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.