Creative Agency Success Show

Summit Virtual CFO by Anders
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Has your business scaled beyond $1 million in annual revenue? Do you employ a staff of 20 or more people? If so, you've likely experienced a whirlwind of highs and lows that come with growth. You're not alone in your journey. Since 2002, Summit CPA Group, now Summit Virtual CFO Services by Anders, has helped businesses and creative agencies across America and the globe by providing Virtual CFO Services, cash flow management, business tax planning, financial forecasting, and much more. We've also performed hundreds of 401(k) audits and provided CPA firms with accounting outsourcing services and Virtual CFO consulting. This podcast seeks to help service-based business owners dive deep into the financial side of their business to achieve growth and financial success. Tune in bi-weekly as our hosts—Jamie Nau, Director + Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner at Anders CPAs + Advisors—interview special guests to share knowledge in the digital and creative agency industry, as well as Jody’s experience as a service-based business owner and entrepreneur.

  1. JAN 27

    How to Protect Your Margins Before the Sale Begins with Albert Banks

    Many service-based business owners win deals, deliver great work, and still struggle with margins. In this episode, Albert Banks breaks down how service-based businesses can protect margins before work even starts. You get a clear look at pricing strategy, value-based pricing, project profitability, cost awareness, negotiation tactics, and sales frameworks that help agencies and professional services firms grow revenue without burning out their teams. The focus stays on setting every project up for success from day one. Key takeaways: Use floor, table, and ceiling pricing. Learn how to set a pricing range that protects profit while giving flexibility in sales conversations.Move beyond hourly billing. Value-based and fixed-fee pricing create better alignment with clients.Anchor pricing with options. Offering multiple pricing options reframes the decision.Sell expertise, not tasks. Leading with discovery and strategy positions you as the expert.Know your true costs. Understanding fully loaded costs is non-negotiable if you want predictable margins.Tune into the full episode of ▶️How to Protect Your Margins Before the Sale Begins. Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/   Episode resources: ●       Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com   ●       Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter:  https://anderscpa.com/learn/     ●       Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:   https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/      Quotes -Albert Banks: "Strong margins start before the project begins. Preventative decisions in pricing and scoping protect profitability." -Jody Grunden: "When you know your data, time, cost, and team mix, you can price consistently and still hit your margin targets." Albert Banks is a seasoned agency founder turned consultant, helping businesses boost profitability through strategic pricing, operations, and sales frameworks. With over two decades of experience—including growing, merging, and selling his own agency—Albert now coaches leaders on setting value-based pricing and uncovering hidden risks before a deal even starts. He champions a diagnostic-first approach, ensuring clients position themselves as trusted experts rather than vendors. Albert’s practical systems help agencies increase margins and close better-fit clients. LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertbanks/  The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies.   Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458889     FB: https://www.facebook.com/vcfobyanders     LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/    IG: https://www.

    35 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer—Start Earning Like a Founder with Jesse Gilmore

    Run your agency with clarity, confidence, and control. Many creative and marketing agency owners are closer to real growth than they realize. In this episode, Jesse Gilmore, CEO and founder of Niche in Control, breaks down the mindset and structure shifts that agency owners must make to achieve freedom, scalability, and financial success. He shares how to move from being the doer to being the leader, why perfectionism is holding you back, and how to build a business that thrives without you working 80-hour weeks.  Key takeaways: The 80/20 rule for creativity. Learn how to systemize 80% of your operations so you can focus your creativity on the 20%.How to overcome perfectionism. Perfectionism keeps agency owners trapped. Power of time audits. Discover how tracking your time for just seven days can expose hidden inefficiencies.  Value-based pricing beats hourly billing. Learn how value-based pricing helps agencies earn more while working less.How to go upmarket strategically. Agencies must move toward strategy-based offers and premium clients to stay competitive.Tune into the episode of ▶️Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer—Start Earning Like a Founder. Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/   Episode resources: ●       Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com   ●       Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter:  https://anderscpa.com/learn/     ●       Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:   https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/      Quotes -Jesse Gilmore: "Tracking time reveals hidden inefficiencies. Once you see where time really goes, you can start eliminating, automating, and delegating effectively." -Jamie Nau: "An outside perspective helps agencies see what truly sets them apart, what you think is your strength might not be what clients value most." Jesse Gilmore is the CEO and founder of Niche in Control, where he helps full-service creative and marketing agency owners scale their businesses while reclaiming their time and freedom. Through his Leverage for Growth program, Jesse guides agency leaders from being hands-on hustlers to confident CEOs who build scalable systems, attract high-value clients, and lead empowered teams. His proven methods have helped countless agency owners double revenue, increase profit margins, and reduce work hours all without sacrificing quality or balance.   Website: https://www.nicheincontrol.com/      FB: https://www.facebook.com/NicheInControl     LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessepgilmore/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/niche-in-control/      IG: https://www.instagram.com/niche.in.control/     X: https://x.com/ControlNiche   TitTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicheincontrol  &

    38 min

  3. 11/03/2025

    Why Every Business Owner Should Think Like a Forensic Accountant with Clay Kniepmann

    As a business owner, you may trust your team, but that trust can blind you to the quiet financial risks inside your business.   In this episode of The Creative Agency Success Show, we talk with Clay Kniepmann, manager in Forensic and Litigation at Anders, to share practical tips on balancing trust and control and how you can use simple steps to strengthen your internal processes. Key Takeaways: Watch for Red Flags: Delayed reports and lifestyle mismatches are warning signs.Balance Trust and Controls: Small businesses need clear internal controls.Simple Steps Matter: You don’t need complex systems.  Technology Has Limits: Prevention still relies on human judgment.Owner Involvement is Key: Owners must stay engaged.Take practical steps to strengthen your business for lasting success. Tune into the episode of ▶️ Why Every Business Owner Should Think Like a Forensic Accountant with Clay Kniepmann. Find more podcast episodes on our website:  anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/     Episode resources: ●       Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com   ●       Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter:  https://anderscpa.com/learn/   ●        Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:   anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/   Quotes Clay Kniepmann - "Forensic accounting is like piecing a puzzle together. Each case is unique and requires careful analysis and adaptability."Jamie Nau: "Understanding your operational processes helps identify potential fraud risks more effectively than generic controls."Clay Kniepmann is a manager in Forensic and Litigation at Anders, specializing in forensic accounting, fraud investigation, and litigation services. He’s known for making intricate financial issues easy to understand, giving leaders the clarity they need to make smarter decisions.    Website: https://anderscpa.com/   FB: https://www.facebook.com/AndersCPA   LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claykniepmann/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/anders-cpa/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/anderscpa/  The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies.   Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458889     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vcfobyanders    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/   Instagram:

    35 min

  4. 10/20/2025

    Turn Publicity Into Profit: The PR Strategy That Works

    Imagine turning media attention into real business growth. For service-based small business owners, publicity is about turning visibility into profit. In this episode, Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, shares exactly how you can use PR to grow your credibility and revenue. He explains how press releases, when done right, can open doors to media coverage, attract your ideal clients, and create long-term financial success.   Key takeaways: Why do most press releases fail? 97% of press releases generate no earned media and what separates the 3% that succeed.Press releases that actually work. Write story-based press releases that highlight real customer experiences.The difference between PR and ads. Ads push products, but PR builds trust.  How to define success. Success is generating real opportunities, partnerships, and revenue for your business.Practical PR strategies you can use. Proven tactics that small business owners can implement to stand out in their industry.Tune into the episode of ▶️ Turn Publicity Into Profit: The PR Strategy That Works. Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/   Episode resources: ●       Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com   ●       Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter:  https://anderscpa.com/learn/     ●       Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:   https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/      Quotes -Mickie Kennedy: ""Product and service launches are common, but they often miss the story. Add use cases and real client experiences to make it newsworthy." -Jody Grunden: "PR isn’t just ads in disguise. It’s about telling stories that uncover opportunities to generate revenue for your company." Mickie Kennedy is the founder of eReleases, a leading press release distribution service dedicated to helping small businesses, startups, and authors gain credibility and authority through strategic publicity. He has mastered the art of turning press releases into real profit and positioning brands as industry leaders.  Mickie’s proven system ensures businesses dominate the front page of Google and attract the recognition they deserve. Beyond PR, he is also a published poet, bringing creativity and perspective to every story he helps share. Website: https://www.ereleases.com/     FB: https://www.facebook.com/mickie.kennedy/ https://www.facebook.com/ereleases.press.release.distribution    LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/    IG: https://www.instagram.com/ereleasespr/?hl=en   X: https://x.com/ereleases/    The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcas

    35 min

  5. 09/29/2025

    Improve as an Agency Leader and 'Calm the Chaos' with Karl Sakas

    If you’re invisible online, you’re losing clients before they even know you exist. In today’s competitive market, your digital presence is your storefront.  In this episode, Agency Consultant & Executive Coach Karl Sakas of Sakas & Company explains why being invisible online is costing you clients and what you can do to fix it. He shares practical strategies on leadership, delegation, and long-term planning that help you attract more clients and strengthen your agency. Key takeaways: Delegation done right. Learn how letting go of low-value tasks helps you focus on client growth and financial results.Stop being the “answer person.” Growth stalls when every decision depends on you.   Visibility drives revenue. If you’re not visible, you’re handing over opportunities to competitors.Audit your meetings. Free up your time by identifying which meetings matter and can be delegated.Coaching and accountability matter. Having an outside advisor helps you avoid blind spots and stay accountable.Tune into the episode of ▶️ Improve as an Agency Leader and 'Calm the Chaos' with Karl Sakas. Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/  Episode resources: ●       Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com  ●       Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter:  https://anderscpa.com/learn/    ●        Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:   anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/  Quotes Karl Sakas: "A meeting audit helps leaders reclaim time. Review your calendar, decide which meetings matter, and delegate or cut the rest."Jody Grunden: "Delegation is the cornerstone of growth. Protecting your team from failure keeps them from developing."Karl Sakas is an agency advisor and coach who helps agency owners work less, earn more, and build stronger teams. Known as the "agency therapist," Karl has supported 600+ agencies across 36 countries in navigating growth and scaling smartly. He specializes in guiding leaders toward building lifestyle agencies or positioning for multi-million dollar exits.   Website: https://sakasandcompany.com/  FB: https://web.facebook.com/SakasAndCompany?_rdc=1&_rdr#    LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlsakas/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/SakasandCompanyTeam/   X: https://x.com/KarlSakas  YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyb-o2ICYgIOzBzCBarrjQ  The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies. Website:

    47 min

  6. 08/20/2025

    Amplifying Human Potential In Your Business with AI Support

    You don’t need more hands—you need better tools. For service-based small business owners, AI can lift the burden of repetitive tasks, helping your team do more of what moves the needle   In this episode of The Creative Agency Success Show, we sit down with Ed Krystosik, Co-Founder of RAC Projects AI, to unpack the real-world strategies for integrating AI into small businesses. From streamlining workflows to navigating compliance risks, Ed shares how AI can support your people, sharpen your processes, and fuel sustainable growth.  Key Takeaways: Support Over Substitution: AI should enhance, not replace, your team.  Start Small, Think ROI: Target low-friction tasks first.  Fix the Process First: Map your workflows, then automate what makes sense.Win Team Buy-In: Assign a tech-savvy team member to lead the change. Make AI adoption a shared mission, not a top-down command.Play It Safe with Data: Learn how to protect sensitive info and avoid hallucinated outputs with smart model settings.Make Your Method Memorable: Create repeatable models that AI and humans can remember and recommend.Learn how to use AI to power smarter decisions, sharper content, and stronger results. Watch the episode of ▶️ Amplifying Human Potential In Your Business with AI Support. Find more podcast episodes on our website: http://www.summitcpa.net/podcasts  Episode resources: ●       Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/  ●       Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter:  https://www.summitcpa.net/summit-newsletter   ●        Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:   https://anderscpa.com/ anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/    Quotes "If you're using AI to amplify the people you already have—or possibly replace the need for new hires—that's where you get tremendous ROI." - Ed Krystosik"When AI takes over parts of everyone’s tasks, it shifts job roles. The challenge becomes getting buy-in as responsibilities evolve." - Jamie NauEd Krystosik is the Co-Founder of RAC/AI, where he helps busy sales professionals amplify their impact through smart, AI-supported lead generation strategies. By automating follow-ups and systematizing referral pipelines, Ed empowers professionals to boost revenue without burning out. His approach focuses on maximizing quality leads, nurturing client relationships, and simplifying tech with practical workflows. With Ed's guidance, sales teams can focus less on chasing leads and more on closing deals. He's on a mission to help sales pros unlock human potential through strategic, AI-backed systems. Website: https://racprojects.ai/  Facebook: https://racprojects.ai/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-krystosik/  The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of VCFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential

    43 min

  7. 04/08/2025

    What's a Maturity Model Anyway?

    Creative Agency Success Show (Episode 144): “A maturity model isn't a report card, it's about understanding where your decision-making capabilities are.” - Jamie Nau In this episode of The Creative Agency Success Show, Jamie Nau and Jody Grunden pull back the curtain on how small business owners can move from just getting by to truly thriving. They’ve spent the last eight months crafting a maturity model designed to help you assess where your business stands in five key areas: cash management, forecasting, profitability, sales outlook, and financial reporting.  But here’s the thing—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about having a clear path forward. Imagine being able to make decisions with confidence, knowing you’re moving in the right direction. That’s the power of understanding where your business currently stands and what small but impactful steps you can take next. So, what’s your next move? Tune in now and start building a business that works for you—not the other way around. ▶️ What's a Maturity Model Anyway? Find more podcast episodes on our website: http://www.summitcpa.net/podcasts  Episode resources: ●       Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/  ●       Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter:  https://www.summitcpa.net/summit-newsletter   ●       Digital Dollars and Cents: A Virtual CFO’s Playbook to help Creative Agencies Create a Financial Roadmap to Success, is now an audiobook! Download it here: https://vcfo.summitcpa.net/ddc    _________________________________________________________________________________________ The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of VCFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies. With insights from industry experts and real-world experiences, episodes explore topics like cash flow management, forecasting, and financial maturity models. Backed by Summit Virtual CFO Services by Anders, this bi-weekly show provides actionable guidance for business owners navigating financial complexity. Join the conversation to build a stronger, more financially successful agency. Website: https://the-virtual-cpa-success-show-for-creative-agencies.simplecast.com/    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vcfobyanders    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vcfobyanders   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vcfobyanders    X: https://x.com/vcfobyanders  ________________________________________________________________________________________ Jamie Nau, CPA, Summit Virtual CF

    25 min

  8. 01/06/2025

    Mastering the Art of Agency Growth: Lessons from Brad Farris

    Episode Title: Mastering the Art of Agency Growth: Lessons from Brad Ferris Episode Summary: In this episode of "The Creative Agency Success Show," hosts engage with Brad Farris from Anchor Advisors, a seasoned expert with over 20 years in the marketing and creative agency space. The discussion centers on scaling agency businesses, highlighting the importance of strategic hiring, financial planning, and maintaining cash reserves. Brad shares insights on the differences between consulting and coaching, emphasizing the empowerment of agency owners to find their own solutions. Success stories and challenges are discussed, offering practical advice on navigating growth stages and making informed decisions. The episode concludes with actionable steps for agency owners to achieve sustainable growth. Episode Notes: "I truly believe that a lot of visionaries and entrepreneurs think they can outsell anything, but they need to be intentional and build up that cash reserve to dive into the next level." -Brad Farris The finer details of this episode: Focus on strategies for agency owners to scale their businesses.Discussion of the challenges faced by agency owners during growth.Importance of hiring the right people for agency success.Distinction between consulting and coaching in the agency context.The role of cash reserves in supporting growth initiatives.Insights on navigating different stages of agency growth.The significance of revisiting goals and aspirations regularly.Addressing conservative mindsets and encouraging calculated risks.The value of external perspectives in identifying areas for improvement.Episode resources: ●       Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/ ●       Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.summitcpa.net/summit-newsletter ●       Digital Dollars and Cents: A Virtual CFO’s Playbook to help Digital Companies Create a Financial Roadmap to Success, is now an audio book! Download it here: https://vcfo.summitcpa.net/ddc   Timestamps: Introduction to the Show (00:00:00)   Overview of "The Creative Agency Success Show" and its focus on helping agency owners.   Discussion on Growth Strategies (00:00:15)   Brad Ferris shares insights on achieving the next stage of agency growth.   Importance of Coaching (00:00:40)   Speaker 3 highlights Brad's extensive experience and the value of coaching for agencies.   Hiring Considerations for Growth (00:01:21)   Discussion on when to hire and which roles to prioritize for agency success.   Consulting vs. Coaching (00:02:32)   Brad explains the differences between consulting and coaching in agency settings.   Success Story: Navigating Crisis (00:03:35)   Brad shares a client's turnaround story after a significant revenue drop.   Engagement Structure (00:05:58)   Brad describes his coaching engagement model and its impact on client awareness.   Contingency Planning (00:07:15)   Importance of building contingency time into a CEO's schedule to handle crises.   Creative Outlets for Agency Owners (00:09:03)   Helping clients find creative outlets outside work to maintain passion and energy.   Hiring Key Team Members (00:09:59)   Discussion on the importance of hiring for growth and the challenges faced.   Bottlenecks in Growth (00:10:40)   Identifying the owner as a bottleneck and the need to delegate responsibilities.   Sales Role Transition (00:12:02)   The importance of trans

    33 min
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4.8
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Has your business scaled beyond $1 million in annual revenue? Do you employ a staff of 20 or more people? If so, you've likely experienced a whirlwind of highs and lows that come with growth. You're not alone in your journey. Since 2002, Summit CPA Group, now Summit Virtual CFO Services by Anders, has helped businesses and creative agencies across America and the globe by providing Virtual CFO Services, cash flow management, business tax planning, financial forecasting, and much more. We've also performed hundreds of 401(k) audits and provided CPA firms with accounting outsourcing services and Virtual CFO consulting. This podcast seeks to help service-based business owners dive deep into the financial side of their business to achieve growth and financial success. Tune in bi-weekly as our hosts—Jamie Nau, Director + Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner at Anders CPAs + Advisors—interview special guests to share knowledge in the digital and creative agency industry, as well as Jody’s experience as a service-based business owner and entrepreneur.

Information

  • Creator
    Summit Virtual CFO by Anders
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    148
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Creative Agency Success Show
  • Show Website
    Creative Agency Success Show