Launching a rocket ship agency
This article focuses on the critical decisions you must make when launching an agency, particularly if rapid growth is your goal. It’s important to note that not every agency aspires to fast growth, and that’s perfectly fine. However, if rapid expansion is your objective, you must be intentional from the start. Early on, this means making deliberate choices and being willing to say no to certain opportunities to stay focused on your goals.
Stephen began his career in 2012 at an agency called Branded3, joining as the 33rd employee. When Stephen left in 2018, the team had grown to 250 people. Since Branded3 was founded while Stephen was still in school, Stephen can’t speak to the early decisions made during its inception, but Stephen was fortunate to witness and contribute to its remarkable growth.
Most of the time, clients aren’t thinking about them—even the ones who work with them don’t think about them often. Tehy’re usually just a tiny part of their day. As for prospects or potential clients, 95% of the time, they’re not actively considering how to hire their next agency. They only think of us when they show up in their feed or land in their inbox. That’s why maintaining a strong pipeline is essential—it’s the only way to stay on their radar and drive results.
When it comes to growth—whether you’re building a rocket-ship agency or scaling your team—having a solid pipeline is essential. Just as you create a structured sales pipeline to drive revenue, you need a similar process for recruitment if you aim to grow your headcount (though growth may not always be your goal).
Start by understanding the talent market. Who’s out there? Conduct market research to determine whether your agency will be remote-first, local, or a hybrid of both. What does the talent pool look like? Who are the best candidates for your team? Next, define your value proposition as an employer. What do potential hires want from their job? Is it flexibility, remote opportunities, competitive pensions, or the chance to work with exciting brands? Identify your target segment and tailor your agency’s offering to attract them.
This approach mirrors your thoughts about clients— aligning your product or service with their needs. Ideally, your client and recruitment strategies will overlap, reinforcing each other. But it all starts with having a pipeline in place for both. Thoughtful planning and alignment are key to sustainable growth.
