He Bought the Agency and the Owner Vanished Day 1 - Bullseye Media

Company: Bullseye Media
Owners: Ernie Cote
Year Started: 2006
Employees: 1-10 

Buying a business should come with a transition plan. But what happens when the owner disappears the day after closing? In this episode, Ernie Cote shares how he took over Bullseye Media during the chaos of 2020, faced immediate setbacks, and rebuilt the agency into a niche powerhouse serving dental practices.

Key Takeaways

• The due diligence blind spot that left Ernie on his own from day one
• How hiring A-level talent, even at twice the cost, can impact a business
• How niching down into the dental market gave Bullseye Media an edge
• The importance of planning for partnership exits before they happen
• Why agency growth depends more on relationships than digital marketing tactics

Hear details for an agency planning workshop event November 10th and 11th 2025. Visit anagencystory.com to learn more.