Leverage for Growth Podcast

Hosted by Jesse P. Gilmore & Niche in Control

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Episodes

240

Latest episode

Jan 2026

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About the show

Leverage for Growth podcast is designed to do two things for you: unleash your power as an entrepreneur, and start a new conversation about scaling through internal transformations and business systems that we call Leverage for Growth.

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60 recent

January 14, 202626 min

S3 / AL EP 78: Vince Quinn - Who Podcasting is Really For...And Who It Isn't

Most podcasts don't fail because of audio quality. They fail because they didn't have what was needed to succeed in the first place. In this episode of The Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse P. Gilmore sits down with Vince Quinn, co-founder of SBX Productions, to break down who podcasting actually works for, who it doesn't, and why so many business podcasts burn out fast. Vince shares his journey from corporate radio to building a podcast agency, the hard lessons learned from saying yes to the wrong clients, and why podcasting only works when there's a real business behind it. This conversation is for: • Agency owners • Coaches and consultants • B2B and service-based businesses • Founders who already know how to sell but want smarter marketing leverage In this episode, you'll learn: • Why most podcast advice leads to wasted time and burnout • The difference between entertainment podcasts and business podcasts • How podcasting functions as a business system, not just content • Why clarity in your offer determines podcast success • When podcasting accelerates revenue and when it's a distraction If you've ever wondered whether podcasting is worth your time, this episode will give you a clear answer.

November 19, 202518 min

S3 / AL EP 77: Eric Ritter - Delegation, Processes, & AI's Impact on Agencies

In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse P. Gilmore sits down with Eric Ritter, Founder and CEO of Digital Neighbor & Host of The Search Bar Podcast to break down the real skills agency owners need to scale—delegation, documentation, and operational discipline. Eric shares how he grew his digital marketing agency by moving from "saying yes to everything" to building repeatable processes, clear SOPs, scalable services, and a culture rooted in mission and values. You'll learn why documenting your work isn't optional if you want to scale, how to stop being the bottleneck inside your agency, and why "AI is the new intern"—powerful, but not a substitute for strategy, brand voice, or leadership. We dive into the evolving future of AI in digital marketing, the shift from execution to strategic partnership, and how agencies can thrive by systemizing workflows, tightening their positioning, and empowering their teams. Whether you're running a lean team or a growing agency, this episode gives you the frameworks to build a business that runs without your constant involvement.

November 13, 202522 min

S3 / AL EP 76: Sharon Toerek - How to Legally Protect Your Agency's Creative Work & Avoid Costly Mistakes

In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse Gilmore sits down with Sharon Toerek, Founder and CEO of Legal & Creative - Toerek Law, to uncover the legal blindspots most creative agencies ignore. You'll learn: ✅ The most common legal mistakes agencies make (and how to avoid them) ✅ What should (and shouldn't) be in your client contracts and freelancer agreements ✅ How to protect your creative IP in the age of AI and online brand dilution ✅ Why a strong trademark strategy can increase your agency's valuation ✅ How to future-proof your agency for partnerships, M&A, and scale

September 17, 202535 min

S3 / AL EP 75: Laura Szczes - Why Human Strategy Beats AI in Marketing

🎙️ In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse P. Gilmore sits down with Laura Szczes, founder of Double Z Media and host of the Paid Media Playbook. Laura shares how she left a 20+ year career in agency life to launch her own firm in early 2020 — right as the world shut down — and built a values-driven business that prioritizes work-life balance, culture, and results. Laura opens up about: ✅ What it was like to start an agency during the pandemic ✅ How she attracted her first clients and scaled sustainably ✅ Why building strong teams and culture is her #1 priority ✅ Common pitfalls in paid media — from attribution to measurement ✅ How podcasting became a powerful trust-building tool ✅ The truth about AI in marketing: where it helps, where it fails, and why human strategy still matters Whether you're an agency owner, marketing director, or entrepreneur navigating the fast-changing media landscape, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, growth, and future-proofing your business.

July 30, 202527 min

S3 / AL EP 74: David Blois - The 3 Things You MUST Have to Successfully Sell Your Agency

Thinking about selling your agency? Don't make a move until you hear this. In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse Gilmore sits down with mergers and acquisitions veteran David Blois, founder of M&A Advisory, who brings 30+ years of experience helping agencies around the world navigate mergers and acquisitions. You'll learn: ✅ The 3 must-haves every agency needs before selling ✅ What buyers are really looking for (and red flags to avoid) ✅ How to make your agency more sustainable and buyer-ready ✅ Real-world examples of deals that worked—and why Whether you're planning to exit in 1 year or 5, this conversation will help you prepare, maximize value, and avoid costly mistakes. 🎯 Watch now to learn how to create an agency buyers want—and will pay for.

May 21, 202529 min

S3 / AL EP 73: James Lincoln - Why You Should Focus On The Freedom Metric

🎙️ In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse Gilmore sits down with James Lincoln—founder of Goodly—to unpack the real metric that matters: freedom. 🚀 What started as a side hustle during James's MBA turned into a thriving agency doing $40K+ months. But what truly drove him wasn't money—it was the desire for time freedom, autonomy, and a business that supported the life he actually wanted. 👉 You'll hear how James: Built an agency while balancing school, a job, and two kids Delegated early by necessity, not luxury Learned to trade revenue for life ownership Built global teams without sacrificing quality Accidentally scaled into something sustainable—and freeing 💡 Whether you're stuck in the grind or scaling with intention, this episode will shift how you think about success, ownership, and the role your business plays in your life. 🎧 Hit play and discover why freedom might be the most important KPI you're not tracking.

May 7, 202532 min

S3 / AL EP 72: Chad Bauer - Leading With Clarity, Communication & Action

What does it take to transform a legacy agency into a modern growth engine? In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse Gilmore sits down with Chad Bauer, CEO of one of Baltimore's oldest advertising firms, SR&B Advertising, to unpack how he transitioned from inheriting a 60-year-old agency to leading it into a new era of innovation, culture, and brand-driven growth. Chad shares hard-won lessons on leadership—like learning to delegate, saying no to protect your vision, and why overthinking can slow you down. He also breaks down the shift from performance marketing to true brand building, and what it means to create a team that feels empowered to contribute. If you're scaling an agency, navigating a family business, or wrestling with letting go of the day-to-day, this conversation is packed with insight. 🔹 Legacy vs. reinvention 🔹 Delegation and the power of trust 🔹 Brand depth over performance noise 🔹 Communicating vision that drives culture 🔹 Building a destination workplace

April 23, 202523 min

S3 / AL EP 71: Hayden Cox - Making Smarter Decisions By Simplifying Financials

Struggling to make sense of your agency's numbers? In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse Gilmore sits down with Hayden Cox—Partner & Chief Product Officer at CleverProfits—to break down how simplified financial frameworks can give agency owners the clarity they need to scale with confidence. You'll discover: ✅ Why most agency owners misread their numbers ✅ The 3 metrics that matter most for sustainable growth ✅ How much cash you really need on hand to stay sane and strategic ✅ How to spot financial friction before it tanks your momentum If you're ready to stop guessing and start scaling, this episode is your roadmap.

April 16, 202524 min

S3 / AL EP 70: Dr. William Attaway - Why Agency Growth Starts With Letting Go

What if the biggest bottleneck in your agency… is you? In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse Gilmore sits down with Dr. William Attaway — leadership coach, author, third-generation entrepreneur and the Founder of Catalytic Leadership LLC — to uncover why most agency owners unknowingly cap their growth by clinging to control. Discover how Cape Syndrome keeps you addicted to firefighting, why your systems (or lack thereof) reflect how you lead yourself, and the simple but powerful exercise that reveals how much of your time is actually spent doing what only you can do. 🎯 If you want to stop being the bottleneck, build systems that scale, and create margin for creativity, this conversation is your wake-up call.

March 28, 202530 min

S3 / AL EP 69: Ari Pirutinsky - How to Run an Agency That Clients Trust Instantly

The key to happy clients? In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse P Gilmore chats with Ari Pirutinsky, the Founder & CEO of Steady Growth Partners . Ari breaks down how Steady Growth Partners squashes client uncertainty by setting clear expectations, delivering frequent updates, and ensuring they feel secure every step of the way. You'll learn: ✅ Why clients feel left in the dark—and how to fix it ✅ How to structure your onboarding for maximum trust ✅ The power of proactive updates (before clients even ask) ✅ How process-driven communication builds a confident agency culture By the end of this, you'll know exactly how to run an agency that instills confidence, reduces friction, and keeps clients at ease—without them constantly chasing you for updates.