102 - Building a Dev Agency. Scaling Your Development Business.

On this episode, we have Raphael Quisumbing, Miguel Fermin, and Jason Tores joining us to discuss the journey of building a successful dev agency.

This episode dives into the challenging yet rewarding journey of building a successful development agency from the ground up. Our guests, who have navigated this path, will share their experiences in moving from a solo freelancer to leading a team. We'll explore the key steps in a dev agency's growth, from finding your first clients to building a sustainable business model, and discuss the unique challenges of managing people, projects, and profits in the dynamic world of tech.

What are the key differences between being a solo freelancer and running a development agency? (Generalization)

The key difference is the shift from a "doer" to a "manager". As a freelancer, your focus is on delivering projects yourself and managing client relationships. As an agency owner, your primary job becomes managing a team, overseeing multiple projects, and focusing on business development, sales, and marketing. You move from billing for your time to creating a scalable system that can deliver work through others, which requires a completely different skill set.

How do you find your first clients and build a reputation in a competitive market? (Generalization)

Finding your first clients often starts with leveraging your existing network and personal connections. Building a reputation is about delivering exceptional work on those early projects and getting strong testimonials or case studies. You can also build credibility by actively participating in tech communities, speaking at local events, or creating valuable content that showcases your expertise. The goal is to establish trust and demonstrate a track record of success.

What are some of the biggest challenges in scaling a dev agency, and how can they be overcome? (Generalization)

One of the biggest challenges is talent acquisition and retention, as a great team is the core of any agency. Another major hurdle is managing cash flow and pricing projects correctly to ensure profitability. Overcoming these involves building a strong company culture, offering competitive benefits, and establishing robust project management processes. You must also constantly refine your sales and marketing strategy to ensure a steady pipeline of work that supports your growing team.

What are the essential business skills that a tech-savvy person needs to learn to successfully run an agency? (Generalization)

A tech-savvy founder needs to learn essential business skills like financial management, including budgeting, invoicing, and understanding profit margins. Sales and negotiation are also crucial, as is effective people management, including hiring, performance reviews, and team leadership. Learning to delegate and trust your team is perhaps the most important skill, as it allows you to step away from the day-to-day technical work and focus on the strategic growth of the business.