Agency Darlings

Episode Description: In today’s episode, Melissa and Meredith sit down with Patrice Poltzer , founder and creator of My Story Pro , to explore how AI can help humanize storytelling and streamline the sales process for high-ticket clients. They dive into Patrice’s unique approach to AI, discussing how it’s not about automation for the sake of efficiency but about using AI to uncover deeper insights...

In today’s episode , Melissa and Meredith dive deep into the sales process for agencies, with a focus on attracting and closing high-ticket clients. They explore the key stages of building a structured, efficient sales process that helps you close deals faster and with more confidence. The episode covers everything from initial client engagement to sending proposals, avoiding ghosting, and nurturi...

In today’s episode, Meredith and Melissa dive deep into the power of organic growth for agencies, emphasizing the importance of nurturing long-term client relationships over constantly chasing new business. They share their strategies for turning one-time projects into long-term partnerships and how retention can drive more stable revenue and higher profit margins. The episode covers offboarding s...

In this episode, Meredith and Melissa dig into the difference between “nice to have” offers and services your clients can’t live without. They break down what it really means to create painkiller positioning—offers that speak directly to urgent problems and drive faster, higher-converting sales. They also unpack why most agencies need to ditch custom scoping and start using tiered pricing to strea...

In this quick pep talk, Melissa shares insights on why taking time off is essential for both your mental health and business performance. She discusses her own experience with burnout, why women in leadership positions face more challenges with time off, and offers a simple formula for integrating regular breaks into your schedule. Whether you're a founder or anyone balancing work and personal lif...

Thanks to Our Sponsor, Metricool: Metricool is the tool we use for social media management and reporting. It helps you manage your social media, track performance, and create engaging content all in one place. For our listeners only, use code  DARLINGS  to get FREE access to 30 days of any Metricool Premium plan . In this episode, Meredith and Melissa dive into the challenging yet n...

In this episode, Meredith and Melissa dive deep into the core elements that make their co-founder relationship work. From how they balance each other’s strengths, keep everything transparent , and support each other in both good and tough times , they share what’s worked—and what hasn’t—on their journey. Building a business with a partner isn’t just about shared goals; it’s about building trust, c...

We’re Back for Season 3! 🎉 Welcome to Season 3 of Agency Darlings ! This season, we’re diving deep into the growth phase of scaling your agency—without losing your sanity. We're covering everything from co-founder relationships to client breakups , and we’re here to bring you actionable strategies and real conversations that will help you lead with confidence, overcome challenges, and grow your a...

It's the Season 2 Finale of Agency Darlings! 🎉 We’re wrapping up this chapter with reflections on the season’s biggest themes and insights. We give you insight into our ‘Agency Owner’s Compass’ the three key pillars every agency founder needs to scale successfully: Vision, Lead Generation, and Profitability. Plus, our favorite moments from the season, listener-favorite episodes, and a sneak peek...

In this episode, we’re diving into the topic of setting clear expectations and boundaries with clients right from the start. No more guessing games - this is about laying the foundation for long-term, successful partnerships by setting the terms upfront, shutting down scope creep before it starts, negotiating payment terms like a pro, and knowing exactly how to handle cancellations.  With rea...

Lead generation doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending hustle. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for referrals, unsure where to find quality leads, or overwhelmed by outdated, ineffective strategies, this episode is for you. We’re getting down to the real reasons agencies struggle with lead gen and sharing practical, creative ways to fill your pipeline - without feeling spammy or burning out. Fr...

Saying yes feels good - until it doesn’t. Whether it’s taking on misaligned clients, projects that drag on, or saying yes out of fear, the wrong yes can cost your agency more than you think. In this episode, we’re breaking down why learning to say no is one of the most powerful growth moves you can make - and how it can actually lead to more revenue, happier clients, and less burnout. We’re diving...

We’re breaking down five key decisions that will move the needle in your business - from niching down to hiring your #2. Because let’s be real: staying stuck in client work, pricing based on hours, and taking on low-value projects isn’t going to get you there. These shifts will. Scaling your agency isn’t about doing more - it’s about doing the right things. If you’re hovering around the multi-six-...

As an agency owner, you’re constantly making decisions - about clients, growth, strategy, and leadership. But what happens when your success starts feeling misaligned? In this episode, we’re diving deep into how to create a business and life that reflect your true ambitions, featuring special guest Bonnie Wan, Chief Strategy Officer of the Year (2022 and 2023) and author of The Life Brief . Meliss...

What if scaling your agency didn’t mean working more, but working smarter? Profitability is the foundation of a sustainable, thriving agency - but so many agency owners struggle to maintain healthy profit margins. In this episode, we're diving deep into the biggest profitability mistakes agencies make, why revenue alone isn’t a measure of success, and the strategies you need to build a financially...

What if success isn’t just about working harder, but aligning with what truly lights you up? In this episode, we're diving deep into manifestation, alignment, and embodiment - and how these principles can help you build a business (and life) that feels purposeful and fulfilling. Whether you're skeptical about manifestation or all-in on the woo, this conversation will show you how to take intention...

We're diving into the real talk about pipeline building. Whether you're riding the revenue rollercoaster of a slow season or building momentum from scratch - we’ve got you. No more sitting around waiting for the next referral to land in your inbox – we're sharing our tried-and-true strategies for filling your pipeline with dream clients and creating sustainable growth that feels authentic (and dar...

In our season premiere, we're tackling a game-changing topic: Boundaries . Whether you're running an agency or scaling your creative business, this episode is your playbook for setting and maintaining professional boundaries that protect both your energy and your bottom line. What to Expect From This Episode: The 7 Essential Agency Boundaries You Need Onboarding expectations Working hours Communic...

We’re Back for Season 2! 🎉 Welcome to a brand-new season of Agency Darlings ! We’re thrilled to bring you more actionable strategies, inspiring conversations, and expert insights tailored for agency founders and creative business leaders scaling to seven and eight figures. This season, we’re tackling some of the biggest challenges agency owners face—while also celebrating your wins. With fresh pe...

As we wrap up this season of Agency Darlings, we’re closing with an inspiring conversation with Carrie Kerpen, the founder of a thriving social media agency. She takes us through her journey of building and scaling her business from the ground up, sharing the challenges, victories, and lessons learned along the way. Carrie dives deep into the importance of having a long-term vision, balancing the...

Selling doesn’t have to feel salesy - it just needs to feel like you. In this episode of Agency Darlings, we’re breaking down how to create a winning sales process that’s structured, authentic, and effective. From qualifying leads to confidently handling follow-ups, we’re sharing tips to help you close more deals while building trust and relationships. Whether you’re refining your pitch or trying...

Let’s talk about something every entrepreneur faces but doesn’t always admit: imposter syndrome. In this episode of Agency Darlings, we’re pulling back the curtain on those moments of self-doubt that make us question if we’re truly qualified for the opportunities in front of us.  We’re diving into how imposter syndrome shows up for agency owners—especially women and those in underrepresented...

In this episode of Agency Darlings , we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges creative agency owners face: managing finances. We’re talking all things cash flow, setting realistic revenue goals, and, most importantly, making sure you’re paying yourself what you deserve. This Q&A-style episode dives deep into the numbers game that fuels your business success. Whether you're struggli...

In this special episode, we’re sharing what’s been happening behind the scenes and how we’ve navigated some very unexpected mid season changes. We’d also love to take this opportunity to say thank you SO MUCH to every single one of you, whether you tune in every week or you’re just stopping by for one episode, we so deeply appreciate all of your support. With that being said, welcome to Agency Dar...

In this episode, we dive deep into a crucial topic for agency owners: strengthening and diversifying your offer suite to maximize revenue and thrive through economic ups and downs. We share insights into why building offers around outcomes, not just outputs, is key and explore how to structure your offer tiers effectively. From creating profitable entry-point offers to designing complementary serv...