Transitioning from a creative doer to an agency owner is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming.

Many creatives struggle with letting go of control, building a team, and shifting from doing the work to leading the business. If you feel stretched thin trying to manage everything, this episode is for you.

Today, I’m joined by Kait Day, Founder of Nowadays Studio, who shares her journey from being a burned-out freelancer to leading a thriving five-person agency.

She opens up about the challenges of hiring, delegating, and trusting her team—and how doing so has allowed her agency to grow without overworking herself.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The real first step to transitioning from creative doer to agency leader
• The best way to decide what to delegate first and how to set up processes that make it easier.
• How perfectionism holds agency owners back—and how to shift your mindset to trust your team.
• Letting go of misaligned clients, improving team morale and making space to take on better-fit projects.
• The support system (and who’s in it) that’s helped her to lead better

If you want to scale your agency without micromanaging, burnout, or bottlenecking your own growth, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Connect with Kait Day:

Instagram: @nowadaystudios

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kait-day/

Resources & Links:

Find me on LinkedIn

Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter and free mini-course today to grow your agency.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small but mighty agency. As a bonus, get our free mini-course on building a Trust Equity Ecosystem, so you're not chasing clients and commanding premium rates.

Get the free newsletter and bonus free mini-course today.

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep121

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

If you’ve ever had a prospect say, “I want to work with you, but I’m not ready for a full retainer,” you might be leaving money on the table.

VIP days offer a high-impact way to deliver results quickly—without the commitment of a long-term engagement. But are they the right fit for your agency?

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Mitchell, founder of Wandermint Creative, a YouTube marketing and video coaching agency.

Melissa has mastered the VIP day model and shares how she integrated it into her agency to attract premium clients and increase revenue—without overcomplicating her business. She also reveals why she evolved her VIP days into VIP weeks and how it’s benefiting both her agency and her clients.

Tune in to learn:

• What VIP days are and how they work in an agency setting
• The biggest benefits of adding VIP days to your service suite
• How VIP days fit into the client journey and support long-term revenue
• The unexpected challenges of offering VIP days—and how to overcome them
• Why Melissa transitioned from VIP days to VIP weeks for even greater results
• Key tips for pricing, structuring, and selling your VIP offer effectively

If you’re looking for new ways to package your expertise, attract the right clients, and scale your agency without overcomplicating your operations, this episode is for you!

Connect with Melissa Mitchell:
Website: Wandermint Creative
Instagram: @themelissamitchell
YouTube: Wandermint Creative

YouTube channel checklist freebie: https://wandermintcreative.com/youtubechecklist

My new VIP Week offer: https://videogrowthplan.com/90-day-roadmap

Resources & Links:
Say hello on LinkedIn

Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep120

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis

Trust-equity over track record? It's happening. Here's why...

Did you know that 70% of the decision about your agency is made before you even showcase your results?

Last week, I spoke with an agency owner who lost a pitch to a competitor charging 20% more - despite having less experience and a smaller track record.

His response? "They somehow seemed like the safer choice."

In this episode of the Small But Mighty Agency Podcast, we unpack why great work alone isn't winning business anymore and what's really driving agency selection in today's market.

Whether you've lost opportunities to less experienced agencies charging premium rates or you're the newer agency looking to command premium rates, you'll discover why trust equity matters more than your track record and years in business.

This is a must-listen for any agency navigating today's shifted landscape.

Key takeaways:

• What's really driving agency selection in 2025 and beyond
• How trust equity is becoming the great equalizer between established and newer agencies
• Why the traditional "prove your worth" approach is failing

If you're tired of hearing, "Your work is fantastic, but…," this conversation is for you.

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn Guide: Build Your Go-To Agency: 4 High-Trust Systems for Market Leadership

Connect:

• Say hello on LinkedIn

Don’t forget the free Agency Together Newsletter.

Join hundreds of agency owners receiving insights about growing and leading a small – less than 50 people – mighty agency. Try the free newsletter.

Hey thank for hanging out with me at the Small But Mighty Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode it would mean the world to me if you hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app and share it with a friend. And I’ll see you on the next one.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://audreyjoykwan.com/podcast/ep119

Podcast Edits by Lindsay Curtis