In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse P. Gilmore sits down with Eric Ritter, Founder and CEO of Digital Neighbor & Host of The Search Bar Podcast to break down the real skills agency owners need to scale—delegation, documentation, and operational discipline. Eric shares how he grew his digital marketing agency by moving from "saying yes to everything" to building repeatable processes, clear SOPs, scalable services, and a culture rooted in mission and values. You'll learn why documenting your work isn't optional if you want to scale, how to stop being the bottleneck inside your agency, and why "AI is the new intern"—powerful, but not a substitute for strategy, brand voice, or leadership. We dive into the evolving future of AI in digital marketing, the shift from execution to strategic partnership, and how agencies can thrive by systemizing workflows, tightening their positioning, and empowering their teams. Whether you're running a lean team or a growing agency, this episode gives you the frameworks to build a business that runs without your constant involvement.
In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse Gilmore sits down with Sharon Toerek, Founder and CEO of Legal & Creative - Toerek Law, to uncover the legal blindspots most creative agencies ignore. You'll learn: ✅ The most common legal mistakes agencies make (and how to avoid them) ✅ What should (and shouldn't) be in your client contracts and freelancer agreements ✅ How to protect your creative IP in the age of AI and online brand dilution ✅ Why a strong trademark strategy can increase your agency's valuation ✅ How to future-proof your agency for partnerships, M&A, and scale
🎙️ In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse P. Gilmore sits down with Laura Szczes, founder of Double Z Media and host of the Paid Media Playbook. Laura shares how she left a 20+ year career in agency life to launch her own firm in early 2020 — right as the world shut down — and built a values-driven business that prioritizes work-life balance, culture, and results. Laura opens up about: ✅ What it was like to start an agency during the pandemic ✅ How she attracted her first clients and scaled sustainably ✅ Why building strong teams and culture is her #1 priority ✅ Common pitfalls in paid media — from attribution to measurement ✅ How podcasting became a powerful trust-building tool ✅ The truth about AI in marketing: where it helps, where it fails, and why human strategy still matters Whether you're an agency owner, marketing director, or entrepreneur navigating the fast-changing media landscape, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, growth, and future-proofing your business.
Thinking about selling your agency? Don't make a move until you hear this. In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse Gilmore sits down with mergers and acquisitions veteran David Blois, founder of M&A Advisory, who brings 30+ years of experience helping agencies around the world navigate mergers and acquisitions. You'll learn: ✅ The 3 must-haves every agency needs before selling ✅ What buyers are really looking for (and red flags to avoid) ✅ How to make your agency more sustainable and buyer-ready ✅ Real-world examples of deals that worked—and why Whether you're planning to exit in 1 year or 5, this conversation will help you prepare, maximize value, and avoid costly mistakes. 🎯 Watch now to learn how to create an agency buyers want—and will pay for.
🎙️ In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse Gilmore sits down with James Lincoln—founder of Goodly—to unpack the real metric that matters: freedom. 🚀 What started as a side hustle during James's MBA turned into a thriving agency doing $40K+ months. But what truly drove him wasn't money—it was the desire for time freedom, autonomy, and a business that supported the life he actually wanted. 👉 You'll hear how James: Built an agency while balancing school, a job, and two kids Delegated early by necessity, not luxury Learned to trade revenue for life ownership Built global teams without sacrificing quality Accidentally scaled into something sustainable—and freeing 💡 Whether you're stuck in the grind or scaling with intention, this episode will shift how you think about success, ownership, and the role your business plays in your life. 🎧 Hit play and discover why freedom might be the most important KPI you're not tracking.
What does it take to transform a legacy agency into a modern growth engine? In this episode of Leverage for Growth, Jesse Gilmore sits down with Chad Bauer, CEO of one of Baltimore's oldest advertising firms, SR&B Advertising, to unpack how he transitioned from inheriting a 60-year-old agency to leading it into a new era of innovation, culture, and brand-driven growth. Chad shares hard-won lessons on leadership—like learning to delegate, saying no to protect your vision, and why overthinking can slow you down. He also breaks down the shift from performance marketing to true brand building, and what it means to create a team that feels empowered to contribute. If you're scaling an agency, navigating a family business, or wrestling with letting go of the day-to-day, this conversation is packed with insight. 🔹 Legacy vs. reinvention 🔹 Delegation and the power of trust 🔹 Brand depth over performance noise 🔹 Communicating vision that drives culture 🔹 Building a destination workplace
Struggling to make sense of your agency's numbers? In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse Gilmore sits down with Hayden Cox—Partner & Chief Product Officer at CleverProfits—to break down how simplified financial frameworks can give agency owners the clarity they need to scale with confidence. You'll discover: ✅ Why most agency owners misread their numbers ✅ The 3 metrics that matter most for sustainable growth ✅ How much cash you really need on hand to stay sane and strategic ✅ How to spot financial friction before it tanks your momentum If you're ready to stop guessing and start scaling, this episode is your roadmap.
What if the biggest bottleneck in your agency… is you? In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse Gilmore sits down with Dr. William Attaway — leadership coach, author, third-generation entrepreneur and the Founder of Catalytic Leadership LLC — to uncover why most agency owners unknowingly cap their growth by clinging to control. Discover how Cape Syndrome keeps you addicted to firefighting, why your systems (or lack thereof) reflect how you lead yourself, and the simple but powerful exercise that reveals how much of your time is actually spent doing what only you can do. 🎯 If you want to stop being the bottleneck, build systems that scale, and create margin for creativity, this conversation is your wake-up call.
The key to happy clients? In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse P Gilmore chats with Ari Pirutinsky, the Founder & CEO of Steady Growth Partners . Ari breaks down how Steady Growth Partners squashes client uncertainty by setting clear expectations, delivering frequent updates, and ensuring they feel secure every step of the way. You'll learn: ✅ Why clients feel left in the dark—and how to fix it ✅ How to structure your onboarding for maximum trust ✅ The power of proactive updates (before clients even ask) ✅ How process-driven communication builds a confident agency culture By the end of this, you'll know exactly how to run an agency that instills confidence, reduces friction, and keeps clients at ease—without them constantly chasing you for updates.
Are operational bottlenecks holding your agency back from scaling? In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, host Jesse P Gilmore sits down with Brett Linnenkohl, founder of Evergreen Strategic Systems, to uncover the hidden challenges agencies face when trying to grow—and how to fix them with streamlined systems.
If you're an agency owner drowning in work, feeling like you're stuck owning a job instead of running a business, this episode is for you. Jesse P. Gilmore sits down with Nick Deck, founder of Heroes and Sidekicks, to tackle the biggest challenge entrepreneurs face: escaping the founder's time trap. They break down: ✅ The key warning signs that you're working in your business instead of on it ✅ Why most agency owners struggle to delegate—and how to fix it ✅ The 3 traits every great hire must have (miss this, and you'll regret it) ✅ A foolproof hiring and onboarding process that ensures your team takes ownership (so you don't end up micromanaging) ✅ How to build systems that free up your time without losing control If you're tired of 50+ hour weeks and ready to reclaim your freedom, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply today.
In this episode, Jesse Gilmore interviews Tudor Dimitrescu, founder of TANDA Digital, a business development agency specializing in sustainable growth through outbound systems on LinkedIn and cold email. Learn how Tudor scaled his agency from consulting to a service-based model and achieved explosive growth by refining processes, training teams, and creating scalable systems.
In this exciting episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse speaks with the Owner of The Frequent Speaker, Cam Beaudoin! Cam shares his personal journey from tech specialist to empowering mission-driven speakers. Learn how he turned the challenges of crafting speaker demo reels into a thriving business and discover the key steps to elevate your speaking career and land more paid gigs. 🎤 If you're ready to expand your reach, get on more stages, and grow your speaking business, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss!
In this episode, Jesse interviews Rachel Woods, founder of DiviUp Agency, an expert in AI operations for marketing agencies. Discover how AI can revolutionize your agency operations, improve efficiency, and scale your business. We also discuss the essential systems every agency should have to integrate AI strategies and achieve business growth. If you're a marketing agency owner looking to leverage AI for scalability and operational efficiency, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
In this episode of the Leverage for Growth podcast, host Jesse Gilmore interviews Brian Town, Founder & CEO of Michigan Creative and author of "The Lonely CEO." Brian shares his incredible journey of starting a digital marketing agency with just $350 and growing it into a $2 million business over 13 years. Discover the key shifts in mindset, skillset, and leadership that Brian experienced along the way, and gain valuable insights into scaling a business successfully. Brian discusses the importance of self-development, building a strong company culture, and the challenges of entrepreneurship that often go unspoken. Tune in to hear practical advice for agency owners, the story behind "The Lonely CEO," and Brian's thoughts on maintaining a balance between personal and professional life. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business owner, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you on your journey. Don't miss out on this inspiring and informative conversation!
Want to take your referral game to the next level? Alex Glenn, the CEO of Partnerhub, is going to show you how you can greatly expand the number of times you are referred work by trusted software experts. As you hone in on specific software and partner with SaaS companies, you will be seen as a specialist in the tech space. By niching down in this way and forming partnerships, SaaS companies refer your service to their extensive user base, as you provide their customers with your marketing knowhow. Don't miss this insightful conversation filled with practical advice for scaling your agency!
Dive into an enlightening episode of the Leverage for Growth podcast, where our host, Jesse Gilmore, sits down with Nick Deck, the visionary founder of Heroes and Sidekicks. Nick shares his journey from launching a successful digital marketing agency to pioneering innovative solutions for building powerful, world-class teams. Uncover the secrets behind scaling an agency to six, seven, and eight figures through strategic hiring, leadership evolution, and maintaining a balance between personal and professional growth. This episode is a treasure trove for agency owners, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs aiming to transcend traditional growth barriers. Listen as Nick Deck unfolds the methodologies and mindset shifts essential for transforming your agency into a robust, scalable business without sacrificing profitability or personal freedom. Discover actionable insights on: Mastering the art of strategic delegation and team building Navigating the transition from agency owner to visionary leader Leveraging talent for sustainable agency growth and innovation Whether you're looking to refine your leadership skills, enhance your team's dynamics, or explore new growth strategies, this conversation with Nick Deck offers a roadmap to elevating your agency to unprecedented heights.
What a year Joey Gilkey, the CEO of Apex Revenue & Phone Ready Leads, has had! From buying out his partner, acquiring an additional company, and going from a team of 40 employees down to 8 and now to 120, Joey has rebuilt his company from the ground up. Learn from his journey as he executed a singularity of focus that is driving his goal to a 9-figure sell off in 3 1/2 years. This is an episode you must hear!
In today's episode, Jesse P. Gilmore, the Founder of Niche In Control, is joined by Chris Langley, the Co-Founder of OfficeHounds and Addiction Recovery Place. Learn about Chris's brave journey that started when he decided to leave his home and career behind and travel from South London, UK to Iowa, US to start a new marketing business with his wife. Chris gives his insight on the importance of business processes and sheds light on what it takes to be really good at your niche.
In this episode of the Leverage for Growth Podcast, Jesse Gilmore, founder of Niche In Control and creator of Leverage for Growth, sits down with Ali Karsch, co-founder of Little Voice Public Relations and the Littles Advisory. With nearly two decades of experience in public relations, specializing in the growth of direct-to-consumer startups, Ali shares the journey of her agency from its inception in 2016 to becoming a team of ten. She discusses the challenges of scaling a business, including hiring, managing cash flow, and establishing boundaries with staff. Ali also introduces the Littles, an advisory branch aimed at startups unable to afford traditional retainer levels, offering a mix of cash and equity arrangements. This insightful episode provides valuable lessons on growing a PR agency, the importance of a strong team, and advice for upcoming agency owners on pricing strategies, managing finances, and the pivotal role of a business coach.