In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with George Potts, agency leader and executive coach, to explore what it really means to lead with purpose while scaling teams, clients, and responsibility.

George shares thoughtful insights on how leadership changes as organizations grow, why self-awareness becomes more critical at scale, and how intentional leadership decisions shape culture, trust, and long-term performance. The conversation dives into personal growth, values-based leadership, navigating complexity, and the responsibility leaders carry as their influence expands.

Takeaways:

• Leadership must evolve as organizations scale. The skills and behaviors that work in early stages often break down as teams, complexity, and responsibility increase.
• Purpose becomes more critical during growth, not less. Clear values and intent help leaders and teams navigate uncertainty, change, and competing priorities.
• Self-awareness is a foundational leadership skill. Understanding personal blind spots, triggers, and strengths allows leaders to make better decisions at scale.
• Culture is shaped through everyday leadership actions. How leaders communicate, prioritize, and respond under pressure defines culture more than formal statements.
• Growth amplifies leadership gaps as much as strengths. Scaling exposes misalignment, unclear expectations, and weak systems that must be addressed early.
• Trust is built through consistency and clarity. Leaders earn trust by setting clear expectations and following through reliably over time.
• Sustainable success requires personal leadership growth. Organizations scale best when leaders intentionally develop alongside the business.

Connect with George:

• Twitter: https://x.com/GeorgePotts
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgewpotts/
• Website: http://www.fifthinfluence.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/

Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409

In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with James Colistra, branding expert and founder of Wonderfish, to break down why so much branding fails to deliver real business results and how agencies and founders can fix it.

James shares a candid look at the disconnect between aesthetics and performance, explaining why beautiful design without strategy rarely converts, how brand clarity impacts customer trust and revenue, and where agencies often miss the mark when positioning clients for growth. The conversation dives into aligning brand strategy with customer psychology, translating creative decisions into measurable outcomes, and building brands that scale beyond first impressions.

Takeaways:

• Branding must start with strategy, not aesthetics. Visual identity alone doesn’t create impact unless it’s grounded in clear positioning, audience understanding, and business objectives.
• Clarity drives conversion. Brands that clearly articulate who they serve, what problem they solve, and why they’re different remove friction and make buying decisions easier.
• Design should influence behavior, not just perception. Every creative choice should guide customer action, reinforce trust, and support measurable outcomes.
• Trying to appeal to everyone weakens resonance. Focused brands outperform broad ones by speaking directly to the needs and emotions of a defined audience.
• Agencies create real value when branding connects to revenue. The most effective branding work ties creative decisions back to growth, performance, and long-term business impact.
• Consistency compounds trust over time. Repeated, aligned messaging and visuals across every touchpoint strengthen recognition and credibility.
• Simplification is a competitive advantage. Strong brands eliminate excess, sharpen their message, and repeat it relentlessly to scale.

Connect with James:

• Twitter: https://x.com/jimjimma5?lang=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescolistra/
• Website: https://wonderfish.xyz/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409

In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Thi Lam, Founder and Creative Director of Garnish Studios, to unpack what it really takes to build a focused, sustainable creative agency in the competitive world of food and beverage CPG.

Thi shares how his background as a CPG founder shaped Garnish Studios’ hyper-focused niche, why industry specialization beats offering “everything to everyone,” and how creative agencies can avoid the common traps of underpricing, scope creep, and burnout. The conversation spans agency positioning, tiered pricing models, hiring and talent development, financial lessons learned the hard way, and Thi’s long-term vision of building an interconnected ecosystem of production, branding, and original products.

Takeaways:

• Niching by industry, not just service, creates clarity, credibility, and stronger long-term positioning.
• Early underpricing can pigeonhole agencies and limit future growth.
• Tiered pricing helps protect margins while speeding up client qualification.
• Creative work must balance “brain power” (strategy and perspective) with “manpower” (production execution).
• Hiring and investing in people earlier can unlock faster, healthier growth.
• Founders should hire bookkeeping and accounting support as early as possible to avoid costly mistakes.
• Long-term agency resilience comes from focus, discipline, and intentional expansion, not chasing every opportunity.

Connect with Thi:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thiqlam/
• Website: http://www.garnishstudios.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/

Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409

In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Hamid Ghanadan, Founder and CEO of the Linus Group, to explore what it really takes to build a focused, resilient marketing agency, especially when serving highly technical industries like life sciences and healthcare.

Hamid shares how understanding the psychology of technical buyers creates more impact than leading with features alone, why combining factual accuracy with emotional storytelling drives real behavior change, and how a bold agency pivot in 2019 set Linus Group up for long-term sustainability. The conversation dives into the courage to cut profitable but non-differentiated services, asking clients hard questions, building multidisciplinary teams, and developing the financial discipline needed to navigate uncertainty and change.

Takeaways

• Understanding customer psychology, especially for technical buyers, creates more effective marketing than product-led messaging alone.
• Data drives decisions only when paired with emotional relevance and real human stakes.
• Cutting services you’re merely “good at” can sharpen positioning, improve profitability, and strengthen long-term resilience.
• Asking uncomfortable questions of clients and teams uncovers problems you can actually solve.
• Financial clarity comes from focusing on balance sheet, cash flow, and forward-looking projections, not just P&L.
• Building an agency around unique ability, multidisciplinary talent, and scenario planning prepares leaders for constant change.

Connect with Hamid:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hghanadan/
• Company Website: https://thelinusgroup.com/
• Personal Website: https://about.me/HamidGhanadan
• NEW Book - Not Buying It: The Art of Selling to Scientists, Doctors and Other Professional Skeptics: https://a.co/d/bA6mxrI
• Persuading Scientists: Marketing to the World’s Most Skeptical Audience Book: https://www.amazon.com/Persuading-Scientists-Marketing-Skeptical-Audience-ebook/dp/B07MZCPPTB
• Catalytic Experiences: Persuading Scientists and Clinicians with Effective Digital Marketing Book: https://www.amazon.com/Catalytic-Experiences-Persuading-Scientists-Clinicians/dp/0997523700

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Steve Fortunato, Founder and President of Shovel the Sidewalk, to unpack how brands can break through the noise by leading with authenticity, strong audio, and real human connection.

Steve shares why he intentionally works in the business instead of scaling away from client work, how unscripted conversations consistently outperform polished marketing content, and why audio is the most powerful (and overlooked) element of video storytelling. He also explains the philosophy behind “Shovel the Sidewalk” and how small details can make or break a brand. They explore humanizing brands across B2B and service industries, creating content that shows real people doing real work, balancing business growth with family priorities, and why authenticity is the antidote to AI-generated content.

Takeaways

• People connect with people, not products, humanizing your brand creates trust and differentiation in every industry.
• Audio quality and natural sound matter more than visual perfection when it comes to emotional connection.
• Unscripted conversations lead to more authentic, engaging content than rigidly planned messaging.
• Working hands-on in the business can drive better results and greater client satisfaction than scaling too early.
• Small brand details matter just as much as big campaigns, everything impacts perception.
• Being genuinely yourself won’t attract everyone, but it will attract the right audience.

Connect with Steve:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefortunato/
• Shovel the Sidewalk Company Website: https://shovelthesidewalk.com/
• Sidewalk Talk Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@sidewalktalkpodcast/featured

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409

In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Mary Dunn, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Stratagess, to unpack what it really takes to build a sustainable, high-performing marketing agency, without burning out your team or yourself.

Mary shares how she and her co-founder intentionally built a “small but mighty” agency made up of seasoned marketers, why they reversed the traditional agency growth model, and how prioritizing people, flexibility, and client fit has led to exceptional retention on both the client and employee side. The conversation dives into responsible growth, pricing with confidence, balancing work-life demands (especially as a working parent), and why scaling at all costs isn’t the only, or best, path to success.

Takeaways

• Building your team before pursuing new clients creates better outcomes, stronger retention, and less operational chaos.
• Matching experienced talent with clients who value quality work is a competitive advantage that fuels long-term success.
• “Responsible growth” focused on sustainability and retention often outperforms scale-at-all-costs strategies.
• Hiring strategic generalists with deep experience creates flexibility, reduces silos, and improves client service.
• Flexibility, autonomy, and work-life balance are powerful retention tools, especially for senior talent and working parents.
• Staying partially involved in client work helps leaders make better strategic decisions and stay connected to their team’s reality.

Connect with Mary:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marygreen2/
• Company Website: https://stratagess.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Taylor Adams, Co-Founder of The Creative Agency, to break down how influencer management is redefining modern marketing. Taylor shares how starting as a content creator herself led to an unexpected pivot from social media management to building a fast-growing talent agency.

The conversation explores how influencer marketing actually works, why brands are shifting budgets away from traditional advertising, and what it takes to scale an agency while protecting culture and avoiding burnout. Taylor also discusses the importance of listening to market signals, prioritizing communication, and building flexible opportunities for both creators and team members.

Takeaways:

• Following market demand instead of forcing a fixed business model creates faster, more sustainable growth.
• Personal experience can be a powerful competitive advantage when it directly informs how you serve clients.
• Influencer marketing is a cost-effective alternative to traditional advertising because creators handle production and audience engagement themselves.
• Treating creators like professionals through contracts, branding, and reliability unlocks greater monetization opportunities.
• Strong communication and culture are essential to scaling without burnout or sacrificing client satisfaction.

Connect with Taylor:

• Taylor:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorcolemanadams/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorcolemanadams/
  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorcolemanadams
• The Creative Agency:
  • Company Website: https://www.thecreativeagencyboston.com/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativeagencyhq/
  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreativeagencyhq

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

On this special re-air episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, we take a journey back in time to learn the importance of prioritization with Johanna Bates and Erin Fogel, Co-Founders of DevCollaborative, a web development firm focused on the nonprofit sector.

The conversation explores how organizations, regardless of size or budget, face endless ideas and “wish lists,” and how the discipline of prioritization is essential for focusing on what truly drives impact. The episode breaks down what effective prioritization really requires today: ongoing alignment of resources with goals, transparent communication about trade-offs, and the courage to say “no” when necessary.

Takeaways:

• Prioritize values alignment and mission over short-term profit
• Design accessible, sustainable solutions for long-term client impact
• Invest in community and client relationships instead of traditional marketing
• Diversify revenue streams to weather uncertainty
• Build a supportive culture that protects team work-life balance

Connect with Johanna & Erin:

• DevCollaborative: https://devcollaborative.com/
• Email: hi@devcollaborative.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour