#174 How To Outsmart the AI Apocalypse + Build a Better Marketing Agency with Ivan Vislavskiy

How do you grow a digital agency from a scrappy startup to powerhouse — while staying lean, global, and ahead of the AI curve?Ivan Vislavskiy, co-founder and CEO of Comrade Digital Marketing, joins me to share his journey from Ukraine to the U.S., from architect to entrepreneur, and how he’s built one of the most quietly successful and innovative agencies in the country.In this wide-ranging conversation, Ivan opens up about: • The “unsexy” operational secrets behind scaling profitably • Why most agencies cap at 5–10 people • The myth of niching down — and what to do instead • How Comrade is embedding AI into every part of their operation (without sacrificing creativity or quality)Whether you’re an agency owner, entrepreneur, or creative pro looking to future-proof your business, this episode is loaded with practical wisdom and inspiration.📌 Top Takeaways:• How Ivan built a scalable agency culture that still prioritizes quality and team happiness• The real reason most agencies struggle to grow — and how Comrade avoided the trap• Why the best positioning isn’t always “niching down” — and what’s more powerful instead• How to think about AI adoption: start with your internal workflows, then scale client value💡 Learn more about Comrade: https://comradeweb.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-vislavskiy-53bb559/ Website: https://ivanvislavskiy.com/ ⸻🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris Brodhead • Website: https://www.working-towards.com • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDr • iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400 • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowards • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towards • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards