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-news.

● Digital Dollars and Cents: A Virtual CFO’s Playbook to help Digital Companies Create a Financial Roadmap to Success, is now an audiobook! Download it here: https://vcfo.summitcpa.net/ddc

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The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner 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/

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Jamie Nau, Summit Virtual CFO, is a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of business growth sta

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

Episode Title: 2024 Year in Review

Episode Notes:

In our year end wrap up: Jody, Brett, Tom, Hannah, and Jamie share favorite moments from the show, podcasting resolutions and holiday gift wishes. the hosts reflect on personal anecdotes and provide their aspirations for the upcoming year. They also introduce a new behind-the-scenes team member.

"It’s super common for us to go into a conference and have someone say, "Hey, I love that podcast you’re on." It’s really cool, and we really enjoy it." – Jody Grunden

The finer details of this episode:

• Reflection on the past year in podcasting
• Personal podcasting resolutions for the upcoming year
• Highlights of memorable podcast episodes and guest contributions

Episode resources:

● Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/

● If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/

Timestamps:

Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00)

The host welcomes listeners to the Creative Agency Success Show, highlighting its value for agency owners.

Productivity in One Room (00:00:14)

Jodi humorously comments on the team's low productivity due to everyone being together, setting a light-hearted tone.

Congratulations to Indiana University (00:00:41)

Brett congratulates Indiana University on a sports victory and transitions into a discussion about online gambling.

Online Gambling Discussion (00:01:05)

The speakers engage in a light banter about online gambling's legality in Indiana and personal stakes in upcoming games.

Introducing Christine (00:01:31)

Jodi introduces Christine, acknowledging her contributions to the team and welcoming her to the show.

Christine's Favorite Podcast (00:02:08)

Christine shares her favorite podcast episode, highlighting the Young CPA as relatable for her college experience.

Introducing Mina (00:04:04)

Mina, a new team member, shares her background in agricultural tech and politics, expressing excitement for her role.

Podcast Ranking Discussion (00:04:41)

Brett mentions the podcast's ranking, humorously clarifying its position within the United States.

Mina's Podcasting Resolution (00:05:39)

Mina discusses her goal of maintaining organized scheduling for the podcast, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead.

Favorite Podcast Moments (00:06:33)

The team discusses their favorite moments and guests from their respective podcasts, starting with Brett's insights.

Brett's Podcast Insights (00:07:06)

Brett reflects on the educational value of his guests in the cannabis space, highlighting their expertise and fascinating discussions.

Christine's Support (00:09:22)

Brett thanks Christine for her behind-the-scenes support during a recent conference, showcasing teamwork.

Hannah's Favorite Episodes (00:10:00)

Hannah shares her favorite episode featuring guests from analytics, discussing their innovative contributions to the accounting space.

Tom's Podcast Experience (00:11:33)

Tom recounts a humorous incident where he was mistakenly recognized for another podcast, showcasing the dynamics of audience recognition.

Storytelling in Podcasts (00:13:36)

Tom highlights the importance of storytelling in consulting, referencing insights from guests about the hero's journey.

Jodi's Favorite Moments (00:16:04)

Jodi expresses appreciation