The Agency Owner’s Compass: Vision, Leads, Profit

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 at what’s coming in Season 3!

What to Expect in This Episode:

• Why having a clear vision is the foundation of a thriving agency
• How to build a lead gen system that goes beyond referrals
• The importance of profitability and how to ensure long-term sustainability
• A discussion on confidence in selling and making sure your offers reflect your value
• The tools & systems that help streamline agency operations

Actionable Takeaways:

• If you don’t have a clear vision for where your agency is heading, pause and reflect. Revisit your goals and ensure they align with what you actually want.
• Move beyond referrals by implementing proactive lead gen strategies - like content marketing, networking, and cold outreach.
• Keep your labor costs below 60% of your revenue to ensure profitability. Aim for a 15-25% profit margin to keep your business financially healthy.
• Build confidence in your sales calls by leading with questions, listening, and framing your services as the solution your clients need.

Real Talk Moments:

• Referrals are a reflection of your past, not your future. If you’re only relying on referrals, you’re letting your past dictate your business growth instead of shaping it yourself.
• You can’t scale successfully without profitability. Understanding labor costs, cash flow, and profit margins helps founders make better, data-driven business decisions.
• Selling doesn’t have to feel salesy. The key is to shift your mindset - see yourself as a valuable solution instead of feeling like you're pitching yourself.

Want to hear a specific topic? Let us know what you’d love for us to cover in Season 3!

Special Offer from Our Sponsor: Thanks to our sponsor Copper, for making this episode possible. Copper is a CRM that helps agencies attract more clients, streamline communication and deliver projects effortlessly. Exclusive to the listeners of this podcast, Copper is offering 15% off annual plans with promo code AGENCYDARLINGS, all one word. Visit this link to try Copper CRM today.

Connect With Us:

• Instagram @agencydarlings
• LinkedIn
• Join Our Agency Advice Column
• Email: hello@agencydarlings.com

About Your Hosts:

Melissa Lohrer is the Founder of Waverly Ave Consulting, a Growth Consultancy for indie agencies. She partners with agency owners to create seven-figure growth through strategic repositioning, modern revenue models, and relationship-based sales. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Meredith Fennessy Witts is the Founder of Le Chéile, the go-to finance and strategy consultancy for creative agencies scaling beyond seven figures. She helps creative founders clarify their cash flow, restructure niche offers and pricing, and ensure they’re running a profitable business...in a mindful way. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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