show episodes
 
Artwork

1
Life Behind the Highlight Real

Sarah Huffman & William Huffman

Unsubscribe
Unsubscribe
Monthly
 
Welcome to “Life Behind the Highlight Real," the podcast that takes things beyond the curated life we all see online. Join hosts Sarah & William Huffman as they dive in with their friends to talk about the good and the hard things that come with a real (not perfect) life behind the highlight reel. Tune each week for more in-depth conversations about life behind the highlight reel. Follow us on your favorite podcast platform to make sure you never miss an episode.
  continue reading
 
At 26 years old, Sarah Weddington stands in a courtroom for the first time in her life and argues the most explosive case of her era: Roe V. Wade. Supreme tells her unlikely story, as well as that of Justice Harry Blackmun, who’s appointed by Nixon to the High Court at the same time. Sarah and Harry – both new, untested, and scared out of their minds – are on a collision course. She struggles to overcome the many obstacles placed in her path, while he must find the courage to step out of his ...
  continue reading
 
Growing an agency is very difficult, and you might feel unclear what to do next in order to grow and scale your agency. The Smart Agency Masterclass is a weekly podcast for agencies that are wanting to grow faster. We interview amazing guests from all over the world that have the experience of running successful businesses, and will provide you the insights you need. Our podcast is just over 3 years old, and have reached more than a half million listeners in 42 countries.
  continue reading
 
Loading …
show series
 
Sarah and William discuss what's in their "mindset medicine cabinet"--the things they've learned to prioritize in order to stay in their "zone of genius." Their list includes things like movement, sleep, nutrition, routines, and knowing their stress triggers. (There's more than that--you'll have to listen to get them all!) You'll even get a live de…
  continue reading
 
Are you planning to buy an agency as a growth strategy? Or, do you want to make your agency attractive to potential buyers? Today’s guest started his agency journey by buying an agency as an exit from his previous career in venture capitalism. He purposely sought out agencies, seeing them as cash flow machines. He looks back on that process and off…
  continue reading
 
Are you seeking the best approach to train your sales team? Have you considered implementing a foot-in-the-door offer? Today’s featured guest reflects on past mistakes made while attempting to step away from sales, and shares a recent success could lead to a complete overhaul of the sales funnel, resulting in a tenfold increase in the closing rate.…
  continue reading
 
Are you making a mark in your specific niche? Have you taken the necessary steps to elevate your brand and attract your ideal customers? Our guest today, a seasoned agency owner with fourteen years of experience working with influencers believes these are areas where agencies could learn from influencers, who by heavily focusing on developing their…
  continue reading
 
Are you considering narrowing your focus in the near future, or do you prefer to retain the flexibility to take advantage of growth opportunities in specific sectors? Our featured guest established a PR agency by recognizing the potential to connect forward-thinking companies with journalists. In the current uncertain economic climate, she opts for…
  continue reading
 
We've passed the halfway mark on 2024, and Sarah and William have a conversation about goals! Are we on track for this year's goals? How do we think about goals? How do we move toward them effectively? There are some great moments about perfectionism, all-or-nothing thinking, making the next right decision, and seeing failure as a mirror for improv…
  continue reading
 
Is your agency prepared for a strategic acquisition to accelerate its growth? What advantages does an acquisition offer compared to organic growth? Do you have the necessary resources to navigate the acquisition process while ensuring the continued growth of your agency? Our featured guest today will discuss his ongoing acquisition process, outlini…
  continue reading
 
Do you run a virtual agency or a more traditional in-office business? It all comes down to what suits your and your team’s work style, and one agency owner has found a way to incentivize in-office days. She also shares the lessons learned after two big clients left within weeks of each other. This feature guest has constantly been evolving and adap…
  continue reading
 
What does it take to be truly remarkable? Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Even uber-successful entrepreneurs like Guy Kawasaki have had those moments. Transitioning from corporate giants like Apple, Inc. to crafting a legacy of remarkability, he has devoted the latter part of his career to unraveling the essence of extraordinary achievement…
  continue reading
 
Sarah and William talk about their recent trip to Lake Tahoe for a luxury real estate conference, with a lot of focus on the amazing food experiences they had. Places referenced: The Ritz https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/rnorz-the-ritz-carlton-lake-tahoe/overview/ Edgewood https://edgewoodtahoe.com/the-villa-suites/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw…
  continue reading
 
Have you considered the potential for growth through a strategic acquisition? How do you anticipate the agency owner's role evolving during an acquisition process? What steps can be taken to ensure a seamless integration once the deal is finalized? Our featured guest today has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from white label t…
  continue reading
 
William and Sarah tackle the subject of generosity, including how it's a cornerstone of their lives, where the giving impulse comes from, how small acts of generosity have a cumulative impact over time, and what they want for their legacy, including their upcoming foundation, A Good Life Gives. All that, and a Mr. Rogers quote, too! Books reference…
  continue reading
 
Are you the bottleneck in your own agency's growth? Does the weight of every decision rest on your shoulders, leaving you overworked and your team underutilized? This guest is a successful agency owner who found himself in the industry after being laid off during the global economic crisis. He turned this setback into an opportunity and started his…
  continue reading
 
Have you ever felt like a broken record with your team? Do you find yourself repeating the agency's goals and vision, only to be met with glazed-over expressions? Have you effectively communicated the agency’s direction and vision? It’s a common struggle for agency owners to feel they’re desperately trying to rally the troops behind a unified purpo…
  continue reading
 
What do you think is holding you back from scaling your agency? Have you received coaching? And if you have, have you implemented their recommended measures? On today’s episode we talk about agency owners’ accountability and why reaching out for help can be useless unless you understand what you want. Scaling an agency is hardly something you can d…
  continue reading
 
Are you establishing genuine connections with your target audience and clients? Have you developed a compelling brand narrative that resonates with your audience to cultivate a dedicated following? Our featured guest today played a pivotal role in shaping the iconic brand identity of Red Bull, which has become a benchmark for creating captivating c…
  continue reading
 
Do you have a clear understanding of the client acquisition channels needed to grow your agency? Is your agency vulnerable to leadership or a client leaving? Today’s guest built his agency working with venture capitalists and private equity firms and found great success in that area, so much so that he never worried about client acquisition again. …
  continue reading
 
Do you feel trapped in an operation tunnel vision? Are you ready to shift your attention toward strategies for agency growth? Our guest today initially viewed strategy sessions as a luxury she could only afford once her agency had achieved significant success. However, upon receiving guidance from a coach to address alignment issues, she and her pa…
  continue reading
 
Are you considering starting an agency but feel like it might be too late to do so? Our featured guest today had a thriving career in PR and successfully managed an agency for nearly two decades before deciding the missing piece in that career was building and growing her own agency. With an extensive client network who already knew and trusted her…
  continue reading
 
What does it take for an agency to not only survive but thrive over decades? What mindset and approach enabled this agency owner to pivot and leverage new opportunities? In the challenging world of business, most companies struggle to reach the one-year mark, with even fewer making it to the five-year milestone. Hence, for an agency to make it beyo…
  continue reading
 
William and Sarah discuss PRIDE from many angles, contrasting it with ego and with humility, and talking about its connection to regret, shame, and a willingness to admit when you're wrong. They discuss negative emotions as guardrails and more. NOTE: this episode was recorded outdoors at a cafe in Washington, D.C., during their recent trip there, s…
  continue reading
 
Are you interested in breaking away from conventional agency practices? Do you want an agency structure that best suits your team? Today’s guest established her agency right after college, without any prior experience working in an agency. She designed her agency's structure based on what felt right for her team rather than following standard indus…
  continue reading
 
Is the fear of failure the driving force that keeps you striving towards your goals? For too many agency owners, the relentless stress of this life corrodes their drive, fueling an unhealthy obsession with avoiding defeat at all costs. Putting together a great team and taking the time to stop and figure things out is often the only way to get out o…
  continue reading
 
Will and Sarah go deep about their health journey over the last three years, sharing their motivations, progress, goals, and top 5 tips for people just getting started. Here's the link to their podcast that they mentioned, featuring Kristin Rowell: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-behind-the-highlight-real/id1593027634?i=1000548801957 Her…
  continue reading
 
Have you ever wondered what it takes to scale an agency from millions to tens of millions in revenue? Or how to successfully pivot from services to products? Today's guest has walked that path - not once but twice. He’s built two successful agencies with the mission to lift brands up, tell compelling stories and recognize new products. As he reflec…
  continue reading
 
Are you debating the value of building your brand? Perhaps you're wary of the effort needed to establish your identity, only to feel confined to your business once you become the face of the agency. Our guest today specializes in helping clients effectively brand themselves and elevate their agencies. He understands the common fears and reservation…
  continue reading
 
In this quick little episode recorded from their gate at the Dulles International Airport, William and Sarah give an overview of their recent trip to Washington, D.C. Places referenced: Supra https://supradc.com/ The Quill https://www.jeffersondc.com/dining/quill/ Waldorf Peacock Alley https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dcawawa-waldorf-astoria-washin…
  continue reading
 
Are you striving to refine your selling strategy and cultivate enduring client relationships that stand the test of time? How can you elevate your approach to not just closing deals but fostering long-term partnerships that drive mutual growth and success? Today's guest started her business with the idea of embodying a strategic dance of trust, val…
  continue reading
 
Do you treat your team like employees or like people? Every agency owner should recognize the immense value of their team and ensure they are treated with the utmost respect. This may entail parting ways with toxic clients, as the well-being of your team is irreplaceable. Our guest today faced challenging times during the pandemic when they had to …
  continue reading
 
Are you prepared to elevate your agency team and pave the path to success? As your agency expands, the need to grow your team becomes inevitable, and having standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place beforehand can save you a lot of headaches. Today’s guest went through a rapid growth phase with his agency and found he was ill-prepared to delega…
  continue reading
 
Is your agency work affecting your family life? Are you challenged by finding the right talent to assemble a team to take over some of the work? Today’s guest thought she’d always be a solopreneur but as her workload mounted, she realized she needed reinforcements to maintain her level of service and keep clients coming back. Getting the right tale…
  continue reading
 
Do you prioritize new clients or building lasting relationships? Would you be willing to lose money on a client in order to build a long-lasting relationship? Today’s guest has built two successful agencies banking on the power of planning for the long term instead of focusing just on the numbers. She’ll explain how she and her partner formed their…
  continue reading
 
What sets high-performing agencies apart from their low-performing counterparts? How are you positioning your agency for success? Our guest today is a seasoned business executive with extensive experience in product marketing and sales leadership. In his current role, he collaborates with agencies and gains insights into what separates successful o…
  continue reading
 
What would you do if you sold your agency tomorrow? Are you clear enough on your purpose that you could keep on creating value? Today’s guest is the founder of a beloved app that changed the way people drive nowadays. He eventually sold that company but hasn’t stopped looking for ways to improve people’s lives through his startups. He’ll share what…
  continue reading
 
Does your onboarding process set new hires up for success from day one? Do you believe the hardest part of adding new team members is the hiring process? Today’s guest believes most business owners disregard the importance of the onboarding process, which can affect a new hire’s chances of success in the agency. He goes over the many aspects you sh…
  continue reading
 
Is the fear of failure holding you back from taking the first steps to establish your brand? Are you hesitating to start a podcast because you believe it would only be worthwhile if it garners millions of downloads? Our guest today is a true trailblazer in the podcast industry, having successfully built a thriving agency around his initial decision…
  continue reading
 
Do you want to sell your agency at some point? Do you know where you want to take your business before you’re ready to search for a partnership? Today’s guest started his agency at just twenty-three years old and was ready to sell ten years later, when his business was thriving and had a solid position in a coveted niche. However, the selling proce…
  continue reading
 
Have you ever doubted your ability to steer your agency toward greatness? Does your team follow your lead on the decisions you make to get there? Many agency owners face this internal battle, questioning if they truly have what it takes to lead their business to new heights. Today’s guest has conquered those self-doubts and forged an unwavering con…
  continue reading
 
Do you fear missed opportunities if you define a niche or turn away less-than-ideal prospects? Today’s guest started his agency as a college student and pivoted to digital services as the internet barely became a thing. One of the biggest shifts and struggles in his journey has been overcoming the fear of tuning down revenue and letting go of the n…
  continue reading
 
Are you struggling to keep your clients happy and retain their business? How do you prepare your team to create the best client experience? In today's competitive market, delivering an exceptional client experience is paramount. Our guest today is a true master of client service, leading a team laser-focused on understanding each client's unique ne…
  continue reading
 
Would you say your agency is like your baby? Could you be so emotionally attached to your business that you may be stifling its growth? Today’s guest will share his experience growing an agency and the turning points that allowed him to make real progress in its growth. From learning to communicate his agency's vision in a way that inspired buy-in …
  continue reading
 
As an agency owner, have you explored the possibilities of content creation? Has it proven effective in building an audience or generating leads? Today’s guest is an agency owner who has been writing books and collaborating with different publications for years. However, he finds that, for marketers, content doesn’t really bring a lot of leads. For…
  continue reading
 
Are you fed up with the revenue roller coaster? Ready to get off and build an agency business model focused on sustainable profits? Maybe you’ve heard the saying "revenue is vanity and profit is sanity.” Our featured guest today experienced significant sustainable growth after breaking free from the “revenue trap.” By shifting the focus from revenu…
  continue reading
 
When was the last time you stepped back to evaluate whether your agency's strategy is truly aligned with your core mission and values? Is your team buying into the overall vision? Are they motivated and understand their role in the vision? If not, it’s time you start integrating vision and strategy for more effective results. Today’s guest has set …
  continue reading
 
Is your agency leveraging CRMs to tailor personalized client experiences and nurture long-term client relationships? Are you tracking customer interactions from first message to delivery? In the dynamic world of agency-client interactions, CRM tools play a pivotal role in streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences. Today’s guest has…
  continue reading
 
How do you prioritize between family time and business responsibilities as an entrepreneur and parent? How is that balancing act working out for you? Being an agency owners and a parent can be a bit of a mess and there’s no magic formula to balancing parenthood and being an agency CEO. For some parents, this means a lot of guilt about not spending …
  continue reading
 
Loading …

Quick Reference Guide