Running an Agency is Hard. Here’s What I Wish More Founders Knew.
- Melissa Campbell
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Most agency owners don’t start out wanting to be “business people”.
They’re creatives. Producers. Doers. People who get a buzz from making things happen. How do I know this? I was one of those people.
But here’s the hard truth:
Being brilliant at what you do, does not equal being prepared for running a sustainable, scalable agency.
I know because I’ve been there, and now I support agency leaders who are in the thick of it too.
Doer to Founder/CEO: That Wild Identity Shift
One minute you’re pitching a killer idea. The next, you’re trying to figure out how to set margins, chase invoices and hire someone without having a nervous breakdown.
You go from being the expert to wearing all the hats. And no one really tells you how to manage that shift.
(Here’s the secret: Most people are winging it. But you don’t have to.)
5 Painful Lessons Every Agency Owner Needs to Hear
After building, breaking and advising other agencies — here’s what I wish someone told me earlier:
Stop guessing your pricing If you’re pricing based on what you think the client will pay — rather than value, costs, and margin you’re already underwater.
Your team can’t read your mind Vision is useless if it's not shared. Get your systems, comms and roles clear — or chaos will creep in.
Boundaries protect your brilliance Not every client is YOUR client. Learn to say no. (It’s a skill — and it saves sanity.)
Big isn’t always better Big projects with thin margins = big stress and little reward. Growth should be smart, not ego-driven.
Your business needs you to lead Not just deliver. Not just chase. Lead. Decide. Choose where you’re going and build from there.
What Smart Growth Actually Looks Like
It’s not about scaling just for the sake of it.It’s about clarity, consistency and confidence in your model.
Margins that make sense. Team structures that empower. Creative that excites and converts.
And yes, you can still have fun doing it and no, you don't have to burnout a team to achieve it!
That’s Where I Can Help!
Through agency advisory and founder coaching, I work with creative leaders to:
✔️ Refine your business model
✔️ Build smarter systems
✔️ Lead with confidence
✔️ Avoid burnout and start loving your agency again
✔️ Look after your team, so they look after your business!
You didn’t start down this road to end up resenting your inbox.
If this hit home...even just a little... let’s talk.
Being a Founder is a lonely space and sometimes a coffee and someone to bounce ideas around is all you need!
Book a free 20-min clarity call and let’s map out your next smart move.
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