Agency Darlings

Melissa Lohrer, Meredith Fennessy Witts
  • 5.0 (8)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Agency Darlings

Agency Darlings is your insider's guide to the agency world - where we spill the tea on everything from profit margins to problem clients. Hosted by agency consultants Melissa Lohrer and Meredith Fennessy Witts, this podcast offers a fresh perspective on growth strategies tailored specifically for women-led agencies. Whether you're looking to refine your revenue model, increase profit margin or elevate your business to new heights, Agency Darlings provides the guidance and inspiration you need to achieve your goals—on your terms. For all inquiries, contact us at hello@agencydarlings.com

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    5 Decisions That Will Propel Your Agency's Growth

    We’re breaking down five key decisions that will move the needle in your business - from niching down to hiring your #2. Because let’s be real: staying stuck in client work, pricing based on hours, and taking on low-value projects isn’t going to get you there. These shifts will. Scaling your agency isn’t about doing more - it’s about doing the right things. If you’re hovering around the multi-six-figure mark and wondering what it actually takes to break past the next revenue milestone, this episode is for you. Stop spinning your wheels and start scaling intentionally, grab a notebook and tune in. What to Expect From This Episode: The Five $500K Decisions That Will Scale Your Agency: Moving from generalist to specialist – Why getting specific attracts better clients and bigger budgetsCreating scalable, productized offers – How to grow without constantly reinventing the wheelShifting from hourly to value-based pricing – Because you shouldn’t be punished for working efficientlyHiring your #2 – The role that actually frees you up to growSetting a minimum engagement threshold – So you stop wasting time on low-value projects Key Takeaways: Why niching down doesn’t mean limiting yourself - it means attracting the right clientsHow to transition away from custom scoping everything and build more profitable offersThe real reason hourly pricing is holding you back (and how to shift your pricing model)How to bring on the right support so you can finally stop being the bottleneckThe confidence shift that happens when you set a minimum engagement threshold Real Talk Moments: We get candid about scaling struggles, including: Why staying a generalist keeps you stuck in a cycle of chasing new businessThe pricing mindset shift that most agency owners resistHow hiring a project manager or sales lead can be the game-changer you needThe mistake of taking on every client who knocks on your doorWhy setting a minimum engagement is one of the most freeing things you can do - Agency Darlings is partnered with Flodesk - Create stunning, high-converting emails with ease. Get a 2-week FREE trial when you sign up using our exclusive link -http://partners.flodesk.com/darlings Feeling stuck in your agency? Melissa helps agency founders break free from undercharging, overdelivering, and cycles that don’t serve them. No pitch, no pressure - just a real conversation about what’s possible for your business. DM Melissa on LinkedIn or Instagram to connect. Interested in a 1:1 Strategic Brainstorming Session with Meredith? This session is a focused 50-minute consultation for entrepreneurs seeking targeted guidance and business insights. Dive deep into your most critical challenges, uncover opportunities, and develop actionable strategies. Book your strategy session here. Connect With Us: Instagram @agencydarlingsLinkedInJoin Our Agency Advice...

    36 min

  2. FEB 11

    Designing A Life You Really Want: The Life Brief Method with Bonnie Wan

    As an agency owner, you’re constantly making decisions - about clients, growth, strategy, and leadership. But what happens when your success starts feeling misaligned? In this episode, we’re diving deep into how to create a business and life that reflect your true ambitions, featuring special guest Bonnie Wan, Chief Strategy Officer of the Year (2022 and 2023) and author of The Life Brief. Melissa and Meredith sit down with Bonnie to explore why agency leaders struggle with misalignment, burnout, and a lack of clarity - and how using The Life Brief can help you reset, refocus, and move forward with confidence. What to Expect From This Episode... The Four Biggest Misalignment Traps: Constantly chasing revenue instead of intentional growthIgnoring personal values and aspirations in business decisionsLosing creativity due to industry pressure and client demandsFailing to create space for deep thinking and self-reflection Key Takeaways: Why scaling your agency shouldn’t mean sacrificing your valuesHow to create alignment between your business and your personal goalsThe power of pausing - why white space is essential for leadership and creativityHow to break free from external expectations and define success on your own termsWhy agency leaders need to embrace bold thinking and innovation Real Talk Moments We get candid about: The pressure to grow vs. the reality of sustainable successWhy agency owners avoid asking themselves big, uncomfortable questionsHow the loss of creative space is impacting leadership and team cultureBonnie’s personal journey - how The Life Brief helped her navigate major life changesHow independent agencies can redefine their business models for long-term success Connect with Bonnie Wan on Instagram, LinkedIn or email at bonnie@thelifebrief.com Learn more and get your copy of The Life Brief through her website. Agency Darlings is partnered with Flodesk - Create stunning, high-converting emails with ease. Get a 2 week FREE trial when you sign up using our exclusive link - Feeling stuck in your agency? Melissa helps agency founders break free from undercharging, overdelivering, and cycles that don’t serve them. No pitch, no pressure - just a real conversation about what’s possible for your business. DM Melissa on LinkedIn or Instagram to connect. Interested in the 1:1 Strategic Brainstorming Session with Meredith? This session is a focused 50-minute consultation for entrepreneurs seeking targeted guidance and business insights. Dive deep into your most critical challenges, uncover opportunities, and develop actionable strategies. Book your strategy session here. - Connect With Us: Instagram @agencydarlingsa...

    1h 15m

  3. FEB 4

    The Profit Problem: Why 67% of Agencies Are Struggling (And How to Fix It)

    What if scaling your agency didn’t mean working more, but working smarter? Profitability is the foundation of a sustainable, thriving agency - but so many agency owners struggle to maintain healthy profit margins. In this episode, we're diving deep into the biggest profitability mistakes agencies make, why revenue alone isn’t a measure of success, and the strategies you need to build a financially sustainable business. Melissa and Meredith break down the common pitfalls agency owners face, why pricing and scoping are crucial to profitability, and how optimizing your operations can make your business more efficient, scalable, and stress-free. What to Expect From This Episode.. The Four Biggest Profitability Pitfalls: Caving to lower prices to win businessUnderestimating project scope and failing to price accordinglyInternal inefficiencies that drain time and resourcesA lack of niche and client diversification Key Takeaways: Why revenue isn’t the real metric you should focus onHow to scope for reality (not best-case scenarios)The power of standardizing processes for efficiency and profitabilityHow to confidently say “no” to low-value workWhy niching down leads to higher profit margins and more aligned clients Real Talk Moments We get candid about: The fear of raising prices and how to push past itThe emotional weight of making big financial decisionsWhy agencies struggle with scope creep (and how to stop it)How to create pricing that protects your margins __ Interested in the Q1 Biz Dev Challenge with Melissa? A month-long program designed to help you fill your pipeline with quality opportunities. Limited to 20 participants, get support, creative assignments, and access to a private Slack community. DM Melissa on LinkedIn or Instagram for more information. Interested in the 1:1 Strategic Brainstorming Session with Meredith? This session is a focused 50-minute consultation for entrepreneurs seeking targeted guidance and business insights. Dive deep into your most critical challenges, uncover opportunities, and develop actionable strategies. Book your strategy session here. Connect With Us: Instagram @agencydarlingsLinkedInJoin Our Agency Advice ColumnEmail: hello@agencydarlings.com About Your Hosts: Melissa Lohrer is the Founder of Waverly Ave Consulting, a Growth Consultancy for indie agencies. She partners with agency owners to create seven-figure growth through strategic repositioning, modern revenue models, and relationship-based sales. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Meredith Fennessy Witts is the Founder of Le Chéile, the go-to finance and strategy consultancy for creative agencies scaling beyond seven figures. She helps creative founders clarify their cash flow,...

    33 min

  4. JAN 28

    Manifest Like a CEO: Amanda Baudier on Aligning Vision and Action

    What if success isn’t just about working harder, but aligning with what truly lights you up? In this episode, we're diving deep into manifestation, alignment, and embodiment - and how these principles can help you build a business (and life) that feels purposeful and fulfilling. Whether you're skeptical about manifestation or all-in on the woo, this conversation will show you how to take intentional steps towards your goals with clarity and confidence. We’re also breaking down the three-step framework to help you shift from feeling stuck to fully aligned and empowered. Plus, Amanda shares her personal journey, the neuroscience behind manifestation, and how to embrace the hard choices that lead to an easier, more aligned life. What to Expect From This Episode: Amanda's Three-Step Manifestation Framework: Clarity: Identifying what truly excites you (beyond just money or titles)Alignment: Making choices that support your highest potentialEmbodiment: Fully stepping into your potential with confidence and belief Key Takeaways: How to know if you're truly in alignment with your goalsWhy manifestation isn't just about wishing - it's about actionThe power of reprogramming limiting beliefs and building trust in yourselfPractical ways to tap into visualization for business successHow to overcome fear and scarcity when making big decisions Real Talk Moments: We get candid about: How past trauma and limiting beliefs block manifestationThe power of surrender and trusting the timing of your journeyWhy saying “no” to misaligned opportunities creates space for the right onesThe importance of surrounding yourself with people who support your visionHow to embrace the messy middle of change without giving up Join the Q1 Biz Dev Challenge! A month-long program designed to help you fill your pipeline with quality opportunities. Limited to 20 participants, get support, creative assignments, and access to a private Slack community. DM Melissa on LinkedIn or Instagram for more information. Special Offer from Our Sponsor: Thanks to our sponsor Copper, for making this episode possible. Copper is a CRM that helps agencies attract more clients, streamline communication and deliver projects effortlessly. Exclusive to the listeners of this podcast, Copper is offering 15% off annual plans with promo code AGENCYDARLINGS, all one word. Visit this link to try Copper CRM today. Connect With Us: Instagram @agencydarlingsLinkedInJoin Our Agency Advice ColumnEmail: hello@agencydarlings.com About Your Hosts: Melissa Lohrer is the Founder of...

    44 min

  5. JAN 21

    Ghosts, Maybes, and Wins: Your Pipeline Playbook

    We're diving into the real talk about pipeline building. Whether you're riding the revenue rollercoaster of a slow season or building momentum from scratch - we’ve got you. No more sitting around waiting for the next referral to land in your inbox – we're sharing our tried-and-true strategies for filling your pipeline with dream clients and creating sustainable growth that feels authentic (and dare we say, fun?). We’re also dropping our own ready-to-go scripts that you can use to navigate those ‘ghost’ and ‘maybe’ leads, so you can take back control of your pipeline, and your revenue. What to Expect From This Episode: Our Three-Tier Approach to Pipeline Building; Past clients: Your fastest path to new businessPast leads: Your next best opportunityNew leads: Strategic approaches for fresh connections Key Takeaways: How to professionally handle "ghosters" and "maybes" in your pipelineSpecific scripts for following up with unresponsive leadsThe three essential sources for a sustainable pipeline (retention, content, and initiation)Why quality outreach beats quantity every timeHow to pace your business development efforts for long-term success Real Talk Moments: We get candid about pipeline building, including: Why having a "graveyard" of dead leads gives false hopeThe truth about why most agencies stay stuck waiting for referralsHow to make business development feel less "icky"Why treating business development like a sprint leads to burnoutThe importance of reframing pipeline building as growing your business rather than paying bills Join the Q1 Biz Dev Challenge! A month-long program designed to help you fill your pipeline with quality opportunities. Limited to 20 participants, get support, creative assignments, and access to a private Slack community. DM Melissa on LinkedIn or Instagram for more information. Special Offer from Our Sponsor: Thanks to our sponsor Copper, for making this episode possible. Copper is a CRM that helps agencies attract more clients, streamline communication and deliver projects effortlessly. Exclusive to the listeners of this podcast, Copper is offering 15% off annual plans with promo code AGENCYDARLINGS, all one word. Visit this link to try Copper CRM today. Connect With Us: Instagram @agencydarlingsLinkedInJoin Our Agency Advice ColumnEmail: hello@agencydarlings.com About Your Hosts: Melissa Lohrer is the Founder of Waverly Ave Consulting, a Growth Consultancy for indie agencies. She partners with agency owners to create seven-figure growth through strategic repositioning, modern revenue models, and relationship-based sales. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Meredith Fennessy Witts is the Founder of Le Chéile, the go-to finance and strategy...

    37 min

  6. JAN 14

    Boundaries Are The New Black

    In our season premiere, we're tackling a game-changing topic: Boundaries. Whether you're running an agency or scaling your creative business, this episode is your playbook for setting and maintaining professional boundaries that protect both your energy and your bottom line. What to Expect From This Episode: The 7 Essential Agency Boundaries You Need Onboarding expectationsWorking hoursCommunication protocolsDeliverable timelinesScope managementPayment termsOffboarding processes Key Takeaways: How to set boundaries without damaging client relationshipsTools for managing scope creep and last-minute requestsStrategies for confidently pricing your servicesWays to turn "urgent" weekend emails into Monday prioritiesTips for handling out-of-scope requests professionally Real Talk Moments:  We get candid about our own boundary-setting journey, including: When we compromised on pricing (and regretted it)How we learned to stop apologizing for our boundariesThe exact language we use to maintain professional boundariesWhy confidence is crucial for boundary enforcement Special Offer from Our Sponsor: Thanks to our sponsor Copper, for making this podcast possible. Copper is a CRM that helps agencies attract more clients, streamline communication and deliver projects effortlessly. Exclusive to the listeners of this podcast, Copper is offering 15% off annual plans with promo code AGENCYDARLINGS, all one word. Visit this link to try Copper CRM today. Connect With Us: Instagram @agencydarlingsLinkedInJoin Our Agency Advice ColumnEmail: hello@agencydarlings.com About Your Hosts: Melissa Lohrer is the Founder of Waverly Ave Consulting, a Growth Consultancy for indie agencies. She partners with agency owners to create seven-figure growth through strategic repositioning, modern revenue models, and relationship-based sales. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Meredith Fennessy Witts is the Founder of Le Chéile, the go-to finance and strategy consultancy for creative agencies scaling beyond seven figures. She helps creative founders clarify their cash flow, restructure niche offers and pricing, and ensure they’re running a profitable business...in a mindful way. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe! New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    52 min

  7. JAN 9

    We’re Back for Season 2!

    We’re Back for Season 2! 🎉 Welcome to a brand-new season of Agency Darlings! We’re thrilled to bring you more actionable strategies, inspiring conversations, and expert insights tailored for agency founders and creative business leaders scaling to seven and eight figures. This season, we’re tackling some of the biggest challenges agency owners face—while also celebrating your wins. With fresh perspectives, expert guests, and some seriously hot tea, Season 2 is here to empower your growth journey like never before. - What to Expect this Season: Here’s a sneak peek at some of the episodes you won’t want to miss: Why Boundaries are the New Black Manifesting Growth: Aligning Vision with ActionPipeline Management: Our Hot TipsScope Creep: Managing Clients with EaseWorking Mom Productivity HacksWhen to Hire Your #2Building a Network That SELLSKnowing Your Value as a Thought Leader And so much more, including guest interviews and insightful discussions designed to help you take your agency to the next level. Whether you’re navigating challenges like scope creep or looking for ways to scale your business sustainably, Season 2 will give you the tools, insights, and confidence to grow. - When Does Season 2 Drop? Mark your calendars! The first episode, where we cover EVERYTHING boundaries, drops 14th January 2025. New episodes will release weekly, so hit subscribe and follow us now to make sure you don’t miss an episode. - Connect with Us: Follow us for more insights on agency growth strategies. You can find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Join our Agency Advice Column here. For all inquiries, contact us at hello@agencydarlings.com

    1 min

  8. 12/17/2024

    Exit Signs: How Carrie Kerpen Built to Sell

    As we wrap up this season of Agency Darlings, we’re closing with an inspiring conversation with Carrie Kerpen, the founder of a thriving social media agency. She takes us through her journey of building and scaling her business from the ground up, sharing the challenges, victories, and lessons learned along the way. Carrie dives deep into the importance of having a long-term vision, balancing the emotional side of selling, and developing the resilience and confidence needed to succeed as an agency founder - especially for women navigating this industry. Some of the topics we cover include, the evolving agency landscape, emphasizing the importance of client relationships, retention, and managing the cyclical demands of agency life. This episode is packed with actionable advice to inspire you at every stage of your journey. Key Takeaways: Client Relationships Matter: Building strong relationships and focusing on client retention is more cost-effective than constantly acquiring new clients.Confidence is Key: Belief in yourself and the ability to say no to clients is essential for long-term agency success.Success is a Roller Coaster: Success rarely follows a straight path—expect ups and downs, but stay focused on your goals.Work-Life Balance is Possible: Achieving business growth and maintaining personal life balance is possible with the right mindset.Personal Branding: Strong personal branding can boost your agency's appeal to potential clients and buyers. Show Quotes We Love: “The truth behind every success story is there's a lot of lessons, failures, and moments of doubts”  - You can find Carrie on Instagram and LinkedIn - Thanks to our sponsor Copper, for making this podcast possible. Copper is a CRM that helps agencies attract more clients, streamline communication and deliver projects effortlessly. Exclusive to the listeners of this podcast, Copper is offering 15% off annual plans with promo code AGENCYDARLINGS, all one word. Visit this link to try Copper CRM today. Connect with Us: Follow us for more insights on agency growth strategies. You can find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Join our Agency Advice Column here. For all inquiries, contact us at hello@agencydarlings.com - About Your Hosts: Melissa Lohrer is the Founder of Waverly Ave Consulting, a Growth Consultancy for indie agencies. She partners with agency owners to create seven-figure growth through strategic repositioning, modern revenue models, and relationship-based sales. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Meredith Fennessy Witts is the Founder of Le Chéile, the go-to finance and strategy consultancy for creative agencies scaling beyond seven figures. She helps creative founders clarify their cash flow, restructure niche offers and pricing, and ensure they’re running a profitable business...in a...

    1h 7m
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Agency Darlings is your insider's guide to the agency world - where we spill the tea on everything from profit margins to problem clients. Hosted by agency consultants Melissa Lohrer and Meredith Fennessy Witts, this podcast offers a fresh perspective on growth strategies tailored specifically for women-led agencies. Whether you're looking to refine your revenue model, increase profit margin or elevate your business to new heights, Agency Darlings provides the guidance and inspiration you need to achieve your goals—on your terms. For all inquiries, contact us at hello@agencydarlings.com

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Lohrer, Meredith Fennessy Witts
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Melissa Lohrer, Meredith Fennessy Witts
  • Show Website
    Agency Darlings

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