Small But Mighty Agency: How to Grow Your Agency

Hosted by Audrey Joy Kwan | Growth Strategist for Agencies

Business Entrepreneurship

Website RSS feed

Episodes

155

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

If you want to grow an agency to seven figures and beyond without working more hours in your business, tune in. I know your time is valuable, so I keep it practical and help you work smarter, not harder, in every episode. I'm your host, Audrey Joy Kwan. I know what it takes to build an agency—including supporting an agency owner in selling and exiting, and consulting for 200-person agencies—because I've done it. My team and I have coached and consulted with over 150 agency owners and have been behind the scenes of multiple seven-figure agencies. All this to say, join us on the Small But Mighty Agency podcast to grow an agency with real-world experience and practical tips that help you to work less and earn more while leading with integrity. Let's go!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 15430 min

The Handoff Nobody Plans For

Ten years of running an agency, and everything was still in her head.Natasha Golinsky, founder of On Purpose Projects, a custom web and e-commerce development agency, didn't plan her exit from the day-to-day. A stage two breast cancer diagnosis gave her six weeks to hand over a business she'd been running for a decade, while everything lived in her head.What came out the other side is one of the most honest, human stories about building a business that can run without you that I've heard.In this episode, Natasha shares what it really took to build and lead a strong remote contractor team, why the freedom she worked toward came with an unexpected identity shift, and what she wishes she'd done differently long before the crisis hit.Here's what we cover:What the handoff actually looked like when the timeline wasn't strategic, it was survivalThe emotional side of stepping out, the loneliness, the grief, and learning to let go of being neededThe multi-phase hiring process Natasha uses to find contractors who are the right fit beyond technical skillHow to start loosening your grip by identifying the work you already avoidYou don't have to go through a health crisis to build a business that doesn't depend on you. But you do have to be intentional about it.Let's dive in.Show Notes:-Natasha's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/natashagolinskyGet the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep154Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

May 20, 2026Episode 15339 min

The Hidden Cost of Trying to Keep Up

A lot of small business owners are feeling the pressure to keep up right now.AI is changing how we work. New tools and platforms keep showing up. Buyers are behaving differently, and the market feels harder to read than it used to.And I get it.When things feel uncertain, it’s very easy to start adding more.But for small but mighty business owners, more is not always what creates momentum. Sometimes it just makes the business heavier.In this episode, I sit down with Lydia Lee, business strategist and work reinvention coach, for a conversation about what it really means to grow in this season.This is not a tidy framework conversation. It’s more of a real talk about the pressure small business owners are carrying, what is changing in the market, and why some of the most important growth moves right now might actually be quieter ones.We talk about simplifying, getting clearer on what you actually need, and building a business around your real season of life instead of someone else’s version of success.We also get into why relationships matter more than ever. AI can give you ideas, outlines, and tactics, but it cannot replace trust.In this episode, we cover:why experienced small business owners are feeling overwhelmed right nowhow AI is creating both urgency and distractionwhy adding more is not always the best response to uncertaintywhat it means to define growth based on the season you are actually inThis conversation is for you if you have been feeling the pressure to do more, but some part of you knows the answer might be to pause, simplify, and ask a more honest question:What do I actually need right now?Show Notes:Website: screwthecubicle.com YouTube: youtube.com/screwthecubicleLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lydialleeGet the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep153Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

May 6, 2026Episode 15229 min

The Agency That Can Grow Without You

A lot of agency owners think about selling one day. But selling is not something you prepare for at the last minute.And here's what most people miss: the things that make an agency attractive to a buyer are the same things that make it stronger, more stable, and more enjoyable to run right now. Whether an exit is on your radar or not, this conversation is worth your time.In this episode, I sit down with Steve Guberman, M&A advisor for agency leaders, to get into what owners are building well, what they're avoiding, and what it really takes to run a business you could sell if you wanted to.Here's what we cover:The difference between building a team and building a team that can run without youWhat "panic selling" looks like and why so many owners end up thereWhy the goal isn't to sell. It's to have the option.You don't build a great agency to sell it. You build it well, and selling becomes an option. Show Notes:-Website: agencyoutsight.com-Get the Operators Audit Worksheet: agencyoutsight.com/resources-LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/agencycoach-Podcast: agencyoutsight.com/podcastHey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep152Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

April 22, 2026Episode 15135 min

The Exit Path Most Agency Owners Overlook

Most agency owners think exit means one thing: finding a buyer.This episode offers a different perspective.I sat down with Daniel Pillai, CEO of Langton PR, to talk about a path into ownership that did not come through a traditional sale, but through trust, mentorship, and a gradual transition shaped over time.It’s a conversation about leadership, succession, and the often unseen inner work of stepping into a role you’re not sure you’re ready for.Together, we explore what agency owners may be missing when they overlook internal succession, how potential can show up before someone fully believes in themselves, and why leading well is one of the most important parts of building an agency that lasts.In this episode, you’ll hear about:why exiting an agency doesn’t always have to mean selling to an outside buyerhow account management and relationship leadership can become a foundation for ownershipwhat true mentorship and stewardship can look like inside an agencywhy internal succession is not just an exit strategy, but a reflection of how well you leadIf you’ve ever thought about legacy, leadership, succession, or what it really means to build an agency that can outlast you, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.Show Notes:-Website: langtonpr.com-Instagram: @daniel.pillai-TikTok: @queendeehbicHey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep151Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

April 8, 2026Episode 15012 min

Why Clients Leave Agencies They Like

Some agencies do solid work and still lose clients.And in a market like this, I think that raises a more important question than most people are asking:What actually makes a client want to stay?Because client retention is not just about doing good work.It is not just about being responsive, likable, or easy to work with either.There is a deeper layer to strong client relationships. A kind of value that makes a client feel steadier with you in the room, more confident in your perspective, and more likely to see you as someone who helps them think, not just someone who helps them deliver.This episode explores what that kind of relationship really requires now.I get into why client relationships feel different in this market, why strategic advisory matters more than ever, and what actually helps agencies become harder to replace when budgets tighten, pressure rises, and trust carries more weight.If you want to become harder to replace in the eyes of your clients, this episode will help you see where that value really comes from.RSVP to the next Mixer: https://agencytogether.com/mixer-eventHey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep150

March 25, 2026Episode 14929 min

Why Most Multicultural Marketing Misses the Mark

What does it actually take to market to diverse audiences with depth, respect, and relevance?In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, I sit down with Marissa Nance, founder of Native Tongue Communications, to talk about what too many agencies still get wrong when trying to reach diverse audiences.Marissa shares why broad multicultural marketing often falls short and why she prefers the term micro cultural marketing instead. We explore what it means to understand people beyond surface-level demographics and why empathy, research, and cultural nuance matter more than ever.We also talk about the pressure agencies are facing right now as DEAI becomes more politicized, AI reshapes the marketing landscape, and brands risk losing the human insight that makes their work resonate.In this conversation, we unpack:Why “micro cultural” is a more useful lens than “multicultural”Why culture goes deeper than race, ethnicity, or genderHow empathy leads to stronger marketingWhere AI can support the work and where human judgment still mattersWhat agencies can do to market with more intention and integrityIf you want to create marketing that resonates more deeply and reflects a better understanding of the people you serve, this episode is worth a listen.Show Notes:-Website: nativetonguecommunications.com-Instagram: marissa.nance-LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marissananceHey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep149

March 11, 2026Episode 14833 min

If AI Can Write, What Are Agencies Really Selling?

Is AI quietly making your agency more replaceable?Or is it revealing where your real value actually lives?Right now, content can be generated in seconds. Blog posts. Emails. Website copy. Entire strategies drafted with a prompt.Which raises an uncomfortable question for agency owners:If the machine can produce the words… what are clients really paying us for?In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we pull back the curtain on what AI actually looks like inside a working content agency serving technical clients.My guest, Victoria Cowan, founder of Wordplay Creative, built her business on thoughtful, human-centered storytelling. When AI hit the marketing world she felt what many writers felt: fear.Not hype. Not instant adoption. Fear.Instead of ignoring it or blindly embracing it she integrated it intentionally.In this conversation, we unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes:Where AI genuinely speeds up workflow and where it creates more workWhy most AI-generated content sounds the sameThe growing importance of editorial discernmentHow tone of voice is becoming a serious competitive advantageWhat agencies need to consider around transparency and IPWhy strategic thought partnership is becoming more valuable than executionAs more agencies use the same tools, sameness becomes the default. If you’re navigating how to use AI without becoming commoditized, this episode will help you think more clearly about where your real leverage lives.Let’s dive in.Show Notes:-Website: https://www.wordplaycreative.ca/-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriajunecowan/Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep148Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

February 25, 2026Episode 14710 min

How to Know You're Outgrowing Your Old Operating Patterns

Your agency is working.But the way you’re making decisions may no longer match where you actually want to go.From the outside, everything looks steady but inside, something feels heavier than it should.That heaviness often shows up when the business keeps operating in a way that made sense in the past, even though your perspective has started to shift. You see your work differently now, and the way the agency runs hasn’t fully caught up.Maybe you’re clearer about the clients who energize you.Clearer about the work that strengthens the business instead of just sustaining it.Clearer about what feels aligned and what quietly drains you.But clarity doesn’t automatically reshape a business.There’s often a stretch where your thinking evolves, but the business is still running on old patterns.Most owners move through this alone, feeling the friction but not yet knowing what to adjust.This episode continues the Small But Mighty series by exploring that in-between space—the gap between insight and intentional redesign. Inside, we explore: Why your agency can feel heavy even when it’s successfulThe hidden gap between knowing what you want and running the business that wayHow old decision patterns keep you operating from an earlier version of your agencyWhat actually shifts when you start choosing work that aligns with the direction you want to growIf your agency looks successful but feels heavier to lead than it once did, this episode will help you understand the source of that heaviness and what’s actually ready to shift.Want More Context?This episode is part of a series exploring what happens when your agency grows but the way you build it needs to evolve.Part 1 (Podcast): Two $1M Agencies. Very Different RealitiesPart 2 (Blog): Why the Agency Growth Model Worked And Why It Doesn’t NowPart 3 (Podcast): Some Agencies Make Growth Feel Easier. Here’s WhyPart 4 (Blog): You Outgrew Your BusinessHey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep147Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

February 11, 2026Episode 14613 min

Some Agencies Make Growth Feel Easier. Here’s Why.

There’s a subtle difference you start to notice after enough time in this industry.Some agencies grow with more ease. Decisions get clearer instead of noisier. Momentum builds without everything getting heavier at the same time. Not because they’ve found a shortcut, and not because they’re avoiding the realities of today’s market.They’re operating in the same conditions as everyone else.And yet, growth behaves differently for them.This episode is about understanding why.Not by looking for new tactics or better execution, but by naming the underlying forces that change how growth compounds over time. When you step back, a different picture of growth starts to emerge. Not growth defined by doing more or adding more, but growth that feels more exciting and easier to sustain because it’s grounded in decisions that reinforce each other instead of competing for energy and attention.In this episode, we explore:Why positioning that reduces buyer effort changes how momentum builds long before a sales conversation beginsHow trust, built through a clear point of view, shortens decision cycles and helps people feel confident choosing youWhy fit becomes a compounding force when the work you take on actively makes your agency better over timeHow these forces work together to support growth that feels focused, intentional, and worth carrying forwardThis conversation isn’t about changing how you work or adopting a new model overnight. It’s about understanding what makes growth feel smarter in a market that’s noisier, more uncertain, and more demanding than it used to be.________For those following the Small But Mighty series, this is Part 3. Part 1 [Two $1M Agencies. Very Different Realities] is a podcast episode exploring the lived tension many agency owners are feeling right now. Part 2 [Why the Agency Growth Model Worked – and Why It Doesn’t Now] is a blog post unpacking why the traditional growth model isn’t working anymore.Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep146Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

January 28, 2026Episode 14512 min

Two $1M Agencies. Very Different Realities.

If you’ve ever looked at the version of “success” the agency world keeps promoting and felt a quiet sense of resistance, here’s a question worth sitting with:What if growth isn’t supposed to feel this heavy?Most agency owners aren’t afraid of growth. They’re ambitious. They care deeply about their work. They want their businesses to be profitable, respected, and sustainable.And yet, somewhere along the way, growth starts to feel like more pressure instead of more clarity. More responsibility instead of more freedom. More motion instead of more stability.This episode kicks off Small But Mighty: A Different Way to Grow an Agency — a five-part series exploring why so many capable agency owners feel misaligned with the dominant growth narrative, and what it looks like to build something different.This conversation isn’t about tactics or positioning tricks. It’s about identity. About understanding why many “right” moves start to feel wrong when the underlying growth logic doesn’t actually fit the kind of agency you want to build.In this episode, we unpack:The unspoken assumptions behind most agency growth advice — and how they quietly push agencies toward volume and complexityWhy pricing, boundaries, and decision-making get harder even as revenue growsA concrete contrast between two $1M agencies — and why they feel radically different to runWhat the Small But Mighty agency identity really means in a market shaped by commoditization and noiseIf you’ve ever wondered why growth feels harder than it should — or why success hasn’t delivered the ease you expected — this episode will help you see your business, and yourself, with more clarity.Because there may be nothing wrong with you at all.You may simply be building toward a different kind of success.Sign up for our newsletter: agencytogether.com/aboutHey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep145Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis