The Agency Profit Podcast
The Agency Profit Podcast, hosted by Marcel Petitpas of Parakeeto, focuses on helping agency owners improve profitability rather than simply winning more clients. Episodes feature experts, agency owners, and consultants sharing practical advice on operational efficiency, systems, KPIs, and benchmarks. Listeners learn how to manage capacity, utilization, billing rates, processes, and procedures, along with tools to use and mistakes to avoid. The show is aimed at agency leaders who want to stop firefighting, reduce long hours, and turn revenue growth into actual profit.
Episodes
Why Downloads Don't Matter in B2B Podcasting, with Dr. Jeremy Weisz
Points of Interest00:01 – 04:05 – Podcasting as Relationship Building: Jeremy shares how his podcasting journey began and explains why interviewing experts became a way to combine professional development, relationship building, and valuable marketing content.04:05 – 06:10 – Rethinking the Purpose of a Podcast: Carson explains how he previously viewed podcasting primarily as a content and audience
What AI is actually doing to your margins and what to do about it, With Marcel Petitpas
Points of Interest0:01 – 00:58 – Introduction: A rare full-team episode, Kristen, Carson and Marcel, built around Marcel's recent talk on agencies versus SaaS in the age of AI.00:58 – 03:33 – Where the Talk Came From: The vantage point behind the argument: running Parakeeto as a tech-enabled service business, time inside SaaS Academy, and work with an AI venture studio.03:33 – 05:54 – Redefining W
Why Chasing Growth Can Wreck Your Agency's Profitability, with Eric Brown
Points of Interest
00:34 – 02:25 – Introduction: Eric describes his 20-plus years in agency growth consulting and explains that he and his co-founder started their firm to give agencies both a clear growth strategy and the dedicated resources to execute it.
02:25 – 07:02 – Why Growth Isn't a Natural Skill: Eric argues that most agency founders build their business around a craft skill rather th
From Time Tracking to Time Intelligence, With Elizabeth Thorn
Points of Interest
00:01 – 00:35 – Introducing Time Intelligence: Carson Pierce welcomes Elizabeth Thorn to discuss how agencies can use better time data to improve profitability and decision making.
00:35 – 02:18 – From Agency Owner to SaaS Leader: Elizabeth shares how her experience running a digital marketing agency shaped her perspective on operational efficiency and measuring time.
02:18
Owner's Clarity and the Four Constraints, With Mike Grinberg
Points of Interest
00:00 – 02:50 – Introducing Owner's Clarity: Kristen Kelly welcomes Mike Grinberg back to the podcast to discuss why founders should develop personal clarity before focusing on positioning or marketing strategy.
02:50 – 05:30 – Why Successful Founders Still Feel Miserable: Mike explains how many founders build profitable businesses that ultimately fail to support their person
Pass-Through Revenue: The Money That Was Never Yours, With Carson and Kristen
Points of Interest
00:01 Introduction and New AI-Driven Call Analysis: Kristen and Carson introduce a new process where they use Claude to analyze client calls regularly and surface recurring themes for the podcast, starting with today's topic: pass-through.
01:14 Defining Pass-Through: Kristen defines pass-through as any money that flows from a client through the agency to another vendor, wher
Profitability Is an Operations Problem, with Sarah Still
Points of Interest
00:00 – 01:43 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Sarah Still, Partner and COO at RAYNE IX, and frames the conversation around agency operations, profitability, scaling, and building valuable businesses.
01:44 – 02:28 – Helping Women Build Valuable Agencies: Sarah explains how RAYNE IX works with women agency owners to improve performance, build enterprise value, and prepare fo
We Take Care of the Money: Parakeeto's New Positioning, Explained, With Kristen Kelly & Carson Pierce
Points of Interest
00:01 – 00:53 – Why Revisit Positioning: Carson and Kristen introduce Parakeeto's repositioning effort and explain why they wanted to publicly discuss the evolution of the company's messaging.
00:53 – 02:18 – The Profitability Problem: The discussion explores how Parakeeto's heavy emphasis on profitability created confusion about what the company actually does for clients.
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Shifting From Operator to Owner, With Jason Swenk
Points of Interest
00:00 – 02:12 – Jason Swenk's Agency Journey: Jason shares how he accidentally started an agency in 1999, grew it to more than 100 employees, sold it after 11 years, and eventually transitioned into coaching agency owners worldwide.
02:12 – 06:22 – Designing a Lifestyle Business: Jason explains how agency owners often aspire to more freedom and flexibility, sharing how he str
Cash Flow & The Future of AI, With Colin Hewitt
Points of Interest
00:00 – 01:00 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Colin Hewitt, CEO and founder of Float, and frames cash flow as the lifeblood every agency depends on.
01:01 – 02:09 – The Origin of Float: Colin shares how running his own agency exposed the limits of spreadsheet-based forecasting and led him to build a cash flow product for service businesses.
02:10 – 05:24 – Direct vs Indirect
Inside a Boutique Agency Holdco, With Sei-Wook Kim
Points of Interest
00:01 – 00:38 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Sei-Wook Kim, co-founder of Barrel and Barrel Holdings, highlighting his experience building and scaling multiple agencies.
00:38 – 01:31 – What Barrel Holdings Does: Sei-Wook explains their holdco structure, managing a portfolio of independent, specialized marketing agencies with a long-term acquisition strategy.
01:31 – 03:31
Profitability Sequencing: How Agencies Maximize Margins, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest
00:01 – 02:30 – The Cost of Poor Sequencing: Marcel and Kristen introduce the core issue—agencies often apply the right tactics in the wrong order, leading to wasted effort and stalled profitability.
02:30 – 05:00 – The Insight Formula: They explain that data alone is meaningless without context, introducing the key concept that insight comes from comparing expectations to re
Growing Through M&A in the Age of AI, With Peter Lang
Points of Interest
00:01 – 00:38 – Introduction: Marcel opens the episode by introducing Peter Lang as an entrepreneur, investor, and operator deeply focused on mergers and acquisitions.
01:00 – 02:13 – From Holding Company to Teaching M&A: Peter explains that he now runs a holding company, invests in assets including agencies, and is focused on teaching other founders how to acquire and grow b
Implications of Agency Founder Bottlenecks and How to Fix Them, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest
00:01 – 00:37 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen open the episode by introducing a more philosophical discussion about why Parakeeto’s work matters beyond the surface-level goal of improving profitability.
00:37 – 02:01 – The provocative reframe: Kristen references Marcel’s recent message, “you don’t actually care about profitability,” and frames the conversation around why t
How to Build an Anti-Fragile Agency, With Brent Weaver
Points of Interest
00:00 – 03:21 – From UGURUS to E2M: Brent Weaver shares how he went from coaching thousands of agencies at UGURUS to becoming CEO of E2M Solutions after the DigitalOcean chapter ended.
03:35 – 04:51 – What makes E2M different: Marcel frames E2M as a standout white-label partner, and Brent explains why serving only agencies creates sharper focus on partner success.
04:51 – 08
Where CFO Meets COO: Parakeeto's Unique Approach to Profitability, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest
00:01 – 01:36 – Introduction: Marcel introduces the episode as a public reflection on Parakeeto’s positioning, prompted by feedback from LinkedIn and client conversations.
01:36 – 02:43 – The Identity Problem: Carson shares the internal confusion many consultants feel when their role spans finance, operations, delivery, and strategy.
02:43 – 04:52 – Clear Problem, Fuzzy Solu
How to be Profitable at Any Size, With Drew McLellan
Points of Interest
00:00 – 02:00 – Why Agencies Avoid Talking About Money: Drew reflects on why financial transparency was rare in agencies historically and why that silence created widespread confusion about profitability.
02:00 – 05:00 – The Myth of “Impossible” Profitability: Drew explains why claims that an agency “can’t be profitable” usually stem from avoided decisions, misunderstood agen
PM/AM Time in Pricing, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest00:01 – 01:04 – Framing the PM/AM Pricing Question: Marcel welcomes listeners, introduces Carson Pierce, and frames the central question agencies face around whether and how to charge for account and project management time.01:04 – 02:14 – Why This Issue Persists: Carson explains why underpricing project and account management work continues to surface across agencies despite inc
Building ADHD-Friendly SOPs for Scalable Growth, With Skye Waterson
Points of Interest00:01 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Skye Waterson and frames the conversation around SOPs, documentation, and building operational “rails” that teams can actually use.01:07 – Skye’s background and motivation: Skye shares her journey from academic burnout to discovering adult ADHD and building a business focused on helping founders work with their brains, not against them.03:0
How to Improve Handoffs from Sales to Delivery, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest00:00 – 01:31 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen open with a relatable riff on Notion and AI features before framing the core issue of the episode: messy handoffs between sales, account management, and delivery in service businesses.01:31 – 03:14 – Why Handoffs Are a Universal Agency Problem: Kristen explains why sales-to-delivery handoff issues show up in agencies of every size
The Legal Risks of AI in Agency Work, With Sharon Toerek
Points of Interest00:00 – 01:38 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes agency legal specialist Sharon Toerek, highlighting her long track record in the industry and setting the stage with a discussion about how quickly the agency world is changing.01:38 – 02:45 – Framing the AI Legal Conversation for Agencies: They position the core topic of the episode as the legal implications of AI adoption inside age
Set Up to Fail, Even with Perfect Projects - Real Client Case Study, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest00:02 – 01:49 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Kristen back to the show and sets up another practical client case study focused on a real agency engagement.01:50 – 04:00 – The flex-labor, video production agency profile: Kristen outlines the agency’s model: a small FTE core, 10–20 contractors, just under $2M in revenue, and constant cash flow stress tied to contractor payments.04:
The “Second Bite” Exit Strategy, With Todd Taskey
Points of Interest00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes M&A advisor Todd Taskey, who specializes in investment banking transactions for digital marketing agencies doing $1–5M in EBITDA.01:30 – 02:40 – What Investment Banking Actually Means for Agencies: Todd explains what “investment banking transactions” are in plain language, covering how his team guides owners from first conversations t
The Definitive Guide to Improving Your Agency's Cash Flow, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest00:01 – 01:28 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the focus of the episode on why cash flow deserves as much attention as profitability in agency businesses.01:28 – 03:31 – Two Extreme Cash Flow Scenarios: Carson shares real client examples of agencies with tight cash despite solid operations and others with healthy bank balances masking eroding profitability, highlighting w
How AI is Changing Web Design & Development, With Vito Peleg
Points of Interest0:01 – 01:27 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes returning guest Vito Peleg, CEO of Atarim, and frames the conversation around how agencies can streamline creative collaboration and leverage AI to improve delivery efficiency and profitability.01:28 – 03:27 – From Touring Musician to Collaboration Software Founder: Vito shares his backstory as a touring musician building websites from
Productized Services vs. Custom Work: Which One is Better?, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest00:01 – 02:30 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen introduce the episode’s focus on productized services versus custom work and set the expectation for a nuanced, non-dogmatic discussion for agencies.02:31 – 07:25 – Defining Productized Services & Common Misconceptions: Marcel defines productization as selling a clear outcome for a fixed price, explains that backend processes do no
How to Improve Your Co-Founder Relationships, With Dr. Matthew Jones
Points of Interest00:00 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Dr. Matthew Jones and frames the co-founder relationship as a critical driver of business health and day-to-day well-being.01:14 – Origin Story: Matt explains how mediating friends’ founder conflict revealed a gap between business coaching and psychological expertise for co-founders.02:20 – Why It’s Hard: The relationship requires a dual le
From Losing Money to Strong Profits-Real Client Case Study, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest00:00 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes recurring guest Carson Pierce to the Agency Profit Podcast and introduces a new format—walking through a real, anonymized client assessment to show how Parakeeto diagnoses and solves profitability challenges.02:00 – Every Agency’s Problems Are Unique but Familiar: Carson explains that while every agency’s situation feels unique, most share a
The Future of AI Enabled Sales for Small Agencies, With Simo Lemandez
Points of Interest00:00 – 00:39 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Simo Lemhandez, founder of Folk CRM, one of Europe’s fastest-growing SaaS startups recognized by Product Hunt.00:42 – 02:18 – Defining Folk CRM: Simo explains Folk’s mission to redefine CRM as an AI-native platform that centralizes all client touchpoints and automates busywork.02:21 – 04:20 – Origin Story: Simo shares how freelancin
Optimizing Annual Planning for Agency Growth, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest00:01 – 00:55 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Kristen Kelly and frames Q4 as prime season for annual and quarterly planning, noting the high cost of leadership offsites demands clear outcomes.01:18 – 03:10 – Why Planning Feels Hard: Kristen cites common hurdles—turning history into forward plans, aligning stakeholders, and building forecasts that can flex with scenarios.01:55 – 0
Building Trust at Scale in the Age of AI, With Stephen Woessner
Points of Interest00:00–01:02 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Stephen, a veteran agency operator, author, and CEO of Predictive ROI focused on helping agencies sell more by adding value.01:02–03:09 – Who Predictive ROI Serves: Stephen explains their exclusive focus on agencies and their expertise in business development through authority positioning and structured nurture.03:09–05:18 – Systems Min
Parakeeto vs. Project Management Tools: What’s the Real Solution?, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Parakeeto’s Kristen Kelly back to discuss a recurring misconception in agency operations—the belief that a better project management or PSA tool can solve profit management challenges.01:30 – 03:25 – The PM Tool “Silver Bullet” Myth: Kristen explains how leaders and PMs often adopt new tools to tame chaos, believing marketing promises
How to Increase Your Price, With Casey Brown
Points of Interest00:00 – 01:15 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Casey Brown, author of Fearless Pricing and founder of Boost Pricing, highlighting her experience generating over $1B in client profit.01:15 – 02:15 – Defining a Pricing Geek: Casey explains her passion for pricing as the intersection of psychology, process, and data, with a mission to help firms earn the prices they deserve.02:15 –
Accrual Accounting & Revenue Recognition for Agencies, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest0:50 – 2:07 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the challenge of revenue recognition in agencies, where payments and work schedules rarely align, creating distorted profitability metrics.2:19 – 3:22 – Cash Accounting Pitfalls: Carson shares a client example where tracking only bank deposits caused wild swings in monthly profit and billable rate reporting, rendering metrics u
What's Your Core Selling Identity? With Mark Drager
Points of Interest00:08 – 01:42 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Mark Drager, founder of Sales Loop, and sets the stage for discussing his Core Selling Identity Framework.01:42 – 04:06 – Early Career in Film and Television: Mark shares his beginnings in film school, early TV roles, and the realization that career progress in the industry was too slow for him.04:06 – 06:33 – Crash Course in Intern
How to Build a More Profitable Retainer Model for Your Agency
Points of Interest1:08 – 1:44 – Defining Retainers: Marcel and Carson introduce the topic of retainers, noting how different agencies define them in varied ways.2:05 – 2:37 – Core Benefit of Retainers: Carson explains that retainers create recurring revenue and provide clients with consistent access to agency resources.2:50 – 3:33 – Historical Context: Marcel traces retainers back to traditional p
Achieving More Freedom as a Creative, With Matt Essam
Points of Interest00:00 – 01:09 – Introduction: Marcel introduces guest Matt, founder of The Creative Life and bestselling author, highlighting his mission to help creatives design businesses that align with their lifestyles.01:14 – 02:24 – Coaching High-Level Creatives: Matt explains his role as a coach for award-winning creatives seeking fulfillment beyond the hustle, sharing examples of clients
The Hidden Cost of Low Utilization, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest00:01 – 00:51 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Carson Pierce back to the show and introduces the episode’s focus on utilization, specifically the hidden costs of low utilization in agencies.01:18 – 01:50 – Why Utilization Matters Now: Marcel notes that many agencies are struggling with overstaffing and underutilization in a difficult market, which compounds hidden costs over time.
Operationalizing and De-Risking Positioning, with Mike Grinberg
Points of Interest1:10 – 2:03 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Mike Grinberg, founder of Proofpoint Marketing, who specializes in helping boutique firms strengthen positioning to compete against large incumbents.2:15 – 3:54 – Competing with “IBM”: Mike explains his role as helping boutique firms reduce client risk perception so they can win against well-known, safer-seeming competitors.4:48 – 5:40
Insights from Europe on Global Competition, Talent, and AI, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest0:00 – 0:17 – Opening: Marcel reflects on building production-level software using low-code tools without prior coding experience, setting the stage for a discussion on rapid change in the agency landscape.1:01 – 3:40 – Conference Context & Audience: Marcel shares his experience at Web Summer Camp in Opatija, Croatia, hosted by Netgen, describing its highly technical European att
The Untapped Lever: Maximizing Agency Value Through People & Leadership, with James Friel
Points of Interest0:00 – 1:25 – Guest Introduction: Marcel welcomes James Friel, serial entrepreneur, investor, and leadership expert, to discuss building scalable, profitable businesses through effective operations and leadership.1:26 – 3:08 – Journey from Corporate to Entrepreneurship: James shares his transition from aerospace and software engineering into consulting, entrepreneurship, and acqu
The Most Common Agency Pricing Mistakes, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest0:00 – 0:13 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the importance of pricing in agency profitability, emphasizing that even great delivery and project management can’t compensate for poor pricing strategy.1:00 – 1:39 – The Problem with Pricing Guesswork: Kristen Kelly explains that most agencies lack a formal pricing framework, often relying on gut feelings, competitor compar
Recurring Revenue, More Freedom: Navigating the "Let's Build a SaaS" Trap, With Stephen Neville
Points of Interest0:00 – 1:05 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Stephen Neville, CEO of BugHerd, highlighting his background in agency work and his transition into running a SaaS company that helps agencies streamline QA and client feedback.2:24 – 3:10 – The Dream of SaaS: Marcel and Stephen discuss the allure many agency owners feel toward building a product, inspired by success stories like 37si
Fractional COO vs. Operational Intelligence: What Agencies Actually Need , With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest0:00 – 1:20 – Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly and sets the stage for a deep dive into the roles of fractional COOs versus building operational intelligence within growing agencies.1:21 – 2:25 – The $1M Growth Threshold: Kristen explains how agencies crossing the $1M mark often face operational strain and confusion about whether to hire help or improve their sy
Going from Solo Consultant to Firm Builder, With Michael Zipursky
Points of Interest0:31 – 1:09 – Welcome & Guest Intro: Marcel introduces Michael Zipursky, founder of Consulting Success, highlighting his global impact helping consultants build six- and seven-figure businesses that align with their ideal lifestyles.2:33 – 4:11 – Consulting Success Origins: Michael shares how his early ventures led to launching Consulting Success with his cousin, aimed at sharing
How to Choose the Right Project Management Tool for Your Agency , With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest0:00 – 1:14 – Introduction & Context Setting: Marcel introduces Carson Pierce, Parakeeto's Head Consultant, to discuss project management tools in the agency space and the fundamentals that remain relevant despite ever-changing software options.1:14 – 4:01 – Common Tools Used by Agencies: Carson outlines the most frequently used project management tools among Parakeeto clients, h
The 3 Key Financial Metrics for Agency Success, With Jon Morris
Points of Interest0:00 – 1:00 – Opening: Marcel introduces the episode’s focus on financial visibility and growth, and welcomes returning guest Jon Morris, CEO of Fiscal Advocate and creator of EngineBI.1:00 – 2:55 – Jon’s Background: Jon shares his journey from founding Rise Interactive to launching Fiscal Advocate, emphasizing the value of financial insights in scaling agencies.3:00 – 4:30 – Ove
The Role of Timesheets in Agency Profitability, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest1:08 – 2:17 – Why Time Tracking Still Matters: Kristen and Marcel introduce the episode’s goal—to reframe time tracking from a frustrating chore into a strategic advantage for agencies.2:28 – 4:59 – Debunking Common Misconceptions: Marcel breaks down the three common arguments against time tracking, particularly the mistaken belief that it's only relevant for time-and-materials b
Proper Revenue Recognition for Agencies, With Rich Brett
Points of Interest1:09 – 2:28 – Meet Rich Brett: Rich shares his background in agency finance and how he now serves 12–15 agencies monthly by bridging gaps between finance, operations, and strategy.2:29 – 4:03 – The FinOps Mindset: Rich defines FinOps as the intersection of finance and operations—connecting financial data with the reality of agency delivery for more meaningful insights.4:04 – 6:02
Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Forecasting, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest0:00 – 1:00 – Introduction to Forecasting Challenges: Marcel and Kristen set the stage by identifying forecasting as a critical but often misunderstood aspect of agency operations, particularly in scaling businesses.1:06 – 2:30 – Defining Forecasting’s Importance: They explain how forecasting provides the necessary visibility to manage capacity, revenue, and key metrics, forming
Taking Action on Profitability Improvements, With Mandi Ellefson
Points of Interest0:00 – 1:18 – The Real Growth Blocker: Mandi kicks off by addressing how many agency owners avoid growth-driving actions not due to lack of knowledge, but due to fear and discomfort. Commitment to transformation must outweigh resistance.2:22 – 3:53 – Mandi’s Mission at Hands-Off CEO: Mandi shares her focus on helping service-based agencies scale sustainably and profitably by buil
How Parakeeto Helps Agencies Improve Profitability, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest2:14 – 3:18 – Founding Insight: Parakeeto was created to help agencies easily answer crucial financial questions by replacing guesswork with structured systems.3:23 – 4:39 – How Agencies Make Profit: Strong delivery margin is key. Parakeeto targets a 50%+ delivery margin and 20–30% net profit as benchmarks.5:45 – 6:58 – Why Profitability is Hard to Measure: Profitability requires
Driving Agency Profitability Through Smarter Contracting, With Tiffany Kemp
Points of Interest1:14 – 2:53 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Tiffany, who explains her firm’s mission to help agencies use contracts as strategic tools rather than just legal formalities.3:06 – 4:08 – Why Contracts Get a Bad Rap: Many agencies view contracts purely as legal protection, missing their potential to strengthen client relationships and reduce future conflicts.4:38 – 6:02 – Misguided
Pricing & Scoping for Agencies, With Marcel Petitpas
Points of Interest0:00 – 0:14 – Introduction to Pricing Framework: Marcel introduces a universal pricing formula that applies across all billing models, setting the stage for simplifying agency profitability assessments.0:54 – 1:38 – Solo Episode Overview: Marcel explains that the episode will draw from his All Agency Summit presentation, covering how to price profitably and choose optimal pricing
Profit First for Agencies, With Mike Michalowicz
Points of Interest0:30 – 1:31 – Meet the Guest: Marcel introduces Mike as a prolific author and entrepreneur, best known for Profit First, and previews their deep dive into simplifying profitability for service businesses.2:00 – 3:36 – From Struggle to Simplification: Mike shares how his own entrepreneurial failures led him to journal his learnings, become an author, and dedicate his work to simpl
The Three Immutable Laws of Profitability, With Marcel Petitpas
Points of Interest1:02 – 1:38 – Intro: Marcel introduces the session as a condensed version of his All-in Agency Summit talk, aimed at equipping agencies with the key levers to diagnose and improve profitability.3:05 – 3:18 – 80/20 Profitability Focus: The goal is to give agencies 20% of the knowledge that provides 80% of the insight needed to take control of profitability, regardless of market co
How to Appeal to More Clients Without Diluting Your Niche, With John Meyer
Points of Interest1:04 – 1:46 – Introduction of John Meyer: Marcel introduces John Meyer, highlighting his experience as a successful agency owner, seller, and current business coach.2:10 – 2:30 – John's Current Focus with Leadmore: John explains his mission with Leadmore: coaching agency owners to avoid solopreneur traps and scale their businesses.2:30 – 3:11 – "No More Solo" Coaching Program: De
How to Downsize Your Agency, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest0:00 – 0:23 – Small Cuts, Big Impact: Marcel explains how trimming small recurring expenses added up to $7K/month in potential savings.1:32 – 2:44 – Market Uncertainty Hits Everyone: Carson highlights how client indecision is stalling agency pipelines across the industry.3:04 – 3:23 – Opportunity in Unstable Times: Marcel frames uncertainty as a chance to optimize, streamline, an
Financial Planning for Agency Owners, With Jason Peck
Points of Interest01:01 – 01:46 – Meet Today’s Guest: Jason Peck: Jason, a certified financial planner at EverWise Wealth Management, joins the show to share how agency owners can build wealth, protect their families, and stop relying solely on their business for financial freedom.05:00 – 06:10 – Unique Challenges for Agency Owners: Jason outlines what makes agency finances different—volatile inco
Building a Model for Your Agency, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest00:51 – 01:14 – Meet Today’s Guest: Carson Pierce: Carson, a fan favorite at Parakeeto, joins the show to discuss a key challenge for agency owners—transitioning from expert to CEO while managing financial complexities.02:01 – 03:10 – The Common Agency Struggle: Many agency owners are incredible at their craft but struggle with the financial side of running a business, leading to
Prove Your Value & Increase Retention, With Mari-Liis Vaher
Points of Interest01:09 – 01:46 – Meet Today’s Guest: Mari-Liis Vaher: Marketing pro, entrepreneur, and author of The Greatest Marketer in the World, Mari-Liis is here to help agencies prove their value and keep clients happy.03:04 – 03:40 – The Big Marketing Trust Issue: Ever had a client drop you out of nowhere, even though you were hitting all their goals? Mari-Liis explains why so many agencie
Understanding Your Agency Model, With Carson Pierce
Points of Interest00:55 – 01:14 – Meet Today’s Guest: Carson Pierce: Carson, a fan favorite at Parakeeto, joins the show to chat about a big shift in the agency world—why more agencies are ditching big teams in favor of lean, contractor-driven models.01:34 – 02:29 – Agencies Are Shrinking Their Core Teams: Carson talks about a growing trend—agencies are keeping their leadership and strategy teams
Balancing Creativity and Profitability, With Tim Thompson
Points of Interest0:00 – 0:32 – Show Introduction & Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Tim Thompson, Owner and Chief Revolution Thinker at RevThink. He shares how they met at the MYOB conference, where they bonded over deep discussions on agency profitability and creative business management.0:33 – 2:25 – Tim’s Background & The Journey to RevThink: Tim shares his career transition from Hollywoo
The Process Behind Profit Management, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest0:24 – 0:54 – Show Introduction & Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, highlighting her expertise in operations and agency profitability management.1:01 – 1:45 – The Three-Part Profitability Management System Overview: Kristen recaps the framework discussed in previous episodes: the right data, ensuring financial, delivery, and sales data are clean; the right fram
Visual Client Communication & Building SaaS in an Agency, With Mikael Dia
Points of Interest01:04 – 01:35 – Guest Introduction – Mikael Dia of Funnelytics: Mikael Dia, former agency owner turned SaaS entrepreneur, shares his journey from running an agency to founding Funnelytics, a tool designed to visually map and analyze digital marketing funnels.06:24 – 08:20 – How Funnelytics Was Born: Funnelytics emerged from the need to overlay real marketing data on top of strate
Why Most Reporting Systems Fail, & What to Do Instead, With Ben Zittlau
Points of Interest01:00 – 01:45 – Guest Introduction: Marcel welcomes back his co-founder, Ben Zittlau, highlighting his expertise in data operations and agency growth strategies.03:35 – 05:50 – Scaling Data Operations: Lessons from Jobber: Ben shares insights from his experience at Jobber, detailing the challenges of building and scaling a data operations team in a fast-growing company.08:43 – 13
Is White Label The Future of Agencies?, With Manish Dudharejia
Points of Interest01:02 – 01:28 – Introduction to Manish Dudharejia: Manish Dudharejia, founder of E2M, is introduced as a leader in white label agency services, serving over 300 agencies globally with a focus on profitability and scalability.01:34 – 02:45 – Manish’s Journey and E2M’s Growth: Manish shares how E2M evolved from serving diverse clients to specializing in white label services for age
Breaking Down Earned Revenue to Drive Better Agency Decisions, With Ben Zittlau
Points of Interest01:00 – 01:50 – Episode Kickoff and Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Ben Zittlau, his co-founder and the “brains behind the operation” at Parakeeto, highlighting Ben’s instrumental role in shaping the company’s philosophies and tools.01:51 – 04:25 – Ben’s Background and Early Career: Ben shares his journey from studying electrical engineering to becoming deeply involved in s
First Principles Software Implementation In Your Agency, With Henrik Becker
Points of Interest00:51 – 01:29 – Introduction to Henrik Becker: Marcel introduces Henrik Becker, an expert in agency coaching, EOS implementation, and CRM systems, now leading Rev Hops to improve agency sales and marketing systems.01:30 – 02:13 – Henrik’s Career Journey: Henrik details his evolution from systematic marketing in 2010 to specializing in CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, em
From Silos to Synergy: Building an Integrated Approach for Your Agency, With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest00:52 – 01:17 – Guest Introduction and Episode Overview: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, a member of the consulting team, and previews the episode’s focus on agency management trends, particularly on improving profitability and breaking down silos.02:57 – 05:00 – Challenges with Siloed Agency Models: Kristen explains how siloed operations between sales, delivery, and finance lea
Lessons From the Operations Trenches, with Ryan McNamara
Points of Interest00:49 – 01:50 – Introduction to Ryan McNamara: Marcel introduces Ryan McNamara, Head of Operations at Rise at Seven, and highlights his impressive journey from startup founder to agency leader.01:51 – 03:00 – Building Rise at Seven: Ryan discusses the rapid growth of Rise at Seven, their creative-first, search-driven approach, and their international presence in the UK and US.04:
The Problem With Benchmarking and What to Do Instead
Points of Interest00:00 – 00:47 – Intro and Gratitude: Marcel thanks listeners and sets up the episode's focus on benchmarking traps and performance evaluation.00:47 – 01:33 – The Benchmarking Trap: Marcel introduces the risks of relying on external benchmarks instead of understanding your agency’s internal performance model.01:33 – 02:53 – Rate Benchmarking Limitations: Marcel explains why compar
How to Prove Your Impact to Clients, with Chris Taylor
Points of Interest00:47 – 01:38 – Chris’s Background: Chris shares his experience supporting consultants and facilitators in achieving measurable impact.02:07 – 03:04 – The Challenge of Change Management: Agencies face difficulty educating stakeholders and driving meaningful organizational change.04:03 – 05:26 – Behavior Change Precedes Results: Chris explains the importance of tracking behavior s
Preparing Your Agency for 2025: Lessons from 2024 and Future Trends, with Carson Pierce
Points of Interest00:42 – 01:16 – Industry Stats Nerd: Marcel highlights Carson’s expertise in analyzing agency reports and introduces the core topic of navigating the agency world’s "new normal."03:00 – 04:10 – Financial Challenges in 2024: Carson explains how financial tightening, including cash flow and reserve issues, has become a significant pain point for agencies in the past year.04:11 – 06
Keys to Becoming a Profitable Creative, with Patrick O'Connell
Points of Interest00:47 – 01:46 – Meet Patrick O’Connell: Marcel introduces Patrick and previews their discussion on building a profitable design or creative services business.01:46 – 02:41 – Patrick’s Journey to Success: Patrick shares how he transitioned from a nine-to-five to running a design agency, helping clients bring physical products to market while mentoring other designers.02:41 – 03:44
Why Managing Ops Data is so Damn Hard... , With Kristen Kelly
Points of Interest00:01 – 00:43 – Welcome and Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, Parakeeto's newest team member, highlighting her quick ramp-up and prior involvement with the company.00:44 – 01:40 – Kristen's Background: Kristen shares her 20 years of agency experience, spanning six agencies, with a focus on account/project management and operations.01:41 – 02:50 – The Role of Operatio
The Future of Agency Positioning, with Chris DuBois
Points of Interest02:02 – 02:20 – The Prism Model: Chris introduces his "Prism Model," a framework for evaluating if a problem is worth solving. The model focuses on identifying problems that are painful, recurring, impactful, solvable, and marketable, helping agencies vet business ideas and align their offerings with market needs.05:21 – 05:40 – Service Saturation: Chris discusses the dangers of
Why You're Failing at Profitability Reporting
Points of Interest00:01 – 01:00 – Introduction to Data Systems: Marcel introduces the episode’s focus on designing data systems that empower agencies and businesses to make data-driven decisions with clarity and alignment.01:00 – 02:30 – Why Agencies Struggle with Data: Marcel explains why many agencies face challenges in getting value from their data, often due to incorrect frameworks and a lack
How to Use Narrative Psychology in Service Design, With Kristian Aloma
Points of Interest00:01 – 00:42 – Introduction to Guest: Marcel introduces Dr. Kristian Alomá, PhD, an expert in narrative psychology and author of Start With the Story, to discuss the power of storytelling in agency service design.00:48 – 01:14 – Background on Narrative Design: Kristian introduces his agency, Threadline, and explains narrative design as applying storytelling principles to brandin
20 Years of Agency Wisdom: Insights for Maximizing Client Success, with Carson Pierce
Points of Interest00:01 – 00:41 – Introduction: Marcel kicks off the episode with excitement, announcing the podcast's new weekly schedule, alternating between general content and Parakeeto-focused episodes.00:42 – 01:27 – Introducing Carson Pierce: Marcel introduces Carson Pierce, Parakeeto’s head consultant, with over two decades of experience in the agency world, emphasizing his popularity and
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