In episode 078, Jhana Li, founder of Spyglass Ops, shares her inspiring journey from living van life to building her own successful operations consulting company. She talks about how she helps agency owners scale their businesses while regaining personal freedom by mastering the power of operations. 

Jhana highlights how crucial operations are for growth and profitability, explaining how optimizing team performance, delegating tasks effectively, and implementing solid systems and processes allow founders to focus on high-value activities that drive real results. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to scale their agency while building a more efficient, sustainable business.

Key Takeaways

• Operations is crucial for scaling an agency and maximizing profitability.

• Optimizing team performance and implementing systems and processes are key to success.

• Founders should focus on high-value activities and delegate tasks to free up time.

• Raising the bar for success and setting higher standards can lead to team growth and success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:04 The Importance of Operations in Scaling

08:23 Maximizing Team Performance

17:23 Raising the Bar for Success

Jhana Li, founder of Spyglass Ops. Jhana started as a COO for multiple startups - while living van life. After seeing countless founders stall out & trap themselves without the proper Operations, 3 years ago Jhana decided to start Spyglass Ops. Since then she has helped more than 100 businesses scale past 7 & 8-figures. Through Operations consulting, recruitment, and training, Spyglass Ops empowers founders to simultaneously scale their businesses while regaining their personal freedom.

Jhana Li started as a COO for multiple startups (while simultaneously traveling full-time in a converted van through N & S America). After seeing countless founders stall out & trap themselves without the proper Operations, 3 years ago Jhana decided to start her own company, Spyglass Ops. Since then she has helped 100+ businesses scale past 7 & 8-figures. Through Operations consulting, recruitment, and training, Spyglass Ops empowers founders to simultaneously scale their businesses while regaining their personal freedom.

Contact Jhana Li:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejhanali

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejhanali/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhana-li/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theJhanaLi/

Website: https://spyglassops.com/

Episode 077 features David Durer, an expert in training and development. He shares insights on empowering people to reach their maximum speaking potential. He discusses the principles of adult learning theory, including ownership, complexity, and primacy and recency. He also provides tips for engaging virtual audiences and delivering impactful presentations. David emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience, practicing, and using relatable stories. He also highlights the challenges of virtual presentations and suggests incorporating theater of the mind techniques. Lastly, he advises taking things one step at a time and not getting overwhelmed.

Key Takeaways

• Understand your audience and deliver your message in a way that connects with them.

• Practice, practice, practice to improve your presentation skills.

• Use relatable stories to engage your audience and make complex concepts more understandable.

• In virtual presentations, incorporate theater of the mind techniques to compensate for the lack of visual and auditory cues.

• Take things one step at a time and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:46 The Principles of Adult Learning Theory

07:08 Engaging Virtual Audiences and Delivering Impactful Presentations

16:17 The Importance of Opening and Closing a Presentation

26:18 Advice for Business Professionals

With over 30 years of experience in training and development, instructional design, leadership, corporate training, public speaking, and an expert in the Adult Learning Theory, David is passionate about empowering people to reach their maximum speaking potential.

Known for his engaging style and ability to connect with his audience, David is in high demand as a speaker and trainer at industry conferences, corporate events, and educational institutions nationwide.

He has a knack for simplifying complex concepts and delivering practical insights that enable his clients to elevate their presentation skills.

Contact David:

https://presentyourwaytosuccess.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddoerrier/

FREE eBook “Eight Principles of Engagement” - https://18ccf54b6b4.benchmarkpages.com/ebook1

In Episode 073, I sat down with the brilliant Rachel Gertz, Co-founder of Louder Than Ten, to uncover the real power behind project management. We didn’t just talk about deadlines and deliverables—we dove into how effective project management can transform your agency from the inside out. Rachel shared game-changing insights on leadership, empowering your team, and rethinking the way digital agencies operate. From hiring the right talent to using the right tools for growth, this conversation is packed with strategies you can start using today to take your agency to the next level. Tune in now!

Key Takeaways

• Project management is a powerful conduit for empowering individuals and driving project success.

• Leadership challenges within digital agencies often stem from a lack of delegation and a scarcity mindset.

• The integration of project management tools and the development of financial literacy are crucial for effective project management.

• The role of project managers extends beyond traditional project delivery, encompassing strategic thinking, revenue growth, and team empowerment.

• Personal growth tools, such as journal trackers, can provide valuable insights and self-awareness for professional development.

Rachel Gertz is a Co-founder and Direc­tor of Deliv­ery and Growth at Loud­er Than Ten. She helps small to medi­um sized dig­i­tal agen­cies trans­form their dig­i­tal PM oper­a­tions through hands-on train­ing and con­sult­ing. Her mis­sion at Loud­er Than Ten is to pro­pel tech work­ers through an uncer­tain future by train­ing dig­i­tal com­pa­nies how to give pow­er to the peo­ple lead­ing their projects.

Contact Rachel: 

https://louderthanten.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-gertz-trainer/

In this episode, I had the incredible opportunity to interview Gabe Levine from Matchstick Legal, a top-notch attorney specializing in representing creative businesses. Gabe brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, making this a must-listen episode for anyone in the creative industry.

We dive deep into some of the hottest topics facing agencies today. Ever worried about protecting your creative work from copycats? Gabe shares essential strategies and legal insights to safeguard your intellectual property. We also tackle the crucial task of reviewing and updating contracts to ensure they’re airtight and up-to-date with the latest legal standards.

Gabe unpacks the complexities of GDPR and privacy regulations, breaking down what they mean for your agency and how to stay compliant. He also emphasizes the importance of perspective and leverage in negotiations, providing practical tips to help you navigate these often challenging discussions.

Whether you're an agency owner, creative professional, or just interested in the legal side of the creative world, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation with one of the leading legal minds in the industry!

Key Takeaways

• Having a relationship with an attorney as an agency owner is important for protecting creative work and navigating legal issues.

• Registering trademarks and copyrights can help protect creative work from copycats.

• Contracts should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they align with the agency's current practices and protect their interests.

• GDPR and privacy regulations are important considerations for agencies, and compliance can be complex.

• Having perspective and creating leverage are key in negotiations, but sometimes compromises need to be made to secure work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:28 Protecting Creative Work from Copycats

11:38 Reviewing and Updating Contracts

Gabe is an attorney specializing in representing creative and technical businesses in commercial transactions. He's a shareholder in and president of Matchstick Legal, Inc. Gabe lives in Marin County, California with his wife Holly, daughter Kate and dog Scully. He's a very average gravel cyclist but enjoys it quite a bit.

Connect with Gabe:

matchstick.legal

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellevine/

In Episode 065, I have the exciting opportunity to speak with James Martin, also known as Made By James, a talented UK-based designer renowned for his dedication to design education and his candid presence on social media. I invited James because I deeply admire how he’s grown his following and how he communicates with his audience.

James shares his journey from a solopreneur to becoming a design partner at Lincoln Design, highlighting the evolution of his career and the importance of giving back to the design community. He openly discusses the range of emotions he experiences during the design process, including imposter syndrome, and provides valuable Adobe tips and tricks.

In our conversation, James talks about understanding your worth and pricing your services appropriately. He emphasizes the fear of saying no and its impact on self-worth, sharing his 13% rule for pricing to help increase confidence in charging higher rates. James also underscores the importance of setting the right prices and not undervaluing oneself.

Finally, James reflects on the significance of letting go to grow and the importance of celebrating achievements along the way. This episode is packed with insights for designers at any stage of their careers, offering practical advice and inspiration for building a successful and fulfilling design practice.

Key Takeaways

• Building a community and giving back through design education can lead to personal and professional growth.

• Consistency and authenticity in sharing your work and knowledge on social media can help establish your personal brand.

• Transitioning from a solopreneur to working with an agency can provide new opportunities and a larger team to collaborate with.

• Understanding your worth as a designer and pricing your services accordingly is crucial for sustainable business growth.

• Saying no to clients who don't align with your value and pricing can lead to better opportunities and a stronger business. Don't let fear and self-doubt dictate your pricing. Set the right prices based on your value and expertise.

• Use the 13% rule to increase your prices incrementally and build confidence in charging higher rates.

• Focus on proving your value to clients through case studies and demonstrating the impact of your work.

• Let go of certain tasks and responsibilities to allow for growth and scalability in your business.

• Take the time to celebrate your achievements and enjoy the journey rather than constantly chasing the next goal.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:06 Starting to Share Work on Social Media

05:00 Evolution as a Designer

06:45 Transition to Working with Lincoln Design

09:11 Giving Back and Building a Community

12:09 Transition from Solopreneur to Agency Partner

19:15 False Sense of Security on Social Media

21:22 Knowing Your Worth and Evolving as a Designer

23:15 Saying No to Clients to Say Yes to Yourself

23:47 The Fear of Saying No and Self-Worth

25:06 Setting the Right Prices

26:28 Proving Your Value to Clients

27:27 The 13% Rule for Pricing

29:22 The Evolution of the Partnership with Lincoln

30:28 Focusing on Helping Designers

33:29 Letting Go to Grow

James Martin, better known as Made By James, is transforming the design education landscape with his rebellious creativity and relentless determination. He has dedicated 20 years of his life to achieving creative excellence, being sought after by clients for the impact his work has on businesses and the meticulously crafted experiences he delivers.

He now has one purpose: to build the best designers on the planet.

Through his real-world experience, he understands that to land your 'dream client,' you first need to become a 'dream designer.' The status quo within the design education space is focused solely on external outcomes, when the real focus should be on internal transformation. He knows if he can help designers become comfortable with the unpredictability of the real creative world, then the predictable stuff becomes even easier to manage.

His full focus is as an educator to brand designers, but he is also a best-selling author, public speaker, and creative partner at Lincoln Design Co., where the team works daily with the likes of Disney, Liquid Death, and Nike. He is dedicated to guiding the next generation of designers with action, honesty, and love, creating a future where designers and clients thrive together.

Connect with James:

themadebyjames.com

https://www.instagram.com/made.by.james/