The Growth Equation

The Growth Equation

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The Growth Equation episodes

  • Built on Lessons: Joshua Griffin on Turning Burnout Into Sustainable Growth

    What happens when building a business starts costing you more than it's giving back?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, Tristan Wright sits down with Joshua Griffin, co-founder of Intrinsy, to discuss the difficult lessons behind his entrepreneurial journey—from growing an e-commerce business to experiencing burnout, financial pressure, and the decision to start again.

    Joshua's first business grew from a small bedroom operation into a warehouse-based e-commerce business. But as the business expanded, so did the responsibilities. Joshua was managing everything from marketing and sales to packing orders, customer service, and fulfilment. At one point, he was working 16-hour days, six days a week, while also taking on delivery shifts to keep the business afloat.

    Eventually, the pressure took a toll on his health, and he realised the business had become too dependent on him.

    After stepping away, Joshua returned to the industry, worked alongside his future co-founder Dan, and eventually launched Intrinsy. This time, he applied the lessons he had learned—building around complementary strengths, tracking business performance, creating systems, and using AI to reduce repetitive work.

    Today, Joshua and Dan have developed a full-stack digital agency that focuses on sustainable recurring revenue, stronger client relationships, and growth without unnecessary complexity.

    In this conversation, Joshua opens up about the realities of burnout, the importance of having someone to share the entrepreneurial journey with, and why sustainable growth isn't necessarily about building a bigger team.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • How Joshua found his way into entrepreneurship through e-commerce and print-on-demand.
    • Why early business growth can create financial and operational pressure.
    • What happens when a business becomes too dependent on its founder.
    • How working 16-hour days and managing every part of the business contributed to Joshua's burnout.
    • Why walking away from a business can sometimes be the right decision.
    • How Joshua used the lessons from his first business to approach his next venture differently.
    • Why having a co-founder with complementary skills can reduce the workload and stress of running a business.
    • How tracking metrics like sales conversions, churn, and customer retention can help guide business decisions.
    • Why adapting your offer and pivoting based on customer needs is important for sustainable growth.
    • How AI, automation, and SOPs can help small teams operate more efficiently.
    • Why increasing recurring revenue doesn't necessarily mean increasing headcount.
    • How building stronger client relationships and focusing on the right customers can support long-term growth.
    • Why having a trusted business partner, coach, or mentor can make entrepreneurship less isolating.

    Chapter Notes

    00:47 – Meet Joshua Griffin

    03:14 – ADHD and the Entrepreneurial Journey

    05:57 – Getting Started in E-commerce

    07:16 – Learning Marketing on the Job

    08:21 – From a Bedroom Business to a Warehouse

    10:03 – When Growth Turns Into Financial Pressure

    10:30 – The Cost of Being the Whole Business

    11:30 – The Physical and Emotional Impact of Burnout

    12:30 – Knowing When to Walk Away

    13:47 – Starting Again With a Different Perspective

    15:00 – Building a Business Around Recurring Revenue

    16:00 – Finding the Right Business Model

    18:36 – Using Data to Make Better Decisions

    20:27 – Building a Two-Person Team

    21:00 – Learning to Sell

    22:36 – Moving Towards Higher-Value Clients

    23:28 – The Value of Showing Up for Clients

    24:59 – Using AI to Create Capacity

    25:17 – Building SOPs for Sustainable Growth

    26:49 – Increasing Revenue Without Increasing Headcount

    27:27 – Building Demand and Managing Capacity

    28:41 – Finding the Right People Around You

    30:58 – Entrepreneurship Is Not an Overnight Success

    31:07 – Connect With Joshua Griffin

    Resources & Links

    Guest: Joshua Griffin

    Company: Intrinsy

    LinkedIn: Search for Joshua Griffin / Joshua Lloyd MD

    Other Social Platforms: Joshua Griffin SEO

    Enjoyed This Episode?

    Subscribe to The Growth Equation for more conversations with entrepreneurs and business owners about the lessons, challenges, and decisions behind building sustainable businesses.

    If this episode resonated with you, share it with another business owner who might need a reminder that they don't have to build their business alone.

    33 min
  • Pull Your Head Up: Mary Ann Bautista on Building a Business That Fits Your Life

    What if building a successful business doesn't have to mean sacrificing the life you want?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, Tristan Wright sits down with Mary Ann Bautista, co-founder of TurboRank, to talk about building a business around your life, learning from past mistakes, and making space to step back from the day-to-day work.

    Mary Ann started her entrepreneurial journey in 1998 after working in direct response marketing for major publishers and businesses. She eventually built Bautista Direct Marketing, where she developed deep expertise in direct response and later became an early adopter of YouTube as a marketing channel.

    Her experience building that first business taught her an important lesson: it's possible to become so involved in the work that you lose sight of the business itself.

    When Mary Ann and her co-founder Matthew Pierce launched TurboRank, they took a different approach. They reverse-engineered their goals, established clear targets around accounts, financials, profitability, and team size, and created plans to elevate themselves above the day-to-day operations.

    In this conversation, Mary Ann shares what she's learned about designing a business that supports your life, measuring the business as carefully as you measure client results, adapting to the changing search landscape, and building a long-term authority asset through content.

    Her biggest piece of advice is simple:

    Pull your head up above the fray and look around.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • How Mary Ann’s career in direct response marketing led her to entrepreneurship.
    • Why building a business that fits around your life can be a deliberate choice.
    • How becoming too involved in the day-to-day can prevent business owners from seeing the bigger picture.
    • The lessons Mary Ann took from building her first agency.
    • Why she and her co-founder reverse-engineered TurboRank from their desired outcomes.
    • Why setting goals isn't enough—you need to regularly check your progress against them.
    • How creative business owners can use structure and measurement without losing their creativity.
    • Why traditional direct-response marketing principles still have relevance today.
    • How AI and changing search behaviour are affecting website traffic and content marketing.
    • Why businesses shouldn't simply create content without understanding what their audience is actually searching for.
    • The difference between paid media and building an organic authority asset that compounds over time.
    • How Mary Ann and her business partner created clear expectations through their partnership agreement.
    • Why stepping away from the day-to-day can help business owners make better strategic decisions.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet Mary Ann Bautista

    02:09 – Why TurboRank?

    03:30 – Building a Business Around Family

    04:50 – The Problem With Being Too Deep in the Weeds

    05:57 – Learning to Delegate and Step Back

    06:40 – Why Direct Response Still Works

    07:31 – Reverse Engineering the Business

    09:18 – Measure Your Business, Not Just Your Clients'

    10:26 – How AI Is Changing Search

    10:26 – Building Authority Beyond Your Website

    12:50 – Stop Guessing What Content People Want

    14:34 – Who TurboRank Works With

    17:59 – From YouTube Agency to Authority Dominance

    19:32 – Rented Attention vs. Compounding Authority

    21:19 – Learning From the Difficult Moments

    22:43 – Building a Strong Business Partnership

    23:58 – Pull Your Head Up

    24:44 – Connect With Mary Ann

    Resources & Links

    Mary Ann Bautista

    Co-founder, TurboRank

    TurboRank: turborank.co

    Email: [email protected]

    LinkedIn: Mary Ann Bautista

    YouTube: TurboRank

    Enjoyed This Episode?

    Subscribe to The Growth Equation for more conversations with business owners and entrepreneurs about building businesses that work and grow.

    If this episode gave you something to think about, share it with another business owner who could use a reminder to pull their head up, step out of the weeds, and look at the bigger picture.

    28 min
  • Turning Problems Into Profit: Sheldon Wolf on Building Businesses That Win

    What if the problems other businesses are running from are actually the biggest opportunities?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, Tristan Wright sits down with Sheldon Wolf, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Intellitary AI, for a fascinating conversation about building businesses, finding opportunities, and turning problems into profit.

    Sheldon has spent more than three decades building businesses across real estate, finance, credit, e-commerce, and technology. His approach is simple but powerful: understand the customer, identify the problem, and work backwards from the result you want to achieve.

    Sheldon shares how he built systems to compete against more experienced businesses when he was just in his twenties, why he believes companies should focus on customers rather than simply growing headcount, and how he used his experience in finance to transform a struggling mattress business into a highly profitable model.

    We also explore the impact of AI and AI agents, why technology alone isn't enough to build a successful business, and how Sheldon is using AI to create new opportunities in the real estate industry.

    If you're a business owner looking for a different way to think about growth, profitability, competition, and opportunity, this episode is packed with ideas worth considering.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • Why Sheldon believes business is a sport—and why he plays to win.
    • How to build systems that allow you to compete against more experienced businesses.
    • Why understanding your customer should come before building your product or technology.
    • How Sheldon approaches problems by looking for the profit opportunity within them.
    • Why businesses should focus on customers and transactions rather than simply increasing headcount.
    • How AI agents can dramatically change the economics of a business.
    • Why technology businesses still need to understand the industry and customer they're serving.
    • How Sheldon transformed a low-margin mattress business through financing and customer economics.
    • Why building a business backwards from the desired outcome can create a stronger model.
    • The importance of protecting your investors and building a reputation for delivering results.
    • Why loving what you do and striving to be the best can change the way you approach business.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet Sheldon Wolf

    01:20 – From Real Estate to Finance and Beyond

    03:35 – Competing With More Experienced Business Owners

    05:15 – Know Your Customer

    06:15 – Customers vs. Headcount

    08:45 – From 150 Employees to One

    10:45 – AI Still Needs Humans

    13:00 – Building Technology Around the Industry

    15:30 – Turning Bad Times Into Opportunity

    20:40 – Turning a Failing Mattress Business Into Profit

    24:45 – There Are Multiple Ways to Make Money

    26:15 – Hire People Who Can Make You Money

    27:50 – Start With the End in Mind

    29:30 – Build for the Long Term

    31:30 – Business Is a Sport

    31:45 – Love What You Do and Play to Win

    33:20 – Connect with Sheldon Wolf and Intellitary AI

    Resources & Links

    Guest: Sheldon Wolf, Founder of Intellitary AI

    Website: Intellitary.com

    Email: [email protected]

    LinkedIn: Sheldon Wolf

    If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Growth Equation, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who could use a different perspective on turning problems into opportunities.

    36 min
  • Beyond the Tech: Wes Towers on AI, Niching, and the Future of Digital Agencies

    What happens when technology starts changing the very skills your business was built around?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Wes Towers, Founder of Uplift 360, a digital agency that has spent more than 20 years helping trades, construction, and industrial businesses grow.

    Wes shares his journey from starting an agency in his early twenties to building a long-running business that has adapted through major shifts in technology, from dial-up internet to the rise of AI. We explore how artificial intelligence is changing the value of technical work and why Wes believes digital agencies will increasingly need to move towards consulting, strategy, and helping clients make better decisions.

    We also discuss the power of niching, building effective offshore teams, creating strong SOPs, and staying nimble as technology continues to evolve. Wes explains why becoming highly specialised has helped Uplift 360 deliver value faster, build stronger client relationships, and create a more efficient business.

    If you're a business owner wondering how AI will affect your industry—or how to make your business more valuable in a rapidly changing market—this episode is packed with practical insights.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • Why niching down can create more opportunities instead of limiting them.
    • How AI is changing the value of technical skills and digital services.
    • Why digital agencies may need to evolve from technical providers into strategic consultants.
    • How Wes built and managed offshore teams across the Philippines and India.
    • Why SOPs and consistent processes are critical when working with distributed teams.
    • How becoming highly specialised helps businesses deliver value faster.
    • Why business owners need to stay nimble as technology continues to evolve.
    • How thinking like an entrepreneur can help you stay ahead of changes in your industry.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet Wes Towers

    01:40 – From Dial-Up Internet to AI

    03:30 – Starting Uplift 360 in His Early Twenties

    05:15 – Learning Business the Hard Way

    06:45 – The Highs and Lows of Entrepreneurship

    07:50 – How AI Is Changing Digital Agencies

    09:00 – From Tech Provider to Strategic Consultant

    09:10 – Building Offshore Teams

    11:45 – Why SOPs Matter

    12:40 – Letting Your Team Improve the Business

    13:40 – Understanding the Human Side of AI

    14:50 – A Simple Way to Get Better at AI

    15:50 – Why Wes Keeps Building

    18:30 – The Future Is More Human

    21:50 – The Power of Niching Down

    23:00 – How Niching Creates Better Results

    24:40 – Wes's Advice for Business Owners

    24:45 – Connect with Wes Towers and Uplift 360

    Connect with Wes Towers

    Want to explore how digital strategy, AI, and specialised marketing could support your business?

    Connect with Wes Towers through Uplift 360 at uplift360.com.au, where you can learn more about the agency and book a strategy call with Wes.

    For the full conversation on AI, niching, digital agencies, and the future of business, listen to Episode 78 of The Growth Equation.

    26 min
  • The Human Advantage: David Coupland on Creativity in the Age of AI

    As AI reshapes the way businesses operate, many leaders are asking the same question: What role will humans play in the future of work?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with David Coupland, Co-Founder of Born The Agency, to explore why creativity, curiosity, and human connection are becoming more valuable—not less—in the age of artificial intelligence.

    David shares the story behind launching Born The Agency during the uncertainty following COVID, growing from two founders to a team of 20 across two offices in just a few years, and building an agency that challenges traditional industry thinking. We discuss the importance of protecting culture as you scale, hiring for capacity before you're overwhelmed, saying no to the wrong opportunities, and using AI as a tool to enhance creativity rather than replace it.

    Whether you're leading a creative business, embracing AI, or simply trying to build a sustainable company with the right people and systems, this conversation offers practical lessons on creating long-term value without losing what makes your business unique.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • Why human creativity becomes more valuable as AI becomes more capable.
    • How Born The Agency grew from two founders to 20 people in just three years.
    • Why hiring before you reach full capacity creates healthier, more sustainable growth.
    • How saying "no" can become one of your strongest commercial decisions.
    • Why understanding cash flow is more important than simply winning new work.
    • How to protect your culture as your business scales.
    • Where AI creates genuine efficiencies—and where human thinking still wins.
    • Why building a business should be an enjoyable challenge, not a constant struggle.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet David Coupland

    02:00 – Starting an Agency After COVID

    04:00 – Leaving Secure Jobs to Start From Scratch

    06:15 – Winning the First Clients

    08:00 – Taking the First Hiring Risk

    10:00 – Growing to 20 People

    12:30 – Building a Sustainable Culture

    15:00 – AI and the Future of Creativity

    18:00 – Choosing the Right Growth Model

    22:00 – Learning to Say No

    25:00 – Cash Flow Over Revenue

    28:00 – Navigating the 'Awkward Teenage Years' of Business

    31:00 – One Final Piece of Advice

    31:45 – Connect with David Coupland and Born The Agency

    Resources & Links

    Guest: David Coupland, Co-Founder, Born The Agency

    Website: https://borntheagency.com

    Email: [email protected]

    If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Growth Equation, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who's navigating growth, embracing AI, or looking to build a business that puts people and creativity first.

    33 min
  • Beyond Growth: Tim Johnson on Building a Business That Lasts Beyond You

    What does it take to build a business that's valuable enough for someone else to buy, and strong enough to thrive after you're gone?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Tim Johnson, founder of Upraise PR, to unpack the 21-year journey of building, growing, and ultimately selling a successful public relations agency. Tim shares what he learned from surviving the dot-com boom and bust, starting from scratch without taking clients or staff, and gradually building a business that became an attractive acquisition.

    We also dive into the less glamorous side of entrepreneurship—late nights, managing growth, evolving leadership, staying on top of your numbers, and preparing your business for life beyond the founder. Tim explains why every growing company eventually outgrows its structure, how empowering leaders allowed him to step away from day-to-day operations, and why understanding your ideal client is one of the most important decisions any business owner can make.

    Whether you're just starting your business or thinking about an eventual exit, this conversation offers practical insights into building a business that's designed to last long after the founder steps away.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • Why every growing business eventually outgrows its organisational structure.
    • How Tim built Upraise PR from scratch without taking clients or employees.
    • The leadership lessons that helped him step back from daily operations.
    • What buyers look for when acquiring a business.
    • Why keeping a close eye on your numbers is critical to long-term success.
    • How to prepare your business for an eventual sale—even if you're years away.
    • Why defining your ideal client and niche creates a stronger, more valuable business.
    • The importance of building systems and leaders who can operate without the founder.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet Tim Johnson

    02:10 – From Corporate PR to Entrepreneurship

    04:10 – Starting Without Clients or Staff

    06:10 – The Reality of Building a Business

    08:00 – Creating the Right Environment for Growth

    10:00 – Growing Beyond Twenty Employees

    12:15 – Developing Leaders Instead of Managers

    15:00 – Lessons From the Tough Days

    17:10 – Preparing for an Exit

    20:30 – Life After the Sale

    22:30 – Advice for Business Owners

    24:15 – Finding Your Ideal Customer

    25:45 – Connect with Tim Johnson and Upraise PR

    Resources & Links

    Guest: Tim Johnson, Founder, Upraise PR

    Website: https://upraisepr.com

    Email: [email protected]

    If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Growth Equation, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who's focused on building a business that creates lasting value—not just short-term growth.

    27 min
  • Success at What Cost? George Rivera on Building a Business Without Losing Your Family

    What if the biggest threat to your family isn't the long hours you're working—but the business you've built to provide for them?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with George Rivera, entrepreneur, business strategist, and founder of Founder Dad Tables, for a powerful conversation about redefining success. George shares the life-changing advice his father gave him just weeks before he passed away: "Don't miss Leo's games. I missed too many of yours." That single sentence reshaped George's priorities and ultimately changed the way he built his businesses.

    Together, we explore why so many founders become trapped in businesses that depend entirely on them, how that pressure quietly follows them home, and why systems, delegation, and AI aren't just business tools: they're ways to reclaim time with the people who matter most. George also shares how scaling a business to nearly $50 million taught him that true success isn't measured by revenue alone, but by being present for life's most important moments.

    If you're building a business while trying to build a meaningful life, this episode will challenge you to rethink what success really looks like, and what it's costing you.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • Why most founders don't have a time problem—they have a dependency problem.
    • How to build systems that create freedom instead of scaling chaos.
    • The life-changing lesson George learned from his father about being present.
    • Why your family often gets what's left when your business gets your best.
    • How delegation, documentation, and AI can help reclaim your time.
    • The importance of designing a business that doesn't depend on you.
    • Why seeking approval through your business can quietly damage your relationships.
    • How to redefine success before it's too late.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet George Rivera

    01:45 – When Business Starts Costing Your Family

    05:55 – From Teenage Entrepreneur to Multi-Million-Dollar Founder

    06:35 – Why He Wanted to Burn It All Down

    07:20 – The Dependency Problem

    09:20 – Redesigning the Business for Freedom

    10:30 – The Legacy Beyond Revenue

    12:10 – Founder Prison and Breaking the Cycle

    17:30 – Seeking Approval Through Work

    19:20 – Scaling Freedom Instead of Chaos

    24:10 – The Time Liberation Trifecta

    27:10 – AI, SOPs, and Smarter Delegation

    29:45 – One Final Reminder for Every Founder

    30:40 – Connect with George Rivera and Founder Dad Tables

    Resources & Links

    Guest: George Rivera, Founder, Founder Dad Tables

    Website: https://founderdadtables.com

    If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to The Growth Equation, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs the reminder that the greatest measure of success isn't just the business you build—it's the life and relationships you build alongside it.

    33 min
  • Freedom by Design: Dave Lawson on Choosing Simplicity Over Scale

    What if building a successful business wasn't about hiring more people or chasing endless growth—but about creating a business that gives you the freedom to live life on your terms?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Dave Lawson, Founder and Creative Director of Design People, to explore his journey from award-winning advertising agencies to intentionally building a simpler, more sustainable business. Dave shares how years of long hours, burnout, and the pressure of managing teams led him to rethink what success really means.

    We discuss the lessons he learned from working in London, building and rebranding his own agency, navigating business partnerships, surviving COVID, and making the bold decision to step away from managing employees in favour of a solo business model supported by trusted freelancers.

    If you're a business owner questioning whether bigger is always better, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on designing a business around your strengths, protecting your wellbeing, and creating the freedom to do your best work—without sacrificing the life you're working so hard to build.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • Why bigger isn't always better when it comes to building a successful business.
    • How burnout became the catalyst for redesigning Dave's business and life.
    • The lessons Dave learned from leading teams, partnerships, and agency life.
    • Why simplifying your business can increase creativity, flexibility, and fulfilment.
    • How trusting your instincts can help you make better business decisions.
    • The impact ADHD had on Dave's work and how a diagnosis changed his approach to business.
    • Why choosing the right clients is just as important as winning new ones.
    • How to build a business that supports your lifestyle instead of consuming it.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet Dave Lawson

    00:50 – Working in London

    04:20 – Chasing Awards and Burning Out

    06:00 – Leaving Agency Life

    08:00 – Business Partnerships and Hard Lessons

    11:20 – Starting Design People

    12:50 – When Growth Creates More Stress

    14:30 – Choosing Simplicity Over Scale

    16:30 – Freedom, Flexibility, and Loving the Work Again

    20:30 – ADHD and Entrepreneurial Focus

    22:15 – Lessons He'd Do Differently

    26:15 – Passion Before Profit

    28:30 – Working with the Right Clients

    31:00 – Advice for Small Business Owners

    37:05 – Connect with Dave Lawson and Design People

    Connect with Dave Lawson

    Whether you're launching a new brand, refreshing an existing identity, or looking for a creative partner who values quality over quantity, Design People offers a highly personalised approach built on collaboration, trust, and craftsmanship.

    Learn more about Dave and his work by visiting designpeople.com.au, or connect with him on Instagram (@designpeople) to explore his latest branding, hospitality, and creative projects.

    For more insights on entrepreneurship, burnout, business simplicity, and designing a business that gives you more freedom, listen to the full episode of The Growth Equation with Dave Lawson.

    38 min
  • Building from Within: Joseph Benjamin on Healing, Identity, and Entrepreneurship

    What if the biggest obstacle to growing your business isn't your strategy but your relationship with yourself?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Joseph Benjamin, Founder of Prophecy Brand, for one of the most honest and thought-provoking conversations we've had on the podcast. Joseph shares his remarkable entrepreneurial journey—from building a million-dollar PR agency in his first year, to losing everything, spending a year in jail after being caught in a fraudulent cheque scam, and ultimately rebuilding both his business and his identity.

    Together, we explore the difference between who you are and what you do, why healing and self-awareness matter in entrepreneurship, and how Joseph transformed his agency into a reflection of his personal values. We also discuss thought leadership, authentic branding, choosing the right clients, and why some of the most important lessons in business come from life's greatest setbacks.

    If you're building a business while navigating personal growth, this episode will challenge the way you think about success, identity, and what it really means to build something meaningful.

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • Why your business should never become your identity.
    • Joseph's journey from early success to rebuilding after losing everything.
    • What "proximity to wealth isn't wealth" really means for entrepreneurs.
    • How personal healing shaped the vision behind Prophecy Brand.
    • Why authentic thought leadership attracts the right clients.
    • The importance of creating boundaries between your personal identity and your business.
    • Why mistakes often become your greatest source of wisdom.
    • How to build a business that's aligned with your values instead of your ego.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet Joseph Benjamin

    01:15 – Breaking Into Fashion and Public Relations

    02:30 – Building a Million-Dollar Agency

    03:50 – Losing Everything

    05:20 – Rebuilding After Rock Bottom

    07:25 – Creating Prophecy Brand

    08:50 – The Power of Authentic Storytelling

    12:15 – A Different Vision for Business Growth

    15:20 – Rethinking Agency Pricing

    17:45 – Proximity to Wealth Isn't Wealth

    19:05 – Separating Identity from Business

    21:00 – Thought Leadership That Builds Trust

    22:40 – Learning From the Past

    24:05 – Final Advice for Entrepreneurs

    27:45 – Connect with Joseph Benjamin and Prophecy Brand

    Connect with Joseph Benjamin

    If you're looking to build a brand that's rooted in authenticity, purpose, and meaningful storytelling, connect with Joseph Benjamin, Founder of Prophecy Brand.

    To learn more about Joseph's work, visit prophecybrand.com, where you'll also find articles exploring branding, leadership, luxury, and conscious entrepreneurship. You can also connect with him on Instagram (@theprophecybrand) or read his personal reflections on Medium, where he writes about healing, self-development, creativity, and the experiences that have shaped his journey.

    For more insights on entrepreneurship, identity, resilience, and building a business that reflects your values, listen to the full episode of The Growth Equation with Joseph Benjamin.

    30 min
  • Building Better, Not Bigger: Katy Boos on Boutique Agency Growth

    What if growing your business didn't mean hiring more people or offering more services?

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Katy Boos, Founder and CEO of Remix Communications, to explore why building a boutique agency has been the key to long-term success. Katy shares her journey from working in PR at Apple during the Steve Jobs era to co-founding a successful agency before launching Remix Communications, a specialist thought leadership agency helping executives land speaking opportunities and podcast interviews.

    We dive into the realities of agency ownership, from surviving the disruption of COVID when live events disappeared overnight to making tough decisions around profitability, client selection, and staying true to your niche. Katy also shares why building a small, high-performing team has allowed her agency to deliver exceptional results without chasing endless growth.

    If you're building a service-based business, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on niching down, creating a premium client experience, trusting your instincts, and designing a business around the life you want—not just the biggest revenue number

    What You'll Learn In This Episode
    • Why building a better business is often more valuable than building a bigger one.
    • How niching down helped Remix Communications become a leader in thought leadership marketing.
    • The lessons Katy learned working at Apple during one of its most innovative eras.
    • How staying focused helped her business survive COVID despite the events industry shutting down.
    • Why not every client is the right client—and how to spot red flags early.
    • The importance of knowing your numbers and making decisions based on profit, not just revenue.
    • How to build a small, high-performing team that delivers exceptional client results.
    • Why trusting your instincts is one of the most valuable skills a business owner can develop.

    Chapter Notes

    00:00 – Meet Katy Boos

    01:00 – Inside Apple During the Steve Jobs Era

    04:25 – Launching Remix Communications

    06:35 – What Remix Communications Actually Does

    09:20 – COVID and the Biggest Challenge the Agency Faced

    11:40 – Why Niching Down Beats Doing Everything

    13:15 – Running a Boutique Agency

    16:10 – Is Bigger Always Better?

    19:40 – The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers

    21:15 – Trust Your Instincts About Clients

    24:00 – Building a High-Performing Team

    26:15 – One Piece of Advice for Business Owners

    26:30 – Connect with Katy Boos and Remix Communications

    Connect with Katy Boos and Remix Communications

    If you're looking to establish yourself or your leadership team as thought leaders through speaking engagements, podcast guest appearances, and strategic communications, visit Remix Communications to learn more about Katy Boos and her team.

    For more practical lessons on building a boutique business, niching down, and creating sustainable growth, be sure to listen to the full episode of The Growth Equation with Katy Boos.

    Website: https://remixcommunications.com

    LinkedIn: Katy Boos

    27 min

About The Growth Equation

From the publisher's feed

The Growth Equation is a podcast dedicated to helping Australian marketing agencies thrive in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. We go beyond the surface level and dive deep into the "messy middle" of scaling a business – the challenges, the triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way.