save you time and help you build a network that gets you the clients you want to work with. 

And don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.

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. 

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep112

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

Are you a small agency owner wondering how to really stand out?

If you've been feeling the pressure of competition and questioning how to unlock new growth opportunities, you're in the right place.

 In today's episode, I’m unpacking a strategy to transform how you approach growth. 

The future of small agencies is in building networks, not silos. 

Specialization and collaborative ecosystems are already opening doors to new opportunities that many small agencies might have thought were out of reach. 

That’s why in this episode, I’m sharing the answers to these three key questions: 

• Why are small agencies better together
• How choosing collaboration over competition is not just a trend—it's the future.
• Why the old “competition” mindset is holding you back—and how to shift it for more success 

If you’re of the mindset that other agencies who offer the same services are your competition, it could be limiting your potential. 

So stick around because if you want smarter ways to grow and shape the success of your agency, this episode will point you in the right direction.

Show Links

If I may suggest a collaborative ecosystem, check out Agency Together – a referral network designed to help busy agency owners get more consistent referrals and connections without wasting time. 

Don’t Forget The Free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.

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. 

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep111

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

What if you could cut your task from hours to minutes—wouldn’t that change how your agency operates?

Imagine if what took you 14 hours now takes you 2 hours, or what took you 4 hours now takes 35 minutes?

For Matt Rouse, co-owner of Hook SEO, those numbers reflect the reality of how AI is raising his agency's productivity.  

In this episode, Matt shares how AI has drastically increased productivity at his agency, helped him streamline operations, enhanced client services, and even developed new offerings.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How this agency cut task times from hours to minutes using AI 
• Discover the AI tools this agency uses to automate tasks, reduce costs, and deliver more value to clients.
• Find out how using AI helped this agency create a new service with lower costs and increased profitability.

If you're wondering whether AI will take over jobs in the agency space, Matt answers with a resounding yes—but with a twist. Tune in to hear how AI has changed the way this agency works and gain practical insights on how your agency can harness AI to save time, improve quality, and remain competitive.

Show Links

Book: Will AI Take My Job? 

Website

LinkedIn

Digital Marketing Masters Podcast

Hook SEO

Get the Free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter

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. 

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep110

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

Has the thought of franchising your business ever crossed your mind? 

Whether your answer is a “yes” or “no,” this episode will get you thinking about what is possible. 

If you want to leverage your business and explore new growth avenues, building a marketing franchise is an option.

But as you might guess, it’s not just about having a great business idea—it’s about having proven systems and processes that can scale.

So, what does it take to transform an agency into a successful franchise?

In today’s episode, we sit down with Vivian Olodun, CEO of Flourish Media, who shares her journey from agency owner to franchisor.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How she created a franchise that allows franchisees to customize their approach based on their unique strengths and market positioning
• The complexities of franchising and how she navigated them in record time 
• How to create predictability without taking the human element out of the business

Tune in today to hear how this agency owner is doing things differently and gain actionable insights into how to leverage your business better. 

Show Links

Flourish Media Website

Instagram

Vivian's Instagram

Get the Free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter

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. 

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep109

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

What is the number one thing that stops agency owners from specializing in a niche?

Fear. 

It’s the fear that niching down will result in fewer clients.

But the reality is quite the opposite. I see niche agencies thrive every day, and their success stories speak volumes about the power of specialization.

In today’s episode, Amanda Lee Smith shares the transformative process that led her to a niche and the defining moments that made her go all in. 

Her agency has worked with brands like Adidas, Arcyterx, Lululemon, and Allbirds because of their specialty in outdoor sports and activities. 

What sets her agency apart is its deep industry knowledge and its ability to partner with clients as true experts. Specializing has made working with dream clients not just possible but a reality.

Of course, the decision to specialize isn't always straightforward; it requires introspection, experimentation, and a willingness to adapt.

In this episode, Amanda shares key actions that helped her claim and thrive in her niche. Including: 

1. How to shape your brand and positioning for a specific niche.
2. Tips on leveraging niche benefits to attract and work with dream clients.
3. Knowing when to say "yes" and when to decline opportunities outside your niche.
4. Standing out in marketing with creative strategies catered to her niche

Tune into this episode to hear the transformative journey and gain actionable insights into claiming and thriving in your own niche.

Show Links

Monday Creative Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Get the Free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter

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. 

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep108

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

What’s working in marketing this quarter to drive sales? 

First, there is no one-size-fits-all to anything. 

Finding what works for your business is an exercise in understanding your ideal buyers, but the opportunity to see and hear what works for others can help you optimize or streamline what works for you. 

That’s why we’ve invited three friends who are marketing specialists in their specific niches to share what is working for them and their clients. 

You’ll hear three powerful insights that are generating results for each of these marketing specialists: 

• Kim, a direct response copywriting expert, shares how she is using lazy, low-key techniques to build relationships and make marketing easier and more effective. 
• Ashley, a launch strategist, emphasizes the need for more nurturing and shares one thing she is doing that can be connected to 30% of her sales. 
• Melissa, a YouTube marketing strategist, highlights the impact of understanding your audience's real search habits and shares how she creates content that ideal clients actually search for. 

A common thread connecting each of these insights, despite their different areas of expertise, is the focus on increasing trust and building relationships.

Tune in to this episode to see how the foundation of increasing trust and building relationships is being implemented across different businesses. You'll get actionable insights to enhance your marketing efforts and drive more sales.

Show Links

LinkedIn: Audrey Kwan 

Free Discovery Call for Agency Together 

Get the Free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter

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. 

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep107

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

What does a successful pivot into new services look like for an agency?

It’s not always smooth sailing!

In our latest episode, we chat with Ted Lau about how he identified the need for a more profitable and stable service niche during a difficult business partner break-up. 

By prioritizing client feedback, Ted transitioned his business from a creative services provider to a lead-generation digital marketing agency. 

He leaned into four keys for growing the agency and navigating the pivot:

1. Aligning marketing strategies to macroeconomic trends
2. Digging deep to understand client needs
3. Leaning into open communication
4. Shifting from fluff to measured results

Tune into this episode to discover the whole story and learn actionable tips. 

Show Links:
What Are The Top Niches for Agency Success in The Current Economy?

You Know Ted YouTube

Marketing News Canada Podcast

Ballistic Arts

Ted’s LinkedIn

Get Your Agency Org Chart Cheatsheet to Build a Small But Mighty Agency

Are you flying by the seat of your pants building your agency and want more order to chaos? Start here. Get the Mighty Pod Model cheatsheet for a look inside a Small But Mighty Agency structure that scales.

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.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep106

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

Your account managers are key to client retention. 

Excellent client account management leads to happy clients, and when clients are happy, they don’t churn. 

My first role inside agencies was in Account Management, and I know what it takes to be a great account manager and lead account managers because I lived it for years. 

When you walk in the shoes, you know the size of those shoes. 

My guest today, Taylor McMaster, has done exactly that, too. Today, she owns a fractional Account Management agency. 

In this latest episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast,  we unpack the myth of the do-it-all account manager, 

Why? 

The expectation of the do-it-all account manager is often unrealistic and prevents your account managers from being effective at helping you retain clients. 

In this episode we’ll dive into:

• What it takes to be an excellent account manager 
• Best practices for client retention, including the importance of proactive communication. 
• Explore unrealistic expectations placed on account managers that keep them from fulfilling the core function of maintaining client relationships. 

Tune in as we share how to optimize your account management team to keep clients happy, reduce churn and improve retention. 

Show Links

Get the free Agency Together Newsletter and Build a Small But Mighty Agency

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency.  Get the free Agency Together Newsletter here. 

DOT & Company: dotandcompany.co

Taylor’s LinkedIn

Happy Clients Podcast

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.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep105

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

If the thought of a 4 day work week has crossed your mind, my guess is that you’ve gone back and forth thinking about it. 

Implementing a four-day workweek takes thought and consideration – so in today’s episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast –  I bring along a few friends who have implemented four-day work weeks. 

You’ll get four different perspectives and four unique insights on this week's episode.

This summer, we’re doing something different on the podcast by bringing you a few a-sync episodes. A-sync episodes are not live interviews with our guests.

Instead, I posed the same question to four people: 

Q: What insight or challenge have you encountered with a 4-day work week, and how do you address it in practice?

Then, I asked each guest to record a clip under three minutes long and share their unique perspective. 

My goal for these a-sync episodes is to help you get “to-the-point answers.” 

Tune in as we get to the point of the 4-day work week. 

Show Links

LinkedIn: Audrey Kwan 

Want more referrals, connections, and strategic collaborations to grow your agency? 

Agency Together is the only community and network specifically designed to help niche agencies strategically collaborate to get referrals.

It doesn't have to be a dog-eat-dog world in which one Agency's gain is another's loss. We're here to change that, and help agencies grow together. If that resonates, apply today here: Agency Together

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.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast-ep104

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis