The 3 Skills You Didn’t Know You Needed as an Agency Owner

Get ahead by knowing the right stuff

Wayne Mullins
Agency Accelerator
4 min readAug 10, 2023

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Fireyourself. Wayne Mullins. Skills required for running an agency
Photo by Peggy Anke on Unsplash

It’s 7 AM. The morning sun casts golden beams into your office, and your reflection in the mirror screams, “Let’s do this!

As an agency owner, each dawn heralds the promise of growth, success, and hopefully, profitability.

But hold on! Before you pour that cup of coffee and dive into your inbox, let’s get real for a moment.

Do you have what it takes to skyrocket your agency into the stratosphere of success? And I’m not just talking about your expertise in client service or how you finesse those design projects.

Instead, I’m inviting you to unearth the unexpected, the roles you never thought you’d wear, the mirror revelations, and the numbers that don’t lie.

Here are the three skills that can change the trajectory of your agency, and guess what? You probably didn’t even know you needed them.

Intrigued?

Let’s dive in.

1. The Shapeshifting CEO — From CMO to COO to CRO

Ever heard of a CEO who morphs roles as the company grows?

No? Well, allow me to introduce you to this transformative journey.

In the inception stage: You think you’re the CEO? Think again!

You’re the CMO — the Chief Marketing Officer. Can you feel the weight of that title? Each day, it’s your mission to make sure your agency is seen by those who matter.

You’re not just selling services; you’re selling a dream, a vision, a brand promise. It’s not about just being in the game; it’s about dominating the game!

You’re not just part of the traffic; you are the traffic!

Got the picture? Good.

As your baby grows: Here comes the transition. You’ve done the hard yards, got some traction, and now your agency has a heartbeat.

Welcome to the world of COO — Chief Operations Officer. It’s not just about visibility anymore; it’s about functionality.

  • Have you got the right people?
  • The right systems?
  • The impeccable processes?

It’s time to roll up those sleeves and ensure your agency is a well-oiled machine, poised for growth.

Further down the road: Now, your agency is not just surviving; it’s thriving. Enter the role of the CRO — Chief Reminding Officer. Odd title, isn’t it?

But so critical! Your job now is to keep the flames of your agency’s mission and vision alive.

Are they still at the heart of every strategy? Is your team aligned with your core values? Remember, it’s easy to get lost in success.

Your role? Ensure that doesn’t happen.

2. The Mirror’s Tale — Leading the Person Staring Back

Look at that face in the mirror. That face? It’s your first leadership project.

Ask yourself, “Am I leading the person staring back at me well?

If leadership began and ended with managing teams, life would be a breeze, right? But it doesn’t.

Leadership begins at home, with YOU. Until you can lead yourself — your thoughts, your habits, your discipline, your time — how can you possibly expect to lead others?

Can you inspire yourself to rise after a setback? Can you motivate yourself on a Monday morning when the skies are grey, and the emails are many?

It all begins with the reflection in the mirror.

Lead that person first. Everyone else comes after.

3. Counting More Than Just Coins — Financial Savvy

Sure, you want a swanky office with panoramic views, right? And those dream vacations? Count me in!

But here’s the rub: to make a lot of money personally, your agency needs to roll in the dough.

Financial acumen isn’t just about counting profits. As your agency grows, so does the complexity of your finances.

Can you read between the lines of your balance sheets? Can you make predictions based on past financial trends? Are you making decisions anchored not just on intuition but also on concrete financial data?

Remember, it’s not about earning; it’s about understanding, forecasting, and strategizing. Your financials are not just statements; they’re prophecies of where your agency is headed.

So, agency owners, are you ready to embrace these skills?

The road to success isn’t paved with just good intentions but with adaptability, self-awareness, and astute financial judgment.

It’s a journey of evolution, introspection, and numbers.

The ball’s in your court. Are you game?

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Wayne Mullins
Agency Accelerator

I help freelancers and agency owners build the business they deserve. Here's how 👉 linktr.ee/fireyourself