Small But Mighty Agency: How to Grow Your Agency

Audrey Joy Kwan | Growth Strategist for Agencies
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If you want to grow an agency to seven figures and beyond without working more hours in your business, tune in.  I know your time is valuable, so I keep it practical and help you work smarter, not harder, in every episode.  I'm your host, Audrey Joy Kwan. I know what it takes to build an agency—including supporting an agency owner in selling and exiting, and consulting for 200-person agencies—because I've done it.  My team and I have coached and consulted with over 150 agency owners and have been behind the scenes of multiple seven-figure agencies.  All this to say, join us on the Small But Mighty Agency podcast to grow an agency with real-world experience and practical tips that help you to work less and earn more while leading with integrity.  Let's go! 

  1. 6D AGO

    Some Agencies Make Growth Feel Easier. Here’s Why.

    There’s a subtle difference you start to notice after enough time in this industry. Some agencies grow with more ease.  Decisions get clearer instead of noisier. Momentum builds without everything getting heavier at the same time.  Not because they’ve found a shortcut, and not because they’re avoiding the realities of today’s market. They’re operating in the same conditions as everyone else. And yet, growth behaves differently for them. This episode is about understanding why. Not by looking for new tactics or better execution, but by naming the underlying forces that change how growth compounds over time.  When you step back, a different picture of growth starts to emerge. Not growth defined by doing more or adding more, but growth that feels more exciting and easier to sustain because it’s grounded in decisions that reinforce each other instead of competing for energy and attention. In this episode, we explore: Why positioning that reduces buyer effort changes how momentum builds long before a sales conversation beginsHow trust, built through a clear point of view, shortens decision cycles and helps people feel confident choosing youWhy fit becomes a compounding force when the work you take on actively makes your agency better over timeHow these forces work together to support growth that feels focused, intentional, and worth carrying forwardThis conversation isn’t about changing how you work or adopting a new model overnight. It’s about understanding what makes growth feel smarter in a market that’s noisier, more uncertain, and more demanding than it used to be. ________ For those following the Small But Mighty series, this is Part 3.  Part 1 [Two $1M Agencies. Very Different Realities] is a podcast episode exploring the lived tension many agency owners are feeling right now.  Part 2 [Why the Agency Growth Model Worked – and Why It Doesn’t Now] is a blog post unpacking why the traditional growth model isn’t working anymore. Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.  Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep146 Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

    14 min

  2. JAN 28

    Two $1M Agencies. Very Different Realities.

    If you’ve ever looked at the version of “success” the agency world keeps promoting and felt a quiet sense of resistance, here’s a question worth sitting with: What if growth isn’t supposed to feel this heavy? Most agency owners aren’t afraid of growth. They’re ambitious. They care deeply about their work. They want their businesses to be profitable, respected, and sustainable. And yet, somewhere along the way, growth starts to feel like more pressure instead of more clarity. More responsibility instead of more freedom. More motion instead of more stability. This episode kicks off Small But Mighty: A Different Way to Grow an Agency — a five-part series exploring why so many capable agency owners feel misaligned with the dominant growth narrative, and what it looks like to build something different. This conversation isn’t about tactics or positioning tricks. It’s about identity. About understanding why many “right” moves start to feel wrong when the underlying growth logic doesn’t actually fit the kind of agency you want to build. In this episode, we unpack: The unspoken assumptions behind most agency growth advice — and how they quietly push agencies toward volume and complexityWhy pricing, boundaries, and decision-making get harder even as revenue grows A concrete contrast between two $1M agencies — and why they feel radically different to run What the Small But Mighty agency identity really means in a market shaped by commoditization and noiseIf you’ve ever wondered why growth feels harder than it should — or why success hasn’t delivered the ease you expected — this episode will help you see your business, and yourself, with more clarity. Because there may be nothing wrong with you at all. You may simply be building toward a different kind of success. Sign up for our newsletter: agencytogether.com/about Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.  Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep145 Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

    12 min

  3. JAN 14

    Outcome Niching: Why Not Choosing Is Holding Your Agency Back

    We talk a lot about niching in the agency world. Pick an industry. Go deep. Specialize. But in today’s market, industry alone isn’t enough — and many capable agencies can feel that, even if they can’t quite name why. Execution is easier to buy. Capability is everywhere. And “great work” doesn’t help clients feel confident when the stakes are higher. What cuts through now is being clear about the outcome you’re willing to stand behind. In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, we move beyond outcome clarity and into the real decision agencies are facing right now: choosing an outcome niche without boxing yourself in. This isn’t about rebranding or narrowing for the sake of narrowing. It’s about removing friction for your clients and for you, and creating focus that actually supports momentum. In this episode, we explore: What outcome niching actually means and what it doesn’tWhy niching by industry alone no longer creates enough tractionThe three guardrails that make outcome niching work without overcommittingHow choosing an outcome can simplify sales, referrals, and deliveryIf you’ve felt like you’re standing at the edge of your next stage and haven’t quite named what comes next, this episode will help you think it through. These are the kinds of conversations we also have inside Agency Together. If you’d like to pressure-test your thinking with other agency owners, you can RSVP for the next Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer here: https://agencytogether.com/mixer-event Tune in to rethink what specialization really means — and how choosing the right outcome creates clarity and momentum. Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.  Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep144 Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

    15 min

  4. 2025-12-31

    Why Outcome Clarity Beats Every Trend in 2026

    What does your agency need to be known for in order to stay relevant as the market keeps shifting? In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency podcast, we explore the strategic shifts quietly shaping how agencies build momentum right now—and what it actually takes to future-proof your agency without chasing every new trend. This isn’t about services, channels, or keeping up appearances. It’s about clarity—specifically, clarity around the outcomes your work creates, and how that clarity changes everything from sales conversations to capability-building. Together, we explore: Why future-proof agencies anchor their growth to outcomes, not services or channelsHow outcome clarity reshapes offers, pricing, and sales conversations without adding complexityWhat capability-building actually looks like when it’s tied to a clear outcome (and why this matters in an AI-heavy world)Why community isn’t just support but a strategic advantage for staying grounded and informedThe difference between “sounding clear” and being clear in a noisy marketThis episode sets the stage for the next conversation, where we’ll go deeper into outcome niching: what it really means, how to do it without boxing yourself in, and what makes it work for you not against you.  🎧 Tune in to rethink what future-proofing your agency actually requires and where clarity becomes your advantage. Show Notes: Join the next Agency Together Mixer: https://agencytogether.com/mixer-event Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.  Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep143 Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

    17 min

  5. 2025-12-10

    What Really Happens When You Rebrand Your Agency (A Rare Inside Look)

    How do you know when your agency has outgrown its brand  and what actually happens when you decide to change it after 17 years? Today’s episode gives you a rare behind-the-scenes look at a rebrand most agency owners never get to witness.  My guest, Kim Atkinson, co-founder and COO of Foundery, recently led her agency through a full transformation after nearly two decades of being known as “Ontario SEO.” What started as a small, local SEO shop evolved into an international, full-service digital agency… but the brand didn’t evolve with them. And eventually, the name that once helped them grow became the very thing holding them back. In this conversation, Kim opens the door to the real journey. The fears, the hesitation, the naming battles, the internal alignment, and the strategic decisions that helped them pull off a rebrand without losing momentum. Whether your agency has been around for 17 years or you're only a few years in, you’ll walk away with clarity on: how to know your brand no longer reflects your business,what to prepare for before changing anything,how to protect your visibility during the transition, andwhat shifts once your brand finally matches who you are today.It’s an honest, practical sneak-peek into a rebrand done thoughtfully and a meaningful listen if you’re sensing it might be time for your own evolution. Let’s dive in. Show Notes: -Website: Foundery.ca -Kim's LinkedIn Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.  Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep142 Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

    25 min

  6. 2025-11-26

    The Silent Bottleneck in Agency Growth

    There’s a stage in agency growth that looks successful on the outside but feels limiting on the inside.  You’re delivering great work, clients are happy, and your reputation is solid… yet you’re still underpriced, overextended, and not seen as the strategic partner you know you are. This silent slowdown has a name: the value gap and most agencies stay in it far longer than they realize. In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we unpack why this happens and how it ties directly to the three levels of competitive power that agencies move through as they grow. Most agencies unknowingly get stuck in the middle level, where their work is good enough to grow, but their positioning quietly caps their value. In this episode, we explore: Why “good work” is no longer enough to stand outThe 3 levels of agency competitive power and where most firms plateauThe shift from selling deliverables to selling outcomesWhy premium pricing follows transformation, not effortHow specialization becomes strategic leverageWhen you get clear on the big outcome you deliver, everything starts to line up. You can see what conditions need to be in place, who’s actually a right-fit client, and where your best results come from. At that point, growth isn’t about doing more work. It’s about solving a bigger, more meaningful problem that earns higher value. Listen in to explore where your agency sits today and what it takes to move beyond the ceiling. Show Notes: The Hands off CEO book: handsoffceo.com/book  Mandi's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.  Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep141 Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

    27 min

  7. 2025-11-12

    Stop Leaving Referrals to Chance: Build this System Instead

    Most agency owners say their business grows through referrals.  But when you ask what their referral system looks like  things go quiet. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Referrals feel earned, but if they’re happening by chance, you’re leaving your growth to luck. In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, we’re talking about how to stop waiting for referrals to “just happen” and start designing them through something I call your Strategic Partnership Squad. Here’s what we get into: The difference between passive referrals and proactive partnerships — and how to build the latter. Why trust, not visibility, is driving growth for agencies heading into 2026. The four power players that make up your Strategic Partnership Squad: How these roles turn word-of-mouth momentum into a repeatable system.If you’ve ever said, “Our business runs on referrals,” this episode will help you turn that from something you wait for into something you engineer. These are the same kinds of conversations we had at the recent Agency Together Strategic Partnership Mixer where agency owners came together to share what’s working, swap insights, and see collaboration in action. If you missed it, you can still explore how Agency Together helps you build referral-ready relationships and grow through collaboration — learn more here: https://agencytogether.com/ Show Notes:  Agency Together Connection/Discovery Call Map Your Strategic Partnership Squad  Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.  Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep140 Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

    14 min

  8. 2025-10-29

    Why Overdelivering Isn’t the Trust Signal You Think It Is

    If trust still feels like an abstract concept in your business — something you earn, but not something you’ve designed — this episode is for you. We’re breaking down five specific ways smart agencies are turning trust into a system they can scale, not just a sentiment they hope for. When I look at the agencies that are landing clients faster, keeping them longer, and growing with more ease, they all have one thing in common: They’ve transformed trust from a soft skill into a structural advantage. In this episode of Small But Mighty Agency, I’m unpacking five overlooked ways agencies are building trust that leads to stronger relationships, stickier retainers, and more sustainable growth. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll hear: ✔ How micro-offers lower resistance and speed up yeses in a skeptical market ✔ The “corner-seeing” mindset that transforms your team into trusted guides ✔ Why surfacing your thinking makes clients smarter and more loyal ✔ What it really means to define success early — and why it changes everything ✔ How demystifying AI builds credibility and strengthens your value If you’ve been reselling your value month after month or struggling to stand out without shouting, this conversation will shift your approach. These are the kinds of strategies we unpack inside Agency Together. If you want to be in the room with other agency owners building trust into how they grow, grab your spot at the next Strategic Partnership Mixer.  RSVP Here: https://agencytogether.com/mixer-event Hey thanks for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.  Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep139 Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

    17 min
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About

If you want to grow an agency to seven figures and beyond without working more hours in your business, tune in.  I know your time is valuable, so I keep it practical and help you work smarter, not harder, in every episode.  I'm your host, Audrey Joy Kwan. I know what it takes to build an agency—including supporting an agency owner in selling and exiting, and consulting for 200-person agencies—because I've done it.  My team and I have coached and consulted with over 150 agency owners and have been behind the scenes of multiple seven-figure agencies.  All this to say, join us on the Small But Mighty Agency podcast to grow an agency with real-world experience and practical tips that help you to work less and earn more while leading with integrity.  Let's go! 

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