Scaling Together with Josh and Yesenia Nelson

If We Had to Start Over Tomorrow, Here's What We'd Do First | Scaling Together PodcastWhat would you do if you had to rebuild your agency from scratch today?No audience.No referrals.No momentum.Just your experience and a fresh start.In this episode of the Scaling Together Podcast, Josh and Yesenia Nelson break down the exact steps they would take if they had to start over in today’s market. From niching down and landing clients to leveraging AI and building systems that create real freedom, this episode is packed with practical lessons for agency owners who want to scale smarter.Whether you're trying to get to your first $10K/month or build a true seven-figure agency, this conversation will help you focus on what actually matters.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:42 – What we’d focus on first if we started over05:18 – The biggest mistakes agency owners make early on09:47 – Why niching down changes everything14:36 – The fastest way to start landing better clients19:12 – Building authority instead of chasing prospects24:05 – What AI changes for agencies in 202629:41 – Systems vs hustle34:27 – The key to long-term client retention39:18 – Building an agency that creates freedom44:02 – Final advice for agency owners rebuilding todaySubscribe for more episodes on scaling your agency, increasing retention, building systems, and creating real freedom through your business.🌐 Learn more about Seven Figure Agency:https://www.sevenfigureagency.com

In this episode of the Scaling Together Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most challenging aspects of growing an agency: hiring, firing, and team leadership.We share the exact moment we realized our business was real, the 5 crucial things most agencies miss during the interview process, and why keeping a "B-player" around too long is costing you more than you think.What You'll Learn:•The 5 things we look for in every interview (that most people miss).•How to spot red flags and trust your gut before making a bad hire.•Why hiring someone just like you might be a disaster for your agency.•How to handle culture misfits and why "firing fast" is real.•The difference between A, B, and C players, and how to handle the tricky "B players."•Two massive hiring truths we wish we knew 10 years ago.If you're an agency owner struggling to build a team, dealing with a bad hire, or trying to figure out how to hire future leaders, this episode is packed with actionable advice.Timestamps(00:00 ) - Introduction: Hiring, Team Leadership, & Growing the Organization(01:13) - The First Hire That Changed the Trajectory of Our Business(02:05) - 5 Things Most Agencies Miss When Interviewing Candidates(03:39) - Trusting Your Gut & Spotting Red Flags Early(04:56) - A Hire That Looked Perfect on Paper But Was a Disaster(06:56) - How to Handle a Team Member Who Isn't a Culture Fit(08:58) - Setting Expectations on Core Values Before Hiring(10:39) - How Long is Too Long to Keep a Bad Hire?(11:45) - Dealing with A, B, and C Players (The "B Player" Trap)(13:17) - Two Hiring Truths We Wish We Knew 10 Years Ago(15:00) - Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

🚀 Who do you have to become to scale your business?Growth isn't just about strategy, it's about identity transformation. Here's what we learned:Key shifts required:• From doing it all → Building trusted leaders• From superhero syndrome → Empowering your team• From hoarding vision → Transparent communication• From reactive → Ruthless with your timeThe truth? The boring is what scales. 🎯Consistency + strategic change = sustainable growthWhat we implemented:✅ Quarterly addresses for full team buy-in✅ All meetings on ONE day (hello, deep work!)✅ Elevated our COO to focus on 10x activitiesThe hardest part? Letting go of what made you successful to become who you need to be next.What version of yourself do you need to let go of to scale? Drop it below 👇If you'd like to get more ideas & strategies for growing your digital marketing agency, I'd like to invite you to join my Facebook Group. Connect with me and 10,000+ other digital marketing agency owners. To Join The Facebook Group click here - https://www.sevenfigureagency.com/group.Chapters:00:00 - The Need for Change to Scale00:43 - Building Trust Through Transparency01:01 - Who You Have to Become to Scale01:56 - Shifting from Doing Everything to Empowering Leaders02:31 - The Importance of Building Trust with Your Team03:31 - Creating Buy-In Through Quarterly Addresses04:29 - Transparency When Letting People Go06:08 - Letting Go of the Superhero Mentality07:01 - Developing Consistency as a Leader08:00 - Internal Resistance During Growth09:09 - Balancing Consistency with Innovation09:40 - Focusing on Your Genius Zone11:09 - Restructuring Time for Deep Work12:00 - Elevating and Delegating Responsibilities13:01 - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action#mindset #success #digitalmarketing

Running a business with your spouse comes with unique challenges, but also incredible rewards.In this episode of Scaling Together, Neil and Amy share how they built an $8M agency while keeping their marriage strong and their family connected. They open up about the systems, habits, and communication strategies that helped them grow through every stage, from working out of their bedroom to leading a team that serves over 400 clients.Listeners will discover:• How they divided roles to play to their strengths• The habits that keep their relationship solid under pressure• How they handle stress, money, and family balance• Why systematizing the business transformed their livesThis conversation is a must-listen for any couple building a business together, or anyone who wants to grow without losing what matters most.#ScalingTogether #SevenFigureAgency

💬 What makes employees stay long term? In this episode of Scaling Together, Josh & Yesenia get real about team culture, employee engagement, and the lessons they’ve learned building a world-class agency team.From sour apples that poison morale… to using EOS to create core values, to the rituals and recognition systems that keep people motivated, this episode is packed with practical insights for agency leaders.👉 You’ll hear:✅ The secret to building a team people want to be part of✅ How EOS helped define and enforce core values✅ Why compensation alone won’t keep people engaged✅ The rituals (like icebreakers & wins channels) that boost connection✅ Recognizing & rewarding with meaning, not just money✅ When one “bad apple” can tank culture, and how to act fast✅ Why passion and zone of genius matter more than résumés“People don’t just stay for the paycheck, they stay when they feel seen, heard, and aligned with your vision.”Drop a 💬 if you’ve ever had to deal with team culture challenges. What’s been your biggest win (or toughest lesson) building your team?#ScalingTogether #AgencyLife #Leadership #TeamCulture #Entrepreneurship

💬 What do you do when a client says, “You’re a good salesman”… and implies you didn’t deliver? In this candid episode of Scaling Together, Josh & Yesenia unpack the real emotions behind client criticism, bad reviews, and team drama, and how they turn tough moments into better systems and leadership.From the sting of a harsh comment… to deciding when to refund, when to fire a client, and when to stay silent, this one gets real about running an agency in public.👉 You’ll hear:✅ The story behind a brutal client comment, and what changed after✅ When a refund protects your reputation (and CAC)✅ How to handle Glassdoor heat without spiraling✅ The “fire fast for the team” rule when culture rots✅ Why pausing before replying beats “clap back” energy✅ The mindset shift: it’s not about ego, it's about service“If they’re throwing shade from the cheap seats, that’s about them. Seek feedback from people 10 steps ahead.”Drop a 💬 if you’ve ever had to navigate public criticism or a tough client call. What did you change afterward?#ScalingTogether #AgencyLife #ClientRetention #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

💼 What happens when your spouse also becomes your business partner? For Ricky & Mary Shockley, it wasn’t a formal decision, it just happened. One kid, a bold niche choice, and suddenly MedSpa Magic Marketing was on its way to seven figures.From working in the same loft divided by a single wall… to figuring out when it’s okay to talk about business (hint: always ask first), this episode of Scaling Together gets real about the ups and downs of marriage + entrepreneurship.👉 They share:✅ How niching down in 2022 turned a solo consultancy into a 12-person agency✅ Why being opposites (visionary + integrator) creates both friction and better decisions✅ The simple boundary that saved their relationship: “Are you okay to talk about business right now?”✅ How parenting, team growth, and EOS-lite systems collide in their daily routine“The truth? We don’t do date nights often enough. Our connection comes from little things, Costco runs, Dunkin’ stops, or watching Netflix after the kids are asleep.” ❤️Drop a 💬 if you and your partner are navigating business + family life together. What’s your biggest challenge balancing the two?#EntrepreneurCouples #MarriageAndBusiness #ScalingTogether #PowerCouple #BusinessGrowth

In this Scaling Together episode, Josh and Yesenia break down the exact survey and feedback system they use to improve retention, fix weak spots fast, and keep clients (and team) genuinely happy. You’ll hear how they design questions that lead to action, why NPS alone isn’t enough, and how they turn raw responses into quick, visible changes. What you’ll learn:The survey cadence that reduces churn: onboarding, monthly check-ins, and annual deep dives. How to tailor meeting cadence and reporting to each client (not one-size-fits-all). Turning “ouch” feedback into wins—fast (“surprise & delight” moments and quick fixes). Why NPS is a starting point, not the destination, and the targeted questions to ask instead. The tools they use (simple forms + AI) and why they still read every response. Event lessons learned: speaker fit, brand alignment, and tiny details (like room temp & allergies) that matter. The mindset shift: asking for honest criticism won’t trigger mass cancellations, it builds trust. Chapters:0:00 Intro & why feedback beats assumptions 2:40 Survey cadence (onboarding / monthly / annual) 6:05 Customizing meetings & reports by client type 9:10 “Surprise & delight” and fast fixes clients notice 12:20 NPS vs. actionable questions (what to ask) 16:00 Tools + AI workflow (and why they still read every reply)19:30 Event & brand alignment lessons 22:15 Handling tough feedback without fear 24:30 Action plan for agency owners (start this week)

💼 What’s it really like to grow an agency while balancing marriage, family, and everything in between? In this episode of the Scaling Together Podcast, Josh and Yesenia pull back the curtain on the wins, struggles, and lessons they’ve learned while building a business (and a life) together.From dealing with risk-taking spouses and bouncing back from financial setbacks… to keeping the spark alive with small, intentional gestures, nothing’s off limits.👉 Highlights from this episode:✅ The hidden struggles no one talks about when your spouse is an entrepreneur✅ How they bounced back from losing it all and rebuilt stronger than ever✅ Why criticism and setbacks are opportunities (not roadblocks)✅ The importance of faith, communication, and celebrating little wins✅ Tips for protecting your marriage while growing your agency“The hardest part? Wondering if we’d ever be able to finish work at 5pm and not have business swirling through our heads all night.” 🌀Drop a ❤️ if you and your partner are building something together, what’s your biggest challenge balancing business + marriage?#EntrepreneurCouples #MarriageAndBusiness #ScalingTogether #AgencyLife #PowerCouple

💼 Building a Million-Dollar Agency as a Power Couple: The Danny & Maday Story 🚀From books in a garbage bag to a $500K MRR agency! Danny & Maday Barrera share how they built Contractor Click together, blending marriage, business, and family into one harmonious journey.Their secret? Trust, respect, and shared vision—even when they completely disagree! They've mastered the art of work-life integration, not just balance."Your wife doesn't owe you anything. Connection is what creates an amazing relationship—and that sets the tone for everything else." - DannyLove their advice for couples in business? Separate "spouse you" from "business partner you" to keep conflicts in their proper lanes!The ultimate business lesson: Put God first, spouse second, business third. Everything else falls into place! ✨#ScalingTogether #EntrepreneurCouple #AgencyLife #WorkLifeIntegration #BusinessSuccessEnglish Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Danny and Maday’s Success Story01:00 - First Couple Interview on Scaling Together Podcast01:15 - How They Got Into the Agency Business04:16 - From Freelancing to Starting Their Agency Together07:05 - Maddie Quitting Her Teaching Job to Join the Business10:06 - Building Trust and Foundation in Their Relationship12:17 - Transitioning from Freelancing to Building a Real Business16:38 - Handling Disagreements While Working Together21:10 - Financial Decisions and Investments as a Couple24:30 - Work-Life Integration vs. Balance27:31 - Making Family Life Work With a Growing Business30:36 - Support Systems for Managing House and Children33:19 - Integrating Their Children into the Business36:40 - Balancing Romance and Business as a Couple38:46 - Managing Stress and Family Time40:00 - Advice for Couples Considering Working Together43:41 - Conclusion and How to Connect With Danny and Maday

Josh and Yesenia trace the evolution of Seven Figure Agency’s live intensives, from cramming 12 agency owners into a boardroom to hosting 300-plus attendees at top-tier venues. They unpack:The $350 “moon-shot” hotel room that started it allWhy breakthroughs happen faster face-to-face than on ZoomA planning cadence that kicks off the day after each eventAV nightmares, surprise hotel hiccups, and agile problem-solvingTheir divide-and-conquer system for content, logistics, and experienceBoundaries that keep their marriage strong during week-long intensivesTactical steps for launching your first live gathering without overspendingIf you want community-driven events that boost retention, referrals, and revenue, this episode is your playbook.New episodes drop every Wednesday at 10 AM ET, so subscribe now for weekly insight and execution tactics.

In this episode of Scaling Together, Josh and Yesenia Nelson pull back the curtain on the retention systems that have kept their agency thriving for years. You’ll learn:The 48-hour wow window: how a high-touch onboarding box crushes buyer’s remorse.Strategic gifting that murders churn (hint: quality over quantity—always).Proactive satisfaction tracking—red / yellow / green dashboards, call grading, and monthly-touch scorecards.The right way to own mistakes and convert angry clients into lifelong advocates.Building a client-success team with the DISC and Kolbe profiles that actually matter.Consultative upsells and price-increase frameworks that feel helpful, not pushy.If you’re serious about keeping clients, scaling revenue, and leading with integrity, hit play now.Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Scaling Together podcast on your favorite platform—new episodes drop every Wednesday at 10 AM ET.

Success without stamina is a hollow win. In this candid conversation, Josh and Yesenia reveal how reclaiming their health multiplied their energy, focus, and profits.Tune in to learn:• Why “your health is your wealth” is the ultimate ROI driver for entrepreneurs.• The exact macro based meal plan and five meals a day framework that keep them fueled and lean (French toast stays on the menu).• How Yesenia jumped from zero workouts to six Pilates sessions a week, and how Josh found his groove with band based strength training.• How a fit culture lifts an entire team’s productivity, profitability, and morale.If you are building a seven figure business but feel flat, foggy, or fatigued, this episode is your playbook for turning health into a competitive edge. Hit play, take notes, and start scaling with strength.New episodes drop every Wednesday at 10 am ET. Subscribe and leave a review to fuel more high performance episodes of The Scaling Together Podcast.

Running a growing business means hiring, but how do you build a strong team without losing control, trust, or your sanity? In this episode, Josh and Yesenia share their full hiring playbook. You'll learn how they define roles, choose the right people, handle onboarding, and lead with values at the core. They also talk through tough decisions, lessons learned, and how they stay aligned while leading the company together. This is your blueprint for building a team that actually works.

Running a business as a couple is challenging enough. Add parenting to the mix, and the balance becomes even more critical. In this episode of Scaling Together, we share how we’ve learned to grow a company while staying fully present with our kids.We talk about setting boundaries around work hours, making family decisions as a team, and how parenting has shaped the way we lead. We also dive into how homeschooling, hiring a house manager, and choosing intentional routines have improved our family dynamic and business operations.You’ll hear how we’ve modeled work-life balance for our kids, navigated seasons of newborn chaos, and made bold lifestyle changes to protect what matters most.Whether you're in the thick of building or recalibrating your priorities, this episode will give you practical insight into building a business that supports your life — not one that consumes it.New episodes release every Wednesday at 10 AM ET.

In this episode of Scaling Together, we get real about money. From profit-first strategies to navigating different spending styles, we share how we've built financial alignment in both our marriage and our business. You'll hear our earliest money disagreements, the systems that keep us grounded, and how we balance risk-taking with stewardship.We also unpack how tithing changed everything, why we invest in experiences while the kids are young, and what we’d say to other entrepreneurial couples feeling financial tension.New episodes drop every Wednesday at 10 AM. Subscribe and join us as we scale life and business — together.

In this episode of Scaling Together, we dive into the real behind-the-scenes of growing a business with your spouse without sacrificing your relationship, health, or sanity.We unpack how to:Spot the early signs of burnout and actually respond to themBalance big business goals with your lifestyle and family prioritiesCreate space for communication before making risky movesSet intentional rhythms to stay aligned when life and business get busyUse EOS, calendar audits, and devotional tools to recalibrate and reconnectIf you’ve ever felt like the business is taking over or you and your partner are growing in different directions, this episode is for you.

Running a growing agency is hard. Doing it as a couple can feel even harder, especially when it seems impossible to unplug.In this episode of Scaling Together, Josh and Yesenia Nelson open up about what it really takes to step away from the business without everything falling apart. They share the honest truth about burnout, micromanagement, and the guilt that comes with taking a real vacation. You’ll hear how they’ve learned to trust their team, build leaders inside the business, and create space for rest without losing momentum.If you're building something meaningful and want to stay connected while you scale, this episode will help you do both.

What if hiring a house manager could transform your family, fitness, and business life?In this episode of Scaling Together, Josh and Yesenia share the behind-the-scenes moment that made them realize: “We can’t keep doing it all.” From exhaustion to clarity, they break down the steps they took to reclaim their time, protect their energy, and invest in what matters most — their health, family, and freedom.👉 New episodes drop every Wednesday at 10 AM ET🎯 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode

Ever wondered how couples run 7-figure agencies WITHOUT killing each other? Josh & Yesenia spill it all in their NEW podcast!They've built multiple 7-figure businesses, raised 3 kids, and stayed married for 20 years... and they're revealing HOW they divide responsibilities, make tough decisions, and keep business stress from destroying their relationship."Two are better than one" isn't just a nice saying—it's their business strategy!👇 What you'll learn:• How to divide roles based on strengths (not stereotypes!)• Their system for making decisions without stepping on toes• The morning routine that keeps stress in checkWant relationship AND business success? This is your blueprint!Subscribe now and drop a comment with YOUR biggest question about running a business with your spouse! 👫#CouplesinBusiness #AgencyLife #EntrepreneurCouple #ScalingTogether #MarriageGoalsEnglish Chapters:00:00 - Intro: Working as a Married Couple03:32 - Welcome to Scaling Together Podcast05:24 - Dividing Responsibilities in Business10:11 - Taking the Lead in Business and Home Life14:06 - How to Handle Decision Making Without Conflict18:18 - The Toughest Business Decision We've Made25:32 - Preventing Business Stress in Personal Life30:40 - Dealing with Major Stress: Faith & Perspective33:34 - Closing Thoughts