In this episode of Agency Bites, I'm thrilled to chat with John Tsourakis, the owner and president of Oyova, a dynamic national marketing and web development agency. Jon has an inspiring story about his journey into the agency world, and I can't wait for you to hear how Oyova has evolved over the years and the lessons Jon has learned along the way.

We dive into the challenges that agencies face in today’s ever-changing market and discuss the critical role of niche marketing and how personalized service can help retain clients. Jon shares his valuable insights on adapting to market conditions and his exciting plans for future growth, including potential acquisitions.

To wrap things up, we have some fun with rapid-fire questions that reveal personal insights and practical business advice. Join us for what promises to be an engaging and informative conversation!

Key Bytes

• Jon's journey into the agency space began after leaving a family business.

• The merger of Oyova in 2019 led to rapid growth initially.

• The agency faced challenges due to economic downturns and client pullbacks.

• Niche marketing is crucial for agency success in a competitive landscape.

• Client retention is achieved through personalized, white glove service.

• The agency offers a digital marketing suite and web development services.

• Future growth strategies include focusing on specialization and potential acquisitions.

• Maintaining a healthy billing rate is essential for agency profitability.

• The agency space is evolving, and adaptation is key to survival.

• It's important to push oneself beyond perceived limits to achieve success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Guest Background

02:30 The Evolution of Oyova and Market Challenges

06:53 Niche Marketing: The Key to Agency Success

11:14 Client Retention and White Glove Service

14:55 Service Offerings: Digital Marketing and Web Development

21:02 Future Outlook: Adaptation and Growth Strategies

27:38Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Ep 087 – Peter Kang, Barrel Holdings – Building an Agency Portfolio

In Episode 087 of Agency Bytes, I had an inspiring conversation with Peter Kang, co-founder and chairman of Barrel Holdings. Peter shared his journey of building Barrel, a standout eCommerce agency specializing in Shopify, and how his vision evolved into creating multiple specialized agencies under the Barrel Holdings umbrella.  

We dove into the challenges and rewards of growing an agency, the strategic decisions that shaped his path, and what it’s like to step back from daily operations to focus on the bigger picture. Peter is passionate about investing in the right people and systems to build an ecosystem of agency services that truly thrives and writes about it weekly in his newsletter.

He also opened up about the importance of transparency in communication, their bold Omakase experiment in funnel building, and launching Agency Habits, a resource-packed platform for agency operators. Throughout our chat, Peter emphasized the power of relationships in business and the fulfillment that comes from pursuing work you’re truly passionate about.  

This episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration—don’t miss it!

Key Takeaways

• Peter Kang co-founded Barrel in 2006 with a focus on digital transformation.

• The agency evolved to specialize in e-commerce, particularly Shopify.

• Barrel Holdings was created to manage multiple agencies under one umbrella.

• Transparency in communication has been a core value for Peter and his team.

• The Omakase experiment allowed clients to receive branding for free, building a portfolio.

• Separate agencies allow for tailored staffing and focused strategies.

• Agency Habits aims to share resources and insights among agency operators.

• Building relationships is crucial for long-term success in business.

• The importance of passion-driven work over purely strategic planning.

• Peter emphasizes the need for a succession plan in agency leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Peter Kang

05:10 Focusing on E-commerce and Shopify

10:16 The Strategy Behind Separate Agencies

14:35 The Importance of Transparency in Communication

16:20 The Omakase Experiment: A Bold Approach

23:01 Building a Diverse Agency Portfolio

24:56 Launching Agency Habits: A New Venture

28:41 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

Peter Kang is co-founder and Chairman of Barrel Holdings, a portfolio of digital agency businesses that includes Barrel, a leading Shopify agency, and BX Studio, a leading Webflow agency. Peter enjoys working closely with agency leaders both in and outside of Barrel Holdings, being a sounding board and sharing lessons learned from years of operating agency businesses.

Contact Peter:

barrel-holdings.com

peterkang.com

agencyhabits.com

In episode 082, I sit down with Chris Martinez, CEO and founder of Bloom Partners, who shares his journey from building a successful marketing agency to transitioning into management consulting. Chris dives into the importance of data-driven strategies and setting clear KPIs for each department, emphasizing how these metrics fuel growth. We discuss the impact of AI on the industry, and Chris encourages agency owners to embrace the new possibilities it brings. He also talks about the critical role of personal fulfillment in business success—how finding joy in all areas of life directly boosts both individual and company performance.

Key Takeaways

• Set clear KPIs for each department in your agency and track them using simple tools like Google Sheets.

• Embrace AI and leverage its capabilities to improve efficiency and productivity in your agency.

• Focus on personal fulfillment in physical health, mental health, relationships, and business to achieve overall success.

• The business is a reflection of you, so ensure that other areas of your life are in balance for optimal performance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:08 Building a Marketing Agency and Transitioning to Management Consulting

05:54 Data-Driven Strategies and Clear KPIs

09:00 Embracing AI in the Agency Industry

12:56 The Importance of Personal Fulfillment in Business

Chris Martinez, CEO and Founder of BLOOMAgency.io, has turned his passion for helping underdogs into a thriving business, growing his company from zero to millions in revenue. Recognized with a 2021 Stevie Award for Minority-Owned Business of the Year, Chris also hosts the popular podcast Operation Agency Freedom. He is the author of four books, including the Amazon Bestseller It’s Not JUST A Website, and his latest release, Facts Not Feelings, offers insights on scaling a marketing agency with data-driven strategies.

Contact Chris:

https://bloompartners.io

https://www.instagram.com/bloompartners.io/

https://agencyfreedomlive.com/

In episode 081, I sit down with David C. Baker, a renowned consultant, author, and speaker in the advertising agency world. We explore David's journey from grad school to founding his consultancy, Punctuation, and later bringing his son into the business. David shares key traits that drive successful agencies—courage, discipline, strategic positioning, and effective team management. We discuss business resets, lead generation, and the science behind agency positioning, along with the advantages of running an agency with future acquisition in mind. Beyond business, David talks about his personal passions like motorcycling, woodworking, and photography. Tune in for valuable insights into managing and scaling a creative agency.

Key Takeaways

• Courage and discipline are key traits for agency leaders

• Positioning is crucial for agency success and requires testing and refinement

• Running an agency as if you're going to sell it can lead to better overall performance

• Woodworking, motorcycle racing, and photography are David's hobbies

• Stop things that no longer serve you and simplify your life

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:07 The Importance of Courage and Discipline in Agency Leadership

06:29 The Process of Positioning and Testing

11:17 Keys to Making an Agency Attractive for Sale

15:16 David's Hobbies: Woodworking, Motorcycle Racing, and Photography

18:20 Advice for Agency Owners: Stop and Simplify

David C. Baker is an author, speaker, and advisor to entrepreneurial creatives worldwide. He has written 6 books, advised 1,000+ firms, and keynoted conferences in 30+ countries. His work has been discussed in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Forbes, USA Today, BusinessWeek, CBS News, Newsweek, AdWeek, and Inc. Magazine. He lives in Nashville, TN. His two most recent books are at http://www.expertise.is and https://www.tradecraft.is His work has also been featured in the NY Times, where he was recently referred to as “the expert’s expert”. He co-hosts the most listened to podcast in the creative services field (2Bobs).

Contact David:

https://www.punctuation.com

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

https://myobconference.com

Episode 75 is by far the Swenkiest of all episodes. I had the absolute pleasure of sitting with Jason Swenk, who is hands-down one of the most systemized agency coaches I’ve had the opportunity to speak with. Jason shares the secrets behind building and selling a successful agency, highlighting the power of clarity, positioning, and a solid offering. We dive into the essential pillars of agency growth, from prospecting and sales to leadership and operations. His advice? Stay committed to one goal until you succeed and keep showing up consistently. This is a must-listen for any agency owner looking to scale!

Key Takeaways

• Clarity, positioning, and offering are foundational elements for building a successful agency.

• Prospecting, sales, delivery, operations, and leadership are key systems for agency growth.

• Focus on one commitment until success and be consistent in your efforts.

• Building strategic partnerships and relationships is crucial for agency success.

• Regularly assess and reset your agency's systems and processes to adapt to growth and changes in the market.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:01 The Foundation of Clarity, Positioning, and Offering

09:59 The Key Systems for Agency Growth

22:55 Strategic Partnerships: Unlocking New Opportunities for Agency Growth

26:04 Assessing and Resetting: Adapting Your Agency's Systems for Growth

Jason Swenk is the agency advisor & coach that guides marketing agencies through a proven framework for growing their agency faster.

Jason is the author of the definitive guide to growing an agency from scratch to two 8-figure enterprises. He is one of the most sought-after advisors to agencies worldwide, thanks to his 8-system framework that has proven successful in scaling his own agency. His expertise has attracted clients like AT&T, Hitachi, and Lotus Cars, ultimately leading to the successful sale of his agency.

Contact Jason: agencymastery360.com

In episode 070, I got to dive into the world of agency mergers and acquisitions with Jonathan Baker, the head of the M&A practice at Punctuation. Jonathan uncovers the secrets behind successful deals in the marketing services industry, shedding light on common pitfalls like leadership changes and cultural mismatches that can derail even the most promising mergers.

Discover the key elements that make an agency stand out to potential buyers, including the power of recurring revenue and strategic positioning. Jonathan shares his expert insights on valuation and talks through the sellability index, a tool that helps agencies measure their readiness for acquisition.

We explore the latest trends in M&A, the art of succession planning, and why it's crucial for founders to delegate and step back from daily operations. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or simply learn more about the dynamics of agency mergers, this episode is packed with valuable information and actionable advice.

Key Takeaways

• Factors that can cause deals to fail include leadership changes and cultural fit issues.

• Recurring revenue and positioning are important factors in making an agency attractive for acquisition.

• Valuation should be done annually as part of the business planning process.

• The sellability index can help agencies track their progress towards becoming sellable.

• Trends in M&A include a higher number of interested buyers than sellers.

• Succession planning should consider factors such as age, long-term goals, and the presence of a capable successor.

• Founders should delegate and extract themselves from day-to-day operations to enable growth.

• Personal goals and fulfillment should guide business decisions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:11 Factors that Impact the Success of M&A Deals

05:59 The Importance of Recurring Revenue and Positioning in Agency Acquisition

08:41 Valuation and the Sellability Index: Tools for Agency Planning

19:58 Succession Planning: Considerations for Founders

22:38 Delegation and Growth: Extracting Founders from Day-to-Day Operations

25:02 Aligning Business Decisions with Personal Goals

Punctuation is a small advisory practice working exclusively with small- to mid-sized independent marketing services firms. Founded by industry veteran David C. Baker, Punctuation helps firms with positioning, lead generation, benchmarking, valuation, and succession planning.

Jonathan heads up the M&A practice at Punctuation. He has worked on dozens of deals both inside and outside the industry and brings a unique perspective as a fellow owner who has gone through the process himself.

He graduated from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in 2005. His career began working at a small boutique marketing strategy consultancy. There, he was able to do marketing strategy and positioning work for many well-known Fortune 500 CPG companies.

In 2011, he left to start a craft brewery, Monday Night Brewing where his focus was on marketing, sales, and taprooms. After helping his business partners grow to 180+ employees and numerous locations, Jonathan stepped away from the day-to-day to head up the M&A practice for Punctuation.

He loves cocktails, music, and hiking, and lives in Atlanta with his wife, two kids, and entitled rescue Australian Shepherd, Oscar Snugs.

Contact Jonathan:

Website: https://punctuation.com/

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

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearepunctuation/

Podcast: https://punctuation.com/insights/

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 this episode, I sat down with Aalap Shah from 108, a minority-owned digital agency. Aalap shares his journey to agency ownership, starting with his background in accounting and e-commerce. He discusses how he fell in love with marketing and eventually started his own social media agency. Aalap also talks about the recent acquisition of Heart Creative, which adds content production capabilities to 108. He emphasizes the importance of the pillars of values that his organization stands for, how culture and community are imperative in his agency, and the value of certifications like being a minority-owned business. Aalap also shares his passion for giving back and his love for running and nature.

Key Takeaways

• Agency ownership can happen by accident, as it did for Alib Shah, who started his agency after realizing he wanted to work for himself

• Acquiring another business can help fill gaps in services and provide new opportunities for growth

• Building a strong culture and community within an agency is essential for success

• Certifications, such as being a minority-owned business, can open doors and lead to new business opportunities

• Giving back to the community and being involved in philanthropic efforts can be a valuable part of an agency's mission

• Finding a hobby or activity, like running, can provide personal fulfillment and balance in the midst of running a business

Chapters

00:00 Accidental Agency Ownership

05:35 The Meaning Behind 108

09:35 Building Pillars of Expertise

13:36 Driving Consumer-Based Traffic

22:33 The Power of Looker Studio for GA4

26:27 The Value of Niching Down

Contact Aalap:

https://1o8.agency

https://heartcreative.co

linkedin.com/in/shahaalap

In this episode, I got to speak with Dan Antonelli, President and Chief Creative Officer of KickCharge Creative. Dan’s agency is by far one of the most deeply niched teams I know of, literally owning the home service branding space and having written the book on it. Dan and I dug into the difference his agency saw once they declared ownership over that space, stopped chasing service-based work that they didn’t find profitable, and rebranded themselves to drink their own cool-aid. Dan experienced a near-death event a few years ago and he spoke about how that was a driving force for him to realign some of his priorities and team structure so they can have more impact and help more people. He also shared how that led to selling some equity in the agency by bringing on a partner this summer and the benefits that will have for KickCharge. Lastly, Dan’s team faces regular copyright infringement, mostly from freelancers stealing their designs and using them as their own. Dan shares how they deal with that, as well as what not to do in instances like that.