Catalytic Leadership

The Agency Owner Grind: Work In vs On Your Business


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If you’re stuck working in the business while trying to scale it, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, I sit down with Bill Reynolds, founder of Element 502, a creative agency helping businesses find their authentic voice and connect meaningfully with their audiences. Bill has led through acquisition, financial pressure, operational chaos, and the daily reality of the Agency Owner Grind.

We unpack the tension between working in vs on your business, real-time team feedback, agency positioning strategy, and why constant grind culture is a warning sign, not a badge of honor. Bill shares the story behind buying a struggling marketing company, rebuilding it, and redefining value vs price in a crowded market.

If you’re scaling past seven figures and navigating systems, team handoffs, margin pressure, and strategic clarity, this episode will sharpen how you lead, decide, and position your agency for sustainable growth.



Books Mentioned
- The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard
- The Grind by Michael McFall


If you want to learn more about Bill and his team, visit element502.com. You can also explore his positioning framework at 599haircut.com, where you can download the free worksheet and even book time directly on his calendar to talk through your marketing strategy.


Join Dr. William Attaway on the Catalytic Leadership podcast as he shares transformative insights to help high-performance entrepreneurs and agency owners achieve Clear-Minded Focus, Calm Control, and Confidence.

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Catalytic LeadershipBy Dr. William Attaway