Peter Kang is the co-founder of Barrel, a digital design and e-commerce agency, and the driving force behind Barrel Holdings, which oversees multiple agencies. With a background that blends entrepreneurship, design, and business strategy, Peter has become a thought leader on building and scaling agencies, navigating leadership transitions, and exploring the future of digital work in an AI-driven world.

Summary

In this conversation, Peter Kang shares his journey from discovering his love of computers and content creation at a young age to co-founding Barrel, an agency focused on e-commerce and digital design. He reflects on early challenges, the pivotal decision to become a Shopify partner, and how he and his co-founder evolved from designers to strategic business leaders. Peter also dives into the creation of Barrel Holdings, leading multiple agencies, preparing leadership successors, and his excitement for how AI will reshape the agency space. He emphasizes systems thinking, personal well-being, and leaving behind a meaningful legacy.

Takeaways

• Early exposure to computers sparked Peter’s interest in design and entrepreneurship.
• Barrel’s early years were about learning the craft, not just business growth.
• Focusing exclusively on e-commerce and Shopify was a turning point.
• Leadership transitions and succession planning are critical for long-term agency health.
• Personal well-being and family time directly impact leadership effectiveness.
• Peter is now focused on supporting agency leaders and pursuing M&A opportunities.
• AI presents new opportunities and challenges for agencies.

Powerful Phrase

"There's always more to learn. There's always more that we're not aware of that we need to go after.”

John D is a designer turned entrepreneur who began by creating a website for his mother’s tutoring business. Today, he runs a thriving seven-figure agency with clients such as Land Rover and the NAACP. Beyond his agency, John is involved in multiple ventures, including co-developing a video game with his son and writing a book on remote work.

Summary

In this episode, John D reflects on his transformation from a creative child to a successful entrepreneur and agency leader. He shares how consistency, delegation, and sales skills helped him grow from a solo designer into running a seven-figure digital agency. John highlights the importance of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) in maintaining quality and efficiency, especially when leading distributed teams.

The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of remote work, strategies for building a diverse global team, and the balance required to sustain work-life harmony while managing multiple ventures. John offers candid insights on leadership, agency growth, and the personal side of entrepreneurship—including his creative collaboration with his son.

Takeaways

• Consistency builds credibility and growth.
• Delegation enables scaling.
• SOPs reduce errors and streamline processes.
• Work-life balance supports long-term success.
• Remote work unlocks global opportunities.

Powerful Phrase

"If you're pushing toward that goal, if you're continuing to excel and own those skills, then you're going to be able to waver through that storm.”

Felix Velarde is a veteran entrepreneur with over 31 years in the digital agency world. He founded six agencies, advised many more, and today leads the 2Y3X growth accelerator, helping founders scale with speed and resilience. He is also the author of Scale at Speed.

Summary:

In this episode, Felix Velarde shares his journey from an “accidental entrepreneur” to a leader who has built and scaled multiple successful agencies. With decades of experience, Felix discusses the decisive role of leadership, the importance of learning from mistakes, and how personal values shape culture.

He highlights why agency founders must niche down and focus on areas where they can truly excel, while also embracing AI and new technologies as growth enablers. Felix explains the predictable stages of agency growth, common plateaus, and the transformations required to scale sustainably. His insights provide a practical roadmap for entrepreneurs navigating growth while staying true to their values.

Takeaways:

• Decision-making fuels survival and growth.
• Values and culture must align.
• Niching creates clarity and differentiation.
• AI should be embraced, not resisted.
• Scaling requires transformation at each stage.

Powerful Phrase:

"Your culture is what you tolerate"

Neil Smith, former head of Partnerships at Webflow and founder of FlowSultants , brings decades of experience in partnerships and strategic growth. Having worked with global leaders like IBM and Microsoft, his journey through Webflow underscored the critical role of partnerships in scaling agencies.

Summary

In this episode, Neil Smith explores the transformative power of partnerships and how agencies can evolve in a rapidly changing digital landscape. He shares lessons from working with top industry players during his time at Webflow, where he saw firsthand how agencies can shift from being builders to trusted strategic partners.

Neil discusses the need for specialization and verticalization to stand out, the impact of AI and automation on efficiency and client value, and how agencies can navigate between boutique agility and large-agency competition. He also reflects on his entrepreneurial leap, the gaps he identified in the Webflow ecosystem, and the future of no-code development.

Takeaways

• Partnerships drive long-term growth.
• Specialization creates differentiation.
• AI enhances efficiency and offerings.

Powerful Phrase

"You're not charging for the build. You should be charging for the business impact it enables.”

This is The Reservation — the podcast where agency founders, entrepreneurs, and dealmakers share the real stories and strategies behind building, buying, and scaling businesses.

Hosted by Yannick "Yaya" Lorenz, who built and sold his own 7-figure agency, this show brings you unfiltered conversations with some of the sharpest minds in the industry.

Subscribe now and don’t miss the first full episodes dropping soon. Pull up a seat — your table’s ready.