Sister Sessions: The Women in Agencies Podcast

In this episode of Sister Sessions, Jenny Kitchen CEO of Yoyo Agency shares her journey of building an agency rooted in creativity as well as sustainability.As an early adopter of B Corp certification, Jenny discusses how sustainable practices, strong governance, and purpose-led decision-making have shaped the agency’s growth and long-term success.The conversation covers achieving B Corp status, balancing purpose with profit, and the impact of AI on the future of agencies.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies at womeninagencies.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Women in Agencies podcast, join the engaging conversation with Elizabeth Willetts, Founder of Investing in Women, a recruitment business focused on flexible and part-time job opportunities in the UK. Elizabeth shares her personal journey of overcoming redundancy and transforming it into a mission to help others find flexibility in their careers. This episode covers critical points including the evolving attitudes towards part-time work post-Covid, barriers employers face when considering flexible hours, and the productivity benefits of non-traditional work hours. Elizabeth also discusses the cultural aspects of flexible working environments and how they can be effectively managed. Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into this episode with Nyree Ambarchian, co-founder of purpose-driven communications agency Jack & Grace, as she shares her journey from agency disillusionment to building a business that challenges the norm.Discover how Nyree is redefining agency life through progressive flexibility, salary transparency, and a focus on value-aligned client relationships. She shares how Jack and Grace is creating a more inclusive, sustainable way of working-without compromising on success.From rethinking traditional structures to building a purpose-led business, this episode explores what it really takes to create a fairer future for agency work.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies: womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the evolving dynamics of agency leadership with Alison Rattary-Clarke, Joint Managing Director of Fall Off The Wall. In this insightful episode, Alison shares her journey as a female leader in the creative production industry.Key topics include:The impact of employee ownership on agency cultureStrategies for effective remote teamworkThe integration of AI into creative processesDiscover how Alison and her business partner navigate challenges and foster collaboration within their agency.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies - womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delve into the nuances of agency life with Hannah Partridge, Client Services Director at Seen Studios.In this episode of Sister Sessions by Women in Agencies, discover the importance of purpose-driven work and B Corp certification.Key topics include:The role of purpose in agency operationsStrategies for building client trustNavigating industry challenges and fostering sustainable growth.Want to build your network? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the journey of Julia Linehan, founder of Digital Voice PR Agency, on how she successfully scaled her business while implementing an innovative remote work culture. Gain insights into the unique hiring strategies that have bolstered her agency's success. Key topics include:- Overcoming challenges of growing a remote team- Importance of culture and values in staff retention- Adapting service offerings to client needs- Balancing business growth with lifestyle choicesWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us in an engaging conversation with Rosie Robertson, Client Service Director at Untold Fable, as we delve into the world of diverse creative production in agencies. Discover how technology and diversity intertwine at Untold Fable, a global production studio, to democratise access to production briefs and the importance of working with local talents. Key topics include: Rosie's inspiring journey from a social media intern to a leadership role, navigating agency buyouts, and the role of AI in modern content production. Don't miss insights on building trust with clients and future growth plans at Untold Fable. Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Women in Agencies Podcast, we’re joined by Madeline Yervant, Client Services Director at 400 Communications, a B-Corp accredited design agency focused on purpose-driven work.With nearly two decades of experience in the creative industry, Maddie shares her journey through the agency world — from project management roles to leadership — and how relationships, mentorship and curiosity have shaped her career along the way.We talk about the realities of agency life, including how networking is less about working a room and more about building meaningful professional relationships. Maddie also shares how 400 Communications has built a culture rooted in respect, collaboration and impact, and what it really means to operate as a B-Corp agency.The conversation explores:How agencies can build healthier, more supportive workplace culturesWhy mentorship and peer learning are essential for developing talentThe role of purpose-driven work in motivating teams and producing meaningful resultsThe evolving opportunities for women in creative and client services rolesWhy growth doesn’t always mean getting bigger — sometimes it means getting betterMaddie also reflects on the importance of advocating for women in leadership, creating opportunities for others, and fostering workplaces where people feel heard, valued and empowered.If you’re working in an agency or building your career in the creative industry, this episode offers thoughtful insights on leadership, culture and creating meaningful impact through your work.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you go all-in on one service? In this episode of Women in Agencies, host Beth chats with Margaret Ward, founder of Claddagh Creative, a specialist email marketing agency. Margaret shares the candid journey of pivoting her agency from a multi-service offering to focusing solely on email marketing.  Key topics discussed include:- The decision and transition process of narrowing services to just email- How specialisation has improved client referrals and outreach- Practical insights into pricing, packaging, and one-off service models- Common mistakes businesses make in email marketing- The benefits of agency collaboration If you've ever debated whether to niche down or how to make your agency more profitable, this conversation offers real-life strategies and reflections.  Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.ukhttps://www.claddaghcreative.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover Kim Somerville's insights on agency benchmarking, female founders, and sustainable success in this Women in Agencies episode.How do you measure success as a creative agency founder beyond headcount and turnover? In this episode, Beth chats with Kim Somerville, co-founder of Agency by Agency, about benchmarking your agency against industry-wide data to find both sustainability and joy in how you do business. Drawing from her own experiences leading agencies and working client-side in the charity sector, Kim shares why access to reliable, non self-reported data is empowering agency leaders—especially women—in making informed decisions.  Highlights include:- The current state of the UK's agency landscape with over 25,000 agencies mapped- Why 27% of UK agencies founded by women is worth celebrating—but why we need more- What defines micro and small agencies and their £1.3B contribution to the economy- The “sweet spot” in agency size for growth and agility- Why data is critical for setting your own benchmarks, not just chasing revenue goals Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to thrive in agency life as a parent, a woman, and a leader? In this powerful Sister Sessions episode, host from Women in Agencies sits down with Ellie Hale, Partnerships Director at Reflect Digital and founder of Agency Land. With honesty and humour, Ellie dives into the realities of agency work, motherhood, and building more compassionate and diverse workplaces.Key topics covered:- Why agency cultures need more than box-ticking on policies- The pressure and pitfalls of the 'build to sell' agency model- Navigating miscarriage, fertility, and maternity experiences courageously- How Reflect Digital and Agency Land are championing transparency and inclusion in the marketing space- Advice for agency founders on building authentic support systemsWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you grow an agency from scratch while staying visible as a founder? In this relaxed but insight-packed episode, we sit down with Ellie from Sage, a content and social agency that has quickly made a name for itself in the organic marketing space.Ellie shares how she launched the agency in 2024 after years as an in-house marketing lead, and how she’s now managing rapid growth, client work and team building while still showing up with a strong personal brand.We cover:- How her personal brand on LinkedIn generated 90% of her early clients- What founders can do when they have “no time and no content”- Building systems, hiring early team members and learning to say “we” not “I”- The value of repurposing content for scale while staying on-message- Agency collaborations, red flags, and the power of not seeing others as competitionEllie’s honesty about the scrappy early days and the mindset shifts that come with growth make this episode a must-listen for anyone growing a service-led agency.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to scale a successful agency? In this episode of the Women and Agencies podcast, Emily Hatton, a business operations consultant, breaks down the practical strategies founders can use to grow their agencies more sustainably. Drawing on her experience helping agencies through growth phases, Emily shares what’s often missing behind the scenes of successful businesses.In this conversation, we cover:- Key growth pinch points for agencies at team sizes of 10 and 25- The role of founders versus operations specialists in sustaining growth- Common mistakes around hiring, people management, and financial planning- Why scorecards and tracking KPIs are essential — even for solo founders- Unique challenges faced by female founders in business developmentWhether you're running a lean team or looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable insight.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can marketing agency leaders use AI to improve client outcomes, team efficiency, and business sustainability? In this episode of the Women in Agencies podcast, we sit down with agency founder Mary Anne Da Marzo to explore exactly that. Known for her hands-on digital expertise and content creation background, Mary Anne shares practical strategies and personal stories that shaped her journey from startup to streamlined success.Covered in this episode:- How Mary Anne built her agency from scratch by learning from 30 other agency pitches- Lessons from sales brutality, cold calling, and early career resilience- Where and how AI creates real value across client delivery and internal ops- How her custom GPTs boost content creation, reporting and performance- Why running a smaller, profitable agency can be a strategic choice, not a limitationWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens after you sell the agency you built from scratch? In this episode of the Women in Agencies podcast, Liz shares her journey from launching a video game-focused creative agency to selling it to a global group and finding a new path in marketing leadership. With 20+ years in the video games space, Liz offers a wealth of insight on agency growth and strategic exit planning.Here’s what we cover:- Starting a specialised agency in the male-dominated world of gaming marketing- Building profitability and defining niche services for long-term success- The emotional and operational reality of selling your business- Transitioning from agency owner to in-house marketing lead- The importance of agency networks and coaching when scalingIf you're thinking about growth, exit plans, or long-term sustainability, Liz’s story is packed with practical takeaways.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to run effective PPC campaigns in today’s fast-changing landscape? In this episode of the Women in Agencies podcast, we sit down with Sadie, Marketing Manager at Creative Pod, to explore the ins and outs of pay-per-click strategy and reporting from an agency perspective.Sadie shares her journey into agency life, her love of PPC, and the importance of patience, budget, and clear client communication. We also get into:- Practical onboarding and strategy-setting for new PPC clients- How Creative Pod approaches reporting and client transparency- Pros and cons of automating vs manually managing PPC dashboards- Navigating Google’s ongoing changes and the impact of AI- Why PPC can be a game-changer for performance-led campaignsWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What drives someone to leave a traditional career path and build an agency from scratch? In this compelling episode of Women in Agencies, Mary, founder and CEO of Faltrego, shares the deeply personal and professional journey that led her to create a women-led creative agency focused on person-centred storytelling for charities, healthcare, and purpose-driven brands.Key topics discussed:- Why Mary built Faltrego and what the agency name means to her- The value of niche positioning and how it drives growth- How Faltrego approaches person-centred storytelling and co-creation with lived-experience groups- Why representation in advertising needs more than on-screen diversity- The importance of flexibility, inclusivity, and transparency in agency culture todayWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes a great client journey from onboarding to offboarding? In this episode of the Women in Agencies podcast – Sister Sessions, we speak with Amiee, Head of Communications at Manchester-based digital agency DMT. With years of agency growth behind her, Amy dives deep into the systems, processes, and lessons learned from working across every touchpoint of the client journey.Listen in as we explore:- Why a strong onboarding process is essential for long-term retention- How DMT navigates difficult client offboarding with grace and honesty- The impact of COVID-era growth and how it shaped team culture- How agencies can offer flexible packages in challenging markets- The comms tactics that support client trust and internal alignmentAmy also shares a dramatic (and surprisingly successful) tale of tracking stolen company laptops with the help of TikTok tote bags.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to grow a successful agency in a crowded, competitive market? In this episode of the Women in Agencies sister sessions podcast, agency growth and operations advisor Freya shares actionable insight from over 14 years of experience scaling agencies from the ground up.Freya dives into common agency growing pains, from pricing mistakes and unclear positioning to sales process inefficiencies and capacity planning. Drawing from her own journey—where she led rapid agency expansion from 1 to 100+ staff—Freya now advises a range of agencies on how to scale sustainably.Key topics include:- Why niching and clear positioning are essential in today’s saturated market- How to improve win rates with better pitch and sales processes- Calculating profitable pricing based on team utilisation and margins- Common growth plateaus and how to move beyond 10–13 staff- Strategic services that make agencies irreplaceableWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We chatted to Sam, PPC Director at Bring Digital about all things PPC!Share your thoughts with us over on socials:https://www.instagram.com/womeninagencies/https://www.tiktok.com/@womeninagenciesJOIN US:Looking for an empowering community where you can find inspiringwomen to connect, collaborate and learn with?🚀We promote careerand business development for our members.📣Our membersnetwork regularly shares business and job opportunities.💥We arecheerleaders. We are allies. We are leaders. We are learners.Join Women in Agencies for just £22 per month - possibly thebest value business networking group you will find!LINKS:https://www.bringdigital.co.ukhttps://womeninagencies.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s it really like to shift from a large publishing house into the fast-paced world of a small creative agency? In this Sister Sessions episode of the Women in Agencies podcast, Digital Marketing Manager Emmy Hayward shares how her career developed from video distribution to a multi-skilled marketing role at London-based agency Foundry.Inside this conversation, Emmy explains the benefits of working in a smaller agency environment and the unexpected skills that come with it. She also offers valuable practical advice for early-career professionals trying to break into the agency world.Key topics covered:- Emmy’s journey from publishing to digital marketing- How small agency life accelerates skill development- The power of cold emailing and networking for career growth- The importance of learning strategy, analytics and versatility- Honest advice on getting your foot in the door (without the glamorised version)Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really makes a good agency-client relationship work? In this insightful conversation, Beth from Digital Loft shares her experience leading business development and client services in a fast-growing digital agency.Tune in as Beth discusses:- Key differences between UK and US digital PR strategies- Why transparency and honesty matter more than perfect results- How digital PR fits into broader organic marketing goals- Red flags agencies should consider before signing clients- Balancing big brand recognition with sustainable agency growthWhether you’re leading new business, delivering client strategy, or refining your PR offering, there’s plenty of actionable insight in this candid episode.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to truly stand out as a brand? In this engaging Women in Agencies episode, we hear from Anna Jones, founder of Your Agency, a Chicago-based branding and marketing agency supporting female founders. With a background in retail and a passion for connecting people, Anna shares practical advice on building visibility, brand reputation, and real community online.This episode covers:- How to define and maintain a genuine brand reputation- Why research and customer listening are your best branding assets- The role of storytelling, personalised connections, and empathy in content marketing- Useful content tips across social media platforms from Instagram to LinkedIn- The importance of doing over telling when it comes to brand valuesWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to create authentic, results-driven influencer marketing campaigns? In this Women in Agencies session, Fadzi from Handled Agency shares her journey from social media freelancer to founder of a growing talent and social agency. With stories from real campaigns and insight into both sides of the influencer-brand relationship, Fadzi outlines what makes influencer partnerships work.Topics covered include:- How to vet and select the right influencers for your brand- What makes a campaign genuinely successful (and what derails it)- Transparent insights on fees, benchmarking, and misconceptions- Red flags to avoid when working with influencers or management- How to build long-term rewards beyond one-off content postsWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you build a successful PR agency and raise a toddler at the same time? In this candid Sister Session, Beth speaks with Megan, founder of Orange PR Marketing, about the realities of launching an agency during maternity leave and redefining what flexible work really means.From managing clients during nap time to creating compassionate policies for working parents, Megan shares her personal journey and thoughtful take on what the PR industry needs to support returning mums and dads. You'll hear:- Why Megan transitioned from freelancing to founding her own agency- The challenges of juggling parenthood and entrepreneurship- How Orange PR aims to be truly flexible and family-supportive- What maternity, miscarriage, and fertility policies she believes agencies must implement- Reflections on changing workplace attitudes towards working mothers and shared parental leaveWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do marketing agencies struggle with their own marketing? In this insightful conversation recorded at a Women in Agencies sister session, Claire from Chime Agency shares her expert knowledge in helping agencies build their brand and implement sustainable marketing strategies. Claire founded Chime in 2020 and now leads a team that works exclusively with agencies on defining their positioning, developing content, and growing sustainably.Tune in to explore key topics including:- Why so many agencies neglect their own marketing and when to bring in external support- The challenges of scaling from freelancer to agency and maintaining consistency- How to approach internal marketing strategy with limited resources- Content strategy tips for lead generation, brand building, and talent attraction- Using sector-specific thought leadership and how to repurpose content effectivelyWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you combine email marketing strategy with the science of positive psychology? In this episode, we speak with Kelly Cookson, founder of Cheer Up Marketing, about how fostering a positive mindset can unlock both personal and professional growth. Kelly shares how her background in marketing and recent qualification as a positive psychology coach have shaped her unique offering for solopreneurs and women in service-based businesses.Topics you'll hear about in this inspiring session:- Why developing a growth mindset is essential for business resilience- How science-backed gratitude practices can elevate your day- The difference between marketing strategy and mindset—and why you need both- What 'making it work' looked like for Kelly, from freelancing to six figures- Red flags and myths in online business coachingWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can you stand out in an overloaded social media landscape? In this expert-led session, Karina from Girl About Social shares her proven approach to building personal and client brands with confidence. With nearly a decade of experience, Karina walks through her 'Sassy Strategy' and offers advice tailored to agency professionals navigating the evolving social space.Key topics discussed include:- Tips for developing your personal brand without overwhelming yourself- Why chasing followers and algorithms is a distraction and what to focus on instead- Platform-specific predictions for 2023 and what they mean for strategy- How to build authentic content that engages your true audience- Simple engagement tactics to boost visibility with minimal effortThis conversation is part of the monthly Sister Sessions series from Women in Agencies.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social media is evolving fast and it’s not just about likes and engagement anymore. In this Women in Agencies Sister Session, we dive into the rising importance of social media SEO with Abby, Social Media Manager at Rise at Seven. Learn why TikTok is becoming the go-to search engine for Gen Z, how to optimise your profile for discoverability, and what brands need to rethink in a search-first world. Abby shares practical, platform-specific insights from real agency work, including:- What makes TikTok SEO tick: captions, auto-text, and sound- How to measure and prove social SEO value to clients- Tools and tactics for keyword and trend research across platforms- Real campaign case studies from Mark Hill and University of Derby- Strategy tips for agencies balancing paid vs organicWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to put solid HR foundations in place as your agency grows? In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Georgia from Access HR, a consultant specialising in outsourced HR for small businesses and agencies. Georgia shares her deep knowledge and practical advice specifically tailored to agency owners, with extra focus on female-led teams.We cover:- The five essential policies every growing agency must implement- How to approach maternity, paternity and parental leave strategically- Supporting retention and well-being in competitive hiring markets- Flexible work, job shares, and how to build a positive culture remotely- Why investing in people leads to organic company culture and long-term growthWant more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling self-doubt at work? You're not alone. In this Women in Agencies Sister Session, Beth welcomes Steph, Brand Communications Manager at Circus PPC, to discuss imposter syndrome and how agency culture impacts confidence. Steph candidly shares her journey from redundancy to finding a workplace that supports her growth and self-belief.In this episode, we explore:- What imposter syndrome really is (and isn’t)- How agency leaders can build confidence in junior staff- Ways to improve internal communication and feedback loops- Creating inclusive company cultures that support all employees- The importance of aligning with the right clients and peersThis conversation also features powerful input from community members, offering real stories and strategies for navigating professional self-doubt.Want more support? Join Women in Agencies – womeninagencies.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We chatted to Jessica Ward from Foolproof Marketing all about the changing face of Public Relations. She gave her unique insight into what piques her interest as a journalist when a PR is pitching! Along with 4 of our WIA members, myself (Beth, the founder of WIA) and Jess we discussed all things marketing strategy, digital content, social media and lots more!Please rate and review our podcast wherever you are listening, it really helps us!Join Women in Agencies for FREE (limited time offer) here: https://womeninagencies.com/Visit our Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/womeninagencies/Jess' agency: https://www.foolproofmarketingco.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.