An Agency Story

Company: Mighty Fine Owners : Frank Rodriguez Year Started: 2010 Employees: 1-10  What if you could grow a successful agency without 60-hour weeks or compromising your lifestyle? In this episode, Frank Rodriguez, founder of Mighty Fine, shares how his unconventional journey, from a ninth-grade dropout to agency owner, shaped a business rooted in freedom, quality, and purpose. Hear how Frank built...

Company: The Sway Effect Owners : Jennifer Risi Year Started: 2019 Employees: 11-25  What happens when a values-driven PR veteran leaves a global agency to start from scratch and then beats that very agency in a major pitch? In this episode, Jennifer Risi, Founder of The Sway Effect, shares how she built a purpose-led agency with DEI at the core and landed Fortune 200 clients in her first year. Yo...

Company: BKN Creative Owners : Kevin Tydlaska–Dziedzic and Brandon Tydlaska-Dziedzic Year Started: 2015 Employees: 11-25  Most agencies talk about culture, BKN Creative lives it. In this episode, married co-founders Kevin and Brandon Tydlaska-Dziedzic share how they grew from a headshot side hustle to a thriving boutique agency with offices in Tampa, NYC, and Denver. They dive deep into trust, tra...

Company: The Weinbach Group Owners : Dan Weinbach Year Started: 1987 Employees: 11-25  What happens when a Hollywood dreamer returns home to run the family agency? In this episode, Daniel Weinbach, CEO of The Weinbach Group, shares his candid journey from film school to leading a specialized healthcare marketing firm. You'll hear how embracing niche expertise, facing family dynamics, and a pe...

Company: Method and Metric SEO Agency Owners : Jesse Ringer Year Started: 2017 Employees: 1-10 (Emerging) What if staying ahead of SEO trends wasn’t about hustle, but a habit? In this episode, Jesse Ringer shares the one simple rhythm that keeps his agency sharp, agile, and client-focused. Learn how a culture of curiosity, and a few hard lessons, helped him build a thriving team that delivers real...

Company: eLuminate Marketing Owners : Lyndsi Edgar Year Started: 2014 Employees: 1-10  Building an agency that doesn’t burn you out isn’t luck, it’s discipline. In this episode, Lyndsi Edgar, founder of eLuminate Marketing, shares how she built a sustainable agency over the last 10 years by staying laser-focused, saying no to the wrong clients, and protecting her time like her business depended on...

Company: ATX The Brand Owners : Daniel Griggs Year Started: 2015 Employees: 1-10  Can the mindset of a pro athlete help you grow a thriving digital agency? In this episode, Daniel Griggs, former arena football player turned founder of ATX Web Design, shares how the same grit, research, and outreach that got him NFL tryouts became the foundation for his multimillion-dollar business. If you're...

Company: Diaz & Cooper Owners : Omi Diaz-Cooper Year Started: 2001 Employees: 11-25 (Intermediate) What happens when you quit your job, launch an agency, and welcome your first child, all at once? In this episode, Omi Diaz-Cooper shares how she built her agency by blending bold life choices with the unique perspective of an anthropology-trained marketer. You'll learn how understanding hum...

Company: Zelen Communications Owners : Terry Zelen Year Started: 2005 Employees: 11 – 25 What do marine biology, Macintosh computers, and Outback Steakhouse have in common? Terry Zelen. In this episode, Terry shares how he built a 35-year agency by embracing change, betting on relationships, and staying ahead of marketing tech trends. You’ll learn what it takes to survive and thrive through econom...

Company: Lform Design Owners: Ian Loew Year Started: 2005 Employees: 11-25  One bold moment changed everything. In this episode, Ian Loew, founder of Lform Design, shares how a spontaneous decision at a networking event launched his agency—and the gritty steps that turned it into a thriving business. If you're navigating growth, niching, or the impact of AI on your agency, this story will hit...

Company: Loomis Agency Owners : Mike Sullivan Year Started: 1984 Employees: 51-100 What happens when your biggest client suddenly walks away? In this episode, Mike Sullivan, President and CEO of Loomis Agency, shares the jaw-dropping story of losing 50% of his agency’s revenue in 30 days and how it led to a remarkable turnaround. From leadership lessons to growth strategies, Mike offers powerful i...

Company: Ebove & Beyond Owners : Jennifer Myers-Ward Year Started: 2003 Employees: 1-10 What happens when you walk away from a fortune in Amazon stock? Jennifer Myers-Ward did exactly that and still built an agency that’s lasted over 20 years. In this episode, she shares how grit, resourcefulness, and real relationships helped her succeed in the fast-changing world of digital marketing. Key Ta...

Company:  Nifty Method Marketing & Events Owners : Lindsay Martin-Bilbrey Year Started: 2016 Employees: 26-50 What happens when a former lobbyist accidentally builds an agency? In this episode, Lindsay Martin-Bilbrey, CEO of Nifty Method, shares how she turned unexpected beginnings into a career leading high-impact events for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 100s. You'll hear the...

Company: Insite Owners : Nicki Purcell Year Started: 1998 Employees: 26-50 From the Newsroom to the C-Suite: Nicki Purcell’s Agency Journey What happens when a corporate exec takes the reins of a 25-year-old agency she didn’t found? In this episode, Nicki Purcell, President and co-owner of Insite, shares her unconventional path to agency leadership—filled with twists, lessons, and bold decisions....

Company: Hooked On Code Owners : Torie Capistran Year Started: 2014 Employees: 1-10 (Emerging) What do tropical beaches, irrational confidence, and refund guarantees have in common? In this episode, Torie Capistran, founder of Hooked On Code, shares how she went from building websites on the beach to creating an agency model so client-friendly, no one has ever claimed her money-back guarantee. You...

Company: SAMA Labs Owners : John Florey Year Started: 2018 Employees: 26-50 In this episode of An Agency Story , John Florey, co-founder and CEO of SAMA Labs, shares how early mistakes nearly derailed their agency including a client so unhappy he threatened a physical shakedown. From chaotic beginnings to scaling high-retention client relationships, John opens up about the turning points that resh...

Company: Distinction Agency Owners : Alex Onaindia Year Started: 2018 Employees: 1-10  Building a successful agency isn’t just about great creative, it’s about staying sharp behind the scenes. In this episode, Alex Onaindia, CEO and co-founder of Distinction Agency, shares how he built a thriving athlete and influencer marketing firm by combining storytelling with business discipline. From viral N...

Company: TrackableMed Owners : Zed Williamson Year Started: 2011 Employees: 26-50  What if your agency could drive patient action using neuroscience instead of flashy ads? In this episode, Zed Williamson, founder of TrackableMed, shares how understanding human behavior helped him grow a thriving medical marketing agency. Discover how his strategic approach redefines what it means to create meaning...

Company: Simple Social Marketing Agency Owners : Arianne Hutcherson Year Started: 2018 Employees: 11-25 Building a Business, a Family, and a Team That Lasts What happens when a late-night “real job” conversation turns into a thriving agency that supports over 30 people? In this episode, Arianne Hutcherson, President of Simple Social, shares the story behind starting her business with her husband,...

Company: Covalent Logic Owners : Stafford Wood Year Started: 2005 Employees: 26-50  When Half the Team Walks Out, What Do You Do Next? In this episode, Stafford Wood, founder of Covalent Logic, shares the bold decision that led to nearly half her team quitting overnight and how that moment became the turning point for building a stronger, values-driven agency. If you’ve ever felt the weight of lea...

Company: Huemor Owners : Jeff Gapinski Year Started: 2011 Employees: 51-100 Starting from a basement in Long Island, Jeff Gapinski turned a side hustle into a good sized organization. In this episode, Jeff shares the unfiltered journey, from losing 90% of his revenue to building a global team and becoming a sought-after agency to work with (and for). Inside this episode: Why relying on one major c...

Company: MDRG Owners : Sondra Brown Year Started: 1994 Employees: 11-25 (Intermediate) Sondra Brown built a successful market research consultancy serving clients like Microsoft and Smoothie King but her biggest leadership breakthrough came from a simple cultural misstep. In this episode, she shares how behavioral economics, scaling a team, and a six-figure leap of faith shaped the MDRG journey. I...

Company: TobinLeff Owner(s) : David Tobin Year Started: 2009 Employees: 1-10 (Emerging) On this special episode, we have David Tobin with TobinLeff M&A advisors where David serves as founder and managing partner.  Started in 2010, David’s firm has helped over 155 agencies navigate the exit of their business. Focused on both the buyer and seller side of the transaction, all partners at TobinLef...

Company: Copello Owners : Carolina Copello Year Started: 2011 Employees: 1-10  What does it take to build a thriving PR agency with zero formal training? In this episode, Carolina Copello shares her bold leap from the corporate world to founding Copello, a boutique communications agency serving Latin America and U.S. Hispanic markets. Her journey proves that trusting your instincts, staying lean,...

Company: L&L Collective Owners : Beth Romer Year Started: 2021 Employees: 1-10 What happens when you walk away from a client that could pay well but doesn’t align with your values? In this episode, Beth Romer, founder of L&L Collective, shares how she built a thriving agency by prioritizing purpose, setting boundaries, and embracing small business creativity. You'll hear her story of...