In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Steve Fortunato, Founder and President of Shovel the Sidewalk, to unpack how brands can break through the noise by leading with authenticity, strong audio, and real human connection.

Steve shares why he intentionally works in the business instead of scaling away from client work, how unscripted conversations consistently outperform polished marketing content, and why audio is the most powerful (and overlooked) element of video storytelling. He also explains the philosophy behind “Shovel the Sidewalk” and how small details can make or break a brand. They explore humanizing brands across B2B and service industries, creating content that shows real people doing real work, balancing business growth with family priorities, and why authenticity is the antidote to AI-generated content.

Takeaways

• People connect with people, not products, humanizing your brand creates trust and differentiation in every industry.
• Audio quality and natural sound matter more than visual perfection when it comes to emotional connection.
• Unscripted conversations lead to more authentic, engaging content than rigidly planned messaging.
• Working hands-on in the business can drive better results and greater client satisfaction than scaling too early.
• Small brand details matter just as much as big campaigns, everything impacts perception.
• Being genuinely yourself won’t attract everyone, but it will attract the right audience.

Connect with Steve:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefortunato/
• Shovel the Sidewalk Company Website: https://shovelthesidewalk.com/
• Sidewalk Talk Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@sidewalktalkpodcast/featured

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409

In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Mary Dunn, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Stratagess, to unpack what it really takes to build a sustainable, high-performing marketing agency, without burning out your team or yourself.

Mary shares how she and her co-founder intentionally built a “small but mighty” agency made up of seasoned marketers, why they reversed the traditional agency growth model, and how prioritizing people, flexibility, and client fit has led to exceptional retention on both the client and employee side. The conversation dives into responsible growth, pricing with confidence, balancing work-life demands (especially as a working parent), and why scaling at all costs isn’t the only, or best, path to success.

Takeaways

• Building your team before pursuing new clients creates better outcomes, stronger retention, and less operational chaos.
• Matching experienced talent with clients who value quality work is a competitive advantage that fuels long-term success.
• “Responsible growth” focused on sustainability and retention often outperforms scale-at-all-costs strategies.
• Hiring strategic generalists with deep experience creates flexibility, reduces silos, and improves client service.
• Flexibility, autonomy, and work-life balance are powerful retention tools, especially for senior talent and working parents.
• Staying partially involved in client work helps leaders make better strategic decisions and stay connected to their team’s reality.

Connect with Mary:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marygreen2/
• Company Website: https://stratagess.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

In this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Taylor Adams, Co-Founder of The Creative Agency, to break down how influencer management is redefining modern marketing. Taylor shares how starting as a content creator herself led to an unexpected pivot from social media management to building a fast-growing talent agency.

The conversation explores how influencer marketing actually works, why brands are shifting budgets away from traditional advertising, and what it takes to scale an agency while protecting culture and avoiding burnout. Taylor also discusses the importance of listening to market signals, prioritizing communication, and building flexible opportunities for both creators and team members.

Takeaways:

• Following market demand instead of forcing a fixed business model creates faster, more sustainable growth.
• Personal experience can be a powerful competitive advantage when it directly informs how you serve clients.
• Influencer marketing is a cost-effective alternative to traditional advertising because creators handle production and audience engagement themselves.
• Treating creators like professionals through contracts, branding, and reliability unlocks greater monetization opportunities.
• Strong communication and culture are essential to scaling without burnout or sacrificing client satisfaction.

Connect with Taylor:

• Taylor:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorcolemanadams/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorcolemanadams/
  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorcolemanadams
• The Creative Agency:
  • Company Website: https://www.thecreativeagencyboston.com/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativeagencyhq/
  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreativeagencyhq

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

On this special re-air episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour, we take a journey back in time to learn the importance of prioritization with Johanna Bates and Erin Fogel, Co-Founders of DevCollaborative, a web development firm focused on the nonprofit sector.

The conversation explores how organizations, regardless of size or budget, face endless ideas and “wish lists,” and how the discipline of prioritization is essential for focusing on what truly drives impact. The episode breaks down what effective prioritization really requires today: ongoing alignment of resources with goals, transparent communication about trade-offs, and the courage to say “no” when necessary.

Takeaways:

• Prioritize values alignment and mission over short-term profit
• Design accessible, sustainable solutions for long-term client impact
• Invest in community and client relationships instead of traditional marketing
• Diversify revenue streams to weather uncertainty
• Build a supportive culture that protects team work-life balance

Connect with Johanna & Erin:

• DevCollaborative: https://devcollaborative.com/
• Email: hi@devcollaborative.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

This week, it’s just me, Cal Wilder, closing out the year with gratitude, reflection, and appreciation for you, the agency owners, leaders, and listeners who’ve made this podcast what it is. No guest this time, just a heartfelt holiday episode about community, purpose, financial clarity, and why the work you do truly matters.

After eight months of conversations, lessons, and connection, this episode is a chance to pause, look back, and look ahead together.

In this episode:

• 🛠 Smashing the Myth: You Do Matter: Agency ownership can feel isolating, but your work makes an impact. From client wins to hard lessons, every step of the journey matters, for your team, your clients, and the industry as a whole.
• 🎄 Holiday Gratitude: A sincere thank-you to the listeners, guests, and partners who’ve supported the show this year. This podcast was created to better understand and serve agency owners, and your engagement has made it meaningful and fun.
• 💡 Marketing, Finance, and Leadership That Matter: Reflections on standout conversations from the past year, covering purpose-driven agencies, financial clarity, authentic communication, people-first leadership, and the evolving role of AI. Technology matters, but human expertise and relationships still set great agencies apart.
• 🌟 Planning for the Year Ahead: Why even a simple financial plan can be transformational. Cal shares encouragement to start planning now, looking toward 2026, and highlights resources like The Financial Operating System for Marketing Agencies to help agency leaders gain clarity and confidence.
• 🙌 Human Connection & Community: From peer support to honest conversations, this episode reinforces the need for real connection in business. There’s a growing opportunity, and need, for agency owners to learn together, share openly, and build community without competition.

Thank you for being a part of this journey, and as we move into 2026, let’s continue smashing myths, making a real impact, and connecting in ways that matter.

✨ Happy Holidays! Wishing you all peace, love, and gratitude this season.

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

Get an inside look at what it really takes to build an authentic, purpose-driven PR and branding agency in this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour with Laura Henson, Founder and CEO of HVM Communications. From her beginnings in luxury fashion to leading a values-based communications firm, Laura shares how narrowing her focus to women-led and mission-driven organizations became a catalyst for growth, not a limitation.

Laura breaks down what modern PR actually requires today: intentional audience targeting, human-first storytelling in an AI-driven world, and the courage to align business practices with personal values. This conversation dives into the realities of agency ownership, from financial growing pains to preserving culture at scale, and why purpose and profitability can, and should, coexist.

Takeaways

• Be intentional with audience targeting. Effective PR isn’t about mass pitching, it’s about reaching the right audience and media outlets that drive real business impact.
• Use AI as a tool, not a replacement. AI can improve efficiency, but authentic, human-driven messaging is what earns trust from editors and audiences.
• Specialization fuels growth. Focusing on women-led, purpose-driven organizations led to stronger relationships, more referrals, and clearer positioning.
• Align values with action. Authenticity matters more than ever, leaders must consistently “walk the walk” to build credibility and trust.
• Delegate outside your strengths. Outsourcing financial management allows creative leaders to avoid costly mistakes and stay focused on what they do best.

Connect with Laura:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahensonhvm/
• HCM Communication’s Website: https://www.hvmcommunications.com/
• How Women Lead Website: https://www.howwomenlead.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

Get an inside look at what truly drives a successful marketing agency in this episode of the Marketing Agency Power Hour with Zontee Hou, Founder & President at Media Volery. From choosing the right clients and building long-term partnerships to leveraging data, AI, and customer insights, Zontee reveals what it takes to run a sustainable, high-performing agency in today’s landscape.

Through her experience advising global brands and growing her own agency, Zontee shares what leaders often overlook: work-life balance, honest communication, and the power of client retention over constant churn. Get ready to rethink how you select clients, measure impact, and use data-driven personalization to deepen customer loyalty and fuel sustainable growth.

Takeaways

• Prioritize client fit and long-term relationships. Selective, value-aligned clients create better outcomes, healthier teams, and more stable growth.
• Focus on customer lifetime value, not just quick wins. Retention and referrals often outperform constant acquisition in both cost and impact.
• Use segmentation and data-driven personalization to maximize marketing effectiveness. Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative insights and AI tools for a deeper customer understanding.
• Measure the metrics that truly matter. Beyond leads and conversions, track brand perception, satisfaction, and likelihood to refer.
• Build a sustainable, people-first agency. Foster a positive culture, maintain honest communication, manage cash flow wisely, and regularly audit tools to avoid redundancy.

Connect with Zontee:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zonteehou/
• Media Volery’s Website: https://www.mediavolery.com/
• Personal Website: https://zonteehou.com/
• Data-Driven Personalization: How to Use Consumer Insights to Generate Customer Loyalty book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1398614602/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_3KBTM6A819HMQA4SH61H?linkCode=ml1&tag=zonteecom-20
• Social Pros Podcast: https://www.convinceandconvert.com/podcasts/shows/social-pros-podcast/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour

Discover the hidden strategy, creativity, and rigor behind world-class brand naming in this episode of the Marketing Agency Power Hour. Host Cal Wilder sits down with Scott Milano, founder and managing director of Tanj, to unpack what it really takes to build a specialist agency that serves global brands with names that stand the test of time.

From navigating complex renaming projects and leading a naming only agency, to building a personal brand and adapting to an AI-driven discovery landscape, Scott shares the lessons that shaped his 15 year journey. Get ready to rethink how you position your expertise, evolve your visibility, and create brand names that truly mean something in a rapidly shifting world.

Takeaways

• Lean into specialization to build credibility and attract higher-quality clients. Owning a clear niche helps you stand out in a crowded market and positions your agency as the obvious expert when stakes are high.
• Create a rigorous, repeatable process for your core service. Blend research, creative exploration, and legal/linguistic vetting to deliver work that holds up globally and earns stakeholder alignment.
• Invest in both your agency brand and your personal brand. People connect with people, consistent content and visible leadership can strengthen trust, expand reach, and open new opportunities.
• Let AI support ideation and research, while relying on human judgment for the nuance, creativity, and cultural awareness major decisions require.
• Continually update your content, processes, and positioning so you remain discoverable, relevant, and resilient in a shifting industry.

Connect with Scott:

• Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmilano/
• Tanj’s Company Website: https://tanj.co/
• The Word Blog via Tanj: https://www.tanj.co/blog

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour