Why Your Agency Should Be Paying You Well—And What to Do If It’s Not
I see it all the time: agencies that are “doing well” on paper, but the Founder is barely paying themselves. In fact, many agency owners are paying contractors more than they pay themselves.
So, why does this happen?
Maybe you’re reinvesting everything back into the business to fuel growth. Or maybe you’re afraid to take more money because, well, what if next month is slow?
Here’s the truth: Your agency should be paying you well.
Period.
If it’s not, something’s broken. And fixing it isn’t just about making more money—it’s about recalibrating your entire approach to how you run your business.
Why It’s Not Just About Making More Money
It’s not enough to just focus on revenue growth if you’re not creating a sustainable, profitable structure for yourself. Here are the key elements that need to be addressed:
👏 Pricing for Profit: Are your prices reflective of the value you’re delivering and your overhead costs? Too many agencies underprice their services, thinking that the “next client” will help them get to where they want to be. But without strategic pricing, you’re always working harder for less.
👏 Financial Visibility and Clarity: If you’re guessing about your finances, it’s time to change that. You should know exactly where every dollar is coming from, where it’s going, and how it’s helping you build a profitable, sustainable business. There’s no room for financial guesswork in a thriving agency.
👏 Designing a Business Model That Serves YOU: Your business model should work for you, not just for your clients or your team. At the end of the day, you’re the one driving the business forward. If your model isn’t set up to support your goals, lifestyle, and well-being, then it’s time for a reset.
How Le Chéile Can Help You Fix These Gaps
At Le Chéile, we help creative founders like you fix these gaps. Our focus is on creating systems that empower you to grow your business without sacrificing your personal income or lifestyle. You deserve to build a business that supports your dreams and allows you to live the life you want—not the other way around.
If you’re ready to fix the gaps and design a business that serves you as much as it serves your clients, let’s talk.
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.
