How to Build a Thriving Woman-Owned Digital Agency

<p>Are you a female agency owner struggling to grow? Ever wonder if a friendship can survive the daily struggles of agency life? Women are underrepresented in agency ownership and management, yet producing a lot of the work agencies are doing. The industry can use more female-owned digital agencies, don't you agree?</p> <p>In this episode, we'll cover:</p> <ul> <li>2 basic foundations of a successful agency.</li> <li>Can friendship survive agency partnership?</li> <li>3 tips for succeeding as a woman-owned digital agency</li> </ul> <p>Erika Waters is a Founding Partner for <a href= "https://hellobrightspot.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bright Spot Creative</a>, a marketing strategy and creative agency in Texas, which she started with her best friend nine years ago. The two met while working as the only in-house employees at a 30-year-old boutique agency. Initially, Erika and her partner were set to <a href="https://jasonswenk.com/acquire-established-agency/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquire the small agency</a> but when that deal fell through, they decided to start their own.</p> <h2>2 Basic Foundations of a Successful Agency</h2> <p>"The first thing we were focused on was putting foundations and processes in place," Erika says of Bright Spot Creative's beginnings. One of the first tasks on the list was hiring a good accountant. "We knew we didn't want to do our own books, but we wanted to know enough to be able to talk about them if someone asked."</p> <p>Next, the two women needed to figure out what type of agency they wanted and the type of services they wanted to provide. While they recruited some old clients to the new agency, Erika says they tried to be intentional and truly focus on the type of clients they wanted to attract.</p> <h2>Can Friendship Survive Agency Partnership?</h2> <p>Erika and her business partner don't just work together. They are best friends outside of work. Their children are friends and their families spend time together. Through the first several months of the agency, the