Le Chéile Blog
Le Chéile Blog
Why Founders Need to Take Time Off—Without Guilt
In a powerful solo episode of our podcast Agency Darlings™, Melissa Lohrer delivers a timely reminder that every founder needs to hear: rest is not a luxury—it’s a strategic advantage. Drawing from her own experience with burnout and recovery, she shares why stepping away from the business is not only healthy, but essential to long-term performance and creativity.
Whether you're deep in scaling mode or simply trying to hold it all together, this post is your permission slip to pause, reset, and take time off without guilt.
Burnout Is Real—And It’s Costing You More Than You Think
Melissa doesn’t sugarcoat it: burnout among women in leadership is widespread. Nearly half report experiencing it—and yet so many still feel pressure to “push through.” But ignoring burnout doesn’t make you stronger. It makes your business more vulnerable. When founders don’t rest, performance suffers, clarity fades, and decision-making weakens. That’s a business risk, not just a personal one.
Taking Time Off Isn’t Indulgent—It’s High Performance
One of the standout points Melissa makes? Vacation breaks can actually increase performance by up to 80%. Let that sink in. Time off isn't about slacking—it's about sharpening your edge. Just like elite athletes build recovery into their training, agency founders need to structure regular breaks into their schedules in order to sustain growth.
Build a Real Vacation Schedule—And Stick to It
Melissa shares a simple and effective formula: book two weeks off per quarter—one for a true getaway, and one for a staycation or personal time. That’s not a luxury. That’s maintenance. You wouldn’t drive a car 100,000 miles without a tune-up—so don’t do it to yourself.
Let Go of the Guilt
This might be the hardest part, especially for women. We’re often conditioned to feel guilty when we unplug. But as Melissa points out, taking care of yourself doesn’t make you less committed to your business—it makes you more valuable to it. When you're well-rested, you're a better leader, clearer thinker, and more creative problem solver.
Final Thought
Melissa’s message is simple but powerful: you are your business’s most valuable asset. Prioritizing rest is one of the smartest things you can do for your performance, your people, and your long-term success. Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build sustainable habits around rest and recovery, so you can lead with energy and clarity without burning out.
So go ahead—block the calendar, book the time, and take the break. You’ve earned it.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
The Agency Owner’s Compass: 3 Pillars to Scale With Confidence
Every agency founder reaches a moment where grit and talent alone aren’t enough to grow. You’ve built something successful, but now you’re asking: What’s next? How do I scale this sustainably—without burning out or losing control?
The answer lies in mastering three key pillars we call the Agency Owner’s Compass: Vision, Lead Generation, and Profitability. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the non-negotiables for building an agency that’s built to last.
1. Vision: Know Where You’re Headed
Without a clear vision, even the most talented founder can drift. Your vision isn’t just a mission statement—it’s your strategic North Star. It should guide every offer you create, every hire you make, and every decision that shapes your agency’s future.
If things feel off, unclear, or reactive, it’s time to pause and revisit your goals. Are you building a business that aligns with the life you want, or are you simply reacting to demand?
Clarity in vision creates clarity in action.
2. Lead Generation: Stop Relying on Referrals Alone
Referrals are powerful—but they’re not a strategy. They’re a reflection of your past work, not a lever for future growth.
If you’re relying solely on word-of-mouth, you’re letting your past dictate your pipeline. To truly grow, you need a proactive, repeatable lead generation system that includes:
Strategic content that builds trust and authority
Targeted outreach that positions your agency as a valuable partner
Relationship-building through events, community, and collaborations
A strong lead gen engine gives you control over your growth—so you’re not waiting on luck or client generosity to hit your next revenue goal.
3. Profitability: The Backbone of Sustainable Growth
You can’t scale what’s not profitable.
Too many agency owners grow revenue while silently bleeding cash. To ensure long-term sustainability, you need to deeply understand your financials.
A few guideposts:
Keep labor costs (contractors, employees, owner pay) under 60% of revenue
Aim for a 15–25% profit margin
Build confidence in your pricing by knowing your numbers inside and out
When your agency is profitable, you gain flexibility: to invest, to hire, to pay yourself well, and to weather slow seasons without panic.
Selling with Confidence (Without Feeling Salesy)
Sales doesn’t have to feel like pushing. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable on discovery calls or struggled to hold your rates, it might be time to reframe your mindset.
You’re not “selling yourself”—you’re offering a clear solution to someone’s real problem.
When you lead with curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and listen deeply, you can position your services as the obvious answer. That’s when sales starts to feel natural—and empowering.
Final Thought
Scaling an agency isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about doing fewer things better. When you lead with a clear vision, build systems that drive growth, and stay laser-focused on profitability, you create a business that’s not just successful on paper—but one that supports the life you actually want to live.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build and refine your own version of the Agency Owner’s Compass to scale sustainably and confidently.
Want help building or refining your own version of the Agency Owner’s Compass? That’s exactly what we do at Le Chéile.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Ready to Grow? Avoid These Common Scaling Pitfalls
Growth is the goal for every agency owner. It means opportunity, success, and forward momentum. But growing isn’t just about signing more clients or hitting bigger revenue targets. It’s about managing growth the right way so you don’t lose what makes your agency unique.
What You Don’t Want
Losing your team’s trust in your leadership and process
Breaking your backend systems under pressure
Sacrificing the quality that built your name and reputation
These are the risks that keep many founders awake at night.
Fear of Growth Isn’t Fear of Success
Most agency owners aren’t afraid of growth itself—they’re afraid of the chaos that comes if growth is unmanaged. Burnout, internal friction, slipping client satisfaction, and a breakdown in systems aren’t inevitable, but they are very real risks without a solid plan.
Growth Is Inevitable. Chaos Is Optional.
If you’re feeling that edge-of-the-cliff moment—where things are moving too fast and you’re worried about losing control—you’re not alone. That’s your cue to pause, reassess, and build a smarter growth strategy.
A Better Plan Means Sustainable Growth
You need a plan that protects your team, strengthens your operations, and keeps your quality standards high. Growth doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or destructive. When done intentionally, it’s exciting, manageable, and rewarding.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build smart growth strategies that protect your team and preserve your agency’s unique value.
Take Control Before Chaos Takes Over
Don’t wait for burnout or breakdowns to force your hand. Start building a thoughtful, strategic plan now that will help you scale your agency while preserving the values and quality that got you here.
Your team, your clients, and your future self will thank you.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Your May Pipeline Wasn’t Just You.
If you’re like most agency founders I’ve talked to, May was rough. Possibly the slowest sales month since April 2020.
And it makes sense.
Uncertainty was in the air—economic shifts, buyer hesitation, longer decision cycles. Clients were cautious, slow to commit, or just ghosting entirely.
So what do you do about that?
You build a sales process that protects your time, filters out the noise, and puts you in conversation only with leads who are actually ready for you.
Start With the Website Form. (Yes, Really.)
One of the most overlooked tools in your business?
Your intake form.
A curated, thoughtful website form that screens leads before you ever get on a call will save you more hours (and emotional energy) than any pitch script ever will.
It seems basic—but skipping this step is how you end up:
On sales calls with totally unaligned prospects
Sending proposals out of obligation, not opportunity
Getting ghosted after what felt like a “great” conversation
A smart form sets the tone. It filters for readiness, fit, and budget before anyone hits your calendar.
Ask the Uncomfortable Questions Early
Here’s where most founders hesitate: asking the tough-but-necessary questions during discovery.
You don’t need to be pushy. You do need to get clear on:
Budget (actual numbers, not vague ranges)
Timeline and urgency
Decision-makers and red tape
Their level of investment in solving the problem
These aren’t “sales” questions—they’re leadership questions. You’re not just selling services; you’re guiding strategy. And strategy requires clarity.
A Better Process = A Stronger Business
The agencies that weather uncertain seasons are the ones that don’t spin their wheels on leads who were never ready in the first place.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build sales processes that filter out unqualified leads and protect your valuable time.
Clean up your pipeline. Curate your discovery process. Ask better questions. Protect your time.
And remember: a slower season isn’t a failure—it’s feedback.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Pipeline Problems? Let’s Fix That.
If you're an agency founder relying on word-of-mouth and referrals, you're not alone—but you are leaving your revenue to chance. Pipeline gaps can create feast-or-famine cycles that wear you (and your team) down fast. The good news? You don’t need to be glued to LinkedIn or cold pitching into the void to find clients. Building a pipeline can be strategic, sustainable, and yes—even enjoyable.
Let’s get honest: it’s time to take business development off the backburner. Whether you’re coming out of a slow season or feeling the pressure of inconsistent leads, there’s a way forward that doesn’t feel gross or exhausting.
A Smarter Way to Fill Your Pipeline
Here’s a three-tier approach that works—because it’s rooted in relationships, not random outreach:
1. Past Clients
This is the fastest route to revenue. Think of clients who loved working with you—are they due for a refresh? A new offer? A strategic check-in? Too many founders finish a project and never follow up. A simple message could reignite a high-value partnership.
2. Past Leads
Don’t sleep on the “maybes” and “not now’s.” Go back through your pipeline and re-engage folks who were once interested. Sometimes timing, budget, or internal alignment was the only blocker. A well-crafted follow-up (we’ve got scripts for this) can bring them back into the conversation.
3. New Leads
Fresh energy matters—but you don’t need to cold pitch 100 strangers. Focus on creating content that resonates, building thought leadership, and initiating quality conversations. The key? Less spam, more strategy.
Take the Ick Out of Business Development
Business development often feels awkward because it’s done in a panic. But when you pace yourself and build genuine momentum, the whole process gets easier. No chasing. No begging. Just aligned outreach and consistent effort.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build sustainable pipelines through strategic, relationship-driven business development.
Ghosted by a lead? Use clear, professional follow-up language. Stuck in “maybe” limbo? Set boundaries and timelines. We coach clients through this every week—and once they adopt a calm, confident follow-up process, their pipelines stop feeling so unpredictable.
Here’s what we remind them (and ourselves):
You’re not being annoying. You’re offering a solution.
Silence isn’t a “no.” But it’s not a “yes” either—know when to move on.
No proposal without commitment. Stop sending unpaid labor into the void.
Referrals are not a growth strategy. They’re a bonus.
Your Pipeline Is a Mirror
If your pipeline feels dry or chaotic, it’s probably reflecting your pace, mindset, or systems. There’s no shame in that—it’s common. But now’s the time to reset.
Think of your biz dev strategy as part of your leadership. When you approach it consistently and calmly, it creates sustainable growth—not just financial stability, but team clarity, client alignment, and long-term peace of mind.
Stop treating business development like a sprint to pay the bills. Start seeing it as a rhythm that builds your business for the future.
You’ve got this.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Success Isn’t Just Strategy—It’s Alignment
For agency founders, success is often measured in revenue milestones, team size, and client wins. But what if the real path to growth isn’t about doing more—it’s about aligning more deeply with what actually lights you up?
We’ve worked with hundreds of creative entrepreneurs scaling their businesses—and here's what we’ve learned: the most sustainable success comes from alignment. Not hustle. Not chasing someone else’s version of “big.” But from clarity, intentionality, and the courage to make decisions that reflect your values and vision.
This idea was at the center of an older Agency Darlings™ conversation with Amanda, who brought a grounded perspective on manifestation—backed by neuroscience, mindset work, and her own lived experience. Whether you're skeptical of the “woo” or all in, this framework can help you shift from spinning your wheels to moving with purpose.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you align your business and mindset to build clarity and sustainable growth.
Clarity, Alignment, Embodiment: A New Framework for Founders
At the heart of Amanda’s work is a three-part framework that’s simple—but transformational:
1. Clarity
Get clear on what you actually want. Not what looks good on paper, not what your industry says is next—but what feels genuinely exciting to you. The vision that makes you lean in. Most agency founders never pause long enough to define this—and end up building businesses that look successful but feel off.
2. Alignment
Once you’re clear, your choices should reflect that clarity. This means saying no to opportunities that don’t support your long-term vision—even if they’re lucrative or flattering. Alignment is the bridge between knowing and doing.
3. Embodiment
This is where mindset meets action. Embodiment means making decisions, showing up, and leading your team as the version of you that already believes it’s possible. It’s trusting your gut, staying rooted in your goals, and moving forward even when it feels uncomfortable.
You Don’t Need to Hustle Harder—You Need to Get Clearer
So many founders stay stuck in patterns of overwork and under-fulfillment because they’re chasing goals that aren’t truly theirs. If you feel like something’s missing—even when things look “successful” from the outside—it might be time to reassess what you’re building and why.
Ask yourself:
Am I excited by the vision I’m chasing, or just checking off milestones?
Do my offers, clients, and schedule reflect the life I actually want?
What would I build if I let go of fear, scarcity, or pressure to prove myself?
Your answers might surprise you.
Trust Yourself Enough to Make Hard Choices
Alignment isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it looks like walking away from a high-paying client who drains your team. Or turning down work that doesn’t support your long-term goals. Or shifting your business model entirely because the old one no longer fits.
But those choices create space. Space for better clients. Clearer positioning. More creativity. Deeper fulfillment. The kind of success that actually feels good.
You don’t need to burn everything down to reset. But you do need to be honest—with yourself, your business, and the future you want to build.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the messy middle of change, you’re not alone. Every founder hits that point where the old way no longer fits—but the new way isn’t fully clear yet. That’s okay. Keep asking better questions. Keep aligning your choices with your clarity. Keep trusting that building a business around what lights you up isn’t naive—it’s the smartest strategy you’ve got.
Want to go deeper into alignment, clarity, and decision-making as a founder? You might enjoy Amanda’s conversation on Agency Darlings™—an older episode packed with practical tools and powerful mindset shifts.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
What Happens When Success No Longer Feels Like Alignment?
As an agency founder, you're constantly making decisions—about clients, growth, strategy, and leadership. But amid the daily momentum of running a business, it’s easy to wake up one day and wonder: Is this the business I actually meant to build?
Misalignment doesn't always show up as failure. Often, it hides inside success that no longer feels good. A full roster of clients. Revenue growth. Press features. And still... something feels off.
This conversation is from an older episode of Agency Darlings™, where we spoke with Bonnie Wan—author of The Life Brief and two-time Chief Strategy Officer of the Year—about how agency leaders can reset and realign when growth starts to feel disconnected from purpose.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you realign your business and leadership to build sustainable, values-driven growth.
The Four Misalignment Traps Holding Founders Back
We see it all the time in the creative agency space. Founders who are outwardly thriving but inwardly stuck. Here are four common traps:
1. Chasing Revenue Instead of Intentional Growth
There’s a difference between scaling up and scaling smart. Revenue for revenue’s sake can leave you with bloated teams, misfit clients, and low margins. Intentional growth starts with defining what success looks like—on your own terms.
2. Ignoring Personal Values in Business Decisions
If you’ve ever said yes to a project that didn’t sit right—or found yourself building a company culture that doesn’t reflect your own values—you’re not alone. When your business doesn’t support your life, burnout follows.
3. Losing Creativity Under Industry Pressure
Clients want results. The industry wants innovation. And somewhere in between, you lose the spaciousness that creativity needs to thrive. When every hour is billable and every decision is urgent, your best ideas don’t stand a chance.
4. No Time for Deep Thinking or Self-Reflection
Strategic clarity doesn’t come from being constantly “on.” It comes from space—white space. Leaders need time to think, to reassess, and to make decisions from a place of intention, not reactivity.
Scaling Without Sacrificing Yourself
You can grow your agency without giving up what matters. But it requires a mindset shift: from chasing growth to designing alignment.
This means:
Defining success beyond client work and cash flow
Reconnecting to your creativity as a leader
Building in time for pause, reflection, and realignment
Making decisions not just for the business, but for your life
When you reconnect to your personal vision, everything else follows—from how you price and package your services to how you structure your team.
Define Success on Your Own Terms
Success doesn’t need to look like an 8-figure exit or a 30-person team. Maybe it looks like a profitable, values-driven studio that pays you well, respects your time, and makes space for your creativity. Maybe it looks like a new model entirely.
But you can’t design it if you’re afraid to ask the big questions.
If you’re feeling the tension between where your agency is and where you want it to be—this is your invitation to pause. Reflect. Get honest. And give yourself the clarity you need to build with intention.
Because the most successful founders aren’t just chasing growth—they’re aligned with it.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
The Myth of “I’m Bad at Sales”: Lessons from Melissa’s Solo Episode
In a recent episode of Agency Darlings™, Melissa Lohrer goes solo to tackle a common misconception that holds many agency owners back: the idea that some people are just “bad at sales.” Melissa shares her personal journey and insights that show sales is not an innate talent—it's a learnable skill. This post dives into the key lessons she shared on why sales doesn’t have to feel scary, especially for women, and how anyone can develop confidence in business development.
Sales is a Skill, Not a Trait
Melissa breaks down the myth that you’re either “born” good at sales or you’re not. Instead, she explains that sales is a skill that anyone can improve over time with practice. Importantly, women often have natural problem-solving abilities that give them a unique edge in sales conversations. The key is to leverage these strengths and stop doubting your potential before you even start.
Lead With Listening, Not Pitching
One of Melissa’s biggest takeaways is that successful sales calls focus less on pitching and more on listening. She encourages agency owners to approach calls as problem-solving sessions—where you ask insightful questions, diagnose the client’s real challenges, and build meaningful connections. Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you develop authentic sales conversations that build trust and drive meaningful client connections. This shifts the dynamic from “selling” to collaborating, making the process more authentic and effective.
Clarity is Key: Focus on the Next Step
Instead of rushing to send proposals, Melissa advises focusing on clarifying the next step in the conversation. This could mean setting up a follow-up call or agreeing on what the client needs before jumping into contract details. This approach prevents wasted time on proposals that aren’t a good fit and helps maintain clarity throughout the sales process.
Change Your Mindset: From “Bad at Sales” to Problem Solver
Melissa’s message is clear: stop framing yourself as “bad at sales.” You’re already skilled at building relationships, which is the foundation of any good sales process. By shifting your mindset to see yourself as a problem solver and guide, you can remove the pressure and discomfort often associated with sales.
Final Thoughts
Melissa’s solo episode offers actionable, empowering advice for anyone hesitant about sales. Sales isn’t about pushing or convincing—it’s about listening, understanding, and helping clients make informed decisions. If you’re ready to rethink sales and embrace your natural strengths, Melissa’s insights are a great place to start.
For the full episode and more practical advice, be sure to check out Melissa’s solo conversation on our podcast.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Agency Growth, Confidence & the Long Game: Lessons from Carrie Kerpen
As agency founders, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of always chasing what’s next—new clients, bigger projects, faster growth. But sustainable success doesn’t come from constant motion. It comes from intentional growth, resilience, and building strong foundations.
In an earlier conversation with Carrie Kerpen, founder of a successful social media agency, we explored the real story behind scaling an agency—beyond the highlight reel. Carrie’s journey is filled with hard-won insights about leadership, confidence, and building a business that lasts. Her perspective is especially valuable for women navigating agency life with both ambition and heart.
Relationships Drive Growth
One of the clearest takeaways from Carrie’s journey is that strong client relationships are everything. While it’s tempting to always be focused on new business, retention is where real momentum builds. Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you deepen client relationships and build strong foundations for intentional, sustainable growth. Long-term clients trust you more, refer you often, and cost far less to retain than to replace. Prioritizing relationship-building pays dividends—financially and emotionally.
Lead with Confidence, Not People-Pleasing
Confidence isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. Carrie shared how believing in her value allowed her to set boundaries, say no to the wrong opportunities, and charge rates that matched the quality of work. Especially for women in leadership, this kind of self-trust can be game-changing. Being a confident founder isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about backing yourself through uncertainty.
Growth Is Rarely Linear
No agency story is all wins and upward momentum. The truth? There are tough calls, moments of doubt, failed experiments, and messy middle stages. Carrie’s candid reflections on the non-linear nature of success remind us that the “in-between” moments are just as much a part of growth as the wins.
“The truth behind every success story is there’s a lot of lessons, failures, and moments of doubt.”
You Can Build a Business That Supports Your Life
The hustle myth is loud—but Carrie’s story offers a different narrative: one where you can grow a profitable, respected business and have space for your life. With the right systems, support, and clarity around your goals, balance isn’t a pipe dream—it’s a strategy.
Your Personal Brand Matters
Carrie also touched on the power of personal branding for agency founders. Showing up consistently, building thought leadership, and letting people connect with you makes your agency more relatable, memorable, and valuable—especially when it comes to attracting aligned clients or future buyers.
Whether you’re in the early days or deep into scaling your agency, Carrie’s journey is a reminder to build with vision, lead with clarity, and never underestimate the power of staying true to yourself along the way.
Check out this older episode of Agency Darlings™ here!
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Building a Strong Co-Founder Relationship: The Key to Scaling Your Business
Starting and growing a business with a partner can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences you’ll face as a founder. At the heart of every successful co-founder relationship are trust, transparency, and complementary skills that create a balanced and resilient partnership.
The Foundation: Trust and Communication
Trust doesn’t happen overnight—it’s cultivated through consistent, open communication and shared values. Taking the time early on to build this trust ensures you and your co-founder stay aligned on vision and work ethics. Transparency about finances, responsibilities, and decisions is non-negotiable. It avoids misunderstandings and costly mistakes, making sure both partners feel equally informed and valued.
Complementary Strengths Fuel Growth
Successful partnerships thrive when each co-founder brings unique but complementary skills to the table. It’s not about being polar opposites but about balancing each other’s strengths and filling in gaps. Knowing your own strengths while being ready to lean on your partner fosters a culture where ego has no place, and collaboration drives the business forward.
Choosing the Right Partner and Setting Expectations
Before jumping into a co-founder relationship, it’s essential to pause and evaluate if your goals, values, and work ethics truly align. Rushing into a partnership without this clarity can cause friction down the line. A strong partnership requires commitment from both sides and a willingness to communicate openly—even during tough times.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build strong partnerships by fostering trust, transparency, and complementary collaboration—essential foundations for sustainable growth.
Why This Matters for Long-Term Success
When trust and transparency form the backbone of your co-founder relationship, you create a foundation strong enough to weather challenges and scale effectively. Clear communication helps prevent conflicts, and complementary skills ensure that all aspects of the business are covered efficiently. Leaning on each other and supporting one another through highs and lows turns a business partnership into a powerful growth engine.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Why Tiered Pricing and Painkiller Positioning Are Game-Changers for Your Agency
If you’re an agency founder, you’ve probably noticed how exhausting it can be to constantly reinvent scopes or struggle to sell work that should land easily. The secret to scaling without burnout? Stop offering “nice to have” options and start creating services your clients truly can’t live without.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you craft offers that solve urgent client problems—so your sales conversations move faster, conversions improve, and client retention grows.
What is Painkiller Positioning?
It all comes down to painkiller positioning—crafting offers that speak directly to urgent client problems. When you do this, your sales conversations move faster, conversions improve, and client retention grows. The key is to shift your focus from vague, “maybe later” outcomes to real, pressing challenges your clients face every day.
The Power of Tiered Pricing
One of the biggest shifts you can make is adopting tiered pricing. Offering clear, standardized tiers lets clients choose the level of service that fits their needs while protecting your time and energy. Even better, anchoring your pricing with a high-ticket tier—one that might not get picked often—boosts how valuable all your packages feel in comparison. And when you space out your price points with meaningful gaps (think 1.5x or more), clients understand the clear difference in value between each tier.
Streamlining with Standardized Offers
Ditching custom scoping for every project isn’t about lowering standards—it’s about creating efficiency and clarity for both you and your clients. When your tiers are set up right, sales become less about endless negotiations and more about matching clients with the right solution. If you find yourself constantly negotiating rates down, it’s usually not a pricing problem but a positioning one.
Why Clients Buy and How You Can Serve Them Better
Remember, clients don’t buy based on vibes—they buy because they’re in pain and need help now. Without structure, you risk burning out trying to be everything to everyone. A thoughtful, tiered approach frees you to focus on delivering your best work consistently, scaling your agency sustainably.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Why Organic Growth and Client Retention Are Your Agency’s Secret Weapons
For many agency founders, the chase for new clients can feel relentless—always hustling to bring in new business, worried about the next project landing, and burning out in the process.
But what if the real growth engine isn’t chasing new clients, but nurturing the ones you already have?
At Le Chéile, we help creative agencies build client retention systems that turn one-off projects into long-term partnerships—fueling steady growth with less hustle.
In a recent episode of Agency Darlings™, Melissa and I took a deep dive into the power of organic growth and how investing in long-term client relationships can bring more stability, higher profit margins, and less stress.
The Case for Retention Over Constant Acquisition
Here’s the reality: client retention costs way less than acquisition. Research shows it’s 5 to 25 times more expensive to bring in new clients than to keep existing ones happy. Yet so many agencies overlook this powerful lever.
By focusing on deepening relationships and turning one-off projects into ongoing partnerships, you create a more sustainable revenue base and reduce the pressure of always hunting for the next deal.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How to transform initial projects into longer-term brand partnerships that keep clients coming back
Why client retention drives stability and better profit margins
Offboarding strategies that keep the door open for future work
Communication touchpoints that keep your agency top-of-mind between projects
How to spot and present expansion opportunities clients actually want—not just upsells
Actionable Takeaways You Can Use Today
Invest in retention: Focus your energy on keeping current clients happy to reduce the strain on new business efforts.
Make offboarding intentional: Don’t just drop deliverables—schedule a handoff call to ensure clients feel supported and valued.
Implement 90-day check-ins: Follow up post-launch to catch any issues and deepen your connection.
Use data strategically: Stay involved in your clients’ evolving needs and adjust your offerings accordingly.
Track your revenue sources: Regularly review how much income comes from existing clients versus new ones, and shift your focus toward retention when it makes sense.
Real Talk Moments
Retention beats acquisition: New clients are great, but keeping existing ones saves time, money, and energy.
Relationship-based sales win: It’s not just about closing the deal—it’s about building partnerships that evolve over time.
Offboarding is a relationship tool: Ending a project well sets the stage for future collaborations and referrals.
If you want a smoother path to growth with less burnout, start by investing in your existing clients. Build systems, touchpoints, and conversations that keep them engaged and eager to work with you again.
Curious for more? Tune into the full episode of Agency Darlings™ for deeper insights and practical strategies.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Mastering Your Sales Process: How to Attract and Close High-Ticket Clients with Confidence
Sales. It’s the lifeblood of any agency, yet for many founders, it feels like the most stressful and confusing part of the job. Especially when you’re aiming for high-ticket clients, the stakes—and the pressure—only go up.
But here’s the good news: building a clear, structured sales process can change the game.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build clear, confident sales processes that attract and close high-ticket clients—without the burnout.
In a recent episode of Agency Darlings™, Melissa and I dove deep into how to create a sales process designed to attract, qualify, and close high-ticket clients—without the burnout or chasing leads that go nowhere.
Why You Need a Thoughtful Sales Process
High-ticket clients aren’t just bigger paychecks—they’re relationships that require care, clear communication, and trust. Without a well-oiled process, you risk wasting precious time on leads that aren’t a fit, or worse, sending proposals into a black hole.
A thoughtful sales process lets you:
Engage the right leads early
Qualify prospects efficiently
Build genuine personal connections
Save time by focusing only on serious buyers
Close deals faster and with more confidence
Nurture long-term client relationships for sustainable growth
Key Stages to Nail
1. Lead Qualification
Create a lead qualification form to collect vital info upfront. This saves you time on calls and ensures you’re speaking only with prospects who match your ideal client profile.
2. Set Expectations for Sales Calls
Control the agenda by setting clear goals for each call. Focus on listening more than pitching—your goal is to understand your client’s needs so you can position your offer as the right solution.
3. Follow-Up with Purpose
Use a structured follow-up sequence—say, a three-step email series—to keep the conversation moving without chasing leads endlessly. If they’re not responding after this, it’s okay to move on.
4. Discovery Calls That Put Clients First
Make the client do most of the talking. This uncovers their pain points and timelines, allowing you to tailor your proposal to what truly matters to them.
5. Timing Is Everything
Never send a proposal without confirming your prospect’s timeline and readiness. Proposals are tools to move the process forward—not magic guarantees.
Real Talk Moments You Can’t Ignore
Qualify before you buy: Don’t waste time chasing leads who aren’t a fit. Use forms and initial touchpoints to filter out low-budget or uncommitted prospects early.
The power of personal connection: Engage potential clients before the call through content and DMs. It makes sales conversations warmer, easier, and more authentic.
No proposal without timing: A proposal sent too early is wasted effort. Confirm the client’s timeline and budget first.
Test for commitment: Small asks like scheduling the next call or agreeing to a proposal help reveal who’s truly interested.
Follow-up wisely: Follow-up sequences help you gauge interest, but don’t overdo it—if they’re not responding, focus on warmer leads.
Build Your Sales Process Like a Pro
Sales doesn’t have to feel slimy or stressful. With the right strategy and tools, you can attract and close high-ticket clients confidently—and build lasting relationships that fuel your agency’s growth.
Ready to build a sales process that works for you? Check out the full episode of Agency Darlings™ where Melissa and I break down everything you need to know to sell smarter, not harder.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
What CMOs Really Want From Agencies (And How to Pitch Like a Pro)
If you’ve ever walked away from a client pitch wondering, “Did that actually land?”—you’re not alone.
For many boutique creative agency founders, pitching can feel like a mix of intuition, experience, and hopeful guesswork. But what if you could hear directly from someone who’s sat on both sides of the table—agency and brand?
In a recent episode of Agency Darlings™, we sat down with Rebecca Sollinger, Chief Brand Officer at ARMRA, who’s worked with top-tier agencies like Droga5 and RoAndCo, and led brand growth at lifestyle companies like Sakara Life and Quiksilver.
Her advice? Cut the noise, get to the point—and know your worth.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you pitch with clarity, confidence, and strategic depth.
Inside the Mind of a Modern CMO
The role of the CMO has evolved dramatically. Today’s brand leaders aren’t just looking for splashy creative—they need strategic partners who understand the vision and the P&L.
Rebecca offered a rare, candid look into what CMOs actually want from their agency partners:
💡 Clear vision alignment
💡 Strategic thinking backed by business acumen
💡 Bold, but thoughtful, creative risks
💡 Honest, collaborative energy
And she reminded us: agency founders often make the best partners—because they understand what’s at stake.
How to Nail Your Next Pitch (Without the Fluff)
Rebecca didn’t hold back when it came to pitch advice—and her tips are a must-read for any agency trying to uplevel its client acquisition game:
✖️ Stop screen sharing your full deck
CMOs don’t want a 45-slide monologue. Send a pre-read, then use the live meeting to collaborate, not perform.
✔️ Lead with clarity, not volume
Show that you understand the brand’s values, audience, and business model—then bring the bold ideas.
✔️ Present two options: safe & stretch
CMOs want to see your range. Offer a grounded direction alongside a riskier extension—and frame both through a strategic lens.
✔️ Be transparent about AI and tools
Don’t hide your use of tech. Smart brand leaders appreciate efficiency—as long as creativity and thoughtfulness still lead.
Strategic Takeaways for Boutique Agencies
Whether you’re pitching a dream client or trying to retain a long-time one, Rebecca’s insight boils down to this: great agencies know who they are—and meet the moment with both boldness and humility.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
✔️ Clarify your agency’s vision. What do you stand for? What’s your unique lens on strategy and storytelling? Own it.
✔️ Ditch the ego. Bring the big ideas, but be open to “no.” Real partnership means co-creating—not pushing an agenda.
✔️ Pitch like a strategist, not a showman. Use meetings to ask smart questions and refine ideas together.
✔️ Know when to go bold—and when to rein it in. Confidence doesn’t mean recklessness. It means showing you understand nuance.
This episode is a must-listen for any agency leader asking:
“How do I earn trust, deliver value, and still stand out in a crowded market?”
Turns out, it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things—clearly, boldly, and in partnership with the clients who get it.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Agency Darlings™ featuring Rebecca Sollinger to go deeper into this conversation.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Building Smarter Teams: How Fractional Talent Can Fuel Agency Growth
As your agency grows, so does the pressure to hire right. But with uncertain markets, limited budgets, and a shifting workforce, the old hiring playbook doesn’t always apply.
That’s where fractional talent comes in—and if you’re still unsure what that even means, you’re not alone.
In a recent episode of Agency Darlings™, we sat down with Shaina Anderson, founder of Hello Generalist, who brings deep experience from scaling startups like Yelp and Choose. She’s seen firsthand how fractional support is transforming the way creative businesses build effective, flexible teams—without compromising on talent.
First, What Is Fractional Talent?
Let’s get one thing straight: fractional is not the same as freelance.
Freelancers tend to be task-based or deliverable-focused.
Fractional hires are often embedded leaders—think Heads of Ops, Project Managers, or Marketing Leads—who work part-time across multiple companies.
They bring strategic thinking, operational rigor, and senior-level expertise without the full-time price tag. For agency founders? That’s a game-changer.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build lean, high-performing teams—without overextending your payroll.
Why More Agencies Are Going Fractional
If you’ve ever asked:
“Should I hire full-time or fractional?”
“Do I really need a Director of Ops… or just 10 hours of support a week?”
You’re asking the right questions.
Shaina’s advice? Start with the problem—not the title. Too many founders get stuck in “word soup,” trying to define a role before they’ve defined the need.
Here’s how fractional hiring helps:
✅ Allows you to test and learn before making a long-term commitment
✅ Fills strategic gaps when full-time isn’t in the budget
✅ Keeps teams lean and high-performing during periods of flux or growth
✅ Offers access to high-caliber talent that may be out of reach full-time
“Fractional doesn’t mean flaky,” Shaina said. “These are often the most experienced people in the room.”
When Full-Time Makes More Sense
While fractional roles offer flexibility, there are times when a full-time hire is the smarter move:
You need dedicated leadership in a core function
The role requires deep cross-functional collaboration
You’re entering a new phase of growth and need consistency
It’s not either/or. It’s about choosing the right tool for the right job—and building your team structure to match your current business stage.
Hiring Is a Skill—Learn It
Shaina said it best: “Hiring is a skill, not a vibe.”
Here’s what that means for agency founders:
✔️ Build a repeatable process
Don’t just hire on gut instinct. Create a system to scope roles, assess fit, and refine over time.
✔️ Vet with small projects
Start with a clear, limited engagement to see how someone works before expanding the relationship.
✔️ Prioritize values AND skills
Culture fit is not fluff—it’s a leading indicator of retention and long-term success. Hire people who do the work well and do it with integrity.
✔️ Don’t chase titles—chase solutions
Sometimes, a sharp generalist is more impactful than a hyper-specialized hire in the wrong seat.
The Future of Work Is Flexible
Your business will evolve. Your team structure should too.
Fractional support gives you the freedom to scale intentionally, experiment with less risk, and build a team that aligns with your vision—without burning out your payroll or your people.
If you’re navigating hiring decisions or considering new team models, this episode is a must-listen. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about building smarter, more sustainable teams that grow with your business.
🎧 Catch the full episode of Agency Darlings™ with Shaina Anderson to dive deeper into the future of work, the rise of fractional roles, and what it really takes to build a high-performing team in today’s world.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Human First, AI Second: How Creative Agencies Can Use AI to Deepen Storytelling and Streamline Sales
There’s no shortage of AI talk in the agency world right now. But while many conversations focus on speed and automation, what if AI could actually help us connect more deeply, tell better stories, and sell more authentically?
That’s exactly what we explored in a recent episode of Agency Darlings™ with Patrice Poltzer, founder of My Story Pro—and former agency owner turned AI-driven content strategist.
Patrice brings a refreshing perspective: AI isn’t about replacing humans. It’s about amplifying what we do best.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you use AI to connect more deeply—not just move faster.
Here’s what we learned from her journey—and how you can apply it to your own agency.
The Shift from Automation to Humanization
Too often, AI gets framed as a shortcut. But Patrice sees it differently: a tool that uncovers human insight.
By using AI to gather audience data, analyze tone and behavior patterns, and even uncover untapped emotional drivers, you can craft stories that resonate more deeply—and sell more powerfully.
“AI should help us tell better stories, not just write more content,” Patrice shared. “It’s about going deeper, not faster.”
Real Business Lessons from a Pivot Point
Patrice’s evolution didn’t come from a textbook. It came from real life—relocating to Portugal, facing burnout, experimenting with a product that didn’t quite land, and choosing to pivot anyway.
Her story is a reminder to all founders: pivots often start with vulnerability.
She let go of what wasn’t working.
She leaned into experimentation.
She embraced AI—not as a threat, but as a growth tool.
How to Use AI Strategically in Your Agency
Here are some of the standout takeaways from the episode—especially for creative agency owners thinking about how to evolve without losing authenticity:
1. Use AI to Gather Insights for Storytelling
Instead of guessing what will land with your audience, use AI tools to analyze psychographics, track patterns, and surface emotional drivers. These insights fuel more targeted, emotionally resonant messaging.
2. Let AI Handle the Heavy Lifting
Patrice doesn’t use AI to create from scratch—she uses it to clear the clutter. That means using it for:
Data analysis
Drafting rough ideas
Automating parts of the sales process
So you can focus on what you do best: strategy, creative direction, and relationship-building.
3. Build Custom Tools to Streamline Sales
Patrice is experimenting with AI-driven tools to make high-ticket sales more personalized, not less—from smart chatbots to intelligent lead filters that help qualify prospects before a call even happens.
4. Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Use Case
Trying, testing, and iterating is the name of the game. Patrice's story proves that you don’t need a perfect plan to get started with AI—you just need the courage to try something new.
Embrace Change, Stay Human
As creative agency founders, we’re in a unique position: we have both the intuition and the tools to lead this new era of storytelling.
Patrice reminds us that success isn’t about keeping up with every tech trend—it’s about staying rooted in your values, experimenting bravely, and using technology to enhance connection, not replace it.
Want to hear more? Tune into the full Agency Darlings™ episode with Patrice Poltzer for a candid, insightful take on AI, storytelling, and navigating big pivots with purpose.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Pricing With Confidence: How to Own Your Value and Raise Your Rates Without Flinching
Pricing is one of the most emotionally charged parts of running a creative agency.
Whether you’re launching a new offer, raising rates on legacy clients, or fielding inquiries from price-sensitive leads, it’s easy to fall into self-doubt and second-guess your worth.
But here’s the truth: underpricing doesn’t just hurt your agency—it hurts the industry as a whole.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you price with clarity, confidence, and real value.
We dedicated an episode of Agency Darlings™ to this exact topic, and today I’m sharing key takeaways to help you own your value and price with clarity and confidence.
Why Underpricing Hurts More Than Your Bottom Line
When you set rates based on fear—or assumptions about what clients will pay—you create a fragile business. But it’s not just your margins that suffer:
Your team may burn out delivering high-value work at low rates.
You may resent clients who, in reality, simply took you at your word.
You reinforce the harmful industry norm that creative work should be “affordable” over profitable.
Raising your rates is more than a revenue move—it’s a mindset shift toward sustainability and leadership.
3 Mindset Shifts for Pricing Confidence
Pricing well starts in your head before it ever shows up in your proposals.
Here are a few mindset shifts that change the game:
You’re not selling hours—you’re selling outcomes.
Focus on the transformation or value your work provides, not the number of deliverables.Not everyone is your client—and that’s a good thing.
The right clients will see your rates as a reflection of your expertise, not a barrier.Saying “no” is a strategic act.
Holding your rates sets boundaries and creates space for better-fit clients to step in.
3 Strategies to Set and Hold Higher Rates
Once your mindset is in place, you need a solid pricing strategy to back it up:
🛠 1. Use a value-based pricing model
Align your pricing with the business impact your services create—not just time spent.
🛠 2. Script your objections ahead of time
Be ready for questions like:
"Why is your agency more expensive than others?"
Reframe with:
“We specialize in [niche], and our approach is built for long-term growth and results—what you're paying for is strategy, experience, and execution.”
🛠 3. Offer clarity and structure
Clear, tiered pricing options give clients confidence—and allow you to protect your time and margins.
Don’t Skip the Rest & Reflection
Here’s a bonus insight most people don’t talk about:
You can’t price with clarity when you’re running on fumes.
Rest and reflection give you the space to assess what’s working (and what isn’t) in your pricing model. It helps you course-correct, reframe, and recommit to building a business that serves you as well as your clients.
Want to go deeper on this topic? Check out our episode of Agency Darlings™ on pricing with confidence—we unpack all this and more with actionable strategies for agency founders at every stage.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Want a Clearer Picture of Your Agency’s Financial Health? Start Here.
As an agency founder, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of client work, team management, and delivery—while your numbers quietly drift into the background.
But here’s the thing: you can’t grow what you don’t understand.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you lead with financial clarity—not guesswork.
Knowing your financials isn’t just for tax season or your accountant—it’s essential to scaling your agency sustainably, paying yourself well, and avoiding burnout.
In a previous episode of Agency Darlings™, Melissa Lohrer and I broke down the core metrics every agency owner should know. Today, I’m sharing three of our go-to financial guidelines we use with clients at Le Chéile.
1. The 60% Rule: Keep Payroll Under Control
💰 Target: Keep your total payroll (contractors, employees and your own pay) under 60% of total revenue.
This single metric gives you a quick read on whether your team costs are sustainable—or if they’re eating into your margins. If you’re consistently above 60%, it’s time to review roles, capacity, and pricing.
2. Profit Goals: Aim for 15–25%
💰 Target: A 15–25% profit margin is a healthy sweet spot for creative and digital agencies.
Less than that, and you’re likely underpricing or overextended. More than that, and you may have room to reinvest in growth (or give yourself a well-deserved raise).
This margin ensures you have breathing room—for taxes, investments, slow seasons, and yes, profit distributions.
3. Revenue Planning: Start with the End in Mind
💰 Strategy: Instead of starting with how much you think you can make, reverse-engineer your revenue targets.
Add up your business expenses (tools, payroll, contractors)
Layer in your desired profit margin
That number? That’s your true revenue goal
This takes the guesswork out of goal setting and helps you plan for growth grounded in financial clarity—not hope.
Finances Don’t Have to Be Scary
Most agency owners I work with didn’t start their business because they loved spreadsheets—but learning a few key financial principles can transform how you lead and grow.
Start small. Track consistently. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Want more on this topic? Catch the full conversation on this episode of Agency Darlings™—we go deeper on what to track, how to budget, and where most agency founders go off course.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Business Development Doesn’t Have to Feel Gross: 4 Strategies for Agency Founders
Let’s be honest: business development is one of the most essential parts of growing your agency—and often, the most dreaded.
For many founders I work with, “sales” conjures up feelings of awkwardness, pressure, or just plain confusion. It feels slimy. It feels pushy. It feels like the opposite of why you started your agency in the first place.
But here’s the truth: business development doesn’t have to feel gross to be effective. In fact, when it’s done right, it can feel collaborative, aligned, and (dare I say it?) even enjoyable.
So how do we reframe business development from “ugh” to “aligned”?
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you turn business development from a chore into a growth engine.
Here are four strategies I live by—and that we help our clients achieve at Le Chéile.
1. Lead with a Relationship-Forward Approach
You’re in the business of creativity, not quick wins. The most sustainable agencies I know are built on strong, long-term relationships, not transactional deals.
That means treating biz dev like relationship-building:
Show up consistently.
Stay genuinely curious about what potential clients need.
Prioritize connection over conversion.
This doesn’t pay off overnight—but over time, it creates a flywheel of referrals, trust, and repeat clients.
2. Offer Tiered Options & Scalable Pricing
Not every lead is ready for your full-scope retainer—and that’s okay. Offering tiered services or entry-point offers allows you to meet clients where they are without discounting your value.
Think about:
Strategy-only packages
Audits or roadmapping sessions
Monthly consulting or fractional offers
This creates accessibility while keeping your pricing profitable and your time well-used.
3. Qualify Leads Before the Discovery Call
There’s nothing more draining than spending your energy on the wrong fit. That’s why lead qualification is a non-negotiable in your biz dev process.
Use:
Intake forms with key questions
Calendly buffers
Email screeners or referral filters
When you qualify leads upfront, you protect your time and your team—and make space for aligned, high-value clients.
4. Charge Profitable Rates with Confidence
The quickest way to dread sales? Quoting prices that don’t sustain your business. When you know your numbers, you sell with confidence.
This means:
Understanding your margins
Pricing for both profitability and deliverable scope
Backing your proposals with strategic clarity, not emotional negotiation
When you’re clear on the value and economics of what you offer, “selling” becomes easier—it’s simply offering aligned solutions to the right people.
Reframing Biz Dev as a Growth Channel (Not a Chore)
At its core, business development is about building trust and offering solutions. When you approach it with clarity, structure, and alignment, it becomes a powerful growth engine—not a chore on your to-do list.
Want to dive deeper into this topic? We broke it down in a recent episode of Agency Darlings™. Check it out if you want more real-talk around pricing, process, and playing the long game.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
The Hidden Cost of Overdelivering in Your Agency
As a boutique agency founder, going above and beyond for your clients probably feels like a badge of honor. After all, you built your business on delivering high-quality work and being “the reliable one.”
But what happens when that generosity starts eating into your time, your profit margins, and your team’s capacity?
Let’s talk about the quiet cost of over-delivery—the kind that doesn't show up on your invoice but still takes a toll on your business.
What Over-delivery Really Looks Like
At first, it might feel like you're being service-forward:
The scope creep you didn’t flag because it “wasn’t a big deal”
The “quick fix” that turned into a 3-hour rabbit hole (okay, more like 10)
The Slack message that spiraled into a two-hour strategy call
Individually, these might seem harmless. Together, they represent a larger issue: a lack of boundaries.
And that lack is quietly draining your agency.
The Real Cost of Doing Too Much
Overdelivery isn’t just about time—it comes with deeper consequences:
✖ Your time: Spent on unscoped or unpaid work
✖ Your team’s trust: When expectations shift, your team feels the pressure
✖ Your profit margins: You’re giving away value you haven’t priced in
When we work with creative agency founders at Le Chelie, we often uncover that 30–50% of their time is spent on things they didn’t charge for:
Unbilled work
Drawn-out, unstructured sales processes
Team members burned out from unclear boundaries
This isn’t a one-off problem—it’s a structural one.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you deliver with excellence—without overextending your team.
Excellence Doesn’t Require Overextension
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about cutting corners or lowering your standards.
It’s about delivering what you promised—with excellence—and pricing accordingly.
When your scope is clear, your team is empowered, and your clients know what to expect, you create a stronger business:
One that’s more efficient
More profitable
And more sustainable in the long term
Ready to Reclaim Your Time?
If you’re constantly overdelivering and still feel behind, it’s time to look at your offer suite, your boundaries, and your pricing strategy.
Because real growth doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from doing what matters—intentionally, and with clarity.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.