How I Work with Agency Owners
I help you move from STANDSTILL to STANDOUT through structured challenge, sharper thinking, and better decisions.
The Problem I Solve
If your agency is between £400k and £1.9M in revenue, you’re in a critical zone:
- You’re not a start-up anymore, but you’re not yet where you want to be.
- You’ve got clients, but growth has stalled – or feels fragile.
- You’re busy, but you’re still too involved in the day-to-day.
- You want clarity and momentum, but keep defaulting to firefighting.
That’s where I come in.
The Difference I Offer
Answers are everywhere. AI can generate them in seconds – and a growing army of ex-agency owners are turning themselves into consultants.
Meanwhile, new strategy firms are surfacing with slick dashboards, industry benchmarks, and data models designed to show you what others are doing.
That’s valuable. But it only gets you so far. STANDOUT agencies aren’t built by copying the average, or following the herd. They’re built by asking sharper questions, thinking more originally, and doing what others are not.
That’s where I come in.
I’m not a coach offering cosy, directionless chats.
I’m not a consultant hiding behind 80-slide decks or recycled frameworks.
And I’m not here to flood you with data that leaves you wondering what to do next.
I bring better questions.
Not because I don’t have answers – but because I know that sharp, well-timed questions lead to smarter decisions. And smarter decisions lead to STANDOUT growth.
Over the last 8 years, I’ve worked shoulder-to-shoulder with agency owners who weren’t short on ambition – but who needed challenge, clarity, and someone who wasn’t afraid to call things out.
Where others bring noise, I bring focus.
Where others provide answers, I help you ask the right questions – the kind that cut through complexity, unlock confidence, and create meaningful progress.
If you’re looking for another coach, mentor, or consultant to validate what you’re already doing – there are plenty out there.
But if you want a strategic partner who’ll help you think differently, act decisively, and grow with intent – let’s talk.
You don’t need more benchmarks – you need better thinking
My Core Offer – Monthly Agency Advisory
I offer a retained, one-to-one relationship designed to bring challenge, clarity, and accountability to your agency’s leadership.
This is not coaching. It’s not training. It’s strategic thinking – led by better questions, and focused on helping you make better decisions.
What’s Included:
- One 2-hour monthly session (via Zoom or in-person)
- Clear follow-up actions sent after every session
- On-demand support between sessions via email or Slack
- Quarterly check-ins to track progress across the 7 core pillars of agency performance
What We’ll Tackle:
Every agency is different, but common areas include:
- New business strategy and pipeline building
- Positioning, pricing and profitability
- Team structure and founder dependency
- Client mix and account management
- Long-term planning and exit strategy
What Is Marketing Agency Advisory?
Marketing Agency Advisory is a specialist form of business consultancy that focuses exclusively on helping marketing, digital, creative, or comms agencies solve strategic challenges and grow sustainably.
Unlike general business consulting, marketing agency advisory is deeply informed by the unique dynamics of agency life – including:
Client service models
Fee structures and profitability
Creative and delivery team pressures
Positioning and differentiation in a saturated market
Pipeline development and new business challenges
Culture, leadership, and owner-dependence
How It Differs from Coaching or Consulting:
COACHING
CONSULTING
ADVISORY
Focuses on mindset and personal development
Emphasis on empowerment
Less commercially focused
Often delivers answers, frameworks, or ‘done-for-you’ solutions
Emphasis on expertise or process
May focus too much on models/templates
Combines strategic insight, challenge, and accountability to help the agency owner make smarter decisions
Emphasis on critical thinking, clarity, and commercial outcomes
Built on real-world agency experience + tailored strategic input
My Approach – Built on Better Questions
You don’t need more content or tools. You need a sounding board who can ask:
- “What are you really trying to build here?”
- “Why are you still doing that yourself?”
- “If you could start again, what would you change?”
I don’t bring a playbook – I bring a question-led process that leads to:
- More strategic decisions
- More confident leadership
- More space to think and grow
You bring the ambition. I bring the challenge.
Who This Is For
This is a good fit if:
- You run a marketing, digital, creative or comms agency
- Your revenue sits between £400k and £1.9M
- You’re the founder/owner, or a key decision maker
- You want clarity, structure, and strategic challenge—not just motivation or cheerleading
It’s not for you if:
- You’re looking for tactical delivery or execution support
- You want fast fixes instead of long-term thinking
- You’re not ready to be questioned or challenged
Your Investment
£1,500 + VAT per month
No long-term tie-ins. Just mutual commitment and real progress.
“Every session with Gareth pays for itself. The clarity and confidence I get each month has changed the way I run the agency.”
— Owner, Paid Media Agency
Want to dig deeper into the thinking?
If you’re curious about the ideas that underpin my advisory approach – and want a no-nonsense read on how agencies win or stall – my book “STANDOUT or Die” is a great place to start.