Smart Agency Masterclass Podcast with Jason Swenk

Bi-weekly interviews, strategy, and advice for building your marketing agency the smart way.

The popular agency podcast has just turned 10 years old and covers everything from starting a successful agency to selling your agency.

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We Host Some of the Smartest Minds in Agency World…

From Startup to Sale: Free Yourself from Your Agency with Robert Royer | Ep #750
Selling Your Agency Jason Swenk Selling Your Agency Jason Swenk

From Startup to Sale: Free Yourself from Your Agency with Robert Royer | Ep #750

Are you caught in the challenging "no-man's land" of agency ownership—where growth meets gridlock? Despite years of management experience, today's guest discovered that running a digital agency demanded more than strategic acumen alone. His journey reveals the often-overlooked complexities of agency leadership that can transform an owner's dream into an operational maze.

Although he felt comfortable making the strategic decisions as a manager, as an owner he found himself pulled in countless directions. From juggling legal complications, financial decisions, and HR responsibilities—areas far removed from his core strengths and passion for marketing strategy. In the end, he recognized the only way through was setting up the right processes for the agency to grow without him and ultimate decided to sell. Tune in to learn about building a successful marketing agency and the principles that guide his approach to client service.

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Rewarding OWNERSHIP MENTALITY:  Building an Agency That Runs Without You with Tiffany Sauder | Ep #729
Jason Swenk Jason Swenk

Rewarding OWNERSHIP MENTALITY: Building an Agency That Runs Without You with Tiffany Sauder | Ep #729

How can you step away from daily operations and embrace the role of the agency visionary? Is there a team member who could take over the things you don’t love doing? If so, how would you begin to prepare them for this transition? Today’s guests built a relationship with a key employee that most agency owners dream of when they think about delegating and reclaiming their time.

It took a lot of work, investing in growth, and trusting that someone who started as an employee could evolve into a partner in the agency, but they managed to do it in a way that has only benefitted the agency and the team. Join them for an engaging conversation filled with insights into delegating and slowly transitioning from being a hands-in agency owner to being the visionary and face of the agency.

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Guy Kawasaki on Being Remarkable in Your Agency and Your Life | Ep# 711
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Guy Kawasaki on Being Remarkable in Your Agency and Your Life | Ep# 711

Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Even uber-successful entrepreneurs like today’s guest have had those moments. Transitioning from the corporate giants to crafting a legacy of remarkability, Guy Kawasaki reflects on navigating the dichotomy of being undervalued and overvalued throughout his career, his unwavering commitment to paying it forward, and his enduring quest to craft a legacy that transcends generations.

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Navigating an Agency Acquisition for Rapid Growth with Leah Messina | Ep# 710
Selling Your Agency Jason Swenk Selling Your Agency Jason Swenk

Navigating an Agency Acquisition for Rapid Growth with Leah Messina | Ep# 710

How do you anticipate the agency owner's role evolving during an acquisition process? Our featured guest today has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from white label to a more comprehensive service offering and shifting from project-based to retainer-based services. Now, she embarks on a new journey for her agency as she navigates a strategic acquisition.

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Are You the Bottleneck In Your Agency? Empowering Your Team with Irwin Hau | Ep# 709
Scale Your Agency Jason Swenk Scale Your Agency Jason Swenk

Are You the Bottleneck In Your Agency? Empowering Your Team with Irwin Hau | Ep# 709

Have you found yourself becoming the bottleneck in your own agency's growth? Our guest today is a successful agency owner who found he was hindering the business’ progress. He had to shift away from the superhero mindset and empower his team to move forward. Tune in to learn how unexpected events can lead to new beginnings and the importance of seizing opportunities.

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Build a THRIVING AGENCY CULTURE Without Promotions and Titles with Scout Driscoll | Ep #701
Scale Your Agency Jason Swenk Scale Your Agency Jason Swenk

Build a THRIVING AGENCY CULTURE Without Promotions and Titles with Scout Driscoll | Ep #701

Are you interested in breaking away from conventional agency practices and developing an agency structure that better suits your team? Today’s guest established her own agency right after college, without any prior experience working in an agency. She designed her agency's structure based on what felt right for her team, rather than following standard industry norms. Emphasizing culture, and prioritizing raises and recognition over promotions, she has fostered a team of passionate individuals who love what they do. Tune in to learn about Scout's journey in building a thriving agency culture without hierarchies and how her approach to business helped her build a passionate team.

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Owning an Agency is an Extreme Sport with Karley Cunningham | Ep #700
Scale Your Agency Jason Swenk Scale Your Agency Jason Swenk

Owning an Agency is an Extreme Sport with Karley Cunningham | Ep #700

Is the fear of failure the driving force that keeps you striving towards your goals? For too many agency owners, the relentless stress of this life corrodes their drive, fueling an unhealthy obsession with avoiding defeat at all costs. Putting together a great team and taking the time to stop and figure things out is often the only way to get out of that trap.

Today’s guest managed to do this by implementing the lessons learned from the trails. She took the discipline and important insights learned from sports and translated them into business. As a result, she was able to improve her results and grow her agency. Tune in for insights on finding freedom and flow in business without being rooted in fear.

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The Path to Becoming a $50 Million Agency with Phil Case | Ep #699
Scale Your Agency Jason Swenk Scale Your Agency Jason Swenk

The Path to Becoming a $50 Million Agency with Phil Case | Ep #699

Have you ever wondered what it takes to scale an agency from millions to tens of millions in revenue? Or how to successfully pivot from services to products? Today's guest has walked that path - not once but twice. He’s built two successful agencies with the mission to lift brands up, tell compelling stories and recognize new products. As he reflects on his journey, he recounts the differences between scaling an agency to $25 million and to $50 million, as well as the pivotal decision of starting to sell a SaaS product. Tune in for valuable insights and inspiring stories from his entrepreneurial experience.

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About the Show

The popular agency podcast has been around since 2014 and covers everything from starting a successful agency to selling your agency. What makes this podcast a must-listen is Swenk’s background as the founder and CEO of an agency for over a decade. Swenk brings his own experience to the table, besides the expertise of his guests. He mostly covers topics that help growing agencies scale to the next level.

YOUR HOST

JASON SWENK

Smart Agency Masterclass

Jason is a family man who also happens to have created a couple big marketing agencies, helped thousands of agency owners, and had a big agency exit too.