Shows
Agency Darlings030: Don't Play Small. Price With ConfidenceThis episode is sponsored by Metricool. Get 30 days free of any Premium plan with code: Darlings and at Metricool.com/Darlings.In this season finale of Agency Darlings, Melissa and Meredith sit down to talk about one of the most critical topics for agency founders: pricing with confidence.They share mindset shifts and practical strategies to help you own your value, set better rates, and navigate tough pricing conversations. Whether you’re raising rates, launching a new offer, or dealing with price-sensitive prospects, this episode will give you the tools to approach pricing without second-guessing yo...2025-07-0849 minAgency Darlings029: Inside the C-Suite: Strategy, Risk & Retention with CBO of Armra Rebecca SollingerThis episode is sponsored by Metricool. Get 30 days free of any Premium plan with code: Darlings and at Metricool.com/Darlings.In today’s episode, Melissa and Meredith are joined by Rebecca Sollinger, Chief Brand Officer at ARMRA and longtime brand leader with experience across powerhouse agencies like Droga5 and RoAndCo, as well as lifestyle brands like Sakara Life and Quiksilver. With a rare perspective from both sides of the agency-client table, Rebecca offers candid insight into what CMOs really want—and how the best agencies rise to meet the moment.From brand building in a fa...2025-06-2455 minAgency Darlings028: Building A Dream Team Without The Payroll Nightmare with Shaina AndersonIn today’s episode, Melissa and Meredith are joined by Shaina Anderson, founder of Hello Generalist, for a real talk on building effective teams through fractional support. With a deep background scaling startups like Yelp and Choose, Shaina offers a front-row view into the shifting workforce and how creative agency founders can build smarter, leaner teams—without compromising on talent. From understanding the rise of fractional roles to knowing when it’s time to hire full-time, this episode is packed with practical insights for founders navigating uncertain markets, limited budgets, and the ever-evolving talent landscape.If you’ve ever...2025-06-101h 00Agency DarlingsMini Episode | Sales Pep Talk: You're Better At Sales Than You ThinkEpisode description:In today’s episode, Melissa goes solo for a quick pep talk on the myth of "I'm bad at sales." She dives into how sales is a skill anyone can learn and how women, in particular, have natural strengths that make them amazing at sales. Melissa shares her own journey from hesitating to lead in business development to building a career in sales, while offering practical advice on how to approach sales calls in a way that focuses on listening, diagnosing problems, and building meaningful client relationships. This episode is full of actionable tips and st...2025-05-3010 minAgency Darlings027: AI Curious: Your Creative Expertise Is Your AI AdvantageEpisode Description:In today’s episode, Melissa and Meredith sit down with Patrice Poltzer, founder and creator of My Story Pro, to explore how AI can help humanize storytelling and streamline the sales process for high-ticket clients. They dive into Patrice’s unique approach to AI, discussing how it’s not about automation for the sake of efficiency but about using AI to uncover deeper insights and better connect with your audience. From building meaningful relationships with clients to implementing AI-driven tools that enhance your sales strategy, Patrice shares actionable insights on how to embrace change, harness AI, an...2025-05-2754 minAgency Darlings026: A Step-by-Step Sales Process for AgenciesIn today’s episode, Melissa and Meredith dive deep into the sales process for agencies, with a focus on attracting and closing high-ticket clients. They explore the key stages of building a structured, efficient sales process that helps you close deals faster and with more confidence. The episode covers everything from initial client engagement to sending proposals, avoiding ghosting, and nurturing long-term relationships that drive sustainable growth for your agency. Tune in to learn how to build a sales process that not only closes high-ticket clients but keeps them coming back for more.What to expect in th...2025-05-1348 minAgency Darlings025: The Retention Strategy: More Revenue, Less Cold PitchingIn today’s episode, Meredith and Melissa dive deep into the power of organic growth for agencies, emphasizing the importance of nurturing long-term client relationships over constantly chasing new business. They share their strategies for turning one-time projects into long-term partnerships and how retention can drive more stable revenue and higher profit margins. The episode covers offboarding strategies, communication templates, and how to identify expansion opportunities that clients actually want. Tune in to learn how organic growth can be the game-changer for your agency!Thanks to Our Sponsor, Metricool:Metricool is the tool we use for...2025-05-0629 minAgency Darlings024: Painkiller Positioning: How to Create Offers Clients Actually NeedIn this episode, Meredith and Melissa dig into the difference between “nice to have” offers and services your clients can’t live without. They break down what it really means to create painkiller positioning—offers that speak directly to urgent problems and drive faster, higher-converting sales. They also unpack why most agencies need to ditch custom scoping and start using tiered pricing to streamline sales, delivery, and growth.If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly reinventing the wheel or struggling to sell work that should land—this one’s for you.What to Expect in This E...2025-04-2934 minAgency DarlingsMini Episode | Why You Need to Take Time OffIn this quick pep talk, Melissa shares insights on why taking time off is essential for both your mental health and business performance. She discusses her own experience with burnout, why women in leadership positions face more challenges with time off, and offers a simple formula for integrating regular breaks into your schedule. Whether you're a founder or anyone balancing work and personal life, this episode encourages you to prioritize rest, as it ultimately fuels high performance and creativity.Key Takeaways:Burnout is real: Nearly half of women in leadership positions experience burnout.Taking time off...2025-04-2514 minAgency Darlings023: Navigating the Client Breakup: When to Let Go and How to Move OnThanks to Our Sponsor, Metricool:Metricool is the tool we use for social media management and reporting. It helps you manage your social media, track performance, and create engaging content all in one place.For our listeners only, use code DARLINGS to get FREE access to 30 days of any Metricool Premium plan. In this episode, Meredith and Melissa dive into the challenging yet necessary conversation every agency owner faces—the client breakup. They share how to recognize when it’s time to part ways with a client, the steps to prepare for the convers...2025-04-2238 minAgency Darlings022: The Secret to a Strong Co-Founder Relationship: Trust, Communication, and GrowthIn this episode, Meredith and Melissa dive deep into the core elements that make their co-founder relationship work. From how they balance each other’s strengths, keep everything transparent, and support each other in both good and tough times, they share what’s worked—and what hasn’t—on their journey. Building a business with a partner isn’t just about shared goals; it’s about building trust, clear communication, and knowing when to lean on each other. Whether you're thinking about starting a business with a partner or are already in one, this episode is packed with real-world advice and les...2025-04-1538 minAgency DarlingsWelcome to Agency DarlingsWe’re Back for Season 3! 🎉Welcome to Season 3 of Agency Darlings! This season, we’re diving deep into the growth phase of scaling your agency—without losing your sanity. We're covering everything from co-founder relationships to client breakups, and we’re here to bring you actionable strategies and real conversations that will help you lead with confidence, overcome challenges, and grow your agency with purpose.Whether you're navigating team dynamics, refining your service offerings, or working through tough client situations, Season 3 is designed to help you face these challenges head-on while building the agency you’ve always dre...2025-04-1501 minAgency Darlings021: The Agency Owner's Compass: Vision, Leads, ProfitIt's the Season 2 Finale of Agency Darlings! 🎉 We’re wrapping up this chapter with reflections on the season’s biggest themes and insights. We give you insight into our ‘Agency Owner’s Compass’ the three key pillars every agency founder needs to scale successfully: Vision, Lead Generation, and Profitability. Plus, our favorite moments from the season, listener-favorite episodes, and a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3!What to Expect in This Episode:Why having a clear vision is the foundation of a thriving agencyHow to build a lead gen system that goes beyond referral...2025-03-1846 minAgency Darlings020: Your Terms, Your Rules: A Better Agency-Client PartnershipIn this episode, we’re diving into the topic of setting clear expectations and boundaries with clients right from the start. No more guessing games - this is about laying the foundation for long-term, successful partnerships by setting the terms upfront, shutting down scope creep before it starts, negotiating payment terms like a pro, and knowing exactly how to handle cancellations. With real-life stories and industry insights, we’re sharing the must-have strategies for building a client-agency relationship that actually works - one that empowers both sides, aligns goals, and keeps things running smoothly with respect AND clari...2025-03-1143 minAgency Darlings019: Beyond Referrals: Creative Ways To Find Quality ClientsLead generation doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending hustle. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for referrals, unsure where to find quality leads, or overwhelmed by outdated, ineffective strategies, this episode is for you.We’re getting down to the real reasons agencies struggle with lead gen and sharing practical, creative ways to fill your pipeline - without feeling spammy or burning out. From hidden lead sources to smart outreach strategies, we’re giving you everything you need to take control of your pipeline and attract better clients.What to Expect From This Epi...2025-03-0446 minAgency Darlings018: Hell Yes or Hard No: The Art of Saying No to Scale Your AgencySaying yes feels good - until it doesn’t. Whether it’s taking on misaligned clients, projects that drag on, or saying yes out of fear, the wrong yes can cost your agency more than you think. In this episode, we’re breaking down why learning to say no is one of the most powerful growth moves you can make - and how it can actually lead to more revenue, happier clients, and less burnout.We’re diving into the hidden costs of saying yes to the wrong things, how to spot red flags early, and how setting...2025-02-2545 minAgency Darlings017: 5 Decisions That Will Propel Your Agency's GrowthWe’re breaking down five key decisions that will move the needle in your business - from niching down to hiring your #2. Because let’s be real: staying stuck in client work, pricing based on hours, and taking on low-value projects isn’t going to get you there. These shifts will.Scaling your agency isn’t about doing more - it’s about doing the right things. If you’re hovering around the multi-six-figure mark and wondering what it actually takes to break past the next revenue milestone, this episode is for you.Stop spinning your wheels...2025-02-1835 minAgency Darlings016: Designing A Life You Really Want: The Life Brief Method with Bonnie WanAs an agency owner, you’re constantly making decisions - about clients, growth, strategy, and leadership. But what happens when your success starts feeling misaligned? In this episode, we’re diving deep into how to create a business and life that reflect your true ambitions, featuring special guest Bonnie Wan, Chief Strategy Officer of the Year (2022 and 2023) and author of The Life Brief.Melissa and Meredith sit down with Bonnie to explore why agency leaders struggle with misalignment, burnout, and a lack of clarity - and how using The Life Brief can help you reset, refocus, and move...2025-02-111h 15Agency Darlings015: The Profit Problem: Why 67% of Agencies Are Struggling (And How to Fix It)What if scaling your agency didn’t mean working more, but working smarter?Profitability is the foundation of a sustainable, thriving agency - but so many agency owners struggle to maintain healthy profit margins. In this episode, we're diving deep into the biggest profitability mistakes agencies make, why revenue alone isn’t a measure of success, and the strategies you need to build a financially sustainable business.Melissa and Meredith break down the common pitfalls agency owners face, why pricing and scoping are crucial to profitability, and how optimizing your operations can make your business more...2025-02-0433 minAgency Darlings014: Manifest Like a CEO: Amanda Baudier on Aligning Vision and ActionWhat if success isn’t just about working harder, but aligning with what truly lights you up? In this episode, we're diving deep into manifestation, alignment, and embodiment - and how these principles can help you build a business (and life) that feels purposeful and fulfilling. Whether you're skeptical about manifestation or all-in on the woo, this conversation will show you how to take intentional steps towards your goals with clarity and confidence.We’re also breaking down the three-step framework to help you shift from feeling stuck to fully aligned and empowered. Plus, Amanda shares her pers...2025-01-2844 minAgency Darlings013: Ghosts, Maybes, and Wins: Your Pipeline PlaybookWe're diving into the real talk about pipeline building. Whether you're riding the revenue rollercoaster of a slow season or building momentum from scratch - we’ve got you. No more sitting around waiting for the next referral to land in your inbox – we're sharing our tried-and-true strategies for filling your pipeline with dream clients and creating sustainable growth that feels authentic (and dare we say, fun?). We’re also dropping our own ready-to-go scripts that you can use to navigate those ‘ghost’ and ‘maybe’ leads, so you can take back control of your pipeline, and your revenue.What to Expe...2025-01-2136 minAgency Darlings012: Non-negotiable Boundaries That Accelerate GrowthIn our season premiere, we're tackling a game-changing topic: Boundaries. Whether you're running an agency or scaling your creative business, this episode is your playbook for setting and maintaining professional boundaries that protect both your energy and your bottom line.What to Expect From This Episode:The 7 Essential Agency Boundaries You NeedOnboarding expectationsWorking hoursCommunication protocolsDeliverable timelinesScope managementPayment termsOffboarding processesKey Takeaways:How to set boundaries without damaging client relationshipsTools for managing scope creep and last-minute requestsStrategies for confidently pricing your servicesWays to turn "urgent" weekend emails into Monday prioritiesTips for...2025-01-1451 minAgency DarlingsWe’re Back for Season 2!We’re Back for Season 2! 🎉Welcome to a brand-new season of Agency Darlings! We’re thrilled to bring you more actionable strategies, inspiring conversations, and expert insights tailored for agency founders and creative business leaders scaling to seven and eight figures.This season, we’re tackling some of the biggest challenges agency owners face—while also celebrating your wins. With fresh perspectives, expert guests, and some seriously hot tea, Season 2 is here to empower your growth journey like never before.-What to Expect this Season:Here’s a sneak peek at...2025-01-0901 min
Finding FearlessSOLO - Season Wrap UpIn this special season wrap-up of the Finding Fearless podcast, host Madeline revisits the powerful conversations of the past year. She reflects on the theme of liberation in entrepreneurship, exploring how guests have turned their challenges into opportunities for personal and professional freedom. The episode highlights impactful discussions with inspiring figures like Podge Thomas, Lauren Burgess, Meredith Fennessy Witts, Brianna Franklin, and Mary Bailey, who share their unique journeys and insights on breaking free from traditional constraints. Madeline also introduces upcoming opportunities for listeners to engage with her work through the Figure 8 program and the Finding Fearless community. 2024-12-2129 minAgency Darlings011: Building Your Agency as an Asset: Carrie Kerpen's 8-Figure ExitAs we wrap up this season of Agency Darlings, we’re closing with an inspiring conversation with Carrie Kerpen, the founder of a thriving social media agency. She takes us through her journey of building and scaling her business from the ground up, sharing the challenges, victories, and lessons learned along the way.Carrie dives deep into the importance of having a long-term vision, balancing the emotional side of selling, and developing the resilience and confidence needed to succeed as an agency founder - especially for women navigating this industry.Some of the topics we co...2024-12-171h 06Agency Darlings010: Sales Strategies For The Anti-SalesySelling doesn’t have to feel salesy - it just needs to feel like you.In this episode of Agency Darlings, we’re breaking down how to create a winning sales process that’s structured, authentic, and effective. From qualifying leads to confidently handling follow-ups, we’re sharing tips to help you close more deals while building trust and relationships.Whether you’re refining your pitch or trying to stay organized, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you sell smarter, not harder.Key Takeaways:Structure is Key: A standardized sales proc...2024-12-1058 minAgency Darlings009: Reframing Imposter Syndrome: It’s a Milestone, Not a ProblemLet’s talk about something every entrepreneur faces but doesn’t always admit: imposter syndrome. In this episode of Agency Darlings, we’re pulling back the curtain on those moments of self-doubt that make us question if we’re truly qualified for the opportunities in front of us. We’re diving into how imposter syndrome shows up for agency owners—especially women and those in underrepresented groups—and how it ties into perfectionism, pricing challenges, and the emotional rollercoaster of running a business.This conversation is packed with real-life examples (including our own), actionable strategies to manage self...2024-12-0343 minAgency Darlings008: Know Your Numbers: Simple Ratios To Run Your Agency ByIn this episode of Agency Darlings, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges creative agency owners face: managing finances. We’re talking all things cash flow, setting realistic revenue goals, and, most importantly, making sure you’re paying yourself what you deserve. This Q&A-style episode dives deep into the numbers game that fuels your business success. Whether you're struggling to pay yourself consistently, wondering how much of your revenue should go toward payroll, or debating between reinvesting in your business and rewarding yourself, tune in to hear our thoughts and strategies for managin...2024-11-2942 minAgency Darlings007: BTS: Our Journey to Agency DarlingsIn this special episode, we’re sharing what’s been happening behind the scenes and how we’ve navigated some very unexpected mid season changes. We’d also love to take this opportunity to say thank you SO MUCH to every single one of you, whether you tune in every week or you’re just stopping by for one episode, we so deeply appreciate all of your support.With that being said, welcome to Agency Darlings!Thanks to our sponsor Copper, for making this podcast possible. Copper is a CRM that helps agencies attract more clients, s...2024-11-2620 minAgency Darlings006: Your Offer Suite Strategy: Tiers, Packages, DiversificationIn this episode, we dive deep into a crucial topic for agency owners: strengthening and diversifying your offer suite to maximize revenue and thrive through economic ups and downs. We share insights into why building offers around outcomes, not just outputs, is key and explore how to structure your offer tiers effectively. From creating profitable entry-point offers to designing complementary services, we break down actionable strategies that help you stand out, increase revenue potential, and better serve your clients. Whether you're an established agency or just starting out, these strategies will elevate your growth game.2024-11-1238 minAgency Darlings005: Lead Gen: Breaking the Agency Feast or Famine CycleIn this episode, we dive deep into lead generation for creative agencies. We’re exploring common misconceptions about lead gen, and discussing the importance of playing the long game for SUSTAINABLE GROWTH. From our take on cold outreach (spoiler: it’s a hard no from us) to focusing on quality over quantity in business development, we share practical tips for creative agency owners aiming to scale their businesses.Since we’re halfway through the season, we reflect on our progress, share insights on balancing work and personal life, and discuss the challenges and successes we’ve exper...2024-10-291h 10Agency Darlings004: Attract and Close Better Clients With These TacticsIn this episode of Agency Darlings, co-hosts Melissa Lohrer and Meredith Fennessy Witts dive into one of the most challenging topics for agency owners: money. Join them as they share strategies on how to confidently discuss rates with clients, set clear pricing, and remove the emotional barriers that often come with financial conversations.Melissa and Meredith explore why pricing transparency is crucial for building trust with potential clients and how to structure your sales process to avoid losing opportunities. They also talk about setting financial goals that align with your agency’s growth, and how to confidently st...2024-10-2256 minAgency Darlings003: Growth Strategies for Your Agency’s Off-SeasonIn this episode, hosts Melissa and Meredith dive into a topic every agency owner experiences: navigating a slow season of business. We know from personal experience, slow seasons can feel discouraging, but they don’t have to be. This episode shares actionable strategies to reframe these downtimes as opportunities for growth and transformation.Key Takeaways:Recognizing the Signals: Learn how to identify early signs of a slow season, such as extended sales cycles, reduced engagement, and increased budget negotiations.Reframing Slow Seasons: Discover how to use slow periods for strategic planning, operational optimization, and client retention.Gr...2024-10-1544 minAgency Darlings002: The Niching Advantage: Boost Your Agency's Growth and ProfitsThis episode is perfect for agency owners who are ready to break through their growth plateau, streamline their operations, and build a more profitable, referral-based business by embracing the power of niching.Are you ready to scale your agency through the power of niching? Listen to the full episode to discover the strategies that can take your agency to the next level.Episode Summary:In this episode, Melissa and Meredith dive deep into the importance of niching for agency owners. We address the fears many agency owners face around turning down potential clients, bu...2024-10-0837 minAgency Darlings001: Strategic Relationships as a Growth StrategyIn our first episode, hosts Melissa and Meredith kick off the podcast with an in depth discussion about how strategic relationships play a crucial role in scaling a business. We’ll be providing you with a framework for key relationships - the 3 types of strategic relationships you need, where to find them, and how to actually drive QUALITY leads through them so you can scale your business efficiently.Listen now for effective actionable tips for agency owners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who want to leverage relationships for growth.Thanks to our sponsor Copper, for...2024-10-0141 min
Finding FearlessMoney Matters: Exploring The Importance of Entrepreneurship & Financial Fluency With Meredith Fennessy WittsIn this episode Madeline talks to Meredith Fennessy Witts, founder of Le Chéile, about one of the most important and ignored topics while building businesses: Financial Fluency. They cover topics such as the accidental path to becoming an entrepreneur, the importance of community and mentorship, financial fluency for business owners, and the challenges and strategies of scaling a business. Meredith shares her personal story, including her background, how she navigated the transition from corporate roles to founding her own company, and the lessons learned along the way. The discussion also touches Meredith’s experiences working with clients on nav...2024-04-171h 07