Скачать или смотреть Break Free from the Grind to Build an Agency that RUNS WITHOUT YOU with Jim Matuga | Ep

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Are you trapped in the exhausting cycle of "monthly chases," constantly pursuing short-term goals at the expense of long-term vision? Today's featured guest stood on the brink of giving up, worn down by the relentless pursuit of monthly numbers. He decided to shift focus with a ten-year plan to start building an agency that could run without him. This way, he has been able to focus on different ways to grow the agency, like launching proprietary technology that turned into a fantastic foot-in-the-door and starting a podcast that has given him the opportunity to get in front of his target audience on a weekly basis. Tune in to hear Jim's inspiring story and insights on entrepreneurship and marketing.


Jim Matuga is the president and founder of InnerAction Media (https://inneractionmedia.com/) , a marketing agency that works with small startups and non-profits. Jim shares his journey from aspiring copywriter to starting his own agency in 2011, discusses the pivotal moments that led him to take the leap, how he broke free from the monthly chase, and the credibility that comes from developing proprietary technology.


In this episode, we'll discuss:


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Breaking free from chasing monthly numbers.


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Turning AI adoption into agency innovation.


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Getting in front of your target audience with a podcast.

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Sponsors and Resources

E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency (http://e2msolutions.com/smartagency) and get 10% off for the first three months of service.
Starting an Agency at Life's Crossroads

In a departure from most agency owner stories, Jim had wanted to start an agency from very early on in his career. Armed with an advertising degree and visions of becoming a Madison Avenue copywriter, he seemed destined for the agency world. However, things didn't go as planned and he ended up working in radio and local newspapers for fourteen years.


Instead of crafting campaigns in a Manhattan high-rise, Jim found himself building a career in radio and local newspapers. For fourteen years, he climbed the corporate ladder, but each promotion felt like a step away from his true ambition.


Finally, 2011 became Jim's year of transformation. In the midst of a difficult year he figured it was now or never. It seemed like the right time to jump into business as he was starting over after losing everything. After many years as a dream, his agency started on a random Tuesday from his kitchen table working from a used Mac he bought off Craigslist.
Breaking Free From the Monthly Grind

All agency owners go through a stage where it seems they're doing everything and the agency itself is going through constant ups and downs. For Jim, it was right after the pandemic. During a session with his business coach, Jim voiced what many agency owners feel but few act upon: he was tired of the monthly scramble and ready for fundamental change.


Basically, Jim wanted a business that didn't depend on him to run successfully. Rather than being defined by the numbers on a monthly report, he envisioned a future where the agency could operate seamlessly, even in his absence (https://www.agencymastery360.com/podc...) .


The breakthrough came through a crucial decision: bringing a longtime team member into the financial heart of the business. This wasn't just about delegating tasks—it was about sharing:


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Complete financial transparency


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Decision-making processes


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Strategic planning responsibilities


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Ownership of outcomes



With this collaborative approach, Jim was able to help this employee understand the part of the business he most disliked: sales. By working together, he was able to adapt his own personality and values to the sales process, resulting in innovative strategies and business development that Jim had not previously imagined. Such empowerment fosters a culture of trust and accountability, where team members feel valued and motivated to contribute to the agency's success.
Building a Strong Team Beyond the Solo Visionary

After fifteen years of growing his agency, perhaps the most valuable lesson for Jim has been that even the most brilliant vision needs a strong team (h...