10 Lessons I Learned After More Than 2 Years Running a Marketing Agency.

Lesson 1: Put in the Hours

Despite warnings that "starting your own business is the hardest thing you'll ever do," I forged ahead. Now, more than two and a half years in, I’m as passionate about Wiredus Media as I was three years ago, if not more. During the setup phase, I worked intensely because I love what I do. Helping clients tackle and understand their marketing challenges gives me a real thrill. The positive feedback we receive makes it all worthwhile.

Lesson 2: Take a Break

Looking back, I wish I had trusted my gut more. I admit to going down a few rabbit holes. I need to remind myself that it’s okay to ease off occasionally. As I move forward, my goal is to take a breath, prioritize downtime, and spend more quality time with my family. Fortunately, I don’t navigate this journey alone; my team is highly capable, and I trust them to deliver nothing short of excellence. Some days in the office, I marvel at how we all roll up our sleeves to meet seemingly impossible deadlines.

Lesson 3: Nurture Your Professional Relationships

I was anxious about securing our first customer. Thankfully, we were fortunate to bring on a client from my previous role, which was a huge boost. I dedicated hours to perfecting my pitch and understanding our client’s needs. Quickly, I learned that there’s a demand for our services, and our story continues to resonate. My network remains supportive, and one of our initial clients has been with us from the beginning—an incredible journey. In this industry, where everyone knows everyone, your reputation is paramount. Most of our work comes through referrals and word of mouth. I confess frustration if I feel we could have done more to win a new client. We invest considerable effort in our pitches, adding value through our process alone.

Lesson 4: Know Your Market

With extensive experience in marketing and six years in channel marketing, I am confident we understand the unique challenges of marketing and selling through various channels. We strive to outperform other agencies and make life easier for our clients by understanding their challenges better than anyone else. Most of the time, we hit the mark, but we're always aiming for more.

Lesson 5: Hire When You Need Help

From the moment we secured our first client—less than six weeks after launching—we needed extra hands. My first hire was a Designer/Account Manager. From the outset, we could step in as outsourced Marketing Managers and confidently provide end-to-end services. As we grow, conflicting priorities and deadlines increase, so I communicate openly with the team. Occasionally, we work outside traditional hours to meet client needs. Someone once told me, "You’re so lucky; look how hard your team works for you"—this means everything. Where possible, we strive for balance, offering extra time off and birthday holidays.

Lesson 6: Allow Your Team to Shape the Culture

I believe culture is everything, driven by the people within it. At Wiredus Media, we aim to foster a culture of respect and creativity. We value ideas and maintain a judgement-free zone for generating them. I want our environment to inspire excitement every day. Having experienced the Monday blues elsewhere, I'd be disappointed if anyone felt this way here.

Lesson 7: Live by Your Cash Flow

Cash flow is crucial for any small business. Fortunately, I have a trusted team member who helps monitor this closely. Every business owner knows staff are the largest expense, so managing costs, making smart hiring decisions, and resource management are critical. As we approach our third year, we have the right people in key roles, which is exciting.

Lesson 8: Track Your Big Wins

Running a business can be dizzying. It’s crucial to document our major achievements and milestones—new team members joining, moving to a new office, welcoming our office pup, and every client thank you. Each milestone is cause for pride, so it’s important to savour them.

Lesson 9: Celebrate Your Wins

In a few months, we mark three years in the market, defying odds. Naturally, we’ll celebrate with cake and fizz! It's also a chance to refocus on the Wiredus Media brand and story.

Lesson 10: Plan for the Future

With new team members managing our growing client base, we’re refining our processes for year four. This includes updating HR policies, creating templates, and guides to streamline operations for the team and myself. I’m clear on our marketing-as-a-service offering and ideal clients, making business development easier and more focused. We continue supporting clients with the same passion and energy as before.